NBA offseason survey – What coaches, scouts and execs are watching ahead of 2022-23

For the first time in three years, the NBA offseason is back to normal.

After the turmoil and upheaval of the past two-plus years, which forced the league to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA is in the middle of a much-needed quiet stretch ahead of next month’s training camps.

But a return to the traditional calendar has coincided with what should be a wide-open race for the 2023 championship after the Golden State Warriors ousted the Boston Celtics in six games to claim the fourth championship of the Stephen Curry era.

With most of the offseason dust settled, and with some time to digest the past few weeks, what are the storylines to watch for 2022-23 and beyond?

Here’s what a panel of 15 NBA coaches, scouts and executives had to say about the most important offseason news and what to expect heading into the season, including MVP and best rookie debates, offseason winners and losers, and what lies ahead in the postseason.

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

For the second straight year, Antetokounmpo is a leading choice here, going from an even split with Kevin Durant last year to claiming 11 of the 15 responses this time around.

“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 of Antetokounmpo’s impact. “I think Durant is the most talented guy because of his shooting and scoring ability, [but] Giannis’ will, the human, the winner, the mentality, the everyday effort, raising the effort of guys around him … it’s hard to top that.”

In the eyes of some voters, however, two players did.

Curry, after leading the Warriors back to the mountaintop with a Finals MVP breakthrough, and James, despite approaching his 38th birthday, both garnered at least one vote.

“They just won the title. It’s a results-driven league, and he’s provided the results,” a West executive said of Curry. “Not only is he an elite generational talent, but he’s the kind of guy you want in your locker room. He is the culture.”

An Eastern Conference scout had two words to sum up his Curry vote: “He wins.”

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

Even though Antetokounmpo will be 32 and in his late prime five years from now, he finished with the most votes in this category. Multiple voters expect the two-time MVP to keep growing his game. “Every time you think he’s reaching a limit, he shatters it,” a West executive said. “Why…