WNBA GM survey: A'ja Wilson, Aces receive top marks; Wings win vote for best offseason

Atlanta DreamChicago SkyConnecticut SunDallas WingsGolden State ValkyriesIndiana FeverLas Vegas AcesLos Angeles SparksMinnesota LynxNew York LibertyPhoenix MercuryPortland FireSeattle StormToronto TempoWashington MysticsScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsNewsletterNo Offseason NewsletterWNBA GM survey: A’ja Wilson, Aces receive top marks; Wings win vote for best offseasonMajority of the GMs surveyed chose A'ja Wilson as the 2026 MVP and the best center in the league. Ronald Cortes / Getty Images Share articleBefore the start of each season, the WNBA general managers participate in a survey regarding the league’s best teams, players, transactions and more. It’s a predictive exercise that doesn’t always match end-of-season results, but it’s a useful tool for understanding how people in the league are perceived. This year’s survey consisted of 42 questions, and GMs were not allowed to vote for their own teams or personnel. Here’s what we learned from this year’s iteration. Sixty percent of general managers chose Wilson as the 2026 MVP. However, it’s worth noting that two-thirds of GMs picked Napheesa Collier before last season, when Wilson won her second consecutive trophy and fourth overall. GMs also voted Wilson as the best forward (47 percent of votes) and center (57 percent) in the league, edging out Collier and Breanna Stewart in the first category and Jonquel Jones in the second. Even entering her age-30 season, Wilson captured 20 percent of the votes when asked which player GMs would want to start a franchise, tying for second in that category. The superlatives kept coming for Wilson: 60 percent of GMs voted her as the player who forces coaches to make the most adjustments, 79 percent voted her as the best leader, 53 percent voted her as the WNBA’s best defender and 73 percent voted her as the league’s best interior defender. There was no question for Defensive Player of the Year, but Wilson has also earned that honor three times, including sharing the trophy with Alanna Smith in 2025. Forty percent of general managers picked the Aces to repeat as champions, beating out the New York Liberty with 33 percent of the vote. GMs picked Chelsea Gray as the best point guard in the WNBA with 73 percent of the vote, and Jackie Young topped a crowded field to earn best shooting guard with 27 percent of the votes. Gray earned several other plaudits, including player who will make the best head coach (50 percent of votes), best passer (93 percent) and highest basketball IQ (93 percent). Considering GMs aren’t permitted to vote for their own players, Gray was essentially the unanimous pick in the latter two categories. Among the coaches, Becky Hammon was voted best motivator and manager, but she lost out on the overall best coach to Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve, who received 53 percent of the votes, while Hammon garnered 40 percent. Hammon also finished second to Reeve for best in-game adjustments. The question that arguably reflected best on Las Vegas was: Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line? Gray and Wilson tied for first, and Young finished third. Good luck trying to win a clutch game against the Aces. A year ago, most GMs picked Caitlin Clark as the player to start a franchise with. She was also voted the best shooting guard and tied for best point guard. The Indiana Fever were overwhelmingly voted the most fun team to watch, and half of the general managers picked them as the best young core. Now, Paige Bueckers ranked first among players GMs would sign today to build a team, earning 33 percent of the votes. The Dallas Wings were selected for having the best offseason and becoming the most improved in 2026. Dallas and Seattle tied for the best young core, with Dominique Malonga projected as one of the league’s breakout candidates. Two-thirds of GMs voted the Seattle Storm’s Awa Fam as the rookie who will be the best player in five years. Additionally, Azzi Fudd was not the favorite for Rookie of the Year — that honor went to Olivia Miles, the No. 2 pick for the Minnesota Lynx. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms