NBA general managers overwhelmingly predict the 2027 champion to come from the Western Conference. In the 25th annual NBA GM Survey, 93 percent picked either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the title.

San Antonio received 50% of the votes and Oklahoma City got 43%. The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers also received votes. GMs could not vote for their own teams.

A year ago, 80% of GMs picked the Thunder to win the championship, and the Knicks won it instead when they defeated the Spurs. Oklahoma City was eliminated by the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals in seven games.

The Spurs and Thunder are also close in the West rankings. San Antonio received 53% of first-place votes to Oklahoma City's 47%, and both teams finished with 34% of the total points. Last year, 87% picked the Thunder to win the West.

The Knicks are the clear favorite in the East, with 60% of first-place votes. The 76ers were second at 23%. Last year, 63% of GMs picked the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the East.

San Antonio also led in other categories. The Spurs received 87% of votes for the most promising young core. Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are 22, 21 and 20 years old.

The Thunder are at +250 to win the NBA Championship, while the Spurs are at +280, according to the latest basketball betting odds.

Past GM Title Predictions and the Actual Champions:

2002-03: Los Angeles Lakers, 62% (Champion: San Antonio Spurs)
2003-04: Los Angeles Lakers, 52% (Champion: Detroit Pistons)
2004-05: San Antonio Spurs, 45% (Champion: San Antonio Spurs)
2005-06: San Antonio Spurs, 77% (Champion: Miami Heat)
2006-07: San Antonio Spurs, 43% (Champion: San Antonio Spurs)
2007-08: San Antonio Spurs, 37% (Champion: Boston Celtics)
2008-09: Los Angeles Lakers, 46% (Champion: Los Angeles Lakers)
2009-10: Los Angeles Lakers, 61% (Champion: Los Angeles Lakers)
2010-11: Los Angeles Lakers, 63% (Champion: Dallas Mavericks)
2011-12: Miami Heat, 74% (Champion: Miami Heat)
2012-13: Miami Heat, 70% (Champion: Miami Heat)
2013-14: Miami Heat, 76% (Champion: San Antonio Spurs)
2014-15: San Antonio Spurs, 46% (Champion: Golden State Warriors)
2015-16: Cleveland Cavaliers, 54% (Champion: Cleveland Cavaliers)
2016-17: Golden State Warriors, 69% (Champion: Golden State Warriors)
2017-18: Golden State Warriors, 93% (Champion: Golden State Warriors)
2018-19: Golden State Warriors, 87% (Champion: Toronto Raptors)
2019-20: LA Clippers, 46% (Champion: Los Angeles Lakers)
2020-21: Los Angeles Lakers, 81% (Champion: Milwaukee Bucks)
2021-22: Brooklyn Nets, 72% (Champion: Golden State Warriors)
2022-23: Milwaukee Bucks, 43% (Champion: Denver Nuggets)
2023-24: Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets (tie), 33% (Champion: Boston Celtics)
2024-25: Boston Celtics, 83% (Champion: Oklahoma City Thunder)
2025-26: Oklahoma City Thunder, 80% (Champion: New York Knicks)
2026-27: San Antonio Spurs, 50% (Champion: TBD)