NBA GM's favor Jalen Green and Evan Mobley over Cunningham

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Last year's NBA GM survey predicted that Saddiq Bey would be one of the biggest steals of the draft. The 19th overall pick went on to earn first-team All-Rookie honors.

This year's survey is high on No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham -- though not quite as high as you might think.

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Asked who will win Rookie of the Year, the majority of the league's general managers went with Jalen Green of the Rockets. The No. 2 pick garnered 47 percent of the votes, while Cunningham garnered 40 percent. Jalen Suggs, drafted No. 5 by the Magic, was third with seven percent.

And as for which rookie will be the best player in five years, the majority response was Evan Mobley, drafted No. 3 by the Cavaliers, who earned 33 percent of the votes. Cunningham was closed behind with 30 percent, followed by Green with 23 percent.

None of this ultimately matters. Cunningham will decide his own fate. As GM Troy Weaver said last week, "His game will speak for itself." And his game, according to Dwane Casey, is reminiscent of both Paul George and DeMar DeRozan, two of the NBA's top players. Which, again, doesn't matter! Cunningham gets the final say here, and he's yet to say a word.

Hopefully we'll hear from him soon. After suffering an ankle injury early in training camp, Cunningham is likely to miss the Pistons' first few games of the preseason. Casey said Monday there's no timetable for Cunningham's return, but there's no reason (yet) to believe he won't be ready for the season-opener Oct. 20 against the Bulls.

By the way, the GM's also tabbed the Pistons' young core as one of the 'most promising' in the league and tabbed 23-year-old Hamidou Diallo, acquired by Detroit in a trade with the Thunder last season, as one of the NBA's 'most athletic' players. The Hawks and Zion Williamson garnered the most votes, respectively.

As for who will win the NBA title, 72 percent of the GM's picked the Nets, while Kevin Durant (37 percent) and Luka Doncic (33 percent) were the leading vote-getters for MVP. The survey is conducted annually by NBA.com.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Ethan Miller / Staff