2024 GM Survey

[Real Men Wear Green]

https://www.nba.com/news/2024-25-nba-gm-survey

The highlights:

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%


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2024-25 Kia Season Preview
2024-25 NBA.com GM Survey: 50 questions ahead of new season
The annual survey is here. NBA general managers react to key topics before the 2024-25 season tips off.

John Schuhmann
John Schuhmann
Archive
Updated on October 8, 2024 4:31 PM


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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 %Total
1. 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%

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%

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%

[Real Men Wear Green]

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 make 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%

[Real Men Wear Green]

DEFENSE

Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?

1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 40%
T-2. Bam Adebayo, Miami – 10%
T-2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 10%
T-2. Jrue Holiday, Boston – 10%
T-5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 7%
T-5. Anthony Davis, L.A. Lakers – 7%
T-5. Herb Jones, New Orleans – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City; Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota; Marcus Smart, Memphis
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 40%

Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?

1. Jrue Holiday, Boston – 43%
2. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City – 20%
3. Herb Jones, New Orleans – 17%
4. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City – 7%
» Also receiving votes: OG Anunoby, New York; Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota; Marcus Smart, Memphis; Derrick White, Boston
» Last year: Jrue Holiday – 50%

Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?

1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 40%
2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota – 37%
3. Anthony Davis, L.A. Lakers – 10%
4. Bam Adebayo, Miami – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee; Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis
» Last year: Jaren Jackson Jr. – 30%

Who is the most versatile defender in the NBA?

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 17%
T-2. OG Anunoby, New York – 13%
T-2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 13%
4. Bam Adebayo, Miami – 10%
T-5. Jrue Holiday, Boston – 7%
T-5. Jonathan Isaac, Orlando – 7%
T-5. Herb Jones, New Orleans – 7%
T-5. Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City; Lu Dort, Oklahoma City; Aaron Gordon, Denver; Evan Mobley, Cleveland; Marcus Smart, Memphis; Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City
» Last year: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 37%

Which is the best defensive team in the NBA?

1. Boston Celtics – 57%
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – 23%
3. Oklahoma City Thunder – 20%
» Last year: Boston Celtics – 47%

[Real Men Wear Green]

COACHES

Who is the best head coach in the NBA?

1. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 69%
2. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City – 17%
3. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Mike Budenholzer, Phoenix; Chris Finch, Minnesota
» Last year: Erik Spoelstra – 73%

Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?

1. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 37%
2. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 17%
T-3. Joe Mazzulla, Boston – 10%
T-3. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 10%
T-3. Doc Rivers, Milwaukee – 10%
6. Jason Kidd, Dallas – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City; Michael Malone, Denver; Tom Thibodeau, New York
» Last year: Erik Spoelstra – 37%

Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?

1. Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers – 28%
2. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 24%
3. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City – 17%
T-4. Rick Carlisle, Indiana – 7%
T-4. Taylor Jenkins, Memphis – 7%
T-4. Nick Nurse, Philadelphia – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Chris Finch, Minnesota; Will Hardy, Utah; Michael Malone, Denver
» Last year: Erik Spoelstra – 43%

Which head coach runs the best offense?

1. Rick Carlisle, Indiana – 47%
2. Joe Mazzulla, Boston – 17%
3. Chris Finch, Minnesota – 13%
4. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 10%
» Also receiving votes: Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City; Michael Malone, Denver; Nick Nurse, Philadelphia; Erik Spoelstra, Miami
» Last year: Mike Brown – 33%

Which head coach has the best defensive schemes?

1. Erik Spoelstra, Miami – 23%
T-2. Chris Finch, Minnesota – 20%
T-2. Tom Thibodeau, New York – 20%
4. Joe Mazzulla, Boston – 17%
5. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City – 10%
6. Jamahl Mosley, Orlando – 7%
7. Ime Udoka, Houston – 3%
» Last year: Erik Spoelstra – 40%

Which new or relocated head coach will make the biggest impact on his new team?

1. Mike Budenholzer, Phoenix – 40%
T-2. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland – 20%
T-2. J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit – 20%
4. Charles Lee, Charlotte – 10%
5. Jordi Fernandez, Brooklyn – 7%
6. JJ Redick, L.A. Lakers – 3%
» Last year: Ime Udoka – 57%

[Real Men Wear Green]

My Celtic-centeted observations:

1. Brad Stevens thinks Cleveland is better than New York, Philly, Milwaukee, etc. This one is cheating, I saw an article where someone else pointed it out, but I like to believe I would have figured this out. GMs can't vote for their own teams and players. Everyone else in the league picked Boston so there was no hiding Stevens' vote.

2. People still aren't sure what to make of Joe Mazzulla. Somehow the Celtics have some of the best offensive and defensive schemes and Mazzulla is also one of the better coaches for motivating but he's not listed as a top coach. It's understandable though, he's only had two years and an elite roster.

3. Doncic is apparently the best everything. We may as well stop mentioning defense as being important in player rankings because this is how the people that construct teams think.

4. If they're factoring in durability I understand but if not Kristaps Porzingis is being underrated as a rim protector.