The people who build NBA rosters for a living have spoken, and they see one player towering over the rest of the league.
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs dominated the annual survey of NBA general managers released Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, with the Spurs picked to win the 2027 championship.
What did GMs predict for Victor Wembanyama?
A huge season. General managers projected the French center, who is 22, to win his first MVP award, giving him 77% of the votes. If he wins, he would become one of the youngest MVPs in league history.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic received 10% of the MVP votes, and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards received 7%.
Victor Wembanyama was also projected as the league’s top defensive player. In addition, GMs named him the best international player, the most versatile player and the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments.
Perhaps most telling, 93% of general managers said Victor Wembanyama is the player they would sign first if they were starting a franchise today.
Are the Spurs title favorites?
Yes, but not by much. San Antonio received 50% of the votes to win the title, narrowly edging the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won the championship in 2025. Oklahoma City has remained one of the deepest teams in the league.
The New York Knicks, the defending champions, were picked to win the Eastern Conference and also received title votes. So did the Philadelphia 76ers, who added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown this offseason. James, who turns 42 in December, is entering a record 24th NBA season.
The Spurs won 62 games last season and made a surprise run to the NBA Finals. The Finals run came well ahead of schedule for a team that had been rebuilding around its young star.
Which other Spurs players stood out?
Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft, was voted the player most likely to have a breakthrough season. He edged Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg in that category. Flagg was the No. 1 pick in that same draft.
Tobias Harris, a veteran forward who signed with San Antonio in free agency, was named the most underrated player acquisition of the offseason. Harris brings experience to a roster built around young talent.
GMs also called the Spurs’ young core, featuring Victor Wembanyama, Harper and Stephon Castle, the most promising in the league. Castle was the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2025.
Who won the offseason according to GMs?
The 76ers were voted as having the best overall moves this offseason for adding James and Brown. The Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets finished behind them.
Miami’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, however, was picked as the acquisition that will make the biggest impact. Antetokounmpo has won two MVP awards and an NBA title.
What does the survey mean for Victor Wembanyama?
It confirms how quickly he has become the face of the league. Victor Wembanyama, who stands 7 feet 4, has already drawn comparisons to some of the most talented big men in NBA history.
Preseason surveys do not always predict the outcome. The Spurs know a return trip to the Finals will not be easy, especially with Oklahoma City, New York and Philadelphia loaded with talent. Injuries and playoff matchups often decide titles more than preseason expectations.
NBA.com has surveyed general managers for the past 25 seasons. This year’s survey included 48 questions about players, teams and offseason moves. Voters cannot select players from their own teams.
For now, the league’s decision makers agree on one thing. Victor Wembanyama is the player to watch, and to beat.
