NBA GMs make their picks and expect the Thunder to be the most improved team in 2023-24.

Periodically, NBA.com’s writers will weigh in on key storylines or trending topics around the league.

The 2023-24 NBA GM Survey is live. What is one thing you agree with and one thing you disagree with?

Steve Aschburner

I agree that Phoenix’s Devin Booker is the best shooting guard in the NBA. He was a runaway choice of the GMs with 63% of the votes.

No one else got more than 10% and that was Stephen Curry, who more accurately is a point guard, however hybrid. In fact, “positionless basketball” had an array of point guards and small forwards picking up votes at this spot, which only clinches the W for Booker.

I disagree that Denver’s Nikola Jokic is a heavy favorite to be named MVP. Nobody’s quibbling with his value to the Nuggets, but after two previous Kia MVPs and the validation of his team’s championship in June, I think the field is wide open.

Voters have focused on just three players for the past five awards (Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid). Now I think many will seek some variety, with Boston’s Jayson Tatum (13% and my preseason pick) and Dallas’ Luka Doncic (10%) likely to benefit. Remember, too, the GMs have only guessed right on MVP four times in 21 years.

Brian Martin

I agree that Anthony Edwards is most likely to have a breakout season in 2023-24. Edwards already made a leap in his third NBA season, becoming a top 20 scorer and earning his first All-Star nod, albeit as a replacement. Don’t expect him to need the commissioner’s call this season.

While Team USA failed to medal at the FIBA World Cup, Edwards established himself as “the guy” on the national team.

At 22 years old, Edwards remains one of the league’s most explosive talents, but with three years of NBA experience, his IQ is climbing, and that cross-section of athleticism and intelligence is an indicator of a breakout season.

I disagree that the Nuggets will have the league’s most efficient offense this season. For the Nuggets to accomplish this, they would need to leap four teams from last season – New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Sacramento.

The Kings posted the highest offense rating in league history (118.6) last season and are essentially running the same team back, with their biggest addition being another excellent shooter in EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov. Could the Nuggets do it? Sure, I won’t put anything past Nikola Jokic at this point, but I wouldn’t make them the favorites.

Nikola Jokic is featured heavily among the NBA GM’s picks.

Shaun Powell

I agree that if you’re starting a team, Nikola Jokic is the one to build around. The evidence is right there in plain sight — you might need to bend your neck since it’s at 5,280 feet. Jokic is literally the centerpiece of a championship team and all the pieces orbit around him.

He’s the Nuggets’ best scorer, rebounder, interior defender and, of course, passer (historic for a center).

And he has been all that for the last 4-5 years, two of which he won MVP (and arguably should’ve had three). Everything about the Nuggets runs through Jokic, and aside from his skills, his basketball IQ is steep. He’ll make the right decisions more often than not.

The best news is Jokic isn’t on the downside yet. So yeah, if you’re building a team for the next few years, he’s Your Guy.

I disagree that Jrue Holiday is the league’s best perimeter defender. No disrespect to Jrue, who has more than earned his defensive stripes, but this crown belongs to Mikal Bridges.

First: Bridges is younger. Second: Bridges is more athletic. Third: Bridges is lengthier. Fourth: Bridges guards multiple positions. Fifth: Bridges is taller. Sixth: As you might’ve guessed, Bridges is damn good.

Put him 10, 15, 20 feet from the hoop and he’s in his element. He has the lateral quickness to keep up with most players, can cover the 3-point shooters, brings solid instincts and is versatile. My only fear, and maybe I’m being too hyper, is now that Bridges has become an offensive threat in Brooklyn, will he spend too much energy on that end of the floor?

Anyway, Bridges covers almost as much of the floor as paint. Just ask the player in front of him.

Stephen Curry was voted as the player that forces coaches to make the most adjustments.

John Schuhmann

I agree that Stephen Curry forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments. Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid are all good answers for this question because they (generally) can’t be guarded one-on-one.

But Curry puts fear in defenses whether or not he has the ball. If he’s dribbling off a ball-screen, the screener’s defender has to be at the 3-point line to prevent a pull-up.

And after he gives up the ball, he never stops moving and always has to be accounted for. Defending him must be exhausting, for both the opposing players and coaches.

I disagree that the Celtics are the best defensive team. Boston finished second in defensive efficiency last season, and lost three of its most important defenders — Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and Robert Williams III.

Smart was replaced by Jrue Holiday (awesome on the ball, not as awesome off it), but the Cs lost a lot of frontline defense (and switchability) by swapping Williams and Williams III for Kristaps Porzingis.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had the league’s top-ranked defense last season and didn’t lose anybody who was critical to that success. Fewer minutes for Isaac Okoro could hurt the defense, but Max Strus and Georges Niang aren’t total liabilities on that end of the floor and each played for top-10 defenses last season.

Michael C. Wright

I agree that the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the most improved team. In the past, I’ve probably been guilty of accelerating this team’s rebuild timeline too quickly.

But with Chet Holmgren back healthy, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blossoming into one of the league’s elite talents and Josh Giddey taking another step in his development, this squad improves to a potential 50-win team (yes, a 10-win improvement from 2022-23 is lofty).

We caught a glimpse Monday of how OKC might use Holmgren this season, and it’s clear he unlocks quite a bit offensively while providing some rim protection. Jalen Williams flashed as a rookie in 2022-23 and might be a star in the making.

I disagree that Anthony Edwards is the most likely player to have a breakout season. Coming off averaging 24.6 points, a 2022-23 NBA All-Star nod, and a strong showing over the summer on the international stage, hasn’t Edwards already broken out?

Zion Williamson, from this vantage point, is the most likely candidate for a breakout season. Yes, he’s already made two NBA All-Star games. But Williamson hasn’t yet played more than 61 outings due to various injuries.

If healthy, Williamson is due for a breakout campaign to make his tremendous impact felt for a Pelicans squad consistently poised for postseason berths.