The Annual GM Survey is back, as NBA.com’s John Schuhmann asks NBA GMs 50 questions about the league and the upcoming season. This is always a fun primer for the season, even if the Kings are overlooked more often than not. This year has a few bits of recognition for the Kings, along with a few key omissions. I’ll share the Kings-related questions below, but I recommend spending a few minutes looking over the whole thing. It’s always interesting, and the prior year results are always a good reminder not to take this too seriously.
(I’ve added bolding to the existing formatting to highlight Kings-related responses)
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2024-25?
1. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City – 13%
T-2. Evan Mobley, Cleveland – 10%
T-2. Ja Morant, Memphis – 10%
T-2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio – 10%
T-5. Paolo Banchero, Orlando – 7%
T-5. Cade Cunningham, Detroit – 7%
T-5. Brandon Miller, Charlotte – 7%
» Also receiving votes: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Dereck Lively II, Dallas; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia; Trey Murphy III, New Orleans; Keegan Murray, Sacramento; Andrew Nembhard, Indiana; Alperen Sengun, Houston; Cam Thomas, Brooklyn; Amen Thompson, Houston; Ausar Thompson, Detroit
» Last year: Anthony Edwards – 23%
I think it’s fascinating that there was no mention of Keon Ellis in this category, as I feel he’s the most likely to truly break out and enter the national discussion in a new way this season.
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%
I’m sharing these two questions together because they are a hilarious contrast. Domantas Sabonis somehow gets a vote for best power forward, and yet not a single vote for best center. I don’t really mind folks putting Jokic or Embiid over Sabonis, but Wemby feels premature.
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%
I’m not terribly upset but this, more just happy that at least one GM noticed and appreciated what the Kings did with adding DeMar DeRozan.
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 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%
I find it funny that Paul George to Philly, which was always an obvious destination for him, is somehow more surprising than DeRozan to Sacramento or Mikal to New York.
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?
T-1. Bub Carrington (14), Washington – 10%
T-1. Devin Carter (13), Sacramento – 10%
T-1. Johnny Furphy (35), Indiana – 10%
T-1. Dalton Knecht (17), L.A. Lakers – 10%
T-1. Terrence Shannon Jr. (27), Minnesota – 10%
T-1. Nikola Topic (12), Oklahoma City – 10%
T-7. Matas Buzelis (11), Chicago – 7%
T-7. Donovan Clingan (7), Portland – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Cam Christie (46), LA Clippers; Isaiah Collier (29), Utah; Zach Edey (9), Memphis; Kyle Filipowski (32), Utah; Jared McCain (16), Philadelphia; Baylor Scheierman (30), Boston; Reed Sheppard (3), Houston; Cody Williams (10), Utah
» Last year: Cam Whitmore – 43%
Devin Carter tying for first in this category is really nice to see. The shoulder injury has dampened some of the normal enthusiasm we’d have around a rookie, so it’s nice to be reminded that the Kings have another good piece waiting in the wings.
Who is the best international player NOT in the NBA?
1. Sasha Vezenkov – 30%
2. Nikola Mirotic – 23%
3. Edy Tavares – 17%
4. Nolan Traore – 10%
T-5. Dzanan Musa – 7%
T-5. Cedi Osman – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Boban Marjanovic, Armel Traore
» Last year: Nikola Mirotic – 37%
*Sigh*
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%
No love for Keon Ellis or Keegan Murray in these categories. Hopefully they can turn some heads and changes some opinions this season.
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%
Last year Mike Brown topped the list, this year he didn’t receive a single vote. Understandable given last season’s disappointing season, but I wonder how foolish this might look in a year. Either way, a good reminder that these responses are often reactionary rather than predictive.
Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?
T-1. Sam Cassell, Boston – 17%
T-1. Micah Nori, Minnesota – 17%
3. Sean Sweeney, Dallas – 10%
T-4. Chris Quinn, Miami – 7%
T-4. Jeff Van Gundy, LA Clippers – 7%
» Also receiving votes: David Adelman, Denver; Pat Delany, Toronto; Chris DeMarco, Golden State; Lindsey Harding, L.A. Lakers; Trevor Hendry, Cleveland; Juwan Howard, Brooklyn; Royal Ivey, Houston; Jay Larranaga, LA Clippers; Josh Longstaff, Charlotte; Dale Osborne, Orlando; Jordan Ott, Cleveland; Terry Stotts, Golden State; Jay Triano, Sacramento
» Last year: Jordi Fernandez – 31%
Miss you already, Jordi. Nice to see Jay Triano receive a little love, as well as former Kings assistant Micah Nori and former Stockton Kings coach Lindsey Harding.
Which team has the best home-court advantage?
1. Denver Nuggets – 47%
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – 17%
T-3. Boston Celtics – 13%
T-3. New York Knicks – 13%
5. Utah Jazz – 7%
6. Sacramento Kings – 3%
» Last year: Denver Nuggets – 37%
I understand why the Kings aren’t higher on this list, considering they’ve mysteriously been worse at home than on the road, but this is a category I’d love to see the Kings higher in.
Which team’s level of success this season is toughest to predict?
1. Los Angeles Lakers – 17%
T-2. Houston Rockets – 13%
T-2. New Orleans Pelicans – 13%
4. Phoenix Suns – 10%
T-5. Dallas Mavericks – 7%
T-5. Philadelphia 76ers – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings
» Last year: Philadelphia 76ers – 30%
The wide spread of this list tells me that the West in general is really hard to predict this season. Also, these GMs are dumb, it’s so easy to predict that the Lakers won’t be very good.
Which player is the fastest with the ball?
1. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento – 52%
2. Ja Morant, Memphis – 38%
3. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia – 7%
4. Kyrie Irving, Dallas – 3%
» Last year: De’Aaron Fox – 57%
Hell yeah.
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 40%
2. Kevin Durant, Phoenix – 23%
3. Luka Doncic, Dallas – 10%
T-4. Nikola Jokic, Denver – 7%
T-4. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee – 7%
» Also receiving votes: DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City; Kyrie Irving, Dallas; Jamal Murray, Denver
» Last year: Stephen Curry – 37%
Interesting that Fox has completely fallen off the radar for this question. Also funny how DeMar and Fox are so low despite them being the best two clutch players in the league the last two years.
Be sure to check out the full list of questions and responses at NBA.com.
“GMs may not vote for their own players…or their sons.”
It is 2024 and there are GMs that still believe Domantas Sabonis is a PF
Tatum got votes there too. I know positions ain’t what they used to be, but who watches basketball and thinks he and Sabonis play the same one.
Technically Tatum did play at the 4 last season and will again this year.
Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum and Zinger is their lineup.
I was wondering why Marvin Bagley wasn’t in the group with Doncic, but then I remembered that VD is no longer a GM.
And never will be again.
Bags is the guy I want taking the shot when I’m doing lines.
I want to emphasize that my comment is not meant to shit on Bagley, but the Serbian Simpleton reiterated recently that the jury was still out on which player would end up being better.
That logic is how you give LLLLLLLuke Walton a four-year deal to coach after being fired from the Lakers.
Or tip a ball to Robert Horry instead of trying to grab a rebound.
My fun Bagley stat: He has been paid $9,847 per minute played in the NBA. Luka Doncic has been paid $7,864.
Good for Marv, ain’t his fault he was drafted too high.
Or at all.
No, Vlade doesn’t even talk about Bagley
He straw man’s it that he would’ve had to trade Fox, and thus its Fox v Doncic (as if thats a comparison either) and the fact that Bagley is a bust isnt even the equation
Where did you see that?
I read an article in which Vlade was referring to Fox vs Doncic in terms of rings. Still tied at this point.
Meh, the polls don’t matter. GMs probably just have some intern make the selections. It’s all meaningless.
https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.BKpU5qYo7doGKerlD1wpXQHaHY?rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain
I truly think this team is one long, athletic stretch four from being a true contender in the West.
**sips my purple Kool aid**
The survey was interesting – it always is.
Sacramento may be a bit under represented, though with the tenor of the questions, I thought the answers fair and overall represented the Kings well given the questions asked.
Of the questions not mentioned above – I thought that the strong expectation that Memphis will have a large improvement in their record this season was among the most interesting. Along that same vein, Memphis was included in the “Who will win the Western Conference” responses (OKC was the clear favorite, but the rankings include spot 1st through 4th)) along with Denver, Minnesota, of course, and then went to Dallas, Phoenix, Memphis (!), New Orleans and Golden State for a top 8. Sacramento was conspicuously absent. I still don’t get how Golden State is in this grouping. Both LA teams are also out, as is Houston.
On the rookie side – Devin Carter is included in the “steal” rankings, however the follow up question “Who will be the best player (of the current rookies) in 5 years?” and the choice for “Who will be Rookie of the Year” – both of which convincingly went to Reed Shephard, and picks the Rox Rook as best/most likely. Devin Carter is off the “best in 5 years” altogether. Means nothing, but I found it interesting.
With the season just a couple of weeks away (October 22nd), I look forward to more predictive surveys and postulations.
It’s early until the next TKH Podcast – however, I wouldn’t mind if the crew (the wonderful Will, terrific Tony and The Great Jerry Reynolds) had some comments on this last survey question:
What rule (regarding play, schedule, Draft/Lottery, playoff format, roster construction, etc.) most needs to change?
1. Roster construction – Apron rules/trade math too restrictive or should be indexed to team’s market – 20%
2. Schedule – fewer games and/or back-to-backs – 17%
T-3. Game flow – Reduce stoppages and replay reviews, or change to G-League, 1-free-throw rule – 13%
T-3. Playoff format – Seed 1-16 or let top seeds choose opponents – 13%
T-5. Free agency before the Draft – 7%
T-5. Return to a one-day Draft – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Add third round to the Draft, Draft Lottery format, Expand All-Star rosters to 15 players, Elam ending, Fouls on lobs should be shooting fouls, Playoff eligibility for two-way players, Remove divisions
(I’ll add a note here: Elam is the game ending on a target score, and not the clock).
Of course GMs voted to change the rules about roster construction to make it easier, lol
Harsher penalties for yelling/complaining to the refs, which gets increasingly more severe for repeat offenders.
I totally agree. We’ll call it the Draymond rule.
And all the foul hunting nonsense. Be good enough to score without hunting for fouls and getting 12 FTs/game.
Do you hear that Doncic? Do you hear that Green?
another interesting question and answer:
Which team will win the 2025 NBA Finals?
1. Boston Celtics – 83%
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – 13%
3. Dallas Mavericks – 3%
greater than 4 out of 5 GMs surveyed expect Boston to repeat as Champs.
That’s impressive. Really, no one else was close.
Well, seeing that they are bringing back the same core after winning 64 games, and lost just 3 games through 4 playoff series on their way to a cakewalk title, they should be the favorites. I feel a healthy Knicks are they only threat to them in the East and I think they can beat anyone in the West in a 7 game series.
You think it’s fascinating Keon Ellis wasn’t on ANY major league wide poll like breakout player?
im a Keon fan, and expect him to round out to a good role player, but I see why only Kings fans care or know about him as of now
Starz, I am a Keon fan also, probably biased as a result, however, I think Steph Curry knows who Keon is now. Here’s to more NBA scorers becoming enlightened.
The Kings need to win something of value to earn respect.
100%
POLLS DON’T VOTE!!!
wait, wrong forum
Bring back Arco Thunder! No reason Sac-town shouldn’t be first in home court advantage. We have the best 6th man in the Association
Malik Monk.
Game Thread? ????
Go Kings!
ESPN having Bob Myers do pregame coverage. How you can pass off a former executive of one of the competing teams as impartial analysis? ESPN is a shell of itself.
Badge Legend