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In the NBA, the title "general manager" is frequently used as a catch-all term for the person responsible for a team's personnel decisions. However, this can be misleading. The actual responsibilities and titles can vary significantly. For example, Daryl Morey, formerly the long-time GM of the Houston Rockets, now holds the title of President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, while Elton Brand is the official GM. Despite Brand's title, Morey is widely recognized as the key decision-maker in Philadelphia.
The role of a GM encompasses various tasks, from scouting and drafting players to negotiating trades and contracts. The GM must balance short-term success with long-term planning, often making difficult decisions that can make or break a team's future.
Brad Stevens, this year's NBA Executive of the Year, exemplifies the impact a strategic GM can have on a team. Stevens transitioned from head coach to President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics, a move that raised eyebrows initially but has since proven to be highly successful.
Before his front office role, Stevens served as the Celtics' head coach for eight years, during which he missed the playoffs only once and reached the conference finals twice. Despite his success, the Celtics decided to shake things up by moving Stevens to an executive role while Danny Ainge, the previous president, retired (only to take up a similar position with the Utah Jazz).
This transition is not uncommon in the NBA, where talented coaches are sometimes offered executive roles within the organization to maintain their expertise without the public scrutiny of coaching failures.
Stevens' tenure as GM has been marked by several strategic moves that have significantly improved the Celtics' roster. One of his first major decisions was trading for Derrick White from the San Antonio Spurs. At the time, the trade was met with skepticism, as Stevens gave up Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a first-round pick, and a pick swap. Critics argued that Richardson was a better shooter and defender, and the loss of draft capital was too high a price. However, White quickly proved his worth, becoming an All-Defensive player and contributing to the Celtics' success.
Another notable decision was suspending head coach Ime Udoka after an inappropriate relationship with a staff member came to light. Stevens took swift action, prioritizing organizational integrity and supporting the female staff involved, demonstrating strong leadership in a challenging situation.
Stevens also made bold moves in player acquisitions. Trading Marcus Smart, a fan favorite and former Defensive Player of the Year, for Kristaps Porzingis was a risky but calculated decision. Porzingis had been underperforming due to injuries, but Stevens recognized his potential, which paid off as Porzingis had a career-best season with the Wizards before joining the Celtics. Additionally, Stevens' trade for Jrue Holiday added a seasoned defender and playmaker to the roster, further strengthening the team's championship prospects.
The effectiveness of a GM often lies in their willingness to make tough, sometimes unpopular decisions. Stevens' decision to trade Smart and acquire Porzingis and Holiday illustrates a ruthless approach focused on team improvement over sentimentality. This contrasts sharply with the management style of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers prioritize maintaining relationships with their star players, often resulting in overpaying veterans and making moves that favor player satisfaction over competitive balance. For instance, Kobe Bryant's final contract was seen as a reward for his past contributions rather than his current performance. Similarly, the Lakers' strategy revolves around keeping LeBron James content, as evidenced by their numerous trades and coaching changes to align with his preferences.
While this approach strengthens the Lakers' brand and appeal to free agents, it sometimes comes at the cost of team performance and flexibility.
Desperate to turn the Pistons around, Weaver pursued Monty Williams, who had recently been fired by the Phoenix Suns despite leading them to the 2021 NBA Finals. However, Williams was initially reluctant to coach again, wanting to spend time with his family. Weaver's offer of a six-year, $78 million contract, the largest ever for an NBA coach, convinced Williams to take the job.
Unfortunately, Williams' lack of enthusiasm translated to poor performance. The Pistons endured a disastrous season, setting a franchise-low win record and tying the longest losing streak in NBA history. Williams' focus on veterans over developing young talent further hampered the team's progress. Ultimately, both Weaver and Williams were dismissed, highlighting the risks of overpaying for talent and failing to align organizational goals with coaching staff.