Why Brad Stevens’ Executive of the Year award has the Celtics eyeing another title run originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Celtics did surprise everyone with their ability to win this season, going 56-26 and getting the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Most of this is thanks to their former head coach and current GM, Brad Stevens.
Stevens was recognized for his efforts this season, as he was awarded Executive of the Year for the second time. His underrated moves this year made him a clear frontrunner, and it also makes the Celtics a little hopeful for an NBA championship.
This past season, the Celtics had to part with two of their starters, in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Boston was over the second apron of the luxury tax for multiple years, and if they kept going over, they would face harsh penalties.
Stevens then had to find a way to replace these players, and he made some underrated moves. He traded Holiday for Anfernee Simons, who he flipped at the deadline for Nikola Vucevic. He signed Luka Garza after the Minnesota Timberwolves declined their team option on him. Finally, the drafting of Hugo Gonzalez gave Boston another 3&D forward for depth.
A bunch of under-the-radar players Stevens acquired in the past have also really blossomed. A few of them include Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman and Neemias Queta, who have all become significant contributors this season.
Pritchard started his blossoming last season when he won Sixth Man of the Year, but this year, he stepped up in Jayson Tatum’s absence. And now, in the playoffs, he’s averaging 15 points and five assists off the bench, with a 32-point explosion in Game 4
Scheierman and Queta haven’t been as big of producers as Pritchard, but they definitely have improved. Scheierman put up a 30-point performance against a playoff team in the last game of the season, showing he could be a true star. Queta has become a true starting center as well, doubling his PPG, RPG, and BPG from last season.
Stevens last won the award in 2024, and that season, the Celtics went on to win the NBA Finals. So, Boston could believe in the fact that when Stevens wins the award, it means he’s assembled a championship team.
While they are coming off a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers to make the series 3-2, the Celtics can still win. And with the team Stevens has assembled, they should be confident in their abilities to do so.
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