Twenty-three of 30 NBA general managers are all in: Victor Wembanyama is your next MVP. That’s the word from the 25th Annual NBA GM Survey, which just dropped Thursday, and it’s sending shockwaves through the league right before tip-off.
The San Antonio Spurs’ 22-year-old center isn’t just a hopeful; he’s the overwhelming favorite to snag his first-ever MVP award. This isn’t some hot take from an online forum, this is the brass calling their shot. Wembanyama’s third season was insane, pulling down 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and an NBA-high 3.1 blocks. He didn’t just put up numbers; he led the Spurs to a 62-win season and a Western Conference title. Oh, and for anyone wondering, back-to-back MVP winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only snagged a single vote in the survey. Nikola Jokić got three, Anthony Edwards got two, and Jayson Tatum also got one. It’s clear the GMs believe this is Wembanyama’s league now.
It’s not just the MVP; the GMs also tapped the San Antonio Spurs to win the whole damn thing, with 15 votes for champion. The Oklahoma City Thunder are right on their heels with 13 votes, making it clear these two Western Conference powerhouses are the top contenders. Remember last year? OKC won 64 games and cruised to the Western Conference Finals with back-to-back sweeps, but they still fell in seven games to the Spurs. Both teams kept their stars and added more talent, so you know the rivalry is only going to get more intense chasing that Larry O’Brien Trophy. On the Eastern Conference side, the Knicks and 76ers each got a single vote for champion, showing the West truly runs the show right now.
Now, let’s talk about the new blood. The Rookie of the Year race is shaping up to be a tight one. Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer is leading the pack with 15 votes, followed by Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson, who snagged six. Washington’s AJ Dybantsa (5 votes) and Utah’s Darryn Peterson (4 votes) are also in the mix. Boozer and Wilson are expected to get huge opportunities on their young, rebuilding squads, which could totally launch them in the ROY conversation.
And what about the best moves this offseason? The Philadelphia 76ers absolutely crushed it, according to 22 GMs, which is a massive landslide. Why? They went out and brought in Jaylen Brown *and* LeBron James. That’s a lineup that instantly catapults them into being one of the NBA’s best starting fives. They’re not just an Eastern Conference contender; they’re arguably the biggest threat to the Knicks’ hopes for back-to-back titles. Miami got three votes for best offseason, with Charlotte getting two, and Boston, Minnesota, and Toronto each grabbing one. Other fun facts from the survey: Milwaukee’s Brayden Burries was named biggest draft steal (10 votes), Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra is the best head coach (13 votes), and the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs tied for most fun team to watch (9 votes each). The Indiana Pacers were picked as the most improved team with 13 votes.
The NBA season kicks off Tuesday with a triple-header, headlined by the New York Knicks hosting LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers. Can the 76ers live up to the GM hype and challenge for the East? And can Wembanyama truly dominate from day one? Get ready, it’s going to be a wild season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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