An annual survey of NBA general managers revealed Thursday that the league is bracing for a full takeover by Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
After winning 62 games and making a surprise trip to the NBA Finals last season, the Spurs emerged as the survey's 2027 championship favorite and Wembanyama was projected to win Most Valuable Player and be selected as the league's best defensive player.
In addition, the 7-foot-4 French center received 93% of the votes in response to the question: "If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?"
The general managers did not view the Spurs as overwhelming title favorites. San Antonio received 50% of the votes, narrowly topping 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, bolstered by LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, also received votes to win the title.
Wembanyama, 22, was selected as the heavy favorite to win his first MVP award with 77% of the votes. Denver's Nikola Jokic (10%) and Minnesota's Anthony Edwards (7%) also earned nods.
While Wembanyama was also selected as the "player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments," the "best international player" and "the most versatile player," he wasn't the only Spurs star to receive recognition in the extensive survey.
Dylan Harper, the 2025 No. 2 pick, was voted as the player most likely to enjoy a breakthrough season, topping Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg. Tobias Harris, a veteran forward who signed with San Antonio in free agency, was also named as the offseason's "most underrated player acquisition." Finally, the Spurs' young core, which includes Wembanyama, Harper and Stephon Castle, was named as the league's most promising.
The league's general managers deemed the 76ers as winners of the "best overall moves this offseason" for adding James and Brown, topping the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets. However, Miami's trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo was viewed as the "acquisition who will make the biggest impact."
NBA.com has conducted a survey of the league's general managers for the past 25 seasons. This year's edition featured 48 questions regarding players, teams and recent transactions.