MANILA — French superstar Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have emerged as the biggest favorites heading into the 2026-27 NBA season, with league general managers tipping the towering center to capture the Most Valuable Player award and lead his team to the championship.
In the NBA’s annual general managers survey, San Antonio secured 50 percent of the votes as the team most likely to win the championship, ahead of the defending champion New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder, who received 43 percent of the responses.
Wembanyama, meanwhile, dominated the individual categories, collecting 77 percent of the votes as the projected MVP and an overwhelming 93 percent as the player general managers would choose first if building a franchise from scratch.
The French sensation also reinforced his standing as the league’s premier defensive force, securing 97 percent of the votes in both the best defensive player and best interior defender categories.
Wembanyama topped several other categories, including best international player with 54 percent, most versatile player with 57 percent, and the player requiring the most adjustments from opposing coaches with 47 percent.
He also received 30 percent of the votes for most versatile defender.
Despite his dominance, Wembanyama failed to capture two positional honors, with Miami Heat superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo voted the league’s best power forward with 70 percent and Denver Nuggets ace Nikola Jokic taking the best center distinction with 63 percent.
Beyond Wembanyama, the Spurs earned overwhelming recognition for their promising future, securing 87 percent of the votes as the franchise with the league’s best young roster.
San Antonio also tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves as the NBA’s most entertaining team, with both receiving 30 percent.
Filipino-American guard Dylan Harper added to the Spurs’ growing reputation as a rising powerhouse after emerging as the leading candidate for a breakout season.
Harper, the second overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft who earned All-Rookie First Team honors last season, received 27 percent of the votes, well ahead of several other young players who garnered seven percent apiece.
San Antonio’s offseason acquisition of veteran forward Tobias Harris also drew praise, with the former Detroit Pistons player voted the league’s most underrated addition after collecting 20 percent.
Harris joined the Spurs on a two-year contract worth $30.8 million.
Elsewhere, Oklahoma City superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was voted the NBA’s best point guard with 67 percent, ahead of New York’s Jalen Brunson with 20 percent and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic with 10 percent.
Doncic, however, topped the best small forward category with 37 percent, narrowly beating Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who received 33 percent.
Philadelphia dominated the voting for the team with the best offseason moves, collecting 73 percent following its acquisitions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.
Antetokounmpo’s transfer to Miami was considered the offseason transaction likely to make the biggest impact, receiving 53 percent of the votes.
The Indiana Pacers emerged as the favorites for the league’s most improved team, securing 43 percent against the Washington Wizards’ 23 percent.
In the Rookie of the Year race, Memphis Grizzlies newcomer Cameron Boozer led the predictions with 50 percent, followed by Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson with 20 percent and Washington’s top overall selection AJ Dybantsa with 17 percent.
Dybantsa and Wilson, meanwhile, shared the distinction as the players projected to become the NBA’s best five years from now, receiving 33 percent each, while Boozer collected 23 percent.
Filipino-American Miami Heat mentor Erik Spoelstra was recognized as the league’s best head coach with 43 percent, edging Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault, who received 37 percent.
Indiana’s Rick Carlisle topped the best tactician category with 30 percent and best offensive coach with 47 percent.
Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Stephen Curry remained the league’s most trusted player to deliver a game-winning basket, earning 50 percent of the votes.
Boston Celtics veteran Mike Conley also received 50 percent as the active player most likely to become an outstanding NBA head coach.
The 2026-27 NBA season opens Tuesday (Wednesday in the Philippines) with a tripleheader featuring Detroit against Boston, New York against Philadelphia, and Oklahoma City visiting San Antonio.
The Spurs’ opening showdown against the Thunder will provide an early test of their championship credentials as Wembanyama begins his pursuit of the league’s most prestigious individual and team honors./PN
