NBA: Wembanyama named MVP in traditional preseason poll.

Among the 30 executives, 23—70%—predict Wemby as the MVP, following a season where he led the Spurs to the finals and finished third in the prestigious award rankings, trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.

The 2.24 m Frenchman significantly outpaces Jokic (10%), a three-time MVP, and Minnesota's guard Anthony Edwards (7%) in the polls.

Expectations are sky-high for the towering Frenchman, who at just 22 years old is set to validate his status as a central figure in global basketball.

NBA managers foresee him dominating the competition next season, likely to be named the best defender of the year for a second consecutive time, with 97% of the votes in his favor compared to his fellow countryman Rudy Gobert (3%).

He is highly regarded in several categories, including being the most versatile player for the upcoming season, the top international player, and the one who compels opposing coaches to make the most adjustments to counter him.

Fifteen out of 30 managers predict that Wemby's San Antonio Spurs, who were finalists in June, will clinch victory in the next season over Oklahoma City (43%).

However, this traditional preseason survey should be taken with caution, as executives have miscalculated the future champions in recent years.

Last season, 80% predicted another championship for the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the New York Knicks emerged victorious for the first time since 1973.