NBA Executive of the Year Prediction

Selecting the 2019-20 NBA Awards

Currently, the 2019-20 NBA season is on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We all know this and we all hate it. However, we need to be patient and unselfish, staying at home to mitigate the spread of this horrible virus. I could go on this whole rant, but I’ll spare you because we need some joy right now, and perhaps I’m being flamboyant here, but I’m pretty damn good at giving out these good vibes! And, for the sake of this article, giving out these NBA awards!

So, how am I doling these out? First, as with anything you read, it’s just one writer’s opinion or slant. Second, I’m pendulous on stating the individual chosen as the person that will win or deserves to win. So, I’ll state three or four contenders for each award and pick one. And, of course, we would love to have a discussion here on what YOU think!

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Keep an eye on the below list of awards, which will be updated as we push forward.

Executive of the Year | Coach of the Year | Most Improved Player | Sixth Man of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Rookie of the Year | Most Valuable Player

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David Griffin, New Orleans Pelicans

Griffin was downright masterful in dealing with the Anthony Davis saga. Knowing that one of your players, especially one considered top five in the league, wants to leave your team is a straight-up bummer. But, the rest of teams out there also knowing that? It’s makings for a “selling low” situation, which is never a good thing as a decision-maker.

However, Griffin was able to swing a three-team trade between the Pels, Los Angeles Lakers, and Washington Wizards. The haul, essentially, for trading Anthony Davis - Lonzo Ball (12.4 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.2 rebounds), Josh Hart (10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds), Most Improved nominee Brandon Ingram (24.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists), 2019 eighth overall pick Jaxson Hayes, 2019 17th overall pick Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 2019 35th overall pick and overseas (NBL in Australia) stash Didi Louzada, the Lakers’ 2021 first round pick if it’s top eight; if not, it’s unprotected in 2022, the right to swap first round picks in 2023, Lakers’ 2024 unprotected first round pick with the right to defer that to 2025. And to top it off, they drafted first overall pick, Zion Williamson, who looks like the real deal, although it’s a small sample size of 19 games where the Pelicans have gone 10-9. Built for the future? No question, and you have to absolutely love what Griffin did by trading one player, as well as some others (Jordan Bone, Solomon Hill, 2019 4th overall pick De’Andre Hunter, and a 2023 second round 31-45 protected pick) with the Atlanta Hawks in a separate trade.

The Pelicans 28-36 record this season doesn’t speak too well to their growth, but they were moving up since Zion’s delayed debut. Considering what Griffin had to work with from the beginning, well, damn.

Sean Marks, Brooklyn Nets

If you know me, you will know that I’ve traveled on both NJ Transit and the Path train to cross (or more specifically, go under) the Hudson River to watch the Nets play numerous times. Yes, I’m a masochist. And, yes, I may be deluding myself here with Marks considering the Nets “ended” the season under .500 at 30-34. However, being able to sign both of the top free agents this past offseason in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, both of whom were fractured in body and/or reputation, definitely deserves some consideration for this award.

Unfortunately, Irving was only able to play 20 of 64 games before shutting it down because of a shoulder injury. However, when he was on the court, he was his normal “spectacular, best lay-up package, not afraid to take the clutch shot” self, averaging 27.4 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the field, 39.4 from three, and 92.2 from the charity stripe. Kyrie also grabbed 5.2 boards, dropped 6.4 dimes, and ripped the rock 1.4 times a game. We’ll consider it a tease, and in all likelihood not something to be repeated again next season when Durant makes his Nets debut. All that matters is winning.

Admittedly, this choice has to do more with what happened before free agency (Nets culture change and its focus and success with development) and what Nets fans and the organization hope will happen with this dynamic duo - a deep playoff run in 2020-21 - but Marks has proven that he can get more hits than misses and these were two big swings that connected.

James Dolan, New York Knicks

Hahahaha!

Lawrence Frank, Los Angeles Clippers

Frank, as Marks, was also able to nab two superstars during the last offseason - one through free agency (Kawhi Leonard) and one through trade (Paul George). No matter who landed Kawhi, that executive was going to be up for this award because so many teams sacrificed their children and lambs hoping to land Klaw. But then you bring in Paul George, an MVP contender last season, also? Well, go ahead with your bad self, Lawrence! The Clippers (44-20) finish 5.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers (49-14), who own the West’s best record. Overall, the Clips are the fourth best team in the Association, and both Leonard (51) and George (42) haven’t even played every game for their new team; part legit injury and part load management. Regardless, there was no question that the Clippers were primed for a deep playoff run.

And, sure, trading away Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and five first round picks doesn’t help the future, but this is a team ready to win right now. The in-season additions of Marcus Morris (9.5 points, 1.4 3PTM, 4.0 rebounds in 12 games) and Reggie Jackson (9.4 points, 3.2 assists, 1.6 3PTM in nine games) speak to that win-now strategy, and they were almost certainly going to have and give value during the postseason with their steady and veteran contributions. Was the Larry O’Brien trophy headed to Los Angeles, not to the Lakers, but instead the Clippers? It was a big possibility because of Frank.

Pat Riley, Miami Heat

I’m going to start off with the signing of Kendrick Nunn (15.6 points, 44.8 FG%, 83.7 FT%, 3.4 assists, 2.1 3PTM, 36.2 3PT% in 62 games), which actually happened in April last year, but he didn’t see the floor until this season, so… yeah, I don’t care, I’m including him here. In any case, another rookie that Riley brought into the fold that paid off, Tyler Herro (12.9 points, 41.4 FG%, 83.5 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 3PTM, 39.1 3PT% in 47 games) is showing that he can hang with not only the talented lottery rookie class of 2019, but also just about anyone in the NBA. He’s been a pleasant revelation with his ability to stretch the floor.

The trade of Hassan Whiteside to the Portland Trail Blazers allowed Bam Adebayo to get more burn (no pun intended) for the Heat, which allowed him to become a first-time NBA All-Star in his third season, and the future is certainly bright (again, no pun intended) for Bam Bam. And just like Frank, Riley added some very solid veterans to the team in anticipation of a strong postseason run - Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder (along with Solomon Hill), both of whom improved the Heat’s already very good defense, specifically on the perimeter. Saving the best for last, Riley signed and traded for Jimmy Butler, the take-no-prisoners player that cares deeply about accountability, something that there didn’t seem enough of for his taste in Philadelphia; coming to a team without a star in place, Butler could get his alpha dog on. And he did, leading his team to a surprising 41-24 record that was good for fourth best in the East.

The decisions Riley has made for this team to produce this well thus far has been fire. Pun intended.

WINNER

I’d really love to go Griffin here, and he’s my gut feeling’s choice, but considering the Pelicans record and the fact his moves were more for the next several seasons, I have to go another direction. Marks’ moves were also deliberately for the future as signing Durant who wouldn’t play this season indicates. I actually like what Frank did a lot with his acquisitions, but trading Shai and those draft picks leaves a bad taste in my mouth. So, I’ll have to go with Riley here. Smart moves that are benefiting the present, but still having the pieces to build for the next few seasons.