The Man Who Believed in Neemias Queta Named NBA Executive of the Year

Brad Stevens, the Boston Celtics' President of Basketball Operations, has been named the NBA's Executive of the Year for the 2025-26 season. This marks his second time receiving the award. The first came in 2023-24, the season when Portuguese center Neemias Queta joined the Boston squad, a team that dominated the regular season and ultimately ended a 15-year championship drought. Stevens was the man who, three years ago, saw potential in Queta when the Portuguese player was waived by the Kings at the start of the offseason.

The distinction, announced by the league on Tuesday, recognizes the remarkable work of the 49-year-old Stevens. He successfully constructed a roster that remained competitive despite the departure of four players (Luke Kornet), three of whom were regular starters (Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis). Furthermore, head coach Joe Mazzulla surprised many by guiding the Celtics to become a top title contender.

With this second award, Brad Stevens joins an exclusive group of just twelve executives who have won the distinction more than once since its inception in the 1972-73 season. This elite list includes Jerry Colangelo (4), Bob Bass (2), R.C. Buford (2), Bryan Colangelo (2), Wayne Embry (2), Bob Ferry (2), Stan Kasten (2), Jerry Krause (2), Bob Myers (2), Geoff Petrie (2), and Jerry West (2). To date, 28 executives/general managers have been honored.

In the 2025-26 season, the Celtics posted a 56-26 record in the regular season, despite the prolonged absence of star Jayson Tatum for 66 games due to Achilles surgery. Stevens' decisions were crucial, as he also managed to drastically reduce the team's payroll while keeping the team at the top of the NBA.

His offseason acquisitions proved successful, including center Luka Garza (formerly of the Wolves) and forward Josh Minott (also ex-Wolves, later traded to the Nets). Stevens also showed faith in promising Spanish rookie Hugo Gonzalez (formerly of Real Madrid) and entrusted players like Neemias Queta, who transitioned from a fourth-string center to a starter and finished fourth in voting for the Most Improved Player award. Additionally, tenacious forward Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh, both from the G League's Maine Celtics, followed a similar path to Queta.

Despite accepting the award, Brad Stevens' focus remains on the ultimate goal: securing another championship. The Celtics' quest for a second ring in three years continues this Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the 76ers. With the series returning to TD Garden and Boston leading 3-1, a victory would secure their passage to the conference semifinals for the fifth consecutive year.

While an annual NBA award, the Executive of the Year distinction is not among the 10 awards decided by a vote of 100 invited journalists and commentators, unlike the Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, or upcoming MVP and Coach of the Year awards. The decision is made by a vote among the executives of the 30 clubs, who are prohibited from voting for themselves. It aims to recognize the work of a president of basketball operations, general manager, director of basketball operations, or any other role that significantly influenced the team's success. The individual with the most votes wins.