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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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Feb 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin talks with the media before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

5. David Griffin

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the reigning world champions, which automatically puts GM LeBron James David Griffin in the running for Executive of the Year. If his team once again puts itself in position to bring home an NBA title (which they will, because, duh, it’s LeBron James and the Eastern Conference), he has a chance here.

However, like a couple of names on this list, Griffin’s roster didn’t really change enough this summer to warrant serious consideration. Yes, he helped engineer the Cavs’ Big Three of LeBron, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, but that was two years ago now.

In fact, Griffin’s status as one of the league’s most effective executives might take a hit if he’s unable to work out a deal with the unsigned J.R. Smith, who is currently holding out for a better deal for the second year in a row and has yet to report to training camp.

After losing Matthew Dellavedova to restricted free agency as expected, the Cavs can’t afford another useful player — and starter, in Smith’s case — to leave. If Griffin gets the job done, he stands a chance. If not? Don’t count on it.