Context:

Sam Presti, executive vice president and general manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder, was named the NBA's executive of the year after leading the team to a league-best 68 wins. This accomplishment marks the first time since 1994 that the franchise's top executive has received this honor. Presti received 10 first-place votes from a panel of 30 basketball executives, appearing on 22 ballots in total. Other notable contenders included Cleveland’s Koby Altman and Detroit’s Trajan Langdon, who both received six first-place votes for their respective teams' significant improvements. The award differs from other NBA season honors, which are typically voted on by a global panel of writers and broadcasters, with other accolades already announced including Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year.

Dive Deeper:

• Sam Presti was awarded NBA's executive of the year for his role in leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to 68 wins, marking a significant achievement for the franchise since Bob Whitsitt's win in 1994 when the team was known as the Seattle SuperSonics.

• A panel of 30 basketball executives from each NBA team voted on the award, with Presti receiving 10 first-place votes and appearing on 22 of the ballots, highlighting his peers' recognition of his management skills.

• Cleveland's Koby Altman, who led the Cavaliers to 64 wins, and Detroit's Trajan Langdon, who transformed the Pistons into a 44-win playoff team, were also top contenders, each garnering six first-place votes.

• The executive of the year award is distinct from other NBA honors, which are decided by a global panel of 100 writers and broadcasters, emphasizing a different evaluation process based on peer recognition.

• In addition to the executive award, other NBA season honors have been announced, including Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson as Coach of the Year and San Antonio’s Stephon Castle as Rookie of the Year, showcasing a range of achievements across the league.