The National Basketball Association (NBA) recently released its annual general manager (GM) survey, giving fans and analysts a sneak peek into the minds of basketball's top decision-makers. On Wednesday, October 9 (Philippine Standard Time), the results of the highly anticipated survey were made public.
Among the key takeaways was the overwhelming consensus about which team is most likely to win the 2024/25 NBA championship and which player is poised to be the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
An overwhelming 83 percent of the NBA GMs believe that the Boston Celtics, last season’s champions, will once again lift the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the 2024/25 season. This is a significant vote of confidence for a team that has retooled and recharged to defend their title.
The Celtics had a stellar 2023/24 season, overcoming the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals to secure their championship. Led by the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, along with key pieces like Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, the Celtics have positioned themselves as a powerhouse in the league. With a roster full of talent and depth, it’s easy to see why NBA GMs are confident in their ability to repeat as champions.
Behind the Celtics, the Oklahoma City Thunder garnered 13 percent of the votes as potential title winners, with the Dallas Mavericks coming in third, collecting 3 percent. Oklahoma City has been one of the league's most exciting young teams, and their rise to prominence has been largely attributed to the brilliance of their star guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished second in MVP voting last season, is now the frontrunner for the prestigious award. With 40 percent of the general managers picking him to take home MVP honors in 2024/25, the Thunder’s star guard has clearly made a strong impression across the league.
Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander was a standout performer, averaging 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Despite his individual excellence, he finished behind Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic in the 2023/24 MVP race. This year, however, the majority of NBA GMs seem to believe that Gilgeous-Alexander is ready to claim the throne as the league’s top player.
Coming in a close second in MVP voting is Dallas Mavericks’ superstar Luka Doncic, who secured 30 percent of the votes. Doncic has been one of the NBA’s brightest stars since his arrival in the league, and his ability to impact games in multiple ways makes him a perennial MVP candidate.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Jayson Tatum each garnered 7 percent of the votes, tying for third place. With Jokic already a two-time MVP and Embiid having won the award last season, it’s clear that the competition for the 2024/25 MVP honors will be intense.
Luka Doncic didn’t just finish high in the MVP race; he dominated multiple categories in the GM survey. He was voted as the best point guard, best shooting guard, and best small forward, reflecting his extraordinary versatility and impact across the court. Doncic’s ability to excel in multiple positions highlights his basketball IQ and skill set, making him a nightmare matchup for opposing teams.
Additionally, 33 percent of NBA GMs voted Doncic as the player who forces the most coaching adjustments, ahead of Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30 percent) and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (23 percent). This acknowledgment speaks volumes about Doncic’s ability to control games, with teams needing to craft specific strategies to contain his unique combination of size, skill, and basketball vision.
While the MVP race and championship predictions dominate much of the conversation, the GM survey also sheds light on other important categories.
For instance, San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, entering just his second season, was voted as the favorite to win the 2024/25 Defensive Player of the Year. Wembanyama has already shown flashes of defensive brilliance, with his elite shot-blocking and ability to guard multiple positions.
Boston Celtics’ Jrue Holiday earned the nod as the best perimeter defender, a title he has consistently vied for throughout his career. Meanwhile, Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the league’s most versatile defender, showcasing his ability to guard all five positions effectively.
When it comes to coaching, Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra is widely regarded as the best in the business. Spoelstra, a two-time NBA champion, received 69 percent of the votes for Best Coach in the NBA. His ability to maximize talent and adapt his team’s playing style has made him a highly respected figure in the league. Oklahoma’s Mark Daigneault and Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr were the runners-up, highlighting their own strong coaching resumes.
Houston Rockets’ rookie guard Reed Sheppard was voted as the player most likely to win the 2024/25 Rookie of the Year honors. Sheppard, who was drafted third overall, had an impressive college career at Kentucky, where he averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. NBA GMs clearly believe that Sheppard is ready to make an immediate impact in the league.
Not a ton of love for the Nuggets in the latest GM Survey.
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) October 8, 2024
Celtics should roll again. No excuses.https://t.co/KNxB7XefCH pic.twitter.com/G8S1jwAnBX
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