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The next generation of NBA stars is here.
The reigning champs include two budding stars that are just 23 and 24 years old, as well as another starter who turns 22 in November. Unsurprisingly, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by the 27-year-old reigning Kia MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are the overwhelming favorite in the 24th annual NBA GM Survey to win another title in 2026.
The best defender in the league, according to the league’s decision-makers, is 21-year-old Victor Wembanyama. The best perimeter defender is 22-year-old Dyson Daniels. The best shooting guard — Anthony Edwards — just turned 24. And the next big thing is the Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg, the overwhelming pick to be Kia Rookie of the Year and the best (current) rookie five years from now.
There’s still plenty of love for the 30-and-over set. Nikola Jokić is picked to win his fourth Kia MVP award, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the best power forward in the league and Kevin Durant is the offseason acquisition that will make the biggest impact.
The GMs responded to 49 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question and not necessarily all 30 GMs.
> Predictions
Which team will win the 2026 NBA Finals?
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 80%
T-2. Cleveland Cavaliers – 7%
T-2. Denver Nuggets – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Houston Rockets, New York Knicks
» Last year: Boston Celtics – 83%
Eastern Conference rankings
Team
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
%Total
1.
Cleveland
63%
27%
7%
35%
2.
New York
30%
53%
13%
31%
3.
Orlando
7%
13%
60%
13%
20%
4.
Atlanta
3%
37%
5%
5.
Detroit
10%
23%
4%
Milwaukee
3%
10%
13%
4%
7.
Philadelphia
10%
0%
8.
Boston
3%
0%
%Total = Percentage of total points (4 for 1st place vote, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd, 1 for 4th)
» Last year: 97% picked Boston to win the East. Order after the Celtics was New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Orlando and Indiana.
Western Conference rankings
Team
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
%Total
1.
Oklahoma City
87%
10%
38%
2.
Denver
10%
53%
17%
10%
24%
3.
Houston
3%
23%
30%
30%
17%
4.
Minnesota
3%
23%
30%
9%
5.
Golden State
3%
13%
10%
5%
6.
LA Clippers
3%
10%
7%
4%
7.
Los Angeles Lakers
7%
7%
2%
8.
Dallas
3%
3%
1%
9.
San Antonio
3%
0%
%Total = Percentage of total points (4 for 1st place vote, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd, 1 for 4th)
» Last year: 80% picked Oklahoma City to win the West. Order after the Thunder was Minnesota, Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, Memphis, New Orleans and Golden State.
# # #
> Players
Who will win the 2025-26 Kia MVP?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 67%
2. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 10%
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 8%
4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland
» Last year: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 40%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 83%
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 13%
3. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 3%
» Last year: Victor Wembanyama – 77%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 57%
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 17%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 13%
4. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 10%
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 3%
» Last year: Luka Dončić – 33%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2025-26?
1. Amen Thompson, Houston – 30%
T-2. Brandon Miller, Charlotte – 10%
T-2. Ausar Thompson, Detroit – 10%
T-2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 10%
5. Franz Wagner, Orlando – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Deni Avdija, Portland; Stephon Castle, San Antonio; Jalen Green, Phoenix; Jalen Johnson, Atlanta; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia; Alex Sarr, Washington; Alperen Sengun, Houston; Reed Sheppard, Houston; Jabari Smith Jr., Houston; Zion Williamson, New Orleans
» Last year: Jalen Williams – 13%
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 73%
2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 17%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 7%
4. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana – 3%
» Last year: Luka Dončić – 37%
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 70%
2. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland – 13%
T-3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 7%
T-3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 7%
5. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 3%
» Last year: Anthony Edwards – 33%
Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 40%
2. Jayson Tatum, Boston – 20%
3. Kevin Durant, Houston – 17%
T-4. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers – 7%
T-4. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Jaylen Brown, Boston; Jimmy Butler, Golden State; Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City
» Last year: Jayson Tatum – 47%
Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 93%
2. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 7%
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 77%
Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 97%
2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 3%
» Last year: Nikola Jokić – 87%
Highest percentage of total votes on position questions
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 19.3%
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 18.7%
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 16%
4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 14%
5. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 12.7%
» Last year: Nikola Jokić – 17%
# # #
> Offseason Moves
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
1. Atlanta Hawks – 53%
2. Houston Rockets – 27%
3. Denver Nuggets – 10%
4. Orlando Magic – 7%
5. Boston Celtics – 3%
» Last year: Oklahoma City Thunder – 37%
Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
1. Kevin Durant, Houston – 73%
2. Desmond Bane, Orlando – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Cooper Flagg, Dallas; Jrue Holiday, Portland; Myles Turner, Milwaukee
» Last year: Paul George – 60%
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Desmond Bane, Orlando – 17%
2. Cam Johnson, Denver – 13%
3. Kristaps Porziņģis, Atlanta – 10%
T-4. Lonzo Ball, Cleveland – 7%
T-4. John Collins, LA Clippers – 7%
T-4. Dorian Finney-Smith, Houston – 7%
T-4. Jrue Holiday, Portland – 7%
T-4. Luke Kornet, San Antonio – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Deandre Ayton, Los Angeles Lakers; Bradley Beal, LA Clippers; Jalen Green, Phoenix; Al Horford, Golden State; Kevon Looney, New Orleans; Brook Lopez, LA Clippers; Norman Powell, Miami; Marcus Smart, Los Angeles Lakers
» Last year: Alex Caruso – 23%
Which team will be most improved in 2025-26?
1. Orlando Magic – 47%
T-2. Atlanta Hawks – 20%
T-2. San Antonio Spurs – 20%
4. Philadelphia 76ers – 10%
5. New Orleans Pelicans – 3%
» Last year: Memphis Grizzlies – 67%
What was the most surprising move of the offseason?
1. Milwaukee waiving/stretching Damian Lillard – 43%
2. Myles Turner to Milwaukee – 30%
T-3. Atlanta-New Orleans Draft trade – 7%
T-3. Celtics breaking up their core – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Deandre Ayton signing with Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Porter Jr. trade to Brooklyn, Dennis Schröder to Sacramento, Yang Hansen drafted at No. 16
» Last year: Karl-Anthony Towns – 27%
# # #
> Rookies & International Players
Who will win the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year?
1. Cooper Flagg, Dallas – 97%
2. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia – 3%
» Last year: Reed Sheppard – 50%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
1. Cooper Flagg, Dallas – 93%
» Also receiving votes: VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia; Dylan Harper, San Antonio
» Last year: Reed Sheppard – 43%
» Five years ago: James Wiseman – 36%
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?
1. Kasparas Jakučionis (20), Miami – 17%
T-2. Ace Bailey (5), Utah – 10%
T-2. Carter Bryant (14), San Antonio – 10%
T-4. Joan Beringer (17), Minnesota – 7%
T-4. Liam McNeeley (29), Charlotte – 7%
T-4. Asa Newell (23), Atlanta – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Brooks Barnhizer (44), Oklahoma City; Johni Broome (35), Philadelphia; Walter Clayton Jr. (18), Utah; Nique Clifford (24), Sacramento; Cedric Coward (11), Memphis; Rasheer Fleming (31), Phoenix; Tre Johnson (6), Washington; Ryan Kalkbrenner (34), Charlotte; Khaman Maluach (10), Phoenix; Collin Murray-Boyles (9), Toronto; Taelon Peter (54), Indiana; Adou Thiero (36), Los Angeles Lakers; Danny Wolf (27), Brooklyn
» Last year: Bub Carrington, Devin Carter, Johnny Furphy, Dalton Knecht, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Nikola Topić – 10%
Who is the best international player in the NBA?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 93%
» Also receiving votes: Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City
» Last year: Nikola Jokić – 87%
Who is the best international player NOT in the NBA?
1. Sasha Vezenkov – 44%
T-2. Isaac Bonga – 10%
T-2. Cedi Osman – 10%
T-4. Nikola Mirotić – 7%
T-4. Kendrick Nunn – 7%
T-4. Edy Tavares – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Evan Fournier, Trey Lyles, Théo Maledon, Vasilije Micić, Miikka Muurinen
» Last year: Sasha Vezenkov – 30%
# # #
> Defense
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 80%
T-2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 7%
T-2. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Lu Dort, Oklahoma City
» Last year: Victor Wembanyama – 40%
Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
1. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta – 31%
2. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City – 24%
3. Amen Thompson, Houston – 22%
4. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City – 14%
5. Jrue Holiday, Portland – 7%
6. Ausar Thompson, Detroit – 2%
» Last year: Jrue Holiday – 43%
Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 80%
2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 10%
» Also receiving votes: Anthony Davis, Dallas; Evan Mobley, Cleveland; Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers
» Last year: Victor Wembanyama – 40%
Who is the most versatile defender in the NBA?
1. Amen Thompson, Houston – 18%
2. Draymond Green, Golden State – 17%
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 13%
T-4. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta – 10%
T-4. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 10%
T-4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 10%
T-7. OG Anunoby, New York – 7%
T-7. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Toumani Camara, Portland; Tari Eason, Houston; Ausar Thompson, Detroit
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 17%
Which is the best defensive team in the NBA?
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 83%
T-2. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7%
T-2. Orlando Magic – 7%
4. Houston Rockets – 3%
» Last year: Boston Celtics – 57%
# # #
> Coaches
Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
1. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 52%
2. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City – 34%
3. Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Rick Carlisle, Indiana; Nick Nurse, Philadelphia
» Last year: Erik Spoelstra – 69%
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
1. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 28%
2. Ime Udoka, Houston – 24%
T-3. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 14%
T-3. Joe Mazzulla, Boston – 14%
5. Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland; J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit; Rick Carlisle, Indiana; Jamahl Mosley, Orlando
» Last year: Erik Spoelstra – 37%
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
1. Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers – 40%
2. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City – 23%
T-3. Rick Carlisle, Indiana – 13%
T-3. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 13%
» Also receiving votes: Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland; Chris Finch, Minnesota; Ime Udoka, Houston
» Last year: Tyronn Lue – 28%
Which head coach runs the best offense?
1. Rick Carlisle, Indiana – 53%
T-2. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland – 10%
T-2. Chris Finch, Minnesota – 10%
T-4. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City – 7%
T-4. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Mike Brown, New York; Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers; Quin Snyder, Atlanta; Erik Spoelstra, Miami
» Last year: Rick Carlisle – 47%
Which head coach has the best defensive schemes?
1. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City – 37%
2. Ime Udoka, Houston – 23%
3. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 13%
T-4. Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers – 10%
T-4. Joe Mazzulla, Boston – 10%
» Also receiving votes: J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit; Chris Finch, Minnesota
» Last year: Erik Spoelstra – 23%
Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?
1. Micah Nori, Minnesota – 25%
2. Jeff Van Gundy, LA Clippers – 14%
3. Royal Ivey, Houston – 11%
T-4. Sam Cassell, Boston – 7%
T-4. Chris Quinn, Miami – 7%
» Also receiving votes: James Borrego, New Orleans; Darren Erman, New York; Darvin Ham, Milwaukee; Juwan Howard, Brooklyn; Chris Jent, New York; Jay Larranaga, LA Clippers; Josh Longstaff, Charlotte; Jerry Stackhouse, Golden State; Sean Sweeney, San Antonio; Wes Unseld Jr., Chicago
» Last year: Sam Cassell & Micah Nori – 17%
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
1. Chris Paul, LA Clippers – 27%
T-2. Mike Conley, Minnesota – 17%
T-2. T.J. McConnell, Indiana – 17%
4. Fred VanVleet, Houston – 13%
5. Garrett Temple, Toronto – 10%
6. Jrue Holiday, Portland – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Kyle Anderson, Utah; Luke Kornet, San Antonio; Andrew Nembhard, Indiana
» Last year: Chris Paul – 30%
# # #
> Miscellaneous
Which team is the most fun to watch?
T-1. Denver Nuggets – 27%
T-1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 27%
3. Indiana Pacers – 20%
T-4. Golden State Warriors – 7%
T-4. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic
» Last year: Indiana Pacers – 37%
Which team has the best home-court advantage?
T-1. Denver Nuggets – 43%
T-1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 43%
3. New York Knicks – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers
» Last year: Denver Nuggets – 47%
Which team will have the league’s most efficient offense this season?
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – 40%
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – 30%
3. Denver Nuggets – 20%
» Also receiving votes: Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks
» Last year: Boston Celtics – 53%
Which team’s level of success this season is toughest to predict?
1. Philadelphia 76ers – 47%
T-2. Dallas Mavericks – 7%
T-2. Golden State Warriors – 7%
T-2. Houston Rockets – 7%
T-2. LA Clippers – 7%
T-2. Los Angeles Lakers – 7%
T-2. Memphis Grizzlies – 7%
T-2. New Orleans Pelicans – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks
» Last year: Los Angeles Lakers – 17%
Which team has the most promising young core?
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 50%
2. San Antonio Spurs – 27%
T-3. Detroit Pistons – 10%
T-3. Houston Rockets – 10%
5. Orlando Magic – 3%
» Last year: Oklahoma City Thunder – 60%
Which player is the most athletic?
1. Amen Thompson, Houston – 58%
2. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 23%
» Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers; Ja Morant, Memphis; Shaedon Sharpe, Portland; Ausar Thompson, Detroit; Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio
» Last year: Anthony Edwards – 45%
Which player is the best pure shooter?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 93%
2. Klay Thompson – Dallas – 7%
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 87%
Which player is the fastest with the ball?
1. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio – 53%
2. Ja Morant, Memphis – 33%
3. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Jaden Ivey, Detroit; Amen Thompson, Houston
» Last year: De’Aaron Fox – 52%
Which player is the best at moving without the ball?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 90%
» Also receiving votes: Desmond Bane, Orlando; Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn; Duncan Robinson, Detroit
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 83%
Which player is the best passer?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 80%
2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 10%
3. Trae Young, Atlanta – 7%
4. James Harden, LA Clippers – 3%
» Last year: Nikola Jokić – 70%
Which player is the best leader?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 43%
2. Jalen Brunson, New York – 13%
3. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 10%
T-4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 7%
T-4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 7%
T-4. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Mike Conley, Minnesota; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Jayson Tatum, Boston; Fred VanVleet, Houston
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 33%
Who is the most versatile player in the NBA?
T-1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 30%
T-1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 30%
T-3. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers – 7%
T-3. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 7%
T-3. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Cade Cunningham, Detroit; Kevin Durant, Houston; Draymond Green, Golden State; Nikola Jokić, Denver; Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers; Jayson Tatum, Boston
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 30%
Which player has the best basketball IQ?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 80%
2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers – 17%
3. Chris Paul, LA Clippers – 3%
» Last year: Nikola Jokić – 53%
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 47%
2. Kevin Durant, Houston – 17%
3. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana – 13%
4. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers – 10%
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Jalen Brunson, New York; Nikola Jokić, Denver
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 40%
What rule (regarding play, schedule, Draft/Lottery, playoff format, roster construction, etc.) most needs to change?
1. Roster construction – Apron rules too harsh, Add a cap discount for own drafted players, Allow trading partial salaries, Make all minimum contracts the same – 26%
2. Draft schedule – Back to one day, Only Lottery on Day 1, After Free agency – 19%
3. Game flow – Continuous/faster review, Hockey-style subs, No live-ball timeouts – 15%
4. Playoff format – Seed 1-16, Top seeds choose opponents, Change Play-In format – 11%
T-5. Draft system – Can’t draft in top six in three straight years, Shouldn’t reward losing – 7%
T-5. Higher penalties for cap circumvention – 7%
T-5. Schedule – Fewer back-to-backs, No home-road back-to-backs – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Elam ending, More G-League experimentation, No disqualification on sixth foul (one shot + ball)
» Last year: Roster construction – Apron rules, etc. – 20%
* * *
John Schuhmann is a writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.