The NBA has released its annual survey of league general managers prior to the start of the season and as usual, it makes for some interesting reading.

Of course, they are just predictions but it's always intriguing to know how the league's top decision makers expect the campaign to pan out and how they view other teams and players.

The GMs responded to 47 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches, fans, and offseason moves.

Unsurprisingly, the GMs overwhelmingly expect the Golden State Warriors to win a second straight championship as they had 93 percent of the votes.

After going 16-1 in the playoffs to claim the title last year, the Dubs are expected to dominate once again.

The more interesting category was who they are predicting to win this year's MVP award as it could be one of the toughest battles in recent years.

The GMs opted to go for Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James who received 50 percent of the votes.

He was followed by Kevin Durant at 29 percent, Kawhi Leonard (11 percent), James Harden (seven percent) and Stephen Curry (four percent).

This is the sixth straight season in which LeBron has been the GMs' favourite to win MVP. The last time he wasn't was back in 2011-12, when KD had slightly more votes.

The King, however, has not won the league's top individual honour since 2013.

The GMs showed just how highly they regard James by also naming his as the best passer, most versatile and the player with the best basketball IQ.

Picking LBJ in these categories doesn't surprise anybody, but the league's executives did, however, throw up some debatable talking points in other areas.

For the second straight year they chose Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns as the player they would sign if they were starting a franchise today as he received 29 percent of the votes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (21 percent) followed closely behind in second, and even at 32 years old, LeBron still finished third in this category with 11 percent of the vote.

In a few other highlights from the GMs thoughts heading into the new season, they have chosen the Los Angeles Lakers' Lonzo Ball (63 percent) as the clear favourite to win Rookie of the Year.

They also chose the best players in the league at their respective positions with Curry (point guard), Harden (shooting guard), James (small forward), Anthony Davis (power forward) and Karl-Anthony Towns (center) getting their top votes.