NBA General Managers – based on the results of this year’s NBA.com GM survey – predict the Cleveland Cavaliers (96.7%) and Golden State Warriors (96.7%) will meet in a third straight NBA Finals, with the Warriors (69%) tabbed as this year’s title winner.  Additionally, Cleveland’s four-time Kia NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James received 46.7% of the MVP vote.

Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook (23.3%) finished second in the MVP voting, followed by back-to-back MVP winner Stephen Curry and Houston Rockets guard James Harden (both tied at 10%), then first-year Warriors forward Kevin Durant (6.7%).

In terms of offseason activity, the Warriors netted top honors for “best overall offseason moves” (83.3%), “best individual player acquisition” (Durant, 80%) and “most surprising move” (Durant, 46.7%).

James was recognized as the NBA’s top small forward (76.8%) for the 11^th consecutive year, while Curry (point guard, 63.3%), Harden (shooting guard, 56.7%), Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans (power forward, 29%) and DeAndre Jordan of the L.A. Clippers (center, 33.3%) were picked as the best players at their respective positions.

Additionally, San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard was once again identified as the NBA’s top defender (66.7%) while his coach, Gregg Popovich, received 83.3% of the votes for the league’s best coach and 66.7% of votes as the NBA’s best motivator.

The Minnesota Timberwolves nabbed a pair of individual honors for its young roster on the way to being listed as the league’s most improved team (56.7%). Last year’s Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns received 48.3% of the votes for the player General Managers would want to sign and build their roster around, while guard Kris Dunn was a favorite of 46.7% of GMs for 2016-17 Rookie of the Year.

Additional noteworthy 2016-17 NBA.com GM Survey results include:

• Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers – Active Player Who Would Make Best Coach Someday (27.6%)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee – Top International Player (27.6%)
• Ben Simmons, Philadelphia – Best Rookie Projected Five Years From Now (70%)
• Devin Booker, Phoenix – Breakout Season (31%)
• Ron Adams, Golden State – Best Assistant Coach (37.9%)
• Dejounte Murray, San Antonio – Biggest Draft Steal (23.3%)
• George Hill, Utah – Most Underrated Player Acquisition (24.1)

The complete results of the survey are available at http://www.nba.com/gmsurvey/2016. NBA.com once again surveyed the league’s general managers to gather their responses on the best teams, players, coaches, offseason moves and more prior to the 2016-17 NBA season. The general managers were not allowed to vote for their own team or personnel.

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NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports including NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App, NBA LEAGUE PASS, WNBA.com and NBADLEAGUE.com.

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