Overview

• In the annual GM survey, 80% picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the 2026 title and 87% to win the West, with 83% naming them the league’s best defensive team.
• Denver’s Nikola Jokić led MVP voting at 67% and was also rated best center, best passer, top international player, highest basketball IQ, and the player who forces the most adjustments.
• San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama was the top franchise-building choice at 83% and the best defensive player at 80%, reinforcing expectations of a Year 3 leap.
• Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg was the runaway Rookie of the Year pick at 97%, while Houston’s Amen Thompson led “most likely to break out” and was cited as the most athletic and most versatile defender.
• Miami’s Erik Spoelstra was voted best coach (52%) with OKC’s Mark Daigneault second and praised for defensive schemes, and GMs most often called for easing roster-construction and apron rules.