The annual survey is here. NBA general managers react to key topics before the 2024-25 season tips off.
The Boston Celtics were one of the most dominant champions in recent memory, ranking in the top two on both ends of the floor in the regular season and then losing only three playoff games on their way to the franchise’s 18th title.
It’s been seven years since the NBA had a repeat champion, but it should be no surprise that the Celtics are heavy favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy again in 2025. In the 23rd annual NBA.com GM Survey, 83% of respondents picked Boston to do just that, with that rate being the third highest for a title pick in the history of the survey. Not coincidentally, the Celtics were the most popular response for both the league’s best defensive team and the team that will lead the league in offensive efficiency this season.
The Celtics don’t have the most popular players in the survey, but GMs selected Jayson Tatum as the league’s best small forward for the second straight year. Jrue Holiday, meanwhile, was tabbed as the NBA’s best perimeter defender.
The best overall defender, according to the league’s GMs, is a 20-year old with only 71 games of NBA experience. The San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is also, overwhelmingly, the player that decision-makers would most like to start a franchise with.
The GMs responded to 50 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 30 GMs.
PREDICTIONS:
Which team will win the 2025 NBA Finals?
1. Boston Celtics – 83%
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – 13%
3. Dallas Mavericks – 3%
» Last year: Boston Celtics & Denver Nuggets – 33%
Eastern Conference rankings
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th %Total
1. Boston 97% 39%
2. New York 43% 37% 14% 22%
3. Philadelphia 50% 20% 17% 21%
4. Cleveland 3% 7% 20% 17% 9%
5. Milwaukee 13% 31% 6%
6. Orlando 10% 7% 3%
7. Indiana 14% 1%
%Total = Percentage of total points (4 for 1st place vote, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd, 1 for 4th)
» Last year: 53% picked Boston to win the East. Order after the Celtics was Milwaukee, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York, Miami and Atlanta.
Western Conference rankings
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th %Total1.
Oklahoma City 80% 10% 3% 35%
2. Minnesota 40% 40% 10% 21%
3. Denver 7% 27% 27% 20% 17%
4. Dallas 7% 23% 23% 20% 15%
5. Phoenix 7% 3% 3% 23% 7%
6. Memphis 3% 7% 10% 3%
7. New Orleans 10% 1%
8. Golden State 3% 0%
%Total = Percentage of total points (4 for 1st place vote, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd, 1 for 4th)
» Last year: 70% picked Denver to win the West. Order after the Nuggets was Phoenix, L.A. Lakers, Golden State, LA Clippers, Memphis, New Orleans and Sacramento (tie), Dallas and Oklahoma City.
PLAYERS
Who will win the 2024-25 Kia MVP?
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 40%
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 30%
T-3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 7%
T-3. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 7%
T-3. Jayson Tatum, Boston – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Jaylen Brown, Boston; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota
» Last year: Nikola Jokic – 43%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 77%
T-2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 10%
T-2. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 10%
4. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 3%
» Last year: Nikola Jokic – 33%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 33%
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 30%
3. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 23%
T-4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 7%
T-4. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 7%
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 40%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2024-25?
1. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City – 13%
T-2. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 10%
T-2. Ja Morant, Memphis – 10%
T-2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 10%
T-5. Paolo Banchero, Orlando – 7%
T-5. Cade Cunningham, Detroit – 7%
T-5. Brandon Miller, Charlotte – 7%
» Also receiving votes: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Dereck Lively II, Dallas; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia; Trey Murphy III, New Orleans; Keegan Murray, Sacramento; Andrew Nembhard, Indiana; Alperen Sengun, Houston; Cam Thomas, Brooklyn; Amen Thompson, Houston; Ausar Thompson, Detroit
» Last year: Anthony Edwards – 23%
Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 37%
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 30%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 23%
4. Jalen Brunson, New York – 10%
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 63%
Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota – 33%
2. Devin Booker, Phoenix – 23%
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 20%
4. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 10%
5. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Jaylen Brown, Boston; Derrick White, Boston
» Last year: Devin Booker – 63%
Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. Jayson Tatum, Boston – 47%
T-2. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 17%
T-2. Kevin Durant, Phoenix – 17%
T-2. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 17%
5. Jaylen Brown, Boston – 3%
» Last year: Jayson Tatum – 47%
Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 77%
2. Kevin Durant, Phoenix – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Anthony Davis, L.A. Lakers; Draymond Green, Golden State; Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento; Jayson Tatum, Boston; Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 97%
Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 87%
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia – 10%
3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 3%
» Last year: Nikola Jokic – 93%
Highest percentage of total votes on position questions
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 17%
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 15%
3. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 12%
T-4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City – 10%
T-4. Jayson Tatum, Boston – 10%
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 19.3%
OFFSEASON MOVES
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 37%
2. Philadelphia 76ers – 33%
3. New York Knicks – 20%
» Also receiving votes: Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings
» Last year: Boston Celtics & Milwaukee Bucks – 23%Which one player acquisition will makes the biggest impact?
1. Paul George, Philadelphia – 60%
T-2. Mikal Bridges, New York – 13%
T-2. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York – 13%
4. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City – 7%
» Also receiving votes: DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento; Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City
» Last year: Damian Lillard – 47%
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City – 23%
2. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Orlando – 17%
T-3. Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City – 13%
T-3. Tyus Jones, Phoenix – 13%
5. Klay Thompson, Dallas – 10%
6. Chris Paul, San Antonio – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Kyle Anderson, Golden State; Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota; Josh Giddey, Chicago; Caleb Martin, Philadelphia; Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee
» Last year: Marcus Smart – 17%
Which team will be most improved in 2024-25?
1. Memphis Grizzlies – 67%
2. San Antonio Spurs – 13%
3. Philadelphia 76ers – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns
» Last year: Oklahoma City Thunder – 30%
What was the most surprising move of the offseason?
1. Karl-Anthony Towns to New York – 27%
2. Paul George to Philadelphia – 23%
3. DeMar DeRozan to Sacramento – 17%
4. Mikal Bridges to New York – 10%
5. Zaccharie Risacher drafted No. 1 – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Deni Avdija to Portland; Tyus Jones to Phoenix, Caleb Martin to Philadelphia, Dejounte Murray to New Orleans, Klay Thompson to Dallas
» Last year: Holiday/Lillard trade – 43
ROOKIES & INTERNATIONAL
Who will win the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year?
1. Reed Sheppard, Houston – 50%
2. Zach Edey, Memphis – 30%
3. Stephon Castle, San Antonio – 13%
» Also receiving votes: Ron Holland II, Detroit; Alex Sarr, Washington
» Last year: Victor Wembanyama – 50%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
1. Reed Sheppard, Houston – 43%
2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio – 17%
3. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta – 13%
T-4. Bub Carrington, Washington – 7%
T-4. Alex Sarr, Washington – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Matas Buzelis, Chicago; Donovan Clingan, Portland; Ron Holland II, Detroit; Dalton Knecht, L.A. Lakers
» Last year: Victor Wembanyama – 90%
» Five years ago: Zion Williamson – 70%
