Washington Wizards a Frequent Mention in 2026-27 NBA GM Survey

The NBA released its annual GM Survey on Thursday, and the Washington Wizards were mentioned in a few key categories. 

The survey polls general managers around the league on a set of questions ranging from most likely to win the NBA championship to who the best rookie will be five years into the future. Of note, respondents are not allowed to vote for their own team or personnel.

While not definitive in any way given 80% of general managers tabbed the Thunder to win the NBA Finals last year, it's a good way to take the league's temperature and see how different teams and players are perceived. 

With that being said, let's look at the key Wiz-specific takeaways. 

Anthony Davis received votes for best power forward

In a surprise to few, Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated the GM vote for league's best power forward, receiving 70% of the vote child Victor Wembanyama came in second with 23%, though he is primarily a center. But Anthony Davis, whom the Wizards acquired last season, was listed as receiving votes. 

He and Celtics star Jayson Tatum were the only two players mentioned as receiving votes outside of Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama.

Wizards named one of two teams most likely to see the greatest improvement

One of the questions posed to GMs in the survey was which team is most likely to be the league's most improved this season. The Indiana Pacers, with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton, came in first with 43% of the vote, but Washington was in second place with 23%. 

The case for the Wizards taking a leap is clear, with an injection of veteran talent in Trae Young and Anthony Davis teaming up with a young core led by first overall pick AJ Dybantsa. Time will tell how it works out for Washington, but the league appears bullish on the team's potential. 

GMs optimistic about AJ Dybantsa

Speaking of Dybantsa, the Wizards' top rookie came in third in predicting the 2026-2027 Rookie of the Year and tied for first for which rookie will be the best player in five years. 

Regarding the former query, the only players ahead of Dybantsa were Memphis' Cameron Boozer -- considered a high-floor prospect -- and Chicago's Caleb Wilson. Dybantsa tied with Wilson in the latter vote.  

Wizards named second most promising young core

In another affirmation of the Wizards' roster development, NBA GMs voted Washington as having the second best young core in the league, behind only the San Antonio Spurs -- a franchise that rode their youth movement to the NBA Finals last season. 

Again, nothing is set in stone. But it has to feel good for Wizards fans to see rival front offices lauding the work Washington has done in setting the team up for the future.