{"id":340115,"date":"2025-12-10T20:01:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T20:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/340115\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T20:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T20:01:10","slug":"which-nba-teams-have-the-best-front-offices-heres-how-36-executives-voted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/340115\/","title":{"rendered":"Which NBA teams have the best front offices? Here\u2019s how 36 executives voted"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article is part of our\u00a0Rankings & Tiers<\/a>\u00a0series, an evaluation across sport about the key players, front offices, teams, franchises and much more.<\/p>\n

By Sam Amick<\/a>, David Aldridge<\/a>, John Hollinger<\/a>, Fred Katz<\/a> and Mike Vorkunov<\/a><\/p>\n

When we started compiling our second-annual NBA front-office rankings in late October, a few executives were confused about the choice to conduct the exercise every year.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t we just do this?\u201d one such front-office member texted.<\/p>\n

But time flies in the NBA, where everyone is chasing the Oklahoma City Thunder these days, and change comes quickly if you fall too far behind. Case in point: Since the publication of the first front-office rankings<\/a>, seven teams parted ways with the top front-office executive in their group. That\u2019s as good a reminder as any that these pressure-packed jobs aren\u2019t for the faint of heart.<\/p>\n

None of those moves was as monumental as the Dallas Mavericks\u2019 decision to fire Nico Harrison<\/a>, whose ill-fated decision to send Luka Don\u010di\u0107 to the Los Angeles Lakers in February seems destined to go down as one of the worst trades of all time. But from Sacramento to New Orleans, Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix and Toronto, the top roster builder was shown the door, in essence, because they failed to keep up with the Prestis.<\/p>\n

To no one\u2019s surprise, longtime Thunder president of basketball operations Sam Presti and his staff were the winners of this honor for the second consecutive season. Yet the unique part about what Presti and his group are doing, and the thing that helped them extend their lead on the rest of the field from last time around<\/a>, is that they\u2019re still building at an elite level during this time when the current roster looks worthy of evolving into a dynasty as it is. As our John Hollinger details below, that\u2019s a remarkable feat to pull off. From there, though, there were all kinds of shifts in the reputational rankings that are worth chronicling.<\/p>\n

The Houston Rockets, who added an all-time great Kevin Durant to their already-rising group in the summer, jumped from an 11th-place tie a year ago to third. The Indiana Pacers\u2019 rise \u2014 from 11th to fifth \u2014 was a bit more confusing to unpack (an unexpected NBA Finals run, devastating injury to Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 against the Thunder and the loss of Myles Turner to Milwaukee in free agency that followed). The Detroit Pistons, who are well on their way to being the surprise team of this season, nearly broke into the top 10 after not receiving any votes in our 2024 edition.<\/p>\n

In other words, it turns out this is a worthy annual exercise after all.<\/p>\n

With the 2025-26 season underway, The Athletic canvassed 36 executives across the league \u2014 presidents, general managers, VPs and assistant GMs \u2014 to rank the NBA\u2019s top front offices. We added a wrinkle this time, too, asking the execs to name one front-office group on the rise.<\/p>\n

Each executive ranked their top five, as well as their chosen riser. Points were allotted the same way they are in NBA MVP voting: 10 points for first place, seven points for second place, five points for third, three points for fourth and one point for fifth. The only rule: Execs could not vote for their own team. Respondents were granted anonymity for both their votes and conversations discussing them in exchange for their candor. \u2014 Sam Amick<\/p>\n

Top 101. Oklahoma City Thunder<\/p>\n

Total points: 341 (31 first-place votes, three second-place votes; appeared on 36 ballots)
Governor: Clay Bennett
Executive vice president and general manager: Sam Presti
Head coach: Mark Daigneault
Last year’s rank: 1<\/p>\n

Of course, the Thunder are No. 1. How could they not be, after rolling through the league with 68 regular-season wins and a historic victory margin to win their first championship and still having a cupboard full of draft assets and one of the youngest rosters in the league going forward? Have I mentioned that it\u2019s possible they could win the championship and draft lottery in 2026?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best-ever job of acquiring future assets while dominating in the present,\u201d said one voter. \u201cUsually, those two are a little exclusive when you\u2019re talking about championship-level teams. Presti is just the preeminent GM in the league.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Thunder also have one of the largest staffs in the league and have filled their front office with clever people from different backgrounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides Sam being really good at his job, he has people like (vice presidents of basketball operations) Jesse Gould and Wynn Sullivan that are excellent at what they do as well,\u201d said another voter. \u201cThose guys handle the strategy portion of things and set the path for the future. They do a great job of being forward-thinking and not just trying to copy people.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Thunder haven\u2019t missed a step since Presti and company \u2014 a group that also includes longtime right-hand man and former Magic GM Rob Hennigan, vice president of identification and intelligence Vince Rozman and former Thunder player Nick Collision \u2014 engineered the trade of Paul George to the Clippers in 2019, one that returned five future first-round picks and a future MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. One of those future firsts turned into All-Star Jalen Williams, and another could yield a high lottery pick in 2026 from the struggling Clippers.<\/p>\n

But this is about much more than one trade. Since breaking up the worn-out George-Russell Westbrook roster that was deep in the luxury tax and dry on future assets, the Thunder have used cap space to hoard ever more draft picks and been opportunistic acquiring players like Alex Caruso (via a trade for Josh Giddey), Isaiah Joe (via a waiver claim) and Isaiah Hartenstein (via free agency, thanks to other trades that guaranteed they\u2019d have the room in the summer of 2024).<\/p>\n

It has to sicken their rivals that the Thunder have also hit on late draft picks such as Aaron Wiggins (55th in 2021) and Ajay Mitchell (38th in 2024) and got another long-term starter with undrafted Lu Dort in 2019. Even now, on pace to post the best record in NBA history, Oklahoma City still owns six future firsts and two swaps from other teams and also has two recent mid-first-round picks essentially redshirting this year (guard Nikola Topi\u0107 and big man Thomas Sorber).<\/p>\n

Shall we continue? The Thunder nailed their coaching hire with Daigneault and might have the best locker room culture in the league. Shrewd extensions for Caruso, Joe, Mitchell and Wiggins ensure they can keep their core together even as the roster becomes much more expensive a year from now due to max extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.<\/p>\n

Tougher decisions inevitably await as the luxury tax and aprons come into play in the summer of 2026, but it\u2019s not hard to see why the Thunder were a near-unanimous pick this time after outpacing Boston for the top spot a year ago. \u2014 John Hollinger<\/p>\n

2. Boston Celtics<\/p>\n

Total points: 110 (one first-place vote, eight second-place votes; appeared on 21 ballots)
Governor: Bill Chisholm
President of basketball operations: Brad Stevens
Head coach: Joe Mazzulla
Last year’s rank: 2<\/p>\n

Boston underwent significant organizational change this offseason, with Chisholm\u2019s group completing a stunning purchase of the team from the Grousbeck family at a valuation of $6.1 billion<\/a>. That came on top of longtime executive Austin Ainge, who\u2019d been with the Celtics for 10 years and assistant general manager the last six, leaving last June<\/a> to become president of basketball operations for the Jazz \u2014 and to work again with his father, Danny, Utah\u2019s CEO.<\/p>\n

But Stevens is still around to run the team, as he\u2019s done deftly since moving up from coach to the front office in 2021. Stevens and longtime consigliere Mike Zarren, the C\u2019s vice president of basketball operations and team counsel \u2014 \u201cMike Zarren is an extremely bright guy,\u201d an executive from another team said \u2014 built a championship team around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, acquiring Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is in separate deals between 2021 and 2023. Bringing that brew to a boil produced Banner 18 in 2024.<\/p>\n

But Boston continues to garner solid marks around the league today, after Stevens blew most of that core to smithereens last summer, trading Holiday to Portland and Porzi\u0146\u0123is to Atlanta and letting Horford go to Golden State, both to avoid the second-apron threshold and its crushing penalties and to quickly reset following Tatum\u2019s Achilles injury in Boston\u2019s conference semifinal series with New York. The resulting gap season made sense both for the short- and long-term calendars of the Two Jays respective primes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have always done a good job with building their team,\u201d said one voter who gave Boston high marks. \u201cThey made a difficult decision this offseason, but because of the rules, it was one they had to make. The timing was right with the Tatum injury. I would expect them to be able to turn it around pretty quickly. This year is just a reset for them. I would not expect it to be a long-term thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boston still has to make a tough call on Anfernee Simons, who came from Portland in the Holiday trade. Moving the 26-year-old\u2019s expiring deal could get the Celtics under the first apron by the summer, and turn off the repeater clock. But with all their moves in the offseason, the Celtics are no longer in second-apron hell.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrad\u2019s integrity and competence carry a heavy load for them,\u201d another voter said of Boston\u2019s front office. \u2014 David Aldridge<\/p>\n

3. Houston Rockets<\/p>\n

Total points: 100 (one first-place vote, six second-place votes; appeared on 21 ballots)
Governor: Tilman Fertitta
General manager: Rafael Stone
Head coach: Ime Udoka
Last year’s rank: T-11<\/p>\n

At a time when the Thunder\u2019s dominance (and potential dynasty) has so many teams wondering if it\u2019s time for a long rebuild, Houston is going all-in on being giant killers \u2014 again.<\/p>\n

That was the Rockets\u2019 legacy a decade ago, when Daryl Morey was running the front office, Mike D\u2019Antoni was still roaming the sideline, and the Warriors were the ones always in their way. And now, with Stone having held the GM title since 2020 and Udoka carrying an influential voice within the organization, they\u2019ve built another worthy contender.<\/p>\n

The choice to trade for Kevin Durant in the summer was the splashiest of their many moves, as it signaled a belief that the time was now to go for it all. But it\u2019s not as if they gave up the farm to get him (along with big man Clint Capela), as they sent Jalen Green (whose playoff struggles were an indictment of sorts<\/a>), Dillon Brooks, a 2025 first-round pick (Khaman Maluach was taken 10th) and five second-rounders to Phoenix in the historic seven-team deal. They later signed Durant to a two-year, $90 million extension (player option in the 2027-28 season).<\/p>\n

As has been the case so often in recent years, the Rockets found a way to get what they wanted without shortening the shelf life of the overall team by making desperate moves. That\u2019s been a mantra of sorts for Stone, who values this young core greatly and has frequently resisted the temptation to reach for overpriced roster shortcuts. (Case in point, league sources say they\u2019re not interested in pursuing Memphis\u2019 Ja Morant despite having lost veteran point guard Fred VanVleet for the season with a torn ACL.)<\/p>\n

These latest moves have been additive, with the Rockets having built this post-James Harden era core by way of the draft (Alperen \u015eeng\u00fcn at No. 16 in 2021, Jabari Smith Jr. third in 2022, Tari Eason 17th in 2022, Amen Thompson fourth in 2023, Reed Sheppard third in 2024).<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have drafted well, built a deep team in a tough Western Conference while managing tax aprons,\u201d said one executive who voted the Rockets second. \u201c(They) hired a good coach and built an overall team identity, then added KD for cheap.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom where they were only a few years ago, they have done a good job turning it around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Said another, who also voted the Rockets second: \u201cHigh-end talent, a willingness to be bold, (and) good asset management.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Amick<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Pat Riley has been making moves in Miami for three decades. (Jim Rassol \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

4. Miami Heat<\/p>\n

Total points: 76 (two first-place votes, three second-place votes; appeared on 14 ballots)
Governor: Micky Arison
President of basketball operations: Pat Riley
Head coach: Erik Spoelstra
Last year’s rank: 3<\/p>\n

The Heat have only missed the postseason four times since 2003, which jibes with Miami\u2019s basketball C-Suite remaining one of the NBA\u2019s most stable front offices. The moving parts of Riley, senior VP of basketball operations Andy Elisburg, assistant general manager Adam Simon and senior director of basketball operations Dave Beyer have been together for more than two decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrustable, competent, dependable team-builders and deal-makers,\u201d one executive said. \u201cOwner allows Pat to work; Pat has high-character, skilled staff. Their continuity is legendary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miami managed to get out from under the Jimmy Butler fiasco at the deadline last year, getting a solid return including Andrew Wiggins, and then got Norman Powell from the Clippers, with plenty of tread left, before the start of this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cRiley doesn\u2019t need this Rat Pack around him,\u201d one executive said. “Arison, you talk about a run \u2014 him and Riley have been together since 1995. Andy\u2019s been there that whole time. And Spoelstra\u2019s been there, one way or another, Spoelstra hasn\u2019t had a job since he was 24, other than with the Heat. Pat Riley gets a Lifetime Achievement Award for everything he\u2019s done down there.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to run pretty damn fast to be better than Andy Elisburg. He\u2019s a guy that\u2019s got a great way about him, not overbearing, does a fabulous job of planning and organizing everything. He never tried to step on the basketball guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miami continues to make a cottage industry out of staying relevant, always able to move on to the next guy to build around. Now it\u2019s Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Kel\u2019el Ware. The Heat may be hamstrung a bit at this year\u2019s trade deadline while Terry Rozier\u2019s status is resolved once and for all<\/a>, but they aren\u2019t in any kind of significant cap trouble; they\u2019ll almost certainly re-sign Powell this summer and plow ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re just consistent,\u201d another executive said. \u201cI think that they\u2019re always in the mix.\u201d \u2014 Aldridge<\/p>\n

5. Indiana Pacers<\/p>\n

Total points: 61 (one first-place vote, three second-place votes; appeared on 14 ballots)
Governor: Herb Simon
President of basketball operations: Kevin Pritchard
Head coach: Rick Carlisle
Last year’s rank: T-11<\/p>\n

The Pacers have had a remarkable year that has raised their reputation league-wide. The franchise made a run to the NBA Finals and pushed the Thunder to seven games in a very tough series. They may have won a ring if Tyrese Haliburton had not torn his Achilles in that deciding game. Still, it was a feat for a front office that has slowly put together a deep and talented roster over the last few years, from a franchise-changing trade to a big swing and some less heralded moves along the way.<\/p>\n

The front office has mostly remained the same over the last half-decade, led by Pritchard, general manager Chad Buchanan and assistant GM Ted Wu, with considerable input from Carlisle (assistant GM Kelly Krauskopf left the front office last fall to run basketball ops for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever). That group has been responsible for some of the shrewdest moves in the league in that time. The Haliburton trade is one of the most significant deals in the NBA this century. Their bet on Pascal Siakam was critical to their finals run (he was Eastern Conference finals MVP). They have made savvy free-agent signings and trades with Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell. Andrew Nembhard was a clear win in the second round of the draft.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrilliant second draft scouting,\u201d said one executive who voted Indiana third on their ballot. \u201cTurned a fringe All-Star in (Domantas) Sabonis into a franchise point guard. Proactive asset management.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Pacers\u2019 shrewdest deal may have come last June during the finals when they traded the No. 23 pick in the 2025 draft for their own 2026 first-round pick from the Pelicans. At the time, it was a case of cap management as they looked ahead to an offseason when they might need to dip into the luxury tax, with the added benefit that, if they disappointed during the 2025-26 season, they still had their own pick. That last part proved critical when Haliburton got hurt. The Pacers have the third-worst record in the NBA but still have a bright future, as they can now add a likely top lottery pick to a good roster next season as Haliburton returns.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir record does not show what this group has done,\u201d another exec said. \u201cThey have been ravaged by injuries, but they have a team with depth and good salary structure. They draft well and do good taking shots on guys that might have struggled at their first stops (Toppin\/Nesmith). KP and Chad do a great job but have good support from Ryan Carr and Vance Catlin.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Mike Vorkunov<\/p>\n

6. Cleveland Cavaliers<\/p>\n

Total points: 50 (two second-place votes; appeared on 14 ballots)
Governor: Dan Gilbert
President of basketball operations: Koby Altman
Head coach: Kenny Atkinson
Last year’s rank: 8<\/p>\n

The Cavaliers have put together one of the best rosters in the NBA. Last year, that got them 64 regular-season wins and the best record in the East. They have had a slow start to this season, but the Cavaliers front office still has the respect of its peers.<\/p>\n

“In a variety of regards, they’re really good,\u201d said an exec who had the Cavaliers on their ballot. \u201cWhat Cleveland has done with the back end of their roster in terms of talent identification is really impressive beyond the stars. Look at the guys who they have grown internally who have been widely available.”<\/p>\n

The Cavaliers, led by Altman, general manager Mike Gansey, assistant GM Brandon Weems and VPs Jason Hillman and Jon Nichols, have cobbled together a contender with several smart decisions. Their trade for Donovan Mitchell has more than paid off despite the steep price; he has two top-six MVP finishes and re-signed before last season. They grabbed Jarrett Allen as an ancillary part of the James Harden trade in 2021. Evan Mobley, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft, just received a rookie-max extension and has a chance to be a perennial All-Star.<\/p>\n

But as the exec said, some of the best work the Cavaliers front office has done is with the back end of the rotation and roster. Ty Jerome nearly won Sixth Man of the Year last season after bouncing around the NBA during his first four seasons (he left for Memphis this past summer). Sam Merrill was the last pick in the 2020 draft, but he finally found a home in the league on his third NBA team and got a $38 million extension in June. Jaylon Tyson, the 20th pick in the 2024 draft, has become a starter. The Isaac Okoro-Lonzo Ball trade could still yield positive returns.<\/p>\n

All of it has put the Cavaliers with a chance at their first NBA Finals appearance without LeBron James, even as they must now have to figure out how to operate as the lone team above the second apron this season. \u2014 Vorkunov<\/p>\n

7. Minnesota Timberwolves<\/p>\n

Total points: 43 (three second-place votes; appeared on 11 ballots)
Governor: Marc Lore
President of basketball operations: Tim Connelly
Head coach: Chris Finch
Last year’s rank: 5<\/p>\n

The Wolves came up on several ballots after consecutive trips to the conference finals, a journey they navigated despite a bumpy ownership transition and a cap situation that put the team over the second apron in 2025. That\u2019s led to some tough decisions, like trading Karl-Anthony Towns and letting Nickeil Alexander-Walker leave in free agency, but the Wolves have kept their core intact and escaped salary-cap hell.<\/p>\n

Soon after Connelly arrived from Denver, he engineered a controversial move to trade multiple first-round picks for center Rudy Gobert. However, that deal has paid off; Gobert was named Defensive Player of the Year in his second season in Minnesota as the Wolves won a playoff series for the first time since 2004. Similarly, a bold late-September 2024 trade to send Towns to New York for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo ended with another conference finals trip.<\/p>\n

\u201cTim Connelly has always been really good at what he does,\u201d said one rival exec. \u201cHe has a good eye for talent. (General manager) Matt Lloyd<\/a> should not be overlooked either. Those guys balance each other really well. While trading (Towns) was difficult, they knew that they needed to have depth and could not keep the payroll going the way it was with KAT\u2019s salary and impending free agents. The move allowed them to keep depth and some flexibility going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Navigating the roster will continue to be a challenge, however, because the Wolves are running low on draft assets. They owe two more picks and one swap to Utah from the Gobert deal and also a swap in 2030 and a top-one protected first in 2031 to San Antonio from the 2024 draft-day deal to acquire guard Rob Dillingham.<\/p>\n

Connelly and company will need to repeat recent Wolves wins with late picks such as Terrence Shannon (27th in 2024) and Jaden McDaniels (28th in 2020, pre-Connelly) and the trade with Utah that acquired Mike Conley and saw Alexander-Walker arrive as a throw-in. That\u2019s especially true as the core players around superstar guard Anthony Edwards age out of primary roles. \u2014\u00a0Hollinger<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Leon Rose and the Knicks have hit on big moves in recent years. (Wendell Cruz \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

8. New York Knicks<\/p>\n

Total points: 36 (two second-place votes; appeared on 10 ballots)
Governor: James Dolan
President: Leon Rose
Head coach: Mike Brown
Last year’s rank: 6<\/p>\n

The Knicks have nailed most of the big-picture moves that ended up with them in the 2025 Eastern Conference finals, even if we\u2019re still waiting for a verdict on the controversial decision to fire Tom Thibodeau that followed.<\/p>\n

However, just as big a reason for New York to land here, in the eyes of their rivals, is the Knicks\u2019 ability to work the margin of the salary-cap rules under Rose, executive vice president William \u201cWorldwide Wes\u201d Wesley, senior vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, assistant GM Frank Zanin and cap guru Brock Aller.<\/p>\n

From landing an overseas rights player in seemingly every trade (New York has 15 of them now), to their complicated dance to complete the trade for Mikal Bridges a year ago while staying below the first apron and thus keep other trade possibilities alive \u2014 later coming to fruition in the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns \u2014 to the similar moves to stay below the second apron in the summer of 2025 while still adding Guerschon Yabusele with their taxpayer midlevel exception, New York has been savvy.<\/p>\n

That said, New York couldn\u2019t be in this position without hitting some really big stuff too, such as signing All-Star guard Jalen Brunson in free agency or acquiring Josh Hart from Portland for a late first-round pick or signing Donte DiVincenzo and Isaiah Hartenstein in successive years with their midlevel exception. (DiVincenzo later became a key piece of the Towns trade; Hartenstein, meanwhile, was signed to such a favorable contract that it basically made it impossible to keep him once he hit free agency in 2024.)<\/p>\n

New York has also been shrewd on draft night, often moving down to position itself with more picks for the future but still nabbing players like Mitchell Robinson (pre-Rose, 36th 2018), Miles McBride (36th in 2021) and Immanuel Quickley (25th in 2020 and later a key piece in the trade for OG Anunoby) with late picks.<\/p>\n

Nitpickers will note that the deal of five first-round picks to Brooklyn for Bridges may have been an overreach, especially if it ultimately costs them a shot at Giannis Antetokounmpo, and that 2024 first-rounder Pac\u00f4me Dadiet might be a bust.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, the Knicks are a top-tier contender in the East and basically built to that spot from the ground up, without a single high lottery pick as a wind at their back. Their cap situation beyond this year is surprisingly manageable for a team with four expensive starters. \u2013 Hollinger<\/p>\n

9. San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n

Total points: 31 (three second-place votes; appeared on seven ballots)
Governor: Peter J. Holt
General manager: Brian Wright
Head coach: Mitch Johnson
Last year’s rank: 10<\/p>\n

Amazing how the hardest-working people always are also the luckiest? Fancy that.<\/p>\n

Yes, the Spurs front office had nothing to do with getting Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper. That was Ping-Pong-ball justice. But San Antonio also has positioned itself in the post-Tim Duncan era to take lots and lots of bites at the lottery apple by continuing to be smart under Wright, who works hand in glove with CEO of Spurs Sports and Entertainment R.C. Buford, amid what looks like a relatively seamless transition from Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich to Johnson.<\/p>\n

The Spurs got in optimal position to win the 2023 lottery \u2014 and Wemby \u2014 by bottoming out in 2022, moving Dejounte Murray to the Hawks for three first-round picks. And that deal got San Antonio Arizona wing Carter Bryant in the \u201925 draft, on top of picking Harper second overall, with a 2026 pick swap with the Hawks and an unprotected 2027 first-rounder from the Murray deal yet to come.<\/p>\n

And having that unprotected 2027 first coming from Atlanta allowed the Spurs the freedom to trade their own \u201927 first to Sacramento to get De\u2019Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings.<\/p>\n

And, San Antonio has gotten significant production from Harrison Barnes, who\u2019s shot 43 percent from 3 since coming to the Spurs, as part of the multi-team deal in July 2024 that sent DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls to the Kings, as well as an unprotected 2031 pick swap with Sacramento. For this, San Antonio gave up \u2026 nothing, really. The Spurs created enough cap space to take in Barnes\u2019 contract by trading the eighth pick in the \u201924 draft to the Wolves for even more assets: a first-round pick swap with Minnesota in 2030 and the Wolves\u2019 unprotected 2031 first, which they could do because they already had Castle and didn\u2019t need Rob Dillingham, whom Minnesota hoped would be its point guard of the future.<\/p>\n

So, yes, having absurd lottery luck isn\u2019t an example of great team building. But that\u2019s only part of why San Antonio has been able to construct an emerging power in the West, one that projects to be a long-term challenger to Oklahoma City for years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have been fortunate in their risk propositions, which have paid off in the draft lottery (Wemby, Castle, Harper) and opportunistic in asset collection,\u201d one executive said. \u2014 Aldridge<\/p>\n

10. Golden State\u00a0Warriors<\/p>\n

Total points: 23 (one second-place vote; appeared on seven ballots)
Governor: Joe Lacob
General manager: Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Head coach: Steve Kerr
Last year’s rank: 9<\/p>\n

Bob Myers was a very tough act to follow.<\/p>\n

Not only did the former Warriors executive play a monumental part in the Warriors\u2019 dynasty, but he was beloved by the key stakeholders during that remarkable run. Yet since being elevated to the top job after Myers resigned in the summer of 2023, with trusted voices like Kirk Lacob (executive vice president, basketball operations), Larry Harris (assistant general manager) and several others still around from that run, Dunleavy has done a solid job of blending the old with the new as they look to extend the Steph Curry-Draymond Green era.<\/p>\n

\u201c(They) run a tight ship,\u201d one voter said of the Warriors. \u201c(You) always know what you\u2019ll get from them. The owner is, of course, heavily involved \u2014 but reliably so. You know who he is and what his objectives are. Mike and Kirk are very good at their jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dunleavy\u2019s best moment yet was the Butler trade with Miami in February that returned them to relevance, as the Warriors sent Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a protected 2025 first-round pick to the Heat in the five-team deal (then agreed to a two-year, $121 million extension with Butler). Yet while Butler was a game-changing upgrade to the roster, this roller-coaster start to their season has made it clear that Dunleavy still has more work to do.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where Jonathan Kuminga will likely come in. After the Warriors and the 23-year-old forward spent so much of the summer in a restricted free agency staring contest, ultimately agreeing to a two-year, $48.5 million deal (team option in 2026-27) that was structured with a future trade in mind, the question now is whether they can find another difference-making deal that involves Kuminga. \u2014 Amick<\/p>\n

Others receiving votes<\/p>\n

Detroit Pistons \u201417 points, one second-place vote, on seven ballots
Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets \u2014 nine points each, three ballots apiece
Brooklyn Nets \u2014 seven points, one second-place vote, one ballot
Philadelphia 76ers \u2014 six points, two ballots
LA Clippers \u2014 five points, one ballot
Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz \u2014 three points each, one ballot apiece
Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks \u2014 two points each, two ballots apiece
Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards \u2014 one point each, one ballot apiece<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s next?<\/p>\n

We asked execs to name which front office that was not\u00a0in their top five they deemed on the rise. Some splurged with two responses to the one question. Hence, this is why some teams have a .5 in their total.<\/p>\n

1. Atlanta Hawks<\/p>\n

Total votes: 12
Governor: Tony Ressler
General manager: Onsi Saleh
Head coach: Quin Snyder<\/p>\n

These are not your old-school Hawks \u2014 so says the rest of the NBA. Atlanta changed around its front office over the summer, elevating Saleh, who came up with the Warriors and Spurs, from its No. 2 exec to its lead one. The Hawks quickly made shrewd moves, including the acquisitions of Porzi\u0146\u0123is, Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard. They also pulled off one of the most praised moves of the offseason, flipping the 13th pick on draft night for No. 23 as well as the Pelicans\u2019 unprotected first in 2026, a selection that looks extra juicy with New Orleans at the bottom of the West.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe in Onsi,\u201d said one participant who deemed the Hawks on the rise. \u201cI think he\u2019s a really smart dude. He values process. I can\u2019t imagine him not succeeding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Trajan Langdon’s Pistons are among the biggest surprises in the NBA this season. (Chris Schwegler \/ NBAE via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2. Detroit Pistons<\/p>\n

Total votes: 8
Governor: Tom Gores
President of basketball operations: Trajan Langdon
Head coach: J.B. Bickerstaff<\/p>\n

The team with the East\u2019s best record is on the rise. Only two years ago, the Pistons won just 14 games. They made changes the following summer, hiring Langdon, formerly with the Pelicans, as president of basketball operations and experienced exec Dennis Lindsey, who ran the Jazz for years.<\/p>\n

The coaching hire, Bickerstaff, has been a home run. The Pistons have signed or traded for quality veterans. Their young players \u2014 such as Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson \u2014 are soaring.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fitting the front office would be on the rise.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrajan is really good. Dennis is really good,\u201d one voter said. \u201cThey\u2019ve hired some smart people in their strategy group. I think they have a direction. The contracts they did, it makes sense. I think they\u2019re really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. Charlotte Hornets<\/p>\n

Total votes: 3
Governors: Rick Schnall, Gabe Plotkin
Executive VP: Jeff Peterson
Head coach: Charles Lee<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible the basketball world looks back on the Hornets\u2019 2025 draft as a slam dunk. No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel is good today and has a chance to become a star. They nailed two second-round picks, finding rotation players in Ryan Kalkbrenner and Sion James.<\/p>\n

Charlotte has sneakily gathered a trove of future draft picks and could end up with eight first-rounders in the next four years and 15 second-rounders in the next seven. The Hornets are in the beginning stages of stability.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose jobs are so hard in those markets when you\u2019re starting from scratch,\u201d said one executive who voted for Charlotte. \u201cBut they\u2019ve done a really smart job.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Toronto Raptors<\/p>\n

Total votes: 2.5
Governor: Larry Tanenbaum
General manager: Bobby Webster
Head coach: Darko Rajakovi\u0107<\/p>\n

The Raptors have unexpectedly slid into the East playoff picture, bursting onto the scene with a fast-paced, two-way style that\u2019s exhausting opponents. In some ways, they\u2019re doing it with a familiar cast; and in other ways, Toronto feels like a new organization.<\/p>\n

Masai Ujiri, who took over the front office in 2013, departed just before this season. Webster, his longtime right hand, is now in charge. Webster already handled much of Toronto\u2019s day-to-day. But now, the young, well-respected exec is the leader.<\/p>\n

5. Utah Jazz<\/p>\n

Total votes: 2
Governor: Ryan Smith
CEO: Danny Ainge
General manager: Justin Zanik
Head coach: Will Hardy<\/p>\n

Much of the Jazz\u2019s leadership has been together for years. Ainge arrived in 2021, and Zanik was already there. But there has been one recent addition that could qualify them as on the rise: This past summer, they brought in Austin Ainge, Danny\u2019s son, a well-respected executive formerly with the Celtics, to take over as team president, which restructured the front office.<\/p>\n

6. Portland Trail Blazers<\/p>\n

Total votes: 1.5
Governor: Jody Allen
General manager: Joe Cronin
Interim head coach: Tiago Splitter<\/p>\n

The Trail Blazers are in a cycle of constant change. Earlier this year, Allen agreed to sell the team to an investment group headed by Tom Dundon, who owns the NHL\u2019s Carolina Hurricanes. In October, the FBI arrested their head coach<\/a>, Chauncey Billups, as part of its gambling investigation.<\/p>\n

Amid the noise, the Blazers have developed players. They insisted on a gem in the trade that sent Damian Lillard out of town a few years ago, when they got the Suns to include second-round pick Toumani Camara, who\u2019s now one of the league\u2019s best defenders. And the Deni Avdija trade could end up a franchise-changer with Avdija emerging as an All-Star candidate.<\/p>\n

7. Washington Wizards<\/p>\n

Total votes: 1.5
Governor: Ted Leonsis
President: Michael Winger
General manager: Will Dawkins
Head coach: Brian Keefe<\/p>\n

Two former Thunder front-office officials now run the Wizards. Dawkins handles much of the day-to-day and player evaluation. Winger has a background in law and strategy; he takes on the bigger picture.<\/p>\n

The Wizards \u2014 who employ some promising, young players, such as Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George \u2014 are losing often, but in the early stages of a rebuild, that\u2019s still part of the plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat place was a mess when Winger and Dawkins took over,\u201d said one executive who voted for the Wizards. \u201cThey had to first set up their infrastructure, which they did over the last two years. They have some young talent now that has taken some pretty big steps this season so far and have the right vets around them. They will keep drafting well and, if they are lucky in the lottery, can take a big step in the East pretty quickly. They had a plan in place and are executing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Others receiving votes: Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers<\/p>\n

Some of the teams that received votes were surprising. The Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers all have established, long-time front office leadership.<\/p>\n

Of course, just because, say, Lakers GM and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka has been in L.A. since 2019, that doesn\u2019t mean the team is completely the same, especially after a sale.<\/p>\n

“No disrespect to the current folks,\u201d the person who voted for the Lakers said, \u201cBut what (incoming governor) Mark Walter does with the Lakers front office and the folks with the Dodgers involved is really intriguing. … That’s a sleeping giant.” \u2014 Fred Katz<\/p>\n

The Rankings & Tiers series is sponsored by E*Trade from Morgan Stanley. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Sponsors have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This article is part of our\u00a0Rankings & Tiers\u00a0series, an evaluation across sport about the key players, front offices,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":340116,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[7218,64,63,1664,5997,5670,2066,17603,7235,1662,7214,5552,7220,7221,7236,7232,5851,7223,4620,5665,590,7210,1666,5548,12985,9688,7185,4621,5674,10549,85,3276,17602,11898,7211],"class_list":["post-340115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-atlanta-hawks","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-boston-celtics","tag-brooklyn-nets","tag-charlotte-hornets","tag-chicago-bulls","tag-cleveland-cavaliers","tag-dallas-mavericks","tag-denver-nuggets","tag-detroit-pistons","tag-golden-state-warriors","tag-houston-rockets","tag-indiana-pacers","tag-los-angeles-clippers","tag-los-angeles-lakers","tag-memphis-grizzlies","tag-miami-heat","tag-milwaukee-bucks","tag-minnesota-timberwolves","tag-nba","tag-new-orleans-pelicans","tag-new-york-knicks","tag-oklahoma-city-thunder","tag-orlando-magic","tag-philadelphia-76ers","tag-phoenix-suns","tag-portland-trail-blazers","tag-sacramento-kings","tag-san-antonio-spurs","tag-sports","tag-sports-business","tag-toronto-raptors","tag-utah-jazz","tag-washington-wizards"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=340115"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340115\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/340116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=340115"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=340115"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=340115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}