GM Survey

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– Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Picked as First Player GMs Would Sign if Starting a Team Today –  
– Wings Chosen as Most Improved Team and Most Fun to Watch – 
– Aces vs. New York Liberty Selected as Most Likely Championship Game of 
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Presented by Coinbase – 
NEW YORK, May 5, 2026 – Reigning Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces was selected as the player most likely to win the MVP honor this season, according to the 2026 WNBA GM Survey, which asked the WNBA’s 15 general managers to assess the best teams, players, coaches, offseason moves and more, prior to tip-off of the league’s 30th season. The Wilson-led Aces were also named the favorite to repeat as WNBA champions. 
WNBA Tip-Off 2026 presented by CarMax begins on Friday, May 8 with three games on ION, highlighted by the inaugural game for the Toronto Tempo, which hosts the Washington Mystics (7:30 p.m. ET). The action continues Saturday with an ABC doubleheader featuring the Dallas Wings visiting the Indiana Fever (1 p.m. ET) and the Aces hosting the Phoenix Mercury in a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Finals (3:30 p.m. ET).
The complete results of the 21st WNBA GM Survey were posted today at  <a href="https://wnba.com/news/2026-wnba-gm-survey-release">WNBA.com</a>. The GMs responded to 42 questions and were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question.
Wilson, who last season led Las Vegas to its third WNBA championship in four years while earning a record fourth Kia WNBA MVP Award, received 60 percent of the MVP votes from the GMs. Two-time Kia WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty was next with 27 percent, followed by the Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray with 7 percent each.
Wilson was also named the league’s best leader (79 percent), best interior defender (73 percent), best overall defensive player (53 percent) and the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments (60 percent). In addition, she shared the top spot with Aces teammate Chelsea Gray as the player the general managers would trust most to take a game-winning shot (36 percent each).
Las Vegas’ Gray was the choice as the league’s best point guard (73 percent), followed by Clark (20 percent). In addition, the general managers viewed Gray as the best passer (93 percent), the player with the best basketball IQ (93 percent) and the active player who will make the best head coach someday (50 percent).
The Aces received 40 percent of the votes as the team most likely to win the WNBA championship. New York finished second (33 percent), and Atlanta ranked third (27 percent).
The GMs also chose the Aces vs. the Liberty as the most likely matchup (43 percent) in the Championship Game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase. Las Vegas vs. Atlanta was viewed as the second most likely matchup (29 percent).
Reigning Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers of Dallas received 33 percent of the votes as the player the GMs would choose to build around if starting a franchise today. Clark and Wilson tied for second (20 percent each).
The Wings, who selected Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY and signed 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith as a free agent, were selected as the most improved team (67 percent), followed by the Chicago Sky (20 percent) and the Los Angeles Sparks (13 percent). In addition, Dallas was viewed as the team that will be the most fun to watch (36 percent), followed by Atlanta and Indiana (29 percent each).
Two-time All-Star Angel Reese, acquired by the Dream in an offseason trade with Chicago, and 2025 All-Star Gabby Williams, who signed with the Golden State Valkyries as a free agent, shared the top spot as the player acquisition that will make the biggest impact this season. Reese and Williams each received 27 percent of the vote, followed by 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, who returned to the Sparks as a free agent (20 percent).
Olivia Miles, who was selected by the Minnesota Lynx as the No. 2 overall pick in the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY, received 73 percent of the vote as the player most likely to win the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, followed by Fudd (20 percent). No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam of the Seattle Storm was viewed as the rookie who will be the best player in five years (67 percent), and Miles finished second (33 percent).
Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve was the top choice in multiple coaching categories. Reeve earned 53 percent of the votes as the league’s best head coach, topping Las Vegas’ Becky Hammon (40 percent). Reeve also was viewed as the coach who makes the best in-game adjustments (50 percent), with Hammon in second place (36 percent). Hammon was named the head coach who is the best manager/motivator of people (43 percent), followed by Golden State’s Natalie Nakase, Indiana’s Stephanie White and Phoenix’s Nate Tibbetts (14 percent each).
Among the other highlights from the 2026 WNBA GM Survey:
<ul>
<li>The signing of 2023 All-Star and Kia WNBA Most Improved Player Satou Sabally with New York as a free agent was seen as the most surprising move of the offseason (23 percent), followed by Atlanta’s acquisition of Reese and Dallas’ signing of Smith (15 percent each).</li>
<li>Five-time All-Star Jonquel Jones of New York was voted as the league’s best international player (33 percent), followed by Janelle Salaün, a 2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team selection with Golden State (20 percent).</li>
<li>France was the unanimous choice as the country (outside of the U.S.) producing the best WNBA talent right now.</li>
<li>Dallas and Seattle shared the top spot as the team with the most promising young core of talent (31 percent each), followed by Washington (23 percent).</li>
<li>Sue Bird, a 13-time All-Star, received the most votes as the retired player not coaching in the WNBA who should be (36 percent). Seimone Augustus, Candace Parker and Katie Smith tied for second (14 percent each).</li>
<li>Golden State was voted as having the best home-court advantage (64 percent). Indiana ranked second (21 percent), and New York was third (14 percent).</li>
<li>The GMs viewed the implementation of developmental players onto rosters as the change to league operations in 2026 that will require the biggest adjustment (42 percent), followed by the addition of the Tempo and Portland Fire as expansion teams (25 percent).</li>
</ul>
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2026-wnba-gm-survey-release

2026 WNBA GM Survey: Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson Favored For Kia WNBA MVP; Aces Voted to Win League Championship

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The WNBA is stepping into a defining new era. From A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart to a wave of generational talent across every draft class, the league’s depth continues to grow entering its 30th year. With expansion underway and <a href="http://wnba.com/news/wnba-wnbpa-tentative-cba-deal-2026">a new Collective Bargaining Agreement</a> set to take effect, the annual General Manager Survey offers a snapshot of a league already in motion.
The rise of second-year guard Paige Bueckers has the Dallas Wings selected as the most fun team to watch and most improved entering 2026, with Bueckers also the top choice among general managers as the player to sign when building a franchise.
<a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/wilson-2025-mvp">Reigning MVP Wilson</a> is predicted to dominate once again and is the top choice to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award. The <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/las-vegas-aces-finals-accolades-2025">defending champion</a> Las Vegas Aces are also favored to repeat as Finals winners.
Following a whirlwind offseason marked by significant player movement, Gabby Williams (Golden State) and Angel Reese (Atlanta) are named the two most impactful offseason acquisitions, while the Valkyries and the Dream were voted the top defensive teams, respectively.
Elsewhere on the survey, the effects of the new CBA are already shaping roster construction, and GMs identify the addition of two developmental roster spots as the biggest adjustment heading into this season.
WNBA GMs responded to 42 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 15 GMs.
&gt;&gt;The results of last year’s GM Survey are available <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-wnba-gm-survey">here</a>.
<hr />
<h3>PREDICTIONS</h3>
Which team will win the 2026 WNBA Finals? 
1. Las Vegas – 40% 
2. New York – 33% 
3. Atlanta – 27% 
**Last year: Minnesota – 60%
<hr />
<h3>PLAYERS</h3>
Who will win 2026 Kia WNBA MVP? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 60% 
2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 27% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving: Caitlin Clark (IND); Allisha Gray (ATL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier – 67%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the WNBA, who would it be? 
1. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 33% 
T-2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 20% 
T-2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 20% 
3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Breanna Stewart (NYL); Napheesa Collier (MIN) 
**Last year: Caitlin Clark – 50%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 60% 
2. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Caitlin Clark (IND); Napheesa Collier (MIN); Kelsey Mitchell (IND); 
Breanna Stewart (NYL) 
**Last year: A’ja Wilson – 33%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season? 
T-1. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 15% 
T-1. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 15% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Julie Allemand (TOR); Cameron Brink (LAS); Paige Bueckers (DAL); Kennedy Burke (CON); Veronica Burton (GSV); Rhyne Howard (ATL); Marina Mabrey (TOR); Leila Lacan (CON); Jackie Young (LVA) 
**Last year: Satou Sabally – 20%
Who is the best point guard in the WNBA? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 73% 
2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 20% 
3. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 7% 
**Last year: Caitlin Clark and Chelsea Gray &#8212; 50%
Who is the best shooting guard in the WNBA? 
1. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 27% 
2. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 20% 
T-3. Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana – 13% 
T-3. Sabrina Ionescu, New York – 13% 
T-3. Allisha Gray, Atlanta – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Kelsey Plum (LVA); Kayla McBride (MIN) 
**Last year: Caitlin Clark &#8211; 33%
Who is the best forward in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 47% 
T-2. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 27% 
T-2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 27% 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson – 33%
Who is the best center in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 57% 
2. Jonquel Jones, New York – 21% 
3. Aliyah Boston, Indiana – 14% 
4. Brionna Jones, Atlanta – 7% 
**Last year: A’ja Wilson – 50%
<hr />
<h3>OFFSEASON</h3>
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason? 
1. Dallas – 47% 
2. Atlanta – 33% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Chicago; Las Vegas; New York 
**Last year: Indiana – 64%
Which player acquisition will make the biggest impact? 
T-1. Angel Reese, Atlanta – 27% 
T-1. Gabby Williams, Golden State 27% 
3. Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles – 20% 
4. Satou Sabally, New York – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Marina Mabrey (TOR); Skylar Diggins (CHI) 
**Last year: Alyssa Thomas – 50%
What was the most underrated player acquisition? 
T-1. Ariel Atkins, Los Angeles – 21% 
T-1. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 21% 
3. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Pauline Astier (NYL); Monique Billings (IND); Kennedy Burke (CON); Nneka Ogwumike (LAS); Nyara Sabally (TOR); Erica Wheeler (LAS) 
**Last year: Sophie Cunningham, Ariel Atkins and DiJonai Carrington – 17%
What was the most surprising move of the offseason? 
1. Satou Sabally, New York &#8211; 23% 
T-2. Angel Reese, Atlanta – 15% 
T-2. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 15% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Bridget Carleton (POR); Skylar Diggins (CHI); Rickea Jackson (CHI); Marina Mabrey (TOR); Jacy Sheldon (CHI); Brittney Sykes (TOR) 
**Last year: DeWanna Bonner – 33%
Which team will be most improved in 2026? 
1. Dallas – 67% 
2. Chicago – 20% 
3. Los Angeles – 13% 
**Last year: Indiana – 42%
<hr />
<h3>ROOKIES + INTERNATIONAL</h3>
Who will win 2026 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year? 
1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota – 73% 
2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas – 20% 
3. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle – 7% 
**Last year: Paige Bueckers – 73%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years? 
1. Awa Fam, Seattle – 67% 
2. Olivia Miles, Minnesota – 33% 
**Last year: Dominique Malonga – 60%
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where she was selected in the Draft? 
T-1. Nell Angloma, Connecticut – 21% 
T-1. Ta&#8217;Niya Latson, Los Angeles – 21% 
3. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Gianna Kneepkens (CON); Gabriela Jaquez (CHI); Cotie McMahon (WAS); Olivia Miles (MIN); Justine Pissott (IND); Awa Fam (SEA) 
**Last year: Dominique Malonga, Aaliyah Nye and Makayla Timpson &#8211; 20%
Who is the best international player in the WNBA? 
1. Jonquel Jones, New York – 33% 
2. Janelle Salaun, Golden State – 20% 
T-3. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 13% 
T-3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Leonie Fiebich (NYL); Leïla Lacan (CON); Awa Fam (SEA) 
**Last year: Jonquel Jones – 50%
Which country (outside of the U.S.) is producing the best WNBA talent right now? 
1. France – 100% 
**Last year: France – 80%
<hr />
<h3>DEFENSE</h3>
Who is the best defensive player in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 53% 
2. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 20% 
3. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 13% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: DiJonai Carrington (CHI); Alanna Smith (DAL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 33%
Who is the best interior defender in the WNBA? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 73% 
2. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 13% 
T-3. Ezi Magbegor, Seattle – 7% 
T-3. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 7% 
**Last year: A’ja Wilson– 67%
Who is the best perimeter defender in the WNBA? 
1. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 60% 
2. Brittney Sykes, Toronto – 20% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: DiJonai Carrington (CHI); Jordin Canada (ATL); Kahleah Copper (PHX) 
**Last year: DiJonai Carrington – 27%
Which team will be the best defensive team in the WNBA? 
1. Golden State – 50% 
2. Atlanta – 36% 
T-3. Indiana – 7% 
T-3. Minnesota – 7% 
**Last year: Minnesota – 73%
<hr />
<h3>COACHES</h3>
Who is the best head coach in the WNBA? 
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 53% 
2. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 40% 
3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 7% 
**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 83%
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people? 
1. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 43% 
T-2. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 14% 
T-2. Stephanie White, Indiana – 14% 
T-2. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Cheryl Reeve (MIN); Karl Smesko (ATL) 
**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 36%
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments? 
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 50% 
2. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 33% 
T-3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State &#8211; 7% 
T-3. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 7% 
**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 50%
Which head coach runs the best offense? 
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 33% 
2. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 20% 
T-3. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 13% 
T-3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 13% 
T-3. Karl Smesko, Atlanta – 13% 
6. Stephanie White, Indiana – 7% 
**Last year: Becky Hammon and Cheryl Reeve – 45%
Which new or relocated head coach will make the biggest impact on his/her new team? 
1. Sandy Brondello, Toronto – 71% 
2. Jose Fernandez, Dallas – 14% 
T-3. Sonia Raman, Seattle – 7% 
T-3. Chris DeMarco, New York – 7% 
**Last year: Stephanie White – 50%
Who is the best assistant coach in the WNBA? 
1. Eric Thibault, Minnesota – 36% 
T-2. Kristi Toliver, Phoenix – 18% 
T-2. Briann January, Indiana – 18% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Olaf Lange (TOR); Brandi Poole (ATL); Roneeka Hodges (CON)
Which active player will make the best head coach someday? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 50% 
2. Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago – 17% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Lindsay Allen (DAL); Veronica Burton (GSV); Paige Bueckers (DAL); Alyssa Thomas (PHX) 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 36%
Which retired player who isn’t already coaching in the W should be? 
1. Sue Bird – 36% 
T-2. Katie Smith – 14% 
T-2. Candace Parker – 14% 
T-2. Seimone Augustus – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Lindsay Harding; Lisa Leslie; Diana Taurasi 
**Last year: Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, Candice Dupree and Sue Bird – 18%
<hr />
<h3>MISCELLANEOUS</h3>
Which team will be the most fun to watch? 
1. Dallas – 36% 
T-2. Atlanta – 29% 
T-2. Indiana – 29% 
4. Golden State – 7% 
**Last year: Indiana – 75%
Which team has the best home-court advantage? 
1. Golden State – 64% 
2. Indiana – 21% 
3. New York – 14% 
**Last year: New York – 50%
Which team has the most promising young core? 
T-1. Dallas – 31% 
T-1. Seattle – 31% 
3. Washington – 23% 
4. Indiana – 15% 
**Last year: Indiana – 50%
Which player is the most athletic? 
1. Brittney Sykes, Toronto – 31% 
2. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 15% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Cameron Brink (LAS); Kahleah Copper (PHX); Kelsey Mitchell (IND); Saniya Rivers (CON); Gabby Williams (GSV); A&#8217;ja Wilson (LVA); Jackie Young (LVA) 
**Last year: Kahleah Copper – 36%
Which player is the best passer? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 93% 
2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 7% 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 75%
Which player is the best leader? 
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 79% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Napheesa Collier (MIN); Chelsea Gray (LVA); Breanna Stewart (NYL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson – 42%
Who is the most versatile player in the WNBA? 
1. Breanna Stewart, New York – 36% 
T-2. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 21% 
T-2. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 21% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Napheesa Collier (MIN); Allisha Gray (ATL); Satou Sabally (NYL) 
**Last year: Napheesa Collier – 42%
Which player has the best basketball IQ? 
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 93% 
2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 7% 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 36%
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line? 
T-1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 36% 
T-1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 36% 
3. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 14% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Paige Bueckers (DAL); Arike Ogunbowale (DAL) 
**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 25%
Which 2 teams will lead their conference in the Commissioner’s Cup to reach the championship game? 
1. Las Vegas (West) vs. New York (East) – 43% 
2. Las Vegas (West) vs. Atlanta (East) – 29% 
&gt;&gt; Also receiving votes: Las Vegas vs. Indiana; Phoenix vs. Atlanta; Dallas vs. New York; Los Angeles vs. New York 
**Last year: Minnesota (West) vs. New York (East) – 50%
Which change to the league this year will require the biggest adjustment? 
1. Development Player Spots – 42% 
2. New Expansion Teams – 25% 
3. New CBA – 17% 
4. World Cup Break – 8%

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