Executive of the Year
Zack Padmore – Masai Ujiri (Toronto)
Masai Ujiri certainly took a risk when he traded for disgruntled superstar Kawhi Leonard this off-season. I’m not sure if Kawhi will remain in Toronto past this season, but I do know that they will be winning a lot of games this year, and that should make a difference once Kawhi becomes a free agent. Not only did Ujiri bring in Kawhi, he made some under-the-radar moves as well.
Greg Monroe will be a serviceable backup big man off the bench, re-signing Fred VanVleet to such a good deal was crucial. Landing Danny Green in the Leonard trade was huge, too. This team has a chance to go deep in the Eastern Conference with LeBron James out West.
Hayden Van de Maat – Masai Ujiri (Toronto)
For this one, I’m going with Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors. I think the Kawhi Leonard deal can get them to the NBA Finals.
Josh Padmore – Sean Marks (Brooklyn)
I truly believe the Brooklyn Nets could find themselves in the playoffs. Sean Marks has established a nice culture in Brooklyn and has really uplifted their fans’ spirits. He took on an extremely difficult rebuild, with Boston collecting all their first round picks, but has still done a fantastic job.
Ryan Aston – Magic Johnson (LAL)
Count me among the multitudes that were left flummoxed by the moves Magic Johnson made in La-La Land over the summer, post-LeBron. By inking Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley and JaVale McGee, he’s turned Staples Center into a haven for the knuckleheads of the Association.
And yet, I’d bet a pretty penny that the Lakers will win 50 games and make the playoffs. If Magic doesn’t win for making the biggest move of the summer, he’ll do so for getting that result out of those guys. Even if LBJ is the one who really makes it all happen.
Jared Woodcox – Sam Presti (Oklahoma City)
I admittedly could be totally off on this one given the incredibly high payroll the Oklahoma City Thunder currently have and the possibility of things blowing up in their faces. However, I am simply beyond impressed that Sam Presti and Co. were able to keep a hold of Paul George and lock him down long-term.
The overwhelming sentiment was that he was always going to end up with the Los Angeles Lakers. The fact that a star of his caliber chose small market OKC over hometown LA speaks volumes to the culture that Presti has created. Add in the fact that they were able to deal Carmelo Anthony who simply didn’t work there for a player in Dennis Schroder who could make a positive impact, and that’s an impressive summer of work.
If other newcomers and re-signed players can outperform expectations, such as Nerlens Noel, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Jerami Grant, Presti could end up being very much deserving of this award.
What do you think, Utah Jazz fans? Let us know your award picks on Twitter or in the comments below.