NBA GM Survey 2023-24: Celtics, Nuggets In Finals, Jokic MVP, Wemby Top Rookie

By Barry Janoff

October 10, 2023: Of all the trades to date entering the 2023-24 NBA season, the three-team deal that saw the Portland Trail Blazers send Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks that included Jrue Holiday, who was then sent to the Boston Celtics, may have the most impact on the upcoming campaign.

The Celtics have been picked by 33% of NBA GMs to reach the league finals and face the defending champion Denver Nuggets, which also received 33%, in the 22nd annual NBA GM Survey.

The Bucks, who will team Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo, were selected by 23% of NBA GMs to win the title, third among all league teams.

The GMs responded to 50 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.

Between them, Lillard and Holiday received 60% of the votes for offseason acquisitions that would make the biggest impact.

Finals MVP Nikola Jokic has his name across the Survey: He received the most votes for this season’s Kia MVP pick, the player GMs would want to start a franchise with, best center, best passer and player with the best basketball IQ.

Victor Wembanyama, the overall No. 1 draft pick by the San Antonio Spurs, received 90% of the votes when GMs were asked which rookie would be the best player in five years. Concurrently, 23% of the league’s GMs also named him as the player they’d like to start a franchise with (second-most behind Jokic).

He also received 90% of the votes among GMs when asked, Which rookie will be the best player in five years?

Antetokounmpo was named by 97% of GMs as the Best Power Forward and Jokic by 93% as the Best Center —the first time in 11 years (since Dwight Howard in 2013) that a player (or players) received more than 90% of the votes at any position, according to the NBA.

Eric Spoelstra of the Miami Heat received 73% of the votes for Best Head Coach (Ty Lue, LA Clippers, was a distant second with 10%).

Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets received 57% of the votes when GMs were asked, Which new or relocated head coach will make the biggest impact on his new team?

• Which team will win the 2024 NBA Finals?

T-1. Boston Celtics – 33%
T-1. Denver Nuggets – 33%
3. Milwaukee Bucks – 23%
4. Phoenix Suns – 7%
5. LA Clippers – 3%
» Last year: Milwaukee Bucks – 43%


• Who will win the 2023-24 Kia MVP?

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 43%
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – 20%
3. Jayson Tatum, Boston – 13%
4. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 10%
» Also receiving votes: Anthony Davis, L.A. Lakers; Kevin Durant, Phoenix; Joel Embiid, Philadelphia; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City
» Last year: Luka Doncic – 48%


• Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?

T-1. Boston Celtics – 23%
T-1. Milwaukee Bucks – 23%
3. Portland Trail Blazers – 17%
4. Los Angeles Lakers – 13%
T-5. Dallas Mavericks – 7%
T-5. Houston Rockets – 7%


• Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?

1. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee – 47%
2. Jrue Holiday, Boston – 13%
3. Bradley Beal, Phoenix – 10%
T-4. Kristaps Porzingis, Boston – 7%
T-4. Fred VanVleet, Houston – 7%
T-4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 7%


• Which team will be most improved in 2023-24?

1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 30%
2. Houston Rockets – 23%
T-3. Dallas Mavericks – 10%
T-3. Detroit Pistons – 10%
T-3. Orlando Magic – 10%


• Which team’s level of success this season is toughest to predict?

1. Philadelphia 76ers – 30%
T-2. Dallas Mavericks – 13%
T-2. Oklahoma City Thunder – 13%
T-4. New Orleans – 10%
T-4. Phoenix Suns – 10%
T-4. LA Clippers – 10%

See the full GM Survey here.

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