NBA general managers' survey: Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are the top picks

General managers of all 30 clubs in the NBA, the North American professional basketball league, have taken part in the annual preseason survey. The results show that the San Antonio Spurs and their star Victor Wembanyama are seen as the main favorites, both individually and as a team.

How the survey works

Every year, the people who build the clubs' rosters answer 48 questions. A general manager is not allowed to vote for his own team or its players.

MVP and champion predictions

Wembanyama was named the likely regular-season MVP (most valuable player) by 77% of respondents. Nikola Jokic is second, but he received only 10% of the votes.

Almost all general managers believe the next champion will come from the Western Conference. Half of them (50%) expect the Spurs to win the title, while 43% picked the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Other categories

The Spurs or their representatives came first in 13 categories overall. Wembanyama also topped these polls:

• the player to build a team around;
• the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments;
• the best international player;
• the best defensive player;
• the best interior defender;
• the most versatile player;
• the most versatile defender.

Dylan Harper was named the player most likely to have a breakout season, and Tobias Harris the most underrated offseason addition. The Spurs were also chosen as the most promising young core, and, together with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the most exciting team.

Start of the season

The new NBA season begins on October 20 with a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics. It is scheduled to tip off at 10 p.m. Latvian time.