WNBA GM survey: A’ja Wilson’s Aces rule, while Paige Bueckers passes Caitlin Clark as franchise cornerstone

Clark, who played in only 13 games in 2025 while dealing with a string of soft-tissue injuries, received votes in five categories, but did not top any of them heading into her third season. A year ago, she was named the player general managers most wanted to build a franchise, winning it with half of the votes.

She placed second this year behind reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers. Bueckers won with 33% (five of the 15 votes). Clark tied with Wilson for second at 20% (three votes) and Seattle’s Dominique Malonga had 13% (two). Stewart and Napheesa Collier each earned votes.

The 15 general managers voted to assess the best teams, players, coaches, offseason moves and more to answer a total of 42 questions ahead of the league’s 30th season. They were not allowed to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents for each question, so GMs did not have to vote in each category. It is the 21st survey.

Wilson, Aces all over 2026 GM survey

Wilson topped eight of the 42 questions, additionally taking the nod in the following:

• Player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments (60%). Alyssa Thomas (13%), Clark, Collier, Mitchell and Stewart also received votes. Wilson won last year with 33%.
• Best defensive player (53%). Gabby Williams (20%), Thomas (13%), DiJonai Carrington (7%) and Alanna Smith (7%) earned votes. Collier won a year ago with 33%.
• Best interior defender (73%), over Smith (13%), Ezi Magbegor (7%) and Thomas (7%). Wilson won last year (67%).
• Best leader (79%). Collier, Gray and Stewart also received votes. Wilson and Collier tied a year ago before the four-time MVP leveled up her leadership for a third title.
• Player you want to take a shot with the game on the line (36%). She tied with Gray, and they were trailed by Young (14%). Dallas duo Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale also received a vote. Wilson hit the game-winner in Game 3 of the Finals.

Fifth-year head coach Becky Hammon was named the best manager/motivator of people and came up slightly short of Lynx leader Cheryl Reeve for best head coach. Gray earned half of the votes for active player who would make the best head coach someday, as well as all except one of the votes for best passer (93%, over Clark’s 7%) and best basketball IQ (93%, over Stewart’s 7%).

GMs voted Las Vegas (West) and New York (East) as the teams to play in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game.

Dallas ‘most fun to watch,’ but Fudd not favored

Dallas was voted the most fun to watch (36%), the team that made the best overall moves in the offseason (47%), the most improved in 2026 (67%) and tied for the most promising young core (31% with Seattle). Indiana won all four categories a year ago.

It’s easy to see how the first two tie together. Atlanta, which traded for Angel Reese last month, finished second in each category. Reese tied with the Valkyries signing Williams as the player acquisition that will make the biggest impact. She tied with Smith for second (15%) in the offseason’s most surprising move, trailing New York’s free agent signing of Satou Sabally (23%).

The Wings return Bueckers, drafted Azzi Fudd at No. 1 and signed Smith in free agency. That move tied with Los Angeles’ signing of Ariel Atkins as the most underrated player acquisition. But Fudd is not the GMs’ vote to win Rookie of the Year. Olivia Miles, the second overall pick to Minnesota, received 73%, or 11 of 15 votes, to win the award. Fudd had 20% and Seattle’s Flau’jae Johnson had 7%.

Jose Fernandez, the Wings’ first-year head coach, finished second as the new or relocated head coach who will make the biggest impact on their new team. Sandy Brondello (71%), a two-time champion head coach who took the Toronto Tempo expansion job, was favored.