It should come as no surprise that NBA general managers expect the Milwaukee Bucks to fare well in 2019-2020, and the 18th annual NBA.com GM survey solidifies much of what we already know.

Some highlights:

Every GM thinks the Bucks will finish first or second in the East

While 36 percent think the Bucks will win the NBA Finals, that's still only the second-highest mark behind the Los Angeles Clippers (46 percent) who feature Paul George and Kawhi Leonard joining forces this year. A full 76 percent expect the Bucks to win the East, however, and the other 21 percent think the Bucks will finish second. Philadelphia gets the other 24 percent of the vote for first place and 62 percent for second. Boston gets 17 percent for second.

Last year, 90 percent picked Boston to win the East and Milwaukee was essentially picked fourth.

Giannis, Giannis and more Giannis

Who will win the 2019-20 MVP? Among GMs, 52 percent expect a repeat performance out of Giannis, with 10 percent of the vote apiece for Stephen Curry of Golden State, Anthony Davis of the Lakers and Leonard of the Clippers.

If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be? Giannis got 86 percent of the vote. Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic of Dallas each received 7 percent. Giannis had the most votes last year, too, with 30 percent.

Who is the best power forward in the NBA? Giannis picked up 59 percent of the vote, with Davis at 28 percent and LeBron James of the Lakers at 10 percent. Giannis was also regarded as the third-best small forward (at 14 percent, behind Leonard's 62 percent and LeBron's 24 percent), and Giannis also received votes as the best center in the NBA (Nikola Jokic of Denver was regarded as the best at 28 percent).

Who is the best international player in the NBA? Giannis got 79 percent of the vote. Jokic is next at 14 percent and Doncic got 7. Giannis was No. 1 last year in this category with 73 percent of the vote.

Who is the most versatile player in the NBA? We probably already answered that with Giannis getting votes for the best at three positions. He got 46 percent of the vote here for first, with LeBron next at 39 percent.

Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments? James Harden won this one at 48 percent, and Giannis slotted in fourth at 14 percent. Both Curry and LeBron James of the Lakers received 17 percent.

Giannis also got 7 percent of the vote for best Defensive Player in the NBA (Leonard led the way with 45 percent), and he was given 21 percent of the vote as the most versatile defender in the NBA (Draymond Green led the way with 38 percent). He also received votes for "fastest with the ball" and "best leader."

Which player is most athletic? Giannis received 28 percent of the vote for second behind league newcomer Zion Williamson (41 percent).

Coach Bud held in high regard

Mike Budenholzer, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, was third in "best head coach in the NBA" with 10 percent of the vote, behind Gregg Popovich of San Antonio (55 percent) and Erik Spoelstra of Miami (17 percent). Budenholzer was an assistant under Popovich in San Antonio for 17 seasons.

The Bucks second-year coach was tied for second with 10 percent of the vote as the coach who runs the best offense and was also second as the coach with the best defensive schemes at 24 percent. Steve Kerr of Golden State (38 percent) was highest regarded in the former category and Quin Snyder of Utah (28 percent) in the latter.

Budenholzer also received votes as one of the best at in-game adjustments.

Other nuggets

Malcolm Brogdon received votes as one of the most surprising moves of the offseason (the trade that sent Paul George to the Clippers got 52 percent of the vote).

Former Bucks player Nikola Mirotic is regarded as the best international player NOT in the NBA, with 55 percent of the vote.

The Bucks, No. 1 in defense last year, were listed as the third-best defensive team in the NBA with 17 percent of the vote. The Clippers (52 percent) and Jazz (24 percent) were more highly regarded.

Darvin Ham received 7 percent of the vote in the category of best assistant coach, tied for fourth. Indiana's Dan Burke, New Orleans' Chris Finch and Minnesota's David Vanterpool all received 11 percent.

Kyle Korver received votes in the category of "which active player will make the best head coach someday?" as did former Bucks plyer Malcolm Brogdon, whose 15 percent was third. Mike Conley of Utah (26 percent) was No. 1.

Korver also got 7 percent of the vote for "best at moving without the ball," good for fourth. Klay Thompson of Golden State (43 percent) was listed No. 1.

The Bucks were listed as the fourth-most fun to watch (10 percent of the vote).

JR Radcliffe can be reached at (262) 361-9141 or jradcliffe@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JRRadcliffe.