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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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Apr 12, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general shot of a basketball with a Detroit Pistons logo on it during the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Hornets 116-77. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Jeff Bower

Not many people outside of the Motor City even know the name Jeff Bower, but this GM is the co-architect of the reconstructed Detroit Pistons roster. It may have been molded in Stan Van Gundy’s image, but Bower did the grunt work.

Not only do the Pistons have a tantalizing core that includes Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris and Stanley Johnson, but they also managed to address their league-worst bench from last season.

With underrated but useful additions like Ish Smith, Jon Leuer, Boban Marjanovic and rookie Henry Ellenson, Detroit’s bench should improve significantly from last year, which is great news considering the Pistons already had one of the best starting fives in the NBA.

Coming off a 44-win season and their first playoff appearance since 2009, the Pistons are poised to make the leap in 2016-17. If they do, Bower (and SVG, who is still the face of the front office) will earn the credit they deserve for turning an aimless franchise back into a future contender.