Sam Presti Takes Home the 2021-2022 NBA Executive of the Year Award
NBA Executive of the Year Award Goes to Thunder's Sam Presti for This Season's Outstanding Achievement
In a sweeping victory that acknowledges a decade and a half of tireless work, OKC Thunder's Sam Presti bags the coveted Executive of the Year title. The prestigious award was announced on Tuesday, closing a 17-year tenure marked by the Thunder's impressive 68-win streak and the team's status as the league's best performer this season.
This triumph marks Presti's first time receiving this recognition, and the first time an executive from the franchise has earned it since the early 90s when the club was still known as the Seattle SuperSonics. Back then, Bob Whitsitt clinched the award.
Presti, who moonlights as the club's Vice President, secured the win with an impressive 10 first-place votes out of a panel of 30 peers. Altogether, he appeared on 22 of the 30 ballots, demonstrating a broad appreciation for his leadership.
Comparatively speaking, Cleveland's Koby Altman concluded in a close second place, edging out Detroit's Trajan Langdon in third. Presti's fellow Western Conference executive, Houston's Rafael Stone, came fourth, while the Clippers’ Lawrence Frank squeezed in fifth. Intriguingly, the Lakers' Rob Pelinka, who solidified the teams' most impactful trade of the season by bringing in Luka Doncic, ranked sixth.
The road to victory wasn't easy for Presti, and he continuously attributes the honors bestowed upon him to the collective effort and unwavering commitment of the entire team—players, coaching staff, and support staff. This crew, he notes, has been with the team for over ten years, serving as the backbone that powers the organization's success.
Remember, the NBA's Executive of the Year award is allocated by a vote from the league's 30 executives. This honor recognizes the executive who has contributed most significantly to their team's success, with factors such as team records, roster construction, and trades all playing significant roles in the decisions.
For the latest insights on this year's Executive of the Year nominees or any other NBA award news, you may want to keep tabs on the NBA's official website or leading sports news outlets like ESPN, Yahoo Sports, or Fox Sports. If you're keen on historical sports data, there are also websites tailored to providing such intel. Happy surfing!
- Despite no longer being with the team, former Seattle SuperSonics executive Bob Whitsitt won the Executive of the Year award in the 90s.
- Sam Presti, currently serving as the Oklahoma City Thunder's vice president, received 10 first-place votes to secure the 2021-2022 NBA Executive of the Year award.
- Cleveland's Koby Altman finished in a close second place in the Executive of the Year race, and Luka Doncic's arrival at the Lakers through a trade helped Rob Pelinka to secure sixth place.
- Presti believes that the collective effort of the entire team, including players, coaches, and support staff, has been instrumental in the Oklahoma City Thunder's success, leading to his Executive of the Year recognition.
- Each year, the NBA's Executive of the Year award is determined by a vote from the league's 30 executives, considering factors such as team records, roster construction, and trades.
