Grizzlies GM Zach Kleinman Named NBA Executive of Year

Grizzlies vice president of basketball operations and general manager Zach Kleinman has been named NBA Executive of the Year for the 2021-22 season, the league announced in a press release.

The Grizzlies were one of this season’s true success stories, finishing second in the Western Conference and proving to have a balanced roster even when star guard Ja Morant went down with an injury. They currently trail their second-round series vs. the Warriors by a 3-2 count, winning Game 5 without Morant, as written by our Alejandro Avila.

Per the NBA: “As Memphis’ lead personnel decision maker, Kleiman assembled a roster that finished with the second-best record in the NBA this season (56-26) and matched the franchise single-season record for victories. The Grizzlies secured the No. 2 playoff seed in the Western Conference, their highest seed ever.”

Kleiman received 16 of 29 first-place votes and earned 85 total points from a panel of team basketball executives across the NBA. 

Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman and Bulls executive VP of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas tied for second place with 27 points each.  And Suns GM James Jones and Heat president Pat Riley tied for fourth place with 26 points each. 

“Executives were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote,” the NBA explained.