The Greek national team and the Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated in multiple categories in a recently conducted NBA scouts and executives voting.

Credit: AP-Scanpix
Credit AP-Scanpix

A panel of 15 NBA coaches, scouts, and executives voted on next who they think will be the next season's NBA MVP, the best player in the NBA right now, who is going to be the best player five years from now, and more. 

Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated in several categories in the voting. Coaches and executives believe that the Greek Freak is the best player in the NBA right now.

1. Who is the best player in the NBA right now?

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 11 votes
  • Stephen Curry: 3 votes
  • LeBron James: 1 vote

For the second straight year, Antetokounmpo is a leading choice here, even though he had an even split with Kevin Durant last year. This year, Antetokounmpo did not really have much competition.

"He's healthy, you can put the ball in his hands or play off the ball as a screen-and-roll guy, and his defensive effectiveness," a Western Conference scout said.

"Giannis' will, the human, the winner, the mentality, the everyday effort, raising the effort of guys around him ... it's hard to top that," the scout added.

According to the scouts, and executives that voted, Antetokounmpo will still be the best player in the NBA even after vie years.

2. Who will be the best player in the NBA in five years?

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 7 votes
  • Luka Doncic: 6 votes
  • Jayson Tatum: 2 votes

It is no surprise that Antetokounmpo was also voted to have the highest chance to win NBA MVP next season if the scouts and executives believe he's the best player.

3. Who will be the MVP this season?

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 5 votes
  • Luka Doncic: 4 votes
  • Joel Embiid: 4 votes
  • Stephen Curry: 1 vote
  • Ja Morant: 1 vote

When it comes to this year's rookies, Italian-American Paolo Banchero and recently injured Chet Holmgren are expected to be the best players of the 2022 draft class.

4. Who will be the best rookie in five years?

  • Paolo Banchero: 6 votes
  • Chet Holmgren: 6 votes
  • Jaden Ivey: 2 votes
  • Keegan Murray: 1 vote

2022 summer was the summer of Kevin Durant's trade request saga, which ended (probably?) with eventually Durant agreeing to stay with the Brooklyn Nets. Scouts and executives believe that Durant will start the season on the Nets and stay there even after the trade deadline.

5. Which team will Kevin Durant be on the day after the trade deadline?

  • Brooklyn Nets: 13 votes
  • Phoenix Suns: 1 vote
  • Boston Celtics: 1 vote

Rebuilding Utah's Jazz star Donovan Mitchell is a target of multiple teams in the NBA, but the most rumored franchise by far to land the 25-year-old guard is the New York Knicks.

6. Which team will Donovan Mitchell be on the day after the trade deadline?

  • New York Knicks: 14 votes
  • Utah Jazz: 1 vote

According to the voters, the Boston Celtics made the best moves this off-season. The Celtics added guard Malcolm Brogdon in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, and forward Danilo Gallinari as a free agent.

7. Which team had the best off-season?

  • Boston Celtics: 6 votes
  • Philadelphia 76ers: 2 votes
  • Utah Jazz: 2 votes
  • Atlanta Hawks: 1 vote
  • LA Clippers: 1 vote
  • New York Knicks: 1 vote
  • Sacramento Kings: 1 vote
  • Washington Wizards: 1 vote

The scouts and executives also voted for the worst off-season franchise. Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks come on top here. The Slovenian superstar is expected to still lack help from his teammates to make a deep play-off run in the upcoming season.

8. Which team had the worst off-season?

  • Dallas Mavericks: 6 votes
  • Charlotte Hornets: 3 votes
  • Brooklyn Nets: 2 votes
  • Denver Nuggets: 1 vote
  • Los Angeles Lakers: 1 vote
  • Minnesota Timberwolves: 1 vote
  • Portland Trail Blazers: 1 vote

French center Rudy Gobert's move to the Minnesota Timberwolves was voted as overwhelmingly the most surprising move of the season.

9. What was the most surprising move of the offseason?

  • Rudy Gobert to Minnesota: 10 votes
  • James Harden taking a pay cut: 1 vote
  • Dejounte Murray to Atlanta: 1 vote
  • Russell Westbrook still being a Laker: 1 vote
  • Malcolm Brogdon to Celtics: 1 vote
  • No huge moves among the elite contenders: 1 vote

Lastly, scouts and executives also predicted NBA and Conference champions.

10. Who wins the East finals, West finals, and the NBA Finals?

East champs:

  • Milwaukee Bucks: 7
  • Boston Celtics: 7
  • Miami Heat: 1

West champs:

  • LA Clippers: 8
  • Phoenix Suns: 3
  • Golden State Warriors: 3
  • Denver Nuggets: 1

NBA champs:

  • LA Clippers: 5
  • Milwaukee Bucks: 4
  • Boston Celtics: 4
  • Golden State Warriors: 2
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