Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was named NBA Executive of the Year on Tuesday.
Stevens spent the offseason revising the roster of the reigning Eastern Conference champions to create a team that posted an NBA-best 64-18 record in the 2023-24 regular season.
Trades sent point guard Marcus Smart and backup Malcolm Brogdon away and added point guard Jrue Holiday and forward Kristaps Porzingis.
Stevens said at the 2024 trade deadline that all of his roster-mending was done with an approach of keeping the “championship window” a moving target. Stevens also signed Jaylen Brown to a long-term contract extension, traded explosive center Robert Williams and sent restricted free agent Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti finished second to Stevens in award voting and had four first-place votes to 16 for Stevens. Oklahoma City posted a record of 57-25 and is the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Executive of the year voting is conducted by the NBA with only fellow general managers and team presidents submitting ballots.
“If you’re not trying to get better, you’re probably getting caught,” Stevens said in February.
Stevens, 47, has been in the front-office role for three years and previously served as head coach of the Celtics for eight seasons.
NBA Executive of the Year Award winners since 2000:
2022-23 – Monte McNair, Sacramento Kings
2021-22 – Zach Kleiman, Memphis Grizzlies
2020-21 – James Jones, Phoenix Suns
2019-20 – Lawrence Frank, LA Clippers
2018-19 – Jon Horst, Milwaukee Bucks
2017-18 – Daryl Morey, Houston Rockets
2016-17 – Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors
2015-16 – R.C. Buford, San Antonio Spurs
2014-15 – Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors
2013-14 – R.C. Buford, San Antonio Spurs
2012-13 – Masai Ujiri, Denver Nuggets
2011-12 – Larry Bird, Indiana Pacers
2010-11 – Gar Forman/Pat Riley, Chicago Bulls/Miami Heat
2009-10 – John Hammond, Milwaukee Bucks
2008-09 – Mark Warkentien, Denver Nuggets
2007-08 – Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics
2006-07 – Bryan Colangelo, Toronto Raptors
2005-06 – Elgin Baylor, Los Angeles Clippers
2004-05 – Bryan Colangelo, Phoenix Suns
2003-04 – Jerry West, Memphis Grizzlies
2002-03 – Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons
2001-02 – Rod Thorn, New Jersey Nets
2000-01 – Geoff Petrie, Sacramento Kings
