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NBA: Predicting the 2018-19 regular season award winners

By Colin Cann

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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WALTHAM, MA – SEPTEMBER 26: General manager Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics speaks with the media during Boston Celtics Media Day on September 26, 2016 in Waltham, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
WALTHAM, MA – SEPTEMBER 26: General manager Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics speaks with the media during Boston Celtics Media Day on September 26, 2016 in Waltham, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

Executive of the Year

Honorable Mentions:

Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics 

Nobody has made better moves over the last five seasons than Danny Ainge, he has been in the conversation several times in that span but hasn’t won the award since orchestrating the plan to bring in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to form the big 3 with Paul Peirce that won the championship in 2007-08.

This season is the culmination of all of his work since the big 3 era ended, but he may not have done enough this offseason to warrant the award. He should be recognized nonetheless, though, his heist of the Brooklyn Nets and years of savvy moves afterward have the Celtics primed to compete for years to come.

Ryan McDonough, Phoenix Suns 

It isn’t very often that the Executive of the Year award goes to a lottery team, but McDonough has done a terrific job acquiring talent this offseason. After selecting Deandre Ayton 1st overall, Mikal Bridges 10th and Elie Okobo 31st the Suns went out and got some veterans to mentor them.

Bringing in Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson, two starters from the first place Houston Rockets, not only provides valuable mentorship to a very young Phoenix core but also addresses one of the Suns major issues, three-point shooting, they finished dead last season in three-point percentage.

Chad Buchanan, Indiana Pacers 

Indiana was a major surprise last season, after being written off as a lottery team with the departure of Paul George, the Pacers wound up as a 5th seed led by a breakout season from Victor Oladipo. Teams won’t be surprised this season. Oladipo will look to build on his success from last season, as will Domantas Sabonis, who was overshadowed by his all-star teammate but had a breakout season in his own right.

Myles Turner will be looking to bounce back after a lackluster season. Aaron Holiday is looking like a steal at 23rd overall. Tyreke Evans is just the combo wing they need if he can maintain his efficiency from last season he would be a huge addition to the team. Doug McDermott is a knockdown three-point shooter who will not only help improve on their top-10 three-point efficiency but should also help raise their 24.5 attempts, which was a bottom five mark last season.

Adding a solid veteran back up center like Kyle O’Quinn for $4.5 million only helps distract us from the fact that they overpaid to get Dougie McBuckets. If it all comes together Buchanan should get a long look for the award.

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