NBA general managers take their pick and expect the Thunder to be the most improved team in 2023-24.
Periodically, NBA.com editors will offer their thoughts on key storylines or hot topics around the league.
THE 2023-24 NBA General Manager Survey is live. What is one thing you agree with and one thing you disagree with?
Steve Aschburner
I agree that Phoenix’s Devin Booker is the best shooter in the NBA. He was an overwhelming choice of general managers with 63% of the vote.
No one else got more than 10% and that was Stephen Curry, who is more accurately a point guard, albeit a hybrid. In fact, “positionless basketball” had an array of point guards and small forwards garnering votes at this spot, which only clinches the W for Booker.
I disagree that Denver’s Nikola Jokic is a heavy favorite to be named MVP. No one disputes his value to the Nuggets, but after two previous Kia MVPs and his team’s championship validation in June, I think the field is wide open.
Voters focused on just three players for the last five awards (Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid). Now, I think many will be looking for some variety, with Boston’s Jayson Tatum (13% and my preseason pick) and Dallas’ Luka Doncic (10%) likely to benefit. Also remember that the general managers only guessed MVP. four times in 21 years.
Brian Martin
I agree that Anthony Edwards is very likely to have a breakout season in 2023-24. Edwards has already taken a big step forward in his third NBA season, becoming a top-20 scorer and earning his first All-Star nod, albeit as a replacement. Don’t expect him to need the commissioner’s call this season.
While Team USA failed to medal at the FIBA World Cup, Edwards established himself as “the guy” for the national team.
At 22, Edwards remains one of the league’s most explosive talents, but with three years of NBA experience, his IQ is climbing, and that blend of athleticism and intelligence is an indicator of a breakout season .
I disagree that the Nuggets will have the most efficient offense in the league this season. For the Nuggets to achieve this, they would have to surpass four teams from last season: New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Sacramento.
The Kings posted the highest offense rate in league history (118.6) last season and run essentially the same team, their biggest addition being another great shooter in EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov. Could the Nuggets do it? Of course, I won’t put anything beyond Nikola Jokic at this point, but I wouldn’t make him favorites.
Nikola Jokic is high on the list of NBA general manager picks.
Shaun Powell
I agree that if you are starting a team, Nikola Jokic is the one to build around. The evidence is there in plain sight: you may have to bend your neck since it’s at 5,280. feet. Jokic is literally the centerpiece of a championship team and all the pieces revolve around him.
He is the Nuggets’ best scorer, rebounder, interior defender and of course passer (historic for a center).
And he’s been all of that over the last 4-5 years, including two where he won MVP (and probably should have had three). Everything about the Nuggets runs through Jokic, and aside from his skills, his basketball IQ is high. He will make the right decisions more often than not.
The best news is that Jokic isn’t on the decline just yet. So yeah, if you’re building a team for the next few years, he’s your guy.
I disagree that Jrue Holiday is the best perimeter defender in the league. No disrespect to Jrue, who has more than earned his defensive stripes, but that crown belongs to Mikal Bridges.
First: Bridges is younger. Second: Bridges is more athletic. Third: bridges are longer. Fourth: Bridges protect multiple positions. Fifth: the bridges are higher. Sixth: As you might have guessed, Bridges is pretty darn good.
Put him 10, 15, 20 feet from the hoop and he’s in his element. He has the lateral quickness to keep up with most players, can cover 3-point shooters, brings solid instincts and is versatile. My only fear, and maybe I’m being too hyperactive, is that now that Bridges has become an offensive threat in Brooklyn, will he expend too much energy on that end of the court?
Regardless, Bridges covers almost as much surface area as paint. Just ask the player in front of him.
Stephen Curry was voted the player who forces coaches to make the most adjustments.
John Schumann
I agree that Stephen Curry forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments. Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Joel Embiid are all good answers to this question because they (usually) can’t be guarded one-on-one.
But Curry scares defenses whether he has the ball or not. If dribbling on a ball screen, the defender’s defender must be at the 3-point line to prevent a pull-up.
And after returning the ball, it never stops moving and you always have to take that into account. Defending him must be exhausting, both for opposing players and coaches.
I disagree that the Celtics are the better defensive team. Boston finished second in defensive efficiency last season and lost three of its most important defenders – Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and Robert Williams III.
Smart was replaced by Jrue Holiday (great with the ball, not as great with the ball), but the C’s lost a lot of front-line defense (and switching) by trading Williams and Williams III for Kristaps Porzingis.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had the league’s top-ranked defense last season and didn’t lose anyone who played a vital role in that success. Fewer minutes for Isaac Okoro could hurt the defense, but Max Strus and Georges Niang aren’t a total liability on that side of the floor and each played for top 10 defenses last season.
Michael C. Wright
I agree that the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the most improved team. In the past, I’ve probably been guilty of accelerating this team’s rebuilding timeline too quickly.
But with Chet Holmgren back healthy, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becoming one of the league’s elite talents, and Josh Giddey taking the next step in his development, this team improved to a potential 50-win team (yes, a 10-win improvement from 2022-23 is high).
We I had a preview on Monday of how OKC could use Holmgren this season, and it’s clear he unlocks a bit offensively while providing some rim protection. Jalen Williams emerged as a rookie in 2022-23 and could be a star in the making.
I disagree that Anthony Edwards is the player most likely to have a breakout season. After averaging 24.6 points, a 2022-23 NBA All-Star nod and a solid performance this summer on the international stage, hasn’t Edwards already broken out?
Zion Williamson, from this perspective, is the most likely candidate for a breakout season. Yes, he has already appeared in two NBA All-Star games. But Williamson has yet to play more than 61 outings due to various injuries.
If healthy, Williamson should lead a breakout campaign to make its huge impact felt for a Pelicans team constantly poised to make the playoffs.
