Wemby Mania: Rookie Victor Wembanyama, Spurs Stun NBA GMs in Annual Survey

An annual survey conducted among NBA general managers has shed light on the league's future projections, indicating a strong belief in a forthcoming dominance by Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Following a remarkable season that saw them win 62 games and unexpectedly reach the NBA Finals, the Spurs were identified as the clear favorite to win the 2027 championship. Wembanyama, their standout player, was overwhelmingly projected to secure both the MVP award and be recognized as the league's best defensive player, underscoring his anticipated dual impact on both ends of the court.

Wembanyama's exceptional talent was further highlighted by his commanding lead in the critical question: "If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?" He garnered an impressive 93% of the votes, demonstrating a widespread consensus among general managers regarding his unparalleled foundational value. While the Spurs were favorites for the 2027 title, their victory was not considered an overwhelming mandate, securing 50% of the votes. They narrowly surpassed the 2025 champion Oklahoma City Thunder, while the defending champion New York Knicks, predicted to win the Eastern Conference, and the revamped Philadelphia 76ers, who notably added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, also received championship votes.

Individually, the 22-year-old Wembanyama was the dominant choice for his first MVP award, receiving 77% of the votes. Other notable players earning recognition in the MVP race included Denver's Nikola Jokic with 10% and Minnesota's Anthony Edwards with 7%. Beyond the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year accolades, Wembanyama was also acknowledged as the "player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments," the "best international player," and the "most versatile player" in the league, showcasing his diverse skill set and influence.

The extensive general managers' survey, which featured 48 questions covering players, teams, and recent transactions, also recognized other San Antonio Spurs personnel. Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick from the 2025 draft, was voted as the player most likely to experience a breakthrough season, outpacing Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg. Veteran forward Tobias Harris, a free agency acquisition for San Antonio, was named the "most underrated player acquisition" of the offseason. Furthermore, the Spurs' promising young core, comprising Wembanyama, Harper, and Stephon Castle, was collectively identified as the league's most promising group of talent.

Outside of the Spurs' focus, the survey highlighted other significant offseason moves. The Philadelphia 76ers were recognized as the winners of the "best overall moves this offseason" for their high-profile additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, topping competitive moves by the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets. However, the Miami Heat's trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo was singled out as the "acquisition who will make the biggest impact," underscoring the perceived transformative power of that specific transaction. NBA.com has been conducting this annual survey of the league's general managers for the past 25 seasons, providing valuable insights into the collective outlook of team executives.