In one of many preseason traditions, all 30 NBA general managers answered 49 questions about the upcoming season and its players, teams, coaches, etc. for the NBA’s annual GM Survey After several years in the wilderness, the Spurs have started to regain their attention, especially Victor Wembanyama. Here is every scenario in which he got a vote and where he landed:
Who will win the 2025-26 Kia MVP?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 67% 2. Luka Dončić, L.A. Lakers – 10% 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma
City – 8% 4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 7%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 83%
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 13%
3. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 3%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2025-26?
1. Amen Thompson, Houston – 30%
T-2. Brandon Miller, Charlotte – 10%
T-2. Ausar Thompson, Detroit – 10%
T-2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 10%
5. Franz Wagner, Orlando – 7%Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver – 97%
2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 3%Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 80%
T-2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 7%
T-2. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 7%Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 80%
2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 10%Who is the most versatile defender in the NBA?
1. Amen Thompson, Houston – 18%
2. Draymond Green, Golden State – 17%
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 13%
T-4. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta – 10%
T-4. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 10%
T-4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 10%
T-7. OG Anunoby, New York – 7%
T-7. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City – 7%Who is the most versatile player in the NBA?
T-1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 30%
T-1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 30%
T-3. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers – 7%
T-3. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 7%
T-3. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City – 7%
Wemby also received votes for the most athletic player, with Amen Thompson and Anthony Edwards running away with most of the votes. Other Spurs who received votes include second year guard Stephon Castle for most likely to have a breakout season, and center Luke Kornet came in tied at 4th with 7% of the vote for most underrated off-season acquisition, as well as receiving votes for best future head coach. De’Aaron Fox won the category of quickest player with the ball in his hands with 53% of the vote.
The Spurs rookies received some votes as well. While heralded top overall pick Cooper Flagg ran away with the vote for which rookie will be the best in 5 years, second overall pick Dylan Harper received a vote. 14th pick Carter Bryant also came in tied for second with Ace Bailey for steal of the draft with 10% of the vote.
From a coaching standpoint, Sean Sweeney received a vote for best assistant coach in league (which mostly comes from his time with Jason Kidd, but it’s just more proof what a great hire he was). The team as a whole also received 3 votes to finish 4th in the West, as well as coming in tied for second with 20% of the vote as the most improved team this season, behind the Magic and tied with (who else?) the Atlanta Hawks. Finally, they came in second with 27% of the vote of most promising young core behind only the Thunder.
Last but not least, I thought it was interesting seeing what rules the GM’s felt need to change. I completely agree with no. 1, and it’s something the Spurs would certainly benefit from if changed.
What rule (regarding play, schedule, Draft/Lottery, playoff format, roster construction, etc.) most needs to change?
1. Roster construction – Apron rules too harsh, Add a cap discount for own drafted players, Allow trading partial salaries, Make all minimum contracts the same – 26%
2. Draft schedule – Back to one day, Only Lottery on Day 1, After Free agency – 19%
3. Game flow – Continuous/faster review, Hockey-style subs, No live-ball timeouts – 15%
4. Playoff format – Seed 1-16, Top seeds choose opponents, Change Play-In format – 11%
T-5. Draft system – Can’t draft in top six in three straight years, Shouldn’t reward losing – 7%
T-5. Higher penalties for cap circumvention – 7%
T-5. Schedule – Fewer back-to-backs, No home-road back-to-backs – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Elam ending, More G-League experimentation, No disqualification on sixth foul (one shot + ball)
