Overview

• General managers gave Oklahoma City 80% of votes to win the 2026 title and 87% to take the West, while Cleveland led Eastern Conference ballots with 63% for first place.
• Nikola Jokić was the MVP favorite with 67% of the vote, as executives also reaffirmed Oklahoma City’s young core as the league’s best with 50%.
• Victor Wembanyama was the top choice to build a franchise around at 83% and the leading pick for best defender at 80%.
• Kevin Durant’s move to the Rockets was judged the most impactful acquisition at 73%, and Houston ranked among the teams credited with one of the best offseasons.
• Amen Thompson headlined rising-player picks as the most likely breakout (30%) and the league’s most athletic player (58%), while Damian Lillard’s waive‑and‑stretch was deemed the most surprising move (43%) and the 76ers were rated the toughest team to predict (47%), with Phoenix and Devin Booker drawing diminished recognition.