NBA General Managers Predict Thunder’s Championship Return
In a bold prediction, NBA team general managers have expressed a strong belief that the Oklahoma City Thunder will emerge as champions once again, marking the league’s first repeat champion since the Golden State Warriors’ era. According to the recently published annual NBA General Manager survey, a significant 80% of respondents foresee the Thunder, led by a formidable young trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, claiming the title. This trio has garnered the highest approval among GMs, who ranked them as the best core group in the league, with 50% of the votes in that specific category. With Holmgren and Williams secured to long-term contracts, the Thunder are positioned to be serious contenders in the next season.
Past Predictions and Current Alternatives
This overwhelming consensus among GMs might seem surprising, but it’s reflective of past predictions which have often deviated from the eventual outcomes. For instance, last season, the Boston Celtics, fresh off a championship, received 83% support from GMs as favorites but ultimately fell short. In the current survey, if the Thunder do not prevail, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets are viewed as potential alternatives, each securing 7% of the votes, with the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks also garnering interest.
Nikola Jokić’s Acclaim
Highlighting individual talents, Denver Nuggets‘ standout Nikola Jokić received significant acclaim in the survey, ranking first in seven categories that praised his exceptional abilities. General managers cited him as the frontrunner for the 2025-26 NBA MVP award, the player most capable of making opponents adapt, the best center overall, and the finest international player in the league. Additionally, he was acknowledged for his passing skills and basketball intelligence, while also placing third in leadership rankings and versatility assessments. Notably, GMs would still consider Jokić a top pick for building a new franchise, placing him in the top three despite his age of 30, with San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama dominating that category with 83% of the votes.
Roster Construction and League Reforms
On the administrative side, GMs identified roster construction as a crucial aspect they would like to reform within the league, with 26% pointing to the need for adjustments like alleviating cap constraints and introducing a cap discount for homegrown players. Interestingly, 5% of the GMs hinted at a possible criticism towards the Los Angeles Clippers, suggesting they would support implementing stricter penalties for salary cap violations—an issue stemming from ongoing investigations related to the Clippers’ dealings with star player Kawhi Leonard following the 2019-20 season. Both the team and Leonard have denied any misdeeds despite the NBA’s scrutiny.
This combination of predictions and potential changes gives a glimpse into the strategic thinking of NBA executives as they prepare for the next season.
