NBA general managers pick Victor Wembanyama for MVP and the Spurs to win the title

The people who run NBA front offices think this is San Antonio's year.

In the league's 25th annual general manager survey released Thursday, 50% of GMs picked the Spurs to win the 2027 NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder were close behind at 43%. The Knicks and the 76ers also got votes. GMs are not allowed to vote for their own team or players.

A record year for Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama got 77% of the vote for MVP, the highest share for that question in the history of the survey. Nikola Jokić was second at 10% and Anthony Edwards was third at 7%. A year ago GMs picked Jokić.

Wembanyama also set a survey record when 93% of GMs said he is the player they would most like to start a franchise with. He was the pick for best defensive player and best interior defender at 97% each and he finished first on eight questions in all.

The young core

The Spurs ran away with the vote for most promising young core at 87%. Wembanyama is 22, Stephon Castle is 21 and Dylan Harper is 20. Harper was also the top pick to have a breakout season.

In the West the Spurs and the Thunder were nearly even at the top. In the East the Knicks got 60% of the first-place votes.

Other picks

Philadelphia was voted the team with the best offseason at 73%. Giannis Antetokounmpo's move to Miami was picked as the acquisition with the biggest impact. Memphis rookie Cameron Boozer was the favorite for Rookie of the Year at 50%.

Stephen Curry was named the best pure shooter with 97% and the player GMs most want taking a shot with the game on the line. Jalen Brunson was voted the best leader at 53% and Miami's Erik Spoelstra was again named the best head coach.

GMs do miss. Last year 80% of them picked Oklahoma City to repeat as champion and 67% picked Jokić for MVP. The regular season begins Tuesday.