Brad Stevens, in less than three years, has risen to the pinnacle of NBA executives, securing the 2023-24 NBA Executive of the Year award. As the president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, Stevens earned this accolade by a significant margin, surpassing his closest competitor, Sam Presti of the Oklahoma City Thunder, with more than double the votes.
Stevens’ leadership and strategic moves during the previous offseason propelled the Celtics to remarkable success. Notably, his acquisitions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday through trades involving players like Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, Grant Williams, and Malcolm Brogdon paid off handsomely.
These maneuvers contributed to the Celtics’ impressive 64-18 season, ranking among the franchise’s best, and clinching the top seed in the NBA playoffs.
Transitioning from a head coach to an executive in 2021, Stevens has adeptly steered the Celtics toward perennial playoff contention. His successful signings of Al Horford and Derrick White, along with securing contract extensions for key players such as Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Payton Pritchard, illustrate his astute management of the team’s roster.
With Stevens’ shrewd moves, the Celtics find themselves in a promising position to end their 16-year championship drought. The onus now lies on the roster to capitalize on Stevens’ groundwork. As Boston holds a 3-1 series lead over the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs, the team’s journey continues under Stevens’ stewardship, with fans eagerly anticipating a successful postseason campaign.
