The annual NBA.com survey of all 30 teams has placed the Oklahoma City Thunder as the frontrunners to defend their championship title for the upcoming season. With an impressive 80% of general managers selecting them to win, the Thunder are poised to become the first team to repeat as champions since the Golden State Warriors in 2018. The survey indicates strong confidence in Oklahoma City’s capabilities, positioning them as heavy favorites once again.
In addition to their overall title prospects, the Thunder were also identified as the leading contenders in the Western Conference, receiving 87% of first-place votes. The Denver Nuggets followed with 10% of the first-place votes, while the Houston Rockets garnered a single selection. The survey reflected a general consensus, with the Thunder dominating in other categories as well, showcasing their well-rounded team.
Conference Predictions and Player Highlights
In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers emerged as the top choice, securing 63% of first-place votes. The New York Knicks were also unanimously placed in the top three, with voting splits of 30%, 53%, and 13% across first, second, and third places, respectively. The Orlando Magic received 7% of first-place votes, marking them as a team to watch.
The survey highlighted individual accolades as well, with Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets emerging as the clear favorite for the MVP award, capturing 67% of the votes. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama, a rising star from the San Antonio Spurs, was recognized for the second consecutive year as the player general managers would prefer to start a franchise, receiving an impressive 83% of votes.
The survey also identified Amen Thompson of the Rockets as the most likely player to have a breakout season, correlating with his status as the betting favorite for this year’s Most Improved Player. Notably, the survey showcased few debates regarding top players at their respective positions, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jokic being recognized as the best in their roles.
Offseason Moves and Team Improvements
In the offseason superlatives, the Atlanta Hawks were selected as having the best offseason, with 53% of the votes. They were closely followed by the Rockets with 27% and the Nuggets with 10%. The survey highlighted the Rockets’ acquisition of Kevin Durant as the offseason move expected to make the most significant impact.
The Magic were recognized as the most improved team, receiving 47% of the votes, and were also noted for making the most underrated move by trading for guard Desmond Bane. Additionally, the Thunder again stood out, being named the best defensive team with an overwhelming 83% of votes.
Rookie Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the June draft, was heavily favored to win Rookie of the Year, while Kasparas Jakucionis of the Miami Heat was identified as the biggest steal in this draft class. For individual superlatives, Wembanyama was also recognized as the best defensive player with 80% of the votes, while Erik Spoelstra, head coach of the Heat, was chosen as the best coach for the sixth consecutive season.
As the NBA season approaches, the findings from this survey provide a glimpse into the expectations and dynamics of the league, highlighting the teams and players to watch in the coming months.
