2026-27 NBA GM Survey: Wembanyama MVP, 76ers Top Offseason

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has secured overwhelming support from league executives as the projected 2026-27 Kia MVP, capturing 77 percent of the vote in the annual NBA General Manager survey released ahead of the regular season. The landslide forecast effectively signals a changing of the guard at the top of the league’s hierarchy, dethroning Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, who claimed 67 percent of the vote last year but fell to just 10 percent in the current polling. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards rounded out the primary ballot with 7 percent, while Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum received residual votes.

Wembanyama’s anticipated coronation arrives as San Antonio also tied for the most entertaining team to watch, splitting 30 percent of that vote with the Timberwolves. The Spurs’ rapid ascent reflects how quickly the league’s decision-makers have recalibrated their expectations around the French phenom entering his next phase of development.

While individual superstars dominated the award projections, front office maneuvering shifted the balance of power on the roster construction side. The Philadelphia 76ers earned a staggering 73 percent of the vote for making the best overall moves this offseason, leaving the Miami Heat (10 percent) and Charlotte Hornets (7 percent) far behind. Boston received only scattered mentions in this category, despite adding veteran point guard Mike Conley, whose presence immediately reshaped perceptions of the franchise’s locker room dynamics.

Conley commanded half of all votes when executives were asked which active player would make the best head coach someday. The 50 percent margin dwarfed Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (13 percent) and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (10 percent). Celtics guard Derrick White also appeared on the ballot for future coaching potential. Brunson, meanwhile, established himself as the league’s premier floor general in the eyes of his peers, taking 53 percent of the vote for best leader, unseating Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who won the category last year with 43 percent but dropped to 20 percent.

Positional evaluations revealed significant franchise migrations altering the competitive landscape. Los Angeles Lakers forward Luka Dončić edged out Tatum for the best small forward designation, 37 percent to 33 percent, with Kawhi Leonard—now listed with the Toronto Raptors—taking 17 percent. The positional fluidity of modern basketball was further evident in the power forward voting, where Giannis Antetokounmpo, now playing for the Miami Heat, dominated with 70 percent, followed by Wembanyama at 23 percent. Tatum again surfaced in the secondary votes, underscoring his hybrid role in Boston’s system. Former Celtics wing Jaylen Brown also surfaced in the small forward discussion under his new Philadelphia banner.

Defensive accolades highlighted the emergence of young perimeter stoppers. Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson took the best perimeter defender crown with 30 percent, followed by a tie between Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson at 17 percent each. Celtics guard Derrick White earned supplementary votes, maintaining his reputation as an elite backline disruptor even as younger athletes claim the spotlight.

The coaching polls exposed a fascinating divide between culture-building and tactical execution. Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla tied Steve Kerr and Erik Spoelstra for the best manager and motivator of people, with each earning 23 percent. Yet when the questions pivoted to Xs and Os, Mazzulla slipped down the board. Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle dominated both offensive play-calling (47 percent) and in-game adjustments (30 percent), while Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault ran away with the defensive schemes category at 67 percent—a massive jump from his 37 percent mark last year.

Roster building through the draft also drew sharp executive focus. Milwaukee Bucks selection Brayden Burries, taken 10th overall, was deemed the biggest rookie steal with 30 percent of the vote. Boston’s first-round addition Chris Cenac Jr., selected 27th, tied for fifth place with 7 percent, sharing the tier with Memphis Grizzlies pick Cameron Boozer (third overall) and Chicago Bulls selection Caleb Wilson (fourth overall). For expected sophomore leaps, San Antonio’s Dylan Harper led the breakout candidate list at 27 percent, followed by a five-way tie at 7 percent featuring Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles, Thompson, and Oklahoma City guard Cason Wallace. Celtics guard Payton Pritchard registered among the secondary breakout candidates.

Offensive efficiency projections favored the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder at 27 percent, followed by the Denver Nuggets (20 percent) and the New York Knicks (17 percent). Boston checked in fourth at 13 percent. The Thunder’s continued dominance in executive polling aligns with assistant coach Dave Bliss earning votes for the league’s best assistant, a category ultimately topped by LA Clippers aide Jeff Van Gundy at 17 percent. Celtics assistant Sam Cassell, a former NBA champion point guard, tied for fifth in that poll with 7 percent.

The preseason schedule is underway, with teams finalizing rotations ahead of opening night.