The San Antonio Spurs are being recognized as a formidable force in the NBA, with a bright future ahead and a competitive present that is capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike. As detailed in the 25th annual NBA GM Survey, the Spurs have emerged as the leading choice among general managers to win the championship, as well as the team with the best young core in the league.
At the forefront of this exciting roster is Victor Wembanyama, alongside promising talents such as Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, all under the age of 22. The consensus among league executives is that this youthful trio has the potential to contend for a title immediately.
Wembanyama leads the pack
Wembanyama’s impact has been profound, as he received the highest number of votes for both the MVP award and the player that GMs would most like to start a franchise with, achieving record-breaking percentages in both categories. He not only topped the MVP voting but also secured the top position across eight different questions in the survey.
The survey encompassed 48 questions regarding the best teams, players, coaches, and offseason moves, with GMs prohibited from voting for their own teams or personnel, ensuring impartiality in the results.
Championship predictions
When asked to predict the winner of the 2027 NBA Finals, half of the responding GMs pointed to the Spurs as their top choice. The Oklahoma City Thunder followed closely behind, garnering 43% of the votes.
MVP race
Looking ahead to the 2026-27 Kia MVP award, Wembanyama is the overwhelming favorite, receiving an impressive 77% of the votes. Denver’s Nikola Jokić came in second with 10%, followed by Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards at 7%.
Wembanyama’s dominance extends to defensive prowess as well. When GMs were asked which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments, he again led the pack with 47% of the votes, ahead of Jokić (33%) and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10%).
Building a franchise
In terms of franchise building, a staggering 93% of GMs would choose Wembanyama as their starting point if they could select any player in the league today, highlighting his unprecedented appeal and potential.
Breakout candidate
Dylan Harper, another promising player from the Spurs, has been identified as the most likely candidate for a breakout season in 2026-27, earning 27% of the votes. He stands out among other notable prospects such as Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, Toronto’s Collin Murray-Boyles, Houston’s Amen Thompson, and Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace, who all tied for second place with 7% each.
Best offseason move
The Spurs made impactful moves in the offseason as well. Their acquisition of Tobias Harris was recognized as the most underrated player acquisition, receiving 20% of the votes. This was followed by Boston’s Mitchell Robinson at 17% and Charlotte’s Naz Reid at 10%.
Defensive dominance
Defensively, Wembanyama is in a league of his own. He was voted as the best defensive player in the NBA with an overwhelming 97% of the votes, as well as the best interior defender (97%) and the most versatile defender (30%). Other notable players mentioned included Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert, and Miami’s Bam Adebayo, among others.
Most promising young core
Looking towards the future, the Spurs’ young core has garnered significant attention, earning 87% of the votes for the most promising young core in the league. The Washington Wizards were a distant second, receiving just 7%.
For more insights and detailed results, click here for the entire 2026-27 NBA GM Survey.
