Summary
— and, judging by the league's own general managers, a less familiar answer about who lifts the trophy in June. In the 25th annual NBA.com GM Survey, …
The NBA opens its 2026-27 season on Tuesday with a familiar question — can anyone stop Victor Wembanyama? — and, judging by the league's own general managers, a less familiar answer about who lifts the trophy in June.
In the 25th annual NBA.com GM Survey, the San Antonio Spurs were picked to win the 2027 championship by 50 percent of respondents, ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder at 43 percent. The defending champion New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers also received votes. A year ago, 80 percent of GMs picked Oklahoma City.
Wembanyama dominated the survey like no player before him. He took 77 percent of the MVP vote — Denver's Nikola Jokic was second at 10 percent and Minnesota's Anthony Edwards third at 7 percent — and 93 percent of GMs said they would choose him first if starting a franchise today. Both figures are the highest in the history of the survey. He was also voted best defensive player with 97 percent of the vote, and San Antonio was named the team with the most promising young core, at 87 percent. Spurs guard Dylan Harper was the top pick to have a breakout season.
Expert panels are somewhat more divided. One panel of insiders gave Oklahoma City 10 championship votes to San Antonio's five, with the Thunder frequently picked to beat the Knicks, Celtics or 76ers in the Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enters the season chasing a third consecutive MVP award, though voter fatigue and Wembanyama's two-way dominance have made the Spurs star the consensus favorite. Sports Illustrated's panel picked San Antonio over Cleveland in the Finals, with Wembanyama winning both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.
In the East, the Knicks and 76ers split a panel vote five apiece as conference favorites, with Boston receiving three. New York defends its title with an older roster that has little reason to chase regular-season seeding, while Philadelphia's star-heavy lineup is viewed as both a contender and a leading disappointment candidate. Toronto, with Kawhi Leonard back after a 27.9-point season, is a popular sleeper in the conference.
The rookie class adds another layer of intrigue. Cameron Boozer in Memphis, Caleb Wilson in Chicago and AJ Dybantsa in Washington headline a group expected to make an immediate impact, with Wilson a slight favorite in several Rookie of the Year forecasts.
The consensus, from front offices to forecasters, is that the league's balance of power has shifted toward youth and depth — and that the road to the title now runs through San Antonio and Oklahoma City.
Source: NBA.com
