NBA Exec Picks Nikola Jokic over Wemby as No. 1 Player, Cites Spurs Star's Playoff 'Mistakes'

After Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić was voted the NBA's best player over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama as part of ESPN's NBA Rank 2026, an anonymous general manager explained the rationale behind their pick.

Speaking to ESPN's Ben Golliver about the distinction between Jokić and Wembanyama, the GM said, "Jokić makes his whole team better than anyone else. If you gave him and Wemby the same teammates, Denver would be better. Wemby being young doesn't bother me. What bothers me is that he made young mistakes in the playoffs."

Jokić finished atop ESPN's NBA Rank for a third consecutive year, while Wembanyama came in second one year after occupying the No. 5 spot.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has won back-to-back NBA MVP awards, came in at No. 3.

Jokić, 31, is a three-time NBA MVP in his own right, and he has also finished second in the MVP voting three times, including last season.

On top of that, Jokić was named NBA Finals MVP when the Nuggets won their first-ever NBA championship in 2023.

Jokić's level of production is unmatched, as he averaged a triple-double for the second consecutive season in 2025-26, putting up 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game.

Wemby, who is still just 22 years of age, finished third in the NBA MVP voting and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year last season.

The 7'4" Frenchman averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.1 blocks and 1.0 steal per game, and he played an integral role in the Spurs reaching the NBA Finals.

Wembanyama's numbers took a slight hit in the playoffs to the tune of 23.8 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, though, and he shot just 48.5 percent from the field compared to 51.2 percent during the regular season.

Even so, it is worth noting that last season was the first playoff run of Wembanyama's career, and one can only assume that he will improve in big games with experience.

For now, Jokić over Wembanyama is the popular opinion in the NBA, but after last season, the gap appears to be closing.