Celtics’ Brad Stevens earns second NBA Executive of the Year honor
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Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was voted NBA Executive of the Year on Monday, claiming the league’s front-office award for the second time in three seasons.
Stevens, who retooled a roster that again finished No. 2 in the Eastern Conference while trimming projected luxury-tax costs, became the 12th executive to win the trophy twice and only the sixth to do so within a three-year span.
How the voting broke down
A panel of the 30 team basketball executives ranked their top three choices. Stevens received 11 first-place votes and appeared on 17 ballots, edging Atlanta Hawks vice president Onsi Saleh, who also appeared on 17 ballots but finished second. Detroit Pistons general manager Trajan Langdon was third for the second straight year.
Last season’s winner, Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti, placed fifth. San Antonio’s Brian Wright was sixth, followed by Houston’s Rafael Stone, Phoenix’s Brian Gregory, and a ninth-place tie between Cleveland’s Koby Altman and Denver’s Josh Kroenke. Memphis’ Zach Kleiman and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Rob Pelinka shared 11th.
Award context
The Executive of the Year honor differs from most NBA regular-season awards, which are decided by a global media panel. Team executives alone determine this accolade.
Other awards already announced
- Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio (unanimous)
- Clutch Player of the Year: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City (96 first-place votes)
- Sixth Man of the Year: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio
- Sportsmanship Award: Derrick White, Boston (voted by players)
- Most Improved Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta
- Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Dallas
The league has yet to announce Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year, and the Hustle Award.
Source: ESPN
