Celtics' Brad Stevens named NBA Executive of the Year

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th April, 12:43 2024

Oct 2, 2023; Boston, Celtics, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens talks during Boston Celtics Media Day. credits: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

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