The 6 most surprising results from the NBA GM survey

It’s that time of year again. The leaves are beginning to fall off the trees and NBA GMs are allowing their assistants and interns to cast their votes in the NBA’s annual general manager survey. (Because most don’t do it themselves)

These results never cease to surprise us, and the same thing has happened this year in a few of the categories. The Warriors and LeBron James are obvious fixtures here, but there are still some things in this you wouldn’t expect at all.

Let’s dig in, starting with this.

The results were as follows:

Right off the bat, we’re getting into controversial territory. Russell Westbrook, the reigning MVP who just averaged a triple double (the first in the NBA in decades), did not receive one vote projecting him to repeat as MVP this season.

That doesn’t make sense. We get that the appeal of Westbrook’s MVP campaign last year was him doing literally everything for his team and we have to acknowledge that he won’t have to do that this year with Carmelo Anthony and Paul George by his side.

But still, we’ve seen him put up huge numbers on a high-usage team before. It makes no sense to not have him on this list at all — especially if the Thunder are better.

The results for which player GMs would pick to start a franchise with today were as follows:

Both Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis received votes as well.

This is all reasonable. Towns taking a majority of the vote here isn’t surprising — 48 percent of GMs voted for him last season. What is surprising, though, is how close Antetokounmpo is to Towns now after not being considered last season.

Antetokounmpo has earned the league’s respect after becoming the first player in NBA history to lead his team in points, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. He’s a rising star and is only 22 years old. Towns, 21, isn’t far behind him in age and is just as much of a phenom.

Those two should lead this vote for years to come if they continue to improve on the same track they’ve been on.

George was voted as the offseason acquisition that will have the most impact this season. The results were as follows:

Kevin Durant and Paul Millsap also received votes.

This may very well be true. George was a great acquisition for Oklahoma City and provides them with a two-way presence on the wing they simply didn’t have to go along with Westbrook last season.

But 59 percent is a heavy majority considering and the other major moves that happened this summer. Jimmy Butler will provide the same qualities for Minnesota, and Kyrie Irving is probably going to be the leading scorer for the Celtics as one of the best two teams in the Eastern Conference.

The vote might not be wrong, but it’s surprising that George was an overwhelming favorite. Thunder fans will be pleased if the survey turns out to be right.

The results were as follows:

Jonathan Isaac and Dennis Smith, Jr. also received votes, according to the survey.

I like Josh Jackson as much as the next guy, but I’m not sure if he’s capable of being the best player from this deep rookie class in five years.

That’s not a knock on him — this class is just so talented. Ben Simmons has already drawn LeBron James comparisons without even playing a game. Lonzo Ball is one of the most hyped rookies we’ve ever seen and already looks like an incredible passer. Markelle Fultz and Jayson Tatum are walking buckets at prime positions.

Jackson is a very good defender with plenty of skills and a well-rounded game, but he’s not necessarily great at any one thing. He’s got a lot of ground to gain to actualize this prediction.

The results were as follows:

De’Aaron Fox and Jayson Tatum both received votes as well.

No one having confidence in the No. 1-overall pick of the draft winning rookie of the year seems silly. Heading into the draft, Fultz was considered by many to be far and away the best player in the draft class, despite not making the NCAA tournament.

It’s possible that teams have soured on him since the Celtics traded the first pick away, but his talent is still there. Fultz didn’t have to come in first in this poll, but to not receive a single vote is mind-boggling.

The results were as follows:

Carmelo Anthony to the Thunder, Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves, Gordon Hayward to the Celtics, Paul Millsap to the Nuggets and, last but not least, Tim Hardaway to the Knicks all received votes. Are GMs still surprised that the Knicks make terrible moves?

If you told me that the Knicks signed Tim Hardaway, Jr. away from the Hawks on a $71 million deal, I would’ve said ‘OK.’ That’s pretty much it.