Doncic completely overlooked at MVP, Wembanyam with record support

San Antonio Spurs have emerged as the top choice for the upcoming NBA season according to a survey conducted among sports directors from all 30 teams. Victor Wembanyama, the 224-centimeter French center who was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft and named the league’s best rookie in 2024, has been identified as the leading candidate for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Slovenian star Luka Dončić did not receive any votes for MVP, though he was selected as the best shooting guard by 37 percent of respondents. The 25th annual NBA survey asked sports directors to answer 48 questions regarding teams, players, coaches, and off-season moves. Respondents were not allowed to vote for their own team or its members. San Antonio received 50 percent of the votes for the title of champions in the upcoming season, with Oklahoma City Thunder trailing at 43 percent. Current champions New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, the new home of LeBron James, also received votes. Last year, Oklahoma City won the poll, with 80 percent of sports directors predicting them to win the championship. Wembanyama, who was unanimously chosen as the Defensive Player of the Year last season, received 77 percent of the votes for MVP, setting a record for the highest level of support in the history of the survey. Serbian center Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets came second with 10 percent, followed by Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards with seven percent. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City and Jayson Tatum of Boston received votes for MVP, while Dončić received none. Despite being overlooked for MVP, Dončić was selected as the best shooting guard by 37 percent of respondents, ahead of Tatum (33 percent) and Kawhi Leonard (17 percent). He also received 10 percent of the votes for both the best playmaker and best defender. Wembanyama received 93 percent of the votes for the question: “If you were starting a new NBA franchise today and could sign any player in the league, who would it be?” This marked a significant increase from his 83 percent in the previous year. Other candidates included Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg. Wembanyama topped the list in eight different categories related to players, including the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most changes, the best international player, the best defensive player, the best perimeter defender, the most versatile defensive player, and the most versatile player overall. San Antonio’s reserve guard Dylan Harper was identified as the player most likely to break through in the upcoming 2026–27 season. The survey highlights the growing prominence of Wembanyama, whose combination of size, skill, and defensive prowess has made him a standout prospect. His performance last season, which saw him become the youngest and first unanimous selection for Defensive Player of the Year, has solidified his status as one of the league’s premier talents. While San Antonio’s chances of winning the championship remain high, the competition from Oklahoma City and the defending champions suggests a tightly contested race. The inclusion of LeBron James in Philadelphia adds another layer of intrigue to the season ahead. Wembanyama’s dominance in the survey underscores his potential impact on the league, with many believing he is poised to claim the MVP title in the near future. His ability to influence games on both ends of the court and his versatility have positioned him as a key figure in the NBA landscape.