As the new NBA season approaches, the league’s General Managers have shared their predictions in the 24th annual survey. The results show strong confidence in the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to win the title again. The survey also highlights a shift towards younger talent, with players like Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg receiving major recognition, while veterans such as Nikola Jokić continue to be seen as top performers.
🏆 Thunder Seen as Clear Favorites
An overwhelming 80% of NBA GMs believe the Oklahoma City Thunder will win the 2026 NBA Finals. This makes them the strong favorites to repeat as champions, a significant increase from last year when the Celtics were the top pick. In the Western Conference, the Thunder are heavily favored, with the Denver Nuggets ranked as their main challenger. Over in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers are tipped to finish first, followed by the New York Knicks.
⭐ Star Players Expected to Shine
When it comes to individual awards, Denver’s Nikola Jokić is the top choice to win his fourth MVP award, receiving 67% of the votes. San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama is seen as the player most GMs would build a new team around (83%) and was also overwhelmingly voted the league’s best defensive player. Other top player selections include Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the best point guard, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards as the best shooting guard, and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo as the best power forward.
🚀 The Next Generation is Here
The survey clearly shows that the league’s future is in good hands. Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is the near-unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year, gathering an incredible 97% of the vote. GMs also believe he will be the best player from his draft class in five years. Houston’s Amen Thompson is expected to have a breakout season and was also named the league’s most athletic player, showcasing the exciting potential of the NBA’s young stars.
🧠 Top Coaches and Key Moves
In the coaching ranks, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra was once again voted the best head coach in the NBA. Regarding offseason activity, the Atlanta Hawks were praised for making the best overall moves. The acquisition of Kevin Durant by the Houston Rockets is considered the single most impactful player move of the offseason, with 73% of GMs agreeing it will make the biggest difference for a team.
