Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are poised to dominate the NBA, according to the league’s annual survey of general managers released on Thursday. The Spurs were named the 2027 championship favourite after winning 62 games and making a surprise trip to the NBA Finals last season. Wembanyama was also projected to win MVP and be selected as the league’s best defensive player.
The 7-foot-4 French centre received 93% of the votes in response to the question: “If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?”
Spurs Seen as Favourites, but Not Overwhelming Ones
The general managers did not view the Spurs as overwhelming title favourites. San Antonio received 50% of the votes, narrowly ahead of the 2025 champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The defending champion New York Knicks, who were picked to win the Eastern Conference, and the revamped Philadelphia 76ers, bolstered by LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, also received votes to win the title.
Wembanyama, 22, was selected as the heavy favourite to win his first MVP award with 77% of the votes. Denver’s Nikola Jokic (10%) and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (7%) also earned nominations.
Wembanyama also earned recognition as the “player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments,” the “best international player” and the “most versatile player.” He was not the only Spurs player honoured in the extensive survey.
Spurs Players Earn Further Recognition
Dylan Harper, the 2025 No. 2 pick, was voted the player most likely to enjoy a breakthrough season, ahead of Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg. Tobias Harris, a veteran forward who signed with San Antonio in free agency, was named the offseason’s “most underrated player acquisition.” The Spurs’ young core, which includes Wembanyama, Harper and Stephon Castle, was named the league’s most promising.
The general managers judged the 76ers to have made the “best overall moves this offseason” by adding James and Brown, ahead of the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets. However, Miami’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo was viewed as the “acquisition who will make the biggest impact.”
The survey has been run for the past 25 seasons. This year’s edition featured 48 questions covering players, teams and recent transactions.