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NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Executive Of The Year Award In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

May 10, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers speaks during the 2015-2016 NBA Most Valuable Player trophy awarded to guard Stephen Curry (not pictured) at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers speaks during the 2015-2016 NBA Most Valuable Player trophy awarded to guard Stephen Curry (not pictured) at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2012; Tualatin, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts (left) speaks with Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey during the first day of practice at the Trail Blazers training facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2012; Tualatin, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts (left) speaks with Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey during the first day of practice at the Trail Blazers training facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Neil Olshey

After losing four of five starters the summer before, the Portland Trail Blazers shocked the world by winning 44 games and completely smashing everyone’s expectations. But that 44-38 record and second round playoff appearance weren’t that remarkable in a weakened and injured West, and 2016-17 will provide a truer test of what to expect from this young group.

For better or worse, GM Neil Olshey spent his summer splurging huge sums of money on the team’s good but not great youngsters. Keeping C.J. McCollum was necessary, but his $106 million extension is a huge amount to spend on his one-sided potential.

Olshey backed up the money truck for Meyers Leonard, Allen Crabbe and Mo Harkless too, and though Festus Ezeli was a potential steal for his $17.4 million price tag, all the cost-effectiveness was completely juxtaposed by Evan Turner‘s whopping four-year, $70 million contract.

If Terry Stotts and these youngsters can take yet another step forward in 2016-17, they’ll be shattering expectations once again. But if they’re unable to take the leap, Olshey may be left holding the bag — one filled with overpaid, young players with limited ceilings.