With 16, Kleiman received the overwhelming majority of first-place votes. Kleiman, 33, has been named Executive of the Year for the first time since 1972-73. Kleiman has overseen a remarkable turnaround after taking over as the Grizzlies’ top decision-maker in April 2019.
Among other major moves, he hired head coach Taylor Jenkins, chose Ja Morant at No. 2 overall in 2019, traded for talented reserve player Brandon Clarke, and drafted wing Desmond Bane in 2020. Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. have also inked multi-year contract extensions with Kleiman.
This season, the Grizzlies tied their previous club record of 56 victories. Memphis is down 3-2 to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference playoffs.
