If the annual survey of NBA general managers is anything to go by, then the upcoming season belongs to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
The San Antonio Spurs were not the favorites to win the NBA last season, but following 62 wins and a surprise run to the NBA Finals last year, the general managers believe they have what it takes to win the 2027 title. Wembanyama is also expected to win MVP and be named the league’s best defensive player.
The 7-foot-4 French center got 93% of the vote when GMs were asked: “If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?”
Spurs are actually not the overwhelming favourites, though. San Antonio got 50% of the vote, only narrowly ahead of the 2025 champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The defending champion New York Knicks, who were picked to win the Eastern Conference, and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers, boosted by LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, also picked up title votes.
ESPN reported that Wemby dominates the MVP race. He is the heavy favorite for the award with 77% of the vote. Denver’s Nikola Jokić (10%) and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (7%) also got nods. He was also named the “player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments”, the “best international player” and “the most versatile player”.
Another Spurs player was also recognized in the survey. Dylan Harper, the 2025 No. 2 pick, was voted the player most likely to have a breakthrough season, ahead of Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg. Tobias Harris, the veteran forward who signed with San Antonio in free agency, was named the offseason’s “most underrated player acquisition”. The Spurs’ young core of Wembanyama, Harper and Stephon Castle was voted the league’s most promising.
Elsewhere, the GMs picked the 76ers for the “best overall moves this offseason” for adding James and Brown, ahead of the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets. Miami’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, however, was seen as the “acquisition who will make the biggest impact”.
NBA.com has surveyed the league’s general managers for the past 25 seasons, and this year’s edition had 48 questions about players, teams and recent transactions.
