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The Danny Ainge System concludes with a comprehensive ranking of all NBA executives, evaluating their track records in trades, drafts, and free agency. This system applies Sabermetrics—a methodology from baseball—classifying transactions as strikeouts, walks, singles, doubles, triples, or home runs to generate overall ratings (OPS) for each executive. For those unfamiliar with the process, reviewing the previous parts is recommended for a full understanding.
This final ranking combines these individual scores to create a definitive list of NBA executives. Notably, newcomers like Jeff Peterson (Charlotte Hornets), Trayan Langdon (Detroit Pistons), Ben Tenzer (Denver Nuggets), Once Saleja (Atlanta Hawks), Scott Perry (Sacramento Kings), and Brian Gregory (Phoenix Suns) showed promise.
Each executive’s past decisions—including trade-offs between hits and misses—are open for debate, but the system’s rankings stand firm despite disagreements.
Here are some highlights from the rankings:
– Arthur Karnisovas (Chicago Bulls) ranks 23rd, reflecting the franchise’s struggles post-Michael Jordan, with playoff appearances but no significant breakthroughs.
– Joe Dumars (New Orleans Pelicans) is 22nd, remembered for building the 2004 Pistons but criticized for missed opportunities later on.
– Jon Horst (Milwaukee Bucks) at 21, crafted the 2021 championship roster but faced challenges rebuilding the team afterward.
– Rob Pelinka (Los Angeles Lakers) ranks 20th, credited with assembling the 2020 championship team but questioned about future roster building.
– Jeff Weltman (Orlando Magic) and Nico Harrison (Dallas Mavericks) represent mid-level rankings, with Weltman improving his team significantly in recent years while Harrison made bold moves like trading Luka Doncic.
– Mike Dunleavy (Golden State Warriors) stands at 17th, transitioning from a powerhouse team’s dynasty.
– Tim Connelly (Minnesota Timberwolves) at 16th, recognized for building a strong team and spotting talent like Nikola Jokic.
– Daryl Morey (Philadelphia 76ers) and Sean Marks (Brooklyn Nets) are notable for strong but occasionally frustratingly incomplete team results.
– Pat Riley (Miami Heat) secures 13th, with a decorated career spanning multiple championships and star signings.
– Joe Cronin (Portland Trail Blazers) and Koby Altman (Cleveland Cavaliers) show promising progress in their leadership roles.
– Lawrence Frank (Los Angeles Clippers) successfully acquired stars though injuries stymied ultimate success.
– Zach Kleiman (Memphis Grizzlies) is praised for finding talent in a smaller market.
– Kevin Pritchard (Indiana Pacers) impresses with consistent team competitiveness and smart moves.
– Michael Winger (Washington Wizards) made impactful strides to rebuild his team quickly.
– Raphael Stone (Houston Rockets) rebuilt the roster with multiple top picks and made a bold trade for Kevin Durant.
– Leon Rose (New York Knicks) navigated ownership challenges to turn the team into contenders.
– Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics) took on front-office duties and made strategic moves to retool a promising roster.
– Sam Presti (Oklahoma City Thunder) earned third place for building two powerhouse teams, including a 2025 championship squad.
– Danny Ainge (Boston Celtics/Jazz) comes in second, known for founding title-winning teams and strong draft picks.
– Brian Wright (San Antonio Spurs) tops the list, credited with drafting phenom Victor Wembanyama and establishing a young, talented, and deep roster poised for success.
Fan Take: This ranking sheds light on the vital yet often underappreciated impact of NBA executives on the league’s landscape. Their ability to build winning teams through savvy decisions shapes the future of basketball and defines the eras of fans’ favorite franchises.
