Can the Golden State Warriors make it three straight and four out of five? The league’s decision-makers think so, though a few of them have left the door open for a new champ.
In the 17th annual NBA.com GM Survey, the Warriors are once again the overwhelming favorite to win the 2019 championship, just not quite as overwhelming a favorite as they were a year ago, when 93 percent of GMs picked them to repeat. With LeBron James moving to the Western Conference, the GMs have picked the Boston Celtics to return to The Finals after a seven-year absence, and there’s some belief out there that the Celtics can dethrone the champs.
The Celtics are led by the new “best head coach in the NBA,” have one of the league’s most promising young cores, and a star that one GM tabbed to win the MVP this season. But Kyrie Irving was just one of nine MVP candidates, the most in the history of the survey. There’s no consensus on the player GMs would most like to start a franchise either, with four different players receiving at least five votes on that question.
One of those four is LeBron James, who is entering his 16th season and his 13th season as the league’s best small forward, according to GMs. He also remains the player that forces coaches to make the most adjustments, the best passer, the best leader, the most versatile player, and the player with the best basketball IQ.
The GMs responded to 49 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches, fans, 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.
OFFSEASON MOVES
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
1. L.A. Lakers – 70%
2. Toronto – 20%
Also receiving votes: Dallas, Indiana, Oklahoma City
Last year: Oklahoma City – 43%
Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
1. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers – 97%
2. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto – 3%
Last year: Paul George – 59%
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Tyreke Evans, Indiana – 13%
2. DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio – 10%
Jabari Parker, Chicago – 10%
Julius Randle, New Orleans – 10%
Dennis Schroder, Oklahoma City – 10%
6. Trevor Ariza, Phoenix – 7%
DeMarcus Cousins, Golden State – 7%
Isaiah Thomas, Denver – 7%
Also receiving votes: Avery Bradley, LA Clippers; Ed Davis, Brooklyn; Luka Doncic, Dallas; DeAndre Jordan, Dallas; Brook Lopez, Milwaukee; Luc Mbah a Moute, LA Clippers; De’Anthony Melton, Phoenix; Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio
Last year: Paul Millsap – 24%
Which team will be most improved in 2018-19?
1. L.A. Lakers – 80%
2. Dallas – 7%
Phoenix – 7%
Also receiving votes: Chicago, Orlando
Last year: Minnesota – 69%
What was the most surprising move of the offseason?
1. DeMarcus Cousins to Golden State – 35%
2. Kawhi Leonard – DeMar DeRozan trade – 29%
3. Paul George staying in Oklahoma City – 19%
4. Jimmy Butler trade request – 6%
Also receiving votes: Carmelo Anthony to Houston; LeBron James to L.A.; DeAndre Jordan to Dallas
Last year: Boston-Cleveland trade – 45%
ROOKIES & INTERNATIONAL
Who will win the 2018-19 Rookie of the Year?
1. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 43%
2. Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento – 17%
Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago – 17%
4. DeAndre Ayton, Phoenix – 13%
Also receiving votes: Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis; Kevin Knox, New York; Collin Sexton, Cleveland
Last year: Lonzo Ball – 62%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
1. DeAndre Ayton, Phoenix – 27%
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis – 27%
3. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 17%
4. Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento – 13%
Kevin Knox, New York – 13%
6. Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago – 3%
Last year: Josh Jackson – 24%
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11), LA Clippers – 27%
2. Svi Mykhailiuk (47), L.A. Lakers – 13%
2. Wendell Carter Jr. (7), Chicago – 10%
Michael Porter Jr. (14), Denver – 10%
Gary Trent Jr. (37), Portland – 10%
6. Luka Doncic (3), Dallas – 7%
Kevin Knox (9), New York – 7%
Also receiving votes: DeAndre Ayton (1), Phoenix; Kevin Huerter (19), Atlanta; Omari Spellman (30), Atlanta; Moritz Wagner (25), L.A. Lakers; Lonnie Walker IV (18), San Antonio
Last year: Dennis Smith Jr. – 37%
Who is the best international player in the NBA?
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 73%
2. Kristaps Porzingis, New York – 10%
3. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 7%
Nikola Jokic, Denver – 7%
5. Marc Gasol, Memphis – 3%
Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 69%
Who is the best international player NOT in the NBA?
1. Sergio Llull – 39%
2. Nando de Colo – 29%
3. Alexey Shved – 14%
4. Jan Veseley – 7%
Also receiving votes: R.J. Barrett, Andrew Bogut, Nicolo Melli
Last year: Luka Doncic – 69%
