It turns out NBA general managers are quite opinionated.
The league released the results of its 24th annual GM survey Thursday, Oct. 9, in which all 30 were asked to answer 49 different questions ahead of the 2025-26 season. General managers weren’t allowed to vote for any player or coach on their own team, and the percentages are based on the pool of GMs who answered that particular question.
And the group, surprisingly, reached an overwhelming consensus on the projected winner of the 2026 NBA Finals.
The Oklahoma City Thunder received 80% of votes, while the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets each drew 7%. The Houston Rockets and New York Knicks also received votes.
The Thunder, who were the youngest team in the NBA last season, toppled the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals in seven games. If they are to repeat, they will become the first team to do so since the Golden State Warriors accomplished the feat in 2018.
Here are some of the other interesting results from the 2025-26 NBA general manager survey:
Who will win the 2025-26 NBA Most Valuable Player?
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets: 67%
Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers: 10%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: 8%
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs: 7%
Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves; Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Which player would you pick if you were starting an NBA franchise?
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs: 83%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: 13%
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets: 3%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets: 57%
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: 17%
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: 13%
Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers: 10%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: 3%
Which player is the best leader?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: 43%
2. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks: 13%
3. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets: 10%
T-4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: 7%
T-4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: 7%
T-4. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers: 7%
Also receiving votes: Mike Conley, Minnesota Timberwolves; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves; Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics; Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: 47%
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets: 17%
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers: 13%
Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers: 10%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: 7%
Also receiving votes: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Which player has the best basketball IQ?
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets: 80%
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers: 17%
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers: 3%
Who is the best defender in the NBA?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs: 80%
T-2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves: 7%
T-2. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers: 7%
Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks: 31%
Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder: 24%
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets: 22%
Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder: 14%
Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers: 7%
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons: 2%
Who will have a breakout season in 2025-26?
1. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets: 30%
T-2. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets: 10%
T-2. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons: 10%
T-2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs: 10%
5. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic: 7%
Also receiving votes: Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers; Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs; Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns; Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers; Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards; Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets; Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets; Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets; Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
What was the most surprising move of the offseason?
1. Milwaukee waiving/stretching Damian Lillard: 43%
2. Myles Turner to Milwaukee: 30%
T-3. Atlanta-New Orleans draft trade: 7%
T-3. Celtics breaking up their core: 7%
Also receiving votes: Deandre Ayton signing with the Lakers, Michael Porter Jr. trade to Brooklyn, Dennis Schröder to Sacramento, Yang Hanson drafted at No. 16
Which player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets: 73%
Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic: 17%
Also receiving votes: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks; Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers; Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
Atlanta Hawks: 53%
Houston Rockets: 27%
Denver Nuggets: 10%
Orlando Magic: 7%
Boston Celtics: 3%
Which team will improved the most in 2025-26?
1. Orlando Magic: 47%
T-2. Atlanta Hawks: 20%
T-2. San Antonio Spurs: 20%
4. Philadelphia 76ers: 10%
5. New Orleans Pelicans: 3%
Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat: 52%
Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder: 34%
Tyronn Lue, Los Angeles Clippers: 7%
Also receiving votes: Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers; Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
1. Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat: 28%
2. Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets: 24%
T-3. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors: 14%
T-3. Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics: 14%
5. Tyronn Lue, Los Angeles Clippers: 7%
Also receiving votes: Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers; J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons; Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers; Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
1. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers: 27%
T-2. Mike Conley, Minnesota Timberwolves: 17%
T-2. T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers: 17%
4. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets: 13%
5. Garrett Temple, Toronto Raptors: 10%
6. Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers 7%
Also receiving votes: Kyle Anderson, Utah Jazz; Luke Kornet, San Antonio Spurs; Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers
Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?
1. Micah Nori, Minnesota Timberwolves: 25%
2. Jeff Van Gundy, Los Angeles Clippers: 14%
3. Royal Ivey, Houston Rockets: 11%
T-4. Sam Cassell, Boston Celtics: 7%
T-4. Chris Quinn, Miami Heat: 7%
Also receiving votes: James Borrego, New Orleans Pelicans; Darren Erman, New York Knicks; Darvin Ham, Milwaukee Bucks; Juwan Howard, Brooklyn Nets; Chris Jent, New York Knicks; Jay Larranaga, Los Angeles Clippers; Josh Longstaff, Charlotte Hornets; Jerry Stackhouse, Golden State Warriors; Sean Sweeney, San Antonio Spurs; Wes Unseld Jr., Chicago Bulls
Which team is most fun to watch?
T-1. Denver Nuggets: 27%
T-1. Oklahoma City Thunder: 27%
3. Indiana Pacers: 20%
T-4. Golden State Warriors: 7%
T-4. Minnesota Timberwolves: 7%
Also receiving votes: Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic
Which team’s level of success this season is toughest to predict?
1. Philadelphia 76ers: 47%
T-2. Dallas Mavericks: 7%
T-2. Golden State Warriors: 7%
T-2. Houston Rockets: 7%
T-2. Los Angeles Clippers: 7%
T-2. Los Angeles Lakers: 7%
T-2. Memphis Grizzlies: 7%
T-2. New Orleans Pelicans: 7%
Also receiving votes: Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks
Who will win the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year?
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks: 97%
VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers: 3%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks: 93%
Also receiving votes: VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia; Dylan Harper, San Antonio
Which rookie was the biggest steal based on draft position?
1. Kasparas Jakučionis (20), Miami Heat: 17%
T-2. Ace Bailey (5), Utah Jazz: 10%
T-2. Carter Bryant (14), San Antonio Spurs: 10%
T-4. Joan Beringer (17), Minnesota Timberwolves: 7%
T-4. Liam McNeeley (29), Charlotte Hornets: 7%
T-4. Asa Newell (23), Atlanta Hawks: 7%
Also receiving votes: Brooks Barnhizer (44), Oklahoma City Thunder; Johni Broome (35), Philadelphia 76ers; Walter Clayton Jr. (18), Utah Jazz; Nique Clifford (24), Sacramento Kings; Cedric Coward (11), Memphis Grizzlies; Rasheer Fleming (31), Phoenix Suns; Tre Johnson (6), Washington Wizards; Ryan Kalkbrenner (34), Charlotte Hornets; Khaman Maluach (10), Phoenix Suns; Collin Murray-Boyles (9), Toronto Raptors; Taelon Peter (54), Indiana Pacers; Adou Thiero (36), Los Angeles Lakers; Danny Wolf (27), Brooklyn Nets
What rule most needs to change?
1. Roster construction — Apron rules too harsh, add cap discount for own drafted players, allow trading partial salaries, make all minimum contracts the same: 26%
2. Draft schedule — Back to one day, only lottery on Day 1, after free agency: 19%
3. Game flow — Continuous/faster review, hockey-style subs, no live-ball timeouts: 15%
4. Playoff format — Seed 1-16, top seeds choose opponents, change Play-In format: 11%
T-5. Draft system — Can’t draft in top six in three straight years, shouldn’t reward losing: 7%
T-5. Higher penalties for cap circumvention: 7%
T-5. Schedule — Fewer back-to-backs, no home-road back-to-backs: 7%
Also receiving votes: Elam ending, more G-League experimentation, no disqualification on sixth foul (one shot + ball)