The San Antonio Spurs have emerged as the clear favorites to claim the 2026-27 NBA championship, according to a survey of league general managers who overwhelmingly backed the team at 50%. The Spurs also topped votes for having the most promising young core (87%) and were tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves as the most entertaining team to watch (30%).
At the heart of this optimism is Victor Wembanyama, who dominated the GMs’ ballots across nearly every category. He was named the projected MVP (77%), the player GMs would sign first if building a franchise (93%), and the best defensive player (97%), while also leading in best international player (54%) and best interior defender (97%).
His versatility and impact were further underscored by his selection as the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments (47%) and the most versatile defender (30%). The only categories where Wembanyama didn’t lead were best center—won by Nikola Jokić (63%)—and best power forward, where Giannis Antetokounmpo (70%) held the edge over him (23%).
Beyond Wembanyama, the Spurs’ offseason moves received high marks, with Dylan Harper named the most likely to break out (27%) and Tobias Harris voted the most underrated acquisition (20%). Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unanimously crowned the league’s best point guard (67%), while the Philadelphia 76ers’ summer additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown earned them 73% of the vote for best offseason moves.
However, GMs predicted Giannis’s move to the Miami Heat (53%) would have the biggest long-term impact over the 76ers’ signings (20% for Brown, 13% for James).
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