The annual general manager survey released by the NBA on Tuesday revealed a clear favorite among executives for this season’s NBA Finals winner. An overwhelming 83% of respondents believe that the Boston Celtics will repeat as champions and lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy once again. The Celtics, who secured their 18th championship by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the Finals last year, are heavily favored to win it all. The survey also showed that the Oklahoma City Thunder received 13% of the vote, while the Mavericks got 3%. This marks a significant shift from last season, where the Celtics and the Denver Nuggets tied for the top spot with 33% each.
In addition to being favored to win the championship, the Celtics are also predicted to top the Eastern Conference, receiving 97% of the votes in that category. The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers follow closely behind. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder are projected to finish first, with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Mavericks trailing behind.
The Celtics will kick off their regular season against the Knicks on Oct. 22, aiming to become the first team to secure back-to-back championships since the Golden State Warriors in 2018.
Luka Dončić dominates individual voting
While Mavericks star Luka Dončić may not be the top pick for MVP this season, he certainly dominated the individual voting categories in the survey. The MVP honor was bestowed upon Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who received 40% of the votes. Dončić came in second with 30% support, followed by Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokić, and Jayson Tatum at 7% each.
Dončić also garnered votes in the best point guard, shooting guard, and small forward categories. He was selected as the top point guard with 37% of the vote, ranked fifth in the shooting guard category, and tied for second in the small forward race. Anthony Edwards was chosen as the best shooting guard with 33% support, while Tatum claimed the title of best small forward with 47% of the vote.
Dončić’s exceptional performance last season, where he averaged 33.9 points per game and led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals, solidified his place as one of the league’s top players. His near-triple-double average of 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per game showcased his versatility and impact on the court.
Other notable winners in the survey include Giannis Antetokounmpo as the best power forward and Jokić as the best center.
Offseason moves, other awards
General managers praised the Oklahoma City Thunder for making the best offseason moves, slightly edging out the Philadelphia 76ers. The acquisition of Paul George by the 76ers was deemed to have the most significant impact this season.
The trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks was voted as the biggest surprise move of the offseason. The Memphis Grizzlies, who showed remarkable improvement despite missing star player Ja Morant for a significant part of the season, were chosen as the most improved team.
Rookie Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets was selected as the front runner for Rookie of the Year and as the best player among current rookies in five years. Sheppard, the No. 3 overall pick, showcased his skills by averaging 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game at Kentucky.
Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat retained his title as the best head coach in the league across various categories. Meanwhile, Mike Budenholzer of the Phoenix Suns was recognized as the top new or relocated head coach in the league.
The NBA season is set to commence on Oct. 22 with an exciting doubleheader featuring matchups between the Knicks and Celtics, as well as the Lakers and Timberwolves.