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List of NBA team presidents

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This is a list of National Basketball Association team presidents.

Key

[edit]
^ Denotes leadership role for business operations
* Denotes leadership role for basketball operations
~ Denotes part owner

Current list

[edit]
Team Key executives Date hired* Additional information
Atlanta Hawks Travis Schlenk*[1]
Steve Koonin^[2][3]
Thad Sheely^[4][5][6]		 2019[7] List of Atlanta Hawks executives
Boston Celtics Brad Stevens*
Rich Gotham^[8]		 2021[9]
Brooklyn Nets Sean Marks*[10][11]
John Abbamondi^[12]
Jeff Gewirtz^[13]		 2016 List of Brooklyn Nets executives
Charlotte Hornets Jeff Peterson*
Fred Whitfield^[14][15]		 2024[16] List of Charlotte Hornets executives
Chicago Bulls Michael Reinsdorf^[17]
Bryson Graham*[18]		 2020[19] List of Chicago Bulls executives
Cleveland Cavaliers Nic Barlage^
Koby Altman*		 2017 List of Cleveland Cavaliers executives
Dallas Mavericks Rick Welts^
Ethan Casson
Masai Ujiri*

[20]

 2026[21][22][23] List of Dallas Mavericks executives
Denver Nuggets Calvin Booth*[24]
Josh Kroenke^[25]		 2017[26] List of Denver Nuggets executives
Detroit Pistons Trajan Langdon*[27][28][29]
Melanie Harris^[30]
Arn Tellem^[31]		 2018[32] List of Detroit Pistons executives
Golden State Warriors Mike Dunleavy Jr.*
Brandon Schneider^[33]		 2023 List of Golden State Warriors executives
Houston Rockets Rafael Stone*[34][35] 2020 List of Houston Rockets executives
Indiana Pacers Kevin Pritchard*[36]
Rick Fuson^[37][38]		 2017[39] List of Indiana Pacers executives
Los Angeles Clippers Lawrence Frank*[40]
Gillian Zucker^		 2017[41] List of Los Angeles Clippers executives
Los Angeles Lakers Rob Pelinka*
Jeanie Buss^~
Tim Harris^[42]		 2020[43][44] List of Los Angeles Lakers executives
Memphis Grizzlies Zachary Kleiman*[45][46][47]
Jason Wexler^[48][49]		 2019[50] List of Memphis Grizzlies executives
Miami Heat Pat Riley*[51]
Nick Arison^~[52]		 1995 List of Miami Heat executives
Milwaukee Bucks Jon Horst*[53][54]
Raven Jemison^[55]
Peter Feigin^[56][57]		 2008[58] List of Milwaukee Bucks executives
Minnesota Timberwolves Tim Connelly*[59]
Matthew Caldwell^[60]
Matt Lloyd^[61]		 2021[62] List of Minnesota Timberwolves executives
New Orleans Pelicans Dennis Lauscha^[63][64][65][66] 2024 List of New Orleans Pelicans executives
New York Knicks Leon Rose*[67]
David Hopkinson^[68]		 2020[69] List of New York Knicks executives
Oklahoma City Thunder Sam Presti*[70][71]
Danny Barth^[72][73]		 2008 List of Oklahoma City Thunder executives
Orlando Magic Jeff Weltman*[74]
Alex Martins^
Charles Freeman^[75]		 2017[76][77] List of Orlando Magic executives
Philadelphia 76ers Mike Gansey*[78]
Josh Harris^~
Tad Brown^		 2020[79] List of 76ers executives
Phoenix Suns Jeff Bower*[80][81][82]
Jason Rowley^[83][84]		 2019[85][86][87] List of Phoenix Suns executives
Portland Trail Blazers Chris McGowan^[88][89] 2012[90] List of Portland Trail Blazers executives
Sacramento Kings Matina Kolokotronis^[91]
John Rinehart^[92][93]		 2017[94][95] List of Sacramento Kings executives
San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich*[96]
R. C. Buford^[97][98]		 1994[99] List of San Antonio Spurs executives
Toronto Raptors Bobby Webster*[100]
Michael Friisdahl^[101][102]		 2013[103] List of Toronto Raptors executives
Utah Jazz Danny Ainge[104] 2021[105] List of Utah Jazz executives
Washington Wizards Michael Winger[106] 2023 List of Washington Wizards executives
Notes
  1. An asterisk (*) following 'Date of Hire' denotes Head of Basketball Operations. See the respective team articles for more information.

Historical list

[edit]
Team Previous Key Executives
Atlanta Hawks Mike Budenholzer* (2015–19)
Boston Celtics Danny Ainge* (2003–2021)

Rick Pitino* (1997–2001)
Red Auerbach* (1970–1997 & 2001–2006)

Brooklyn Nets David Levy^ (2019)[107]
Charlotte Hornets

Mitch Kupchak*(2018–24)
Carl Scheer* (1988–90)[108][109]

Chicago Bulls Artūras Karnišovas* (2020–2026)[19][110]
Jerry Krause* (1985–2003)
Cleveland Cavaliers Len Komoroski^ (2003–22)[111][112]

Kerry Bubolz^ (2013–17)[113][114]

Dallas Mavericks Donnie Nelson*[115]

Terdema Ussery^ (1997–2017)[116]

Denver Nuggets Masai Ujiri* (2010–17)
Detroit Pistons Stan Van Gundy* (2014–18)[117][118]

Joe Dumars* (2000–14)[119]

Golden State Warriors Bob Myers*

Rick Welts^ (2012–21)[120][121][122]
Robert Rowell^ (2003–11)[123][124]

Houston Rockets Daryl Morey* (2008–20)

Ray Patterson* (1972–90)[125]
Tad Brown^[126] (2006–21)

Indiana Pacers Larry Bird* (2013–17)[127][39][128]

Bob Salyers^
Donnie Walsh^
Jim Morris^

Los Angeles Clippers Doc Rivers* (2014–17)[129]
Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson* (2017–19)[130][131]
Memphis Grizzlies Chris Wallace* (2007–19)
Jerry West* (2002–07)[132]

Jason Levien^ (2012–14)

Miami Heat N/A
Milwaukee Bucks Mike McCarthy^ (2016–17)[133][134]
Minnesota Timberwolves Gersson Rosas*[135] (2019–21)[136]

Tom Thibodeau* (2016–19)[137][138]

New Orleans Pelicans David Griffin*[139] (2019–2025)[140]
Hugh Weber^ (2007–12)[141][142][143]
New York Knicks Andrew Lustgarten^(2014–2022)

Steve Mills* (2017–20)[144]
Phil Jackson* (2014–17)[145][146]
Donnie Walsh* (2008–11)[147]
Isiah Thomas* (2004–07)
Scott Layden* (1999–2003)[148]
Ernie Grunfeld* (1996–99)
Dave Checketts^ (1991–94)[149]

Oklahoma City Thunder N/A
Orlando Magic Rob Hennigan* (2012–17)[150][151]
Philadelphia 76ers Bryan Colangelo* (2016–2018)[152]
Phoenix Suns Lon Babby* (2010–15)[153]

Brad Casper^ (2011–12)[154]

Portland Trail Blazers Neil Olshey*[155][156][157] (2015–21)

Larry Miller*[158] (2007–12)
Sarah Mensah^[159] (2009–12)

Sacramento Kings Monte McNair* (2020–2025)[160]

Chris Granger^ (2013–2017)

San Antonio Spurs Rick Pych^[161]
Toronto Raptors Bryan Colangelo* (2006–2013)[162]
Utah Jazz Steve Starks^[163]
Washington Wizards Tommy Sheppard* (2019–2023)[164][165]
Jim Van Stone^[166][167]

Ernie Grunfeld* (2003–2019)[168]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Atlanta Hawks Staff & Executives - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  2. ↑ "Hawks Staff Steve Koonin Bio". NBA.com.
  3. ↑ "Steve Koonin Named 2020 Most Admired CEO Honoree". NBA.com.
  4. ↑ "The Atlanta Hawks' Stadium Star". Columbia College Today. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  5. ↑ "Thad Sheely Bio". NBA.com.
  6. ↑ "Chief Operating Officer".
  7. ↑ "Hawks promote GM Schlenk to president of basketball ops". Associated Press. 19 August 2019.
  8. ↑ "Rich Gotham, Team President". Boston Celtics.
  9. ↑ "Danny Ainge Announces Retirement; Brad Stevens Promoted to President of Basketball Operations". NBA.com.
  10. ↑ "Sean Marks Bio". NBA.com.
  11. ↑ "How much autonomy will Brooklyn Nets give new GM Sean Marks?". USA Today.
  12. ↑ "BSE Global Hires Longtime Industry Veteran Michael Wandell as Chief Commercial Officer | Barclays Center".
  13. ↑ "Jeff Gewirtz". NBA.com.
  14. ↑ "Fred Whitfield: Mainstay of Michael Jordan's inner circle". 3 September 2010.
  15. ↑ "Fred Whitfield, the NBA's only black chief operating officer, has been on the money for Hornets and Charlotte". February 2018.
  16. ↑ "Charlotte Hornets Name Mitch Kupchak President of Basketball Operations & General Manager". NBA.com.
  17. ↑ "Statement on Today's NBA Announcement". Chicago Bulls.
  18. ↑ "Chicago Bulls Name Bryson Graham Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations". NBA.com. May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  19. 1 2 "Bulls name Arturas Karnisovas Executive VP - Basketball Operations". NBA.com.
  20. ↑ "Mavericks hiring Rick Welts to replace Cynt Marshall as CEO". Sports Business Journal.
  21. ↑ "NICO HARRISON INTRODUCED AS DALLAS MAVERICKS GENERAL MANAGER". espn.com. 25 June 2021.
  22. ↑ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Donnie Nelson Gets Bigger Role in Dallas". The New York Times. 2 July 2002.
  23. ↑ "Dallas Mavericks Name Masai Ujiri President and Alternate Governor". NBA.com. May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Nuggets Staff Directory". Denver Nuggets.
  25. ↑ "Staff Directory". NBA.com.
  26. ↑ "How Tim Connelly Delivered the Denver Nuggets to the Playoffs". 11 November 2019.
  27. ↑ Ellis, Vince. "Who's leading Detroit Pistons front office? Ed Stefanski - for now". Detroit Free Press.
  28. ↑ "The Stefanski Effect: Why Detroit Pistons fans should have hope". 17 January 2020.
  29. ↑ "In praise of the patience of ed Stefanski". 29 June 2020.
  30. ↑ "Melanie Harris joins Detroit Pistons as President of Business Operations". 24 September 2024.
  31. ↑ "Leadership". NBA.com.
  32. ↑ "Pistons hire Stefanski, eye Casey as coach". 24 May 2018.
  33. ↑ "Schneider will be Warriors' next president, COO". 13 April 2021.
  34. ↑ "Rafael Stone - General Manager, Basketball Operations at Houston Rockets".
  35. ↑ "Business as usual for Rockets under new GM Stone". 6 November 2020.
  36. ↑ Afseth, Grant. "Pacers President Kevin Pritchard Provides Update On Caris LeVert". Sports Illustrated.
  37. ↑ "Rick Fuson Elected Indiana Sports Corp Chairman of the Board". NBA.com.
  38. ↑ "Rick Fuson Reflects on His Thirty Years as a Pacer". 2 April 2017.
  39. 1 2 "Bird Steps Down; Pritchard Named President of Basketball Operations". NBA.com.
  40. ↑ "Clippers' Frank wins award for top NBA executive". ESPN.com. October 8, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Lawrence Frank to Assume Primary Front Office Duties, Doc Rivers Steps Down". 4 August 2017.
  42. ↑ "Magic says Tim Harris prevented him from firing Walton". 20 May 2019.
  43. ↑ "Lakers Name Rob Pelinka Vice President, Basketball Operations and General Manager". NBA.com.
  44. ↑ "Women's Sport: Who is president of Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss?". 16 April 2020.
  45. ↑ "Zach Kleiman is the 30-year-old prodigy who will determine the Memphis Grizzlies future".
  46. ↑ "Empowered Memphis Grizzlies executives Jason Wexler, Zach Kleiman look to future".
  47. ↑ "One Year Later, Zach Kleiman Has the Memphis Grizzlies Exceeding All Expectations".
  48. ↑ "Memphis Grizzlies Staff & Executives - RealGM".
  49. ↑ Sain, Anthony. "Interview With Memphis Grizzlies President Jason Wexler". Sports Illustrated.
  50. ↑ "One Year Later, Zach Kleiman Has the Memphis Grizzlies Exceeding All Expectations".
  51. ↑ "Heat name Pat Riley president and head coach".
  52. ↑ "Nick Arison climbs ladder, named Heat CEO". 22 July 2011.
  53. ↑ "Jon Horst Introductory Press Conference". NBA.com.
  54. ↑ "Jon Horst".
  55. ↑ "Meet Raven Jemison, the Milwaukee Bucks new EVP of business operations".
  56. ↑ "Peter Feigin Named Bucks Team President". NBA.com.
  57. ↑ "MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference Speaker | Peter Feigin".
  58. ↑ "Milwaukee Bucks Sign General Manager Jon Horst to a Contract Extension". NBA.com.
  59. ↑ "Minnesota Timberwolves Name Indian American Sachin Gupta as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations". Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  60. ↑ "Ethan Casson Named Chief Executive Officer of Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx". NBA.com.
  61. ↑ "Timberwolves and Lynx Promote Ryan Tanke to Chief Operating Officer". NBA.com.
  62. ↑ "Report: Timberwolves name Gersson Rosas president of basketball operations". NBA.com.
  63. ↑ "Pelicans News Around the Web (3-31-2020)". New Orleans Pelicans.
  64. ↑ "Saints, Pelicans president leads New Orleans as a Loyola alumnus". 19 February 2020.
  65. ↑ "Dennis Lauscha - President at New Orleans Pelicans".
  66. ↑ "Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha on the New Orleans podcast presented by SeatGeek - March 30, 2020". NBA.com.
  67. ↑ "Front Office". NBA.com.
  68. ↑ "MSG SPORTS CEO ANDREW LUSTGARTEN OUT AT RANGERS, KNICKS PARENT". September 9, 2022.
  69. ↑ "Leon Rose Named President of New York Knicks". NBA.com.
  70. ↑ "Basketball Operations". NBA.com.
  71. ↑ "Sam Presti & the Oklahoma City Thunder: From NBA Novelty to Small Market Dynasty". Bleacher Report.
  72. ↑ "Danny Barth - Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Oklahoma City Thunder".
  73. ↑ "Thunder Executive Staff". NBA.com.
  74. ↑ Polacek, Scott. "Jeff Weltman Reportedly Hired by Magic as President of Basketball Operations". Bleacher Report.
  75. ↑ "Magic Promote Charles Freeman to President of Business Operations". NBA.com.
  76. ↑ "Orlando Magic complete deal to hire Jeff Weltman". 25 May 2017.
  77. ↑ "Magic Name Jeff Weltman President of Basketball Operations". NBA.com.
  78. ↑ "76ers name Mike Gansey new President of Basketball Operations | espn.com". www.espn.com.
  79. ↑ "Team Names Morey President of Basketball Operations". NBA.com.
  80. ↑ "Phoenix Suns hire Jeff Bower as Senior VP of Basketball Operations, report says".
  81. ↑ "Early indications of the role SVP Jeff Bower will play in the Phoenix Suns' front office". 21 July 2019.
  82. ↑ "Reports: Suns reach deal with Bower to become Senior VP of Basketball Operations". NBA.com.
  83. ↑ "Jason Rowley, Phoenix Suns, President & Chief Executive Officer - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  84. ↑ "Jason Rowley Bio". NBA.com.
  85. ↑ "Report: Jeff Bower to become Suns' senior vice president of basketball operations". 10 April 2019.
  86. ↑ "Report: Jeff Bower Expected to be Hired as Suns VP of Basketball Operations". Bleacher Report.
  87. ↑ "Phoenix Suns to hire Jeff Bower as senior VP of basketball operations". Arizona Sports. 10 April 2019.
  88. ↑ "Chris McGowan | President/Chief Executive Officer". Portland Trail Blazers.
  89. ↑ "Chris McGowan | President/Chief Executive Officer". NBA.com.
  90. ↑ "Trail Blazers name Chris McGowan team president". 30 October 2012.
  91. ↑ "Contact Us". NBA.com.
  92. ↑ "John Rinehart Profile". Sacramento Kings.
  93. ↑ "John Rinehart - President, Business Operations at Sacramento Kings".
  94. ↑ "John Rinehart Profile". NBA.com.
  95. ↑ "Kings president Chris Granger leaves team". USA Today.
  96. ↑ "About". NBA.com.
  97. ↑ "San Antonio Spurs: What will R.C. Buford do in new role?". 26 July 2019.
  98. ↑ "R.c. Buford". NBA.com.
  99. ↑ "Pop's one-of-a-kind path". 30 May 2014.
  100. ↑ "Raptors hire Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri to run basketball operations".
  101. ↑ "Leaders at MLSE".
  102. ↑ "MLSE Names Michael Friisdahl President & CEO". NBA.com.
  103. ↑ "GM Ujiri leaves Nuggets to join Raptors". 31 May 2013.
  104. ↑ Kostecka, Ryan. "Danny Ainge Returns Home To Elevate Utah Basketball". Utah Jazz. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  105. ↑ "Utah Jazz promote Dennis Lindsey to executive VP of basketball operations; Justin Zanik named general manager".
  106. ↑ Wallace, Ava. "Wizards hire Michael Winger, former Clippers GM, as new president". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  107. ↑ "Brooklyn Nets CEO David Levy is stepping down after less than two months on the job". CNBC. 12 November 2019.
  108. ↑ "Tribute: Carl Scheer, former Hornets executive, dead at age 82".
  109. ↑ "Carl Scheer".
  110. ↑ "Michael Reinsdorf finds the right leader in Karnisovas". NBA.com.
  111. ↑ "Len Komoroski".
  112. ↑ "Len Komoroski". 7 April 2022.
  113. ↑ "Former Cavs exec Kerry Bubolz takes great pride in success of Las Vegas Golden Knights". 20 August 2019.
  114. ↑ "Kerry Bubolz hired as Las Vegas president".
  115. ↑ "Dallas Mavericks Staff & Executives - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  116. ↑ "Terdema Ussery, Dallas Mavericks President, Resigns to Join Under Armour". Bleacher Report.
  117. ↑ "Troy Weaver hired as general manager to help Pistons reach 'next level'".
  118. ↑ "Stan van Gundy won't return to Pistons as coach or team president | the Spokesman-Review".
  119. ↑ "Report: Dumars out as Detroit's team president". 13 April 2014.
  120. ↑ "Rick Welts". Golden State Warriors.
  121. ↑ "Warriors president Welts to retire after season". 8 April 2021.
  122. ↑ "Golden State Warriors Hiring of Rick Welts is No Big Deal". Bleacher Report.
  123. ↑ "Warriors hire former Suns executive Rick Welts". 27 September 2011.
  124. ↑ "Robert Rowell out as Warriors' president". 22 June 2011.
  125. ↑ "Ray Patterson, Former Milwaukee Bucks President, Passes Away". 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  126. ↑ "Tad Brown". Houston Rockets.
  127. ↑ "Larry Bird steps down as president of Indiana Pacers". NBA.com.
  128. ↑ "Larry Bird Steps Down as Pacers President, Will Remain as Consultant". Bleacher Report.
  129. ↑ "Doc Rivers Named Clippers' President of Basketball Operations". Bleacher Report.
  130. ↑ "Magic Johnson explains his abrupt resignation from Lakers". NBA.com.
  131. ↑ "Magic Johnson named Lakers president of basketball ops, Kupchak fired".
  132. ↑ "Jerry West". NBA.com.
  133. ↑ "Bucks Name Mike Mccarthy Chief Operating Officer". NBA.com.
  134. ↑ "Cubs hire former Bucks executive Mike McCarthy: Report".
  135. ↑ "Minnesota Timberwolves Name Gersson Rosas as President of Basketball Operations". Minnesota Timberwolves.
  136. ↑ "Sources: Discord, relationship fueled Rosas' firing". 22 September 2021.
  137. ↑ "Minnesota Timberwolves: Grading Gersson Rosas' first season as POBO". 17 May 2020.
  138. ↑ "Timberwolves fire Thibodeau after 22-point win". 7 January 2019.
  139. ↑ "Executives". NBA.com.
  140. ↑ "Pelicans name David Griffin Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations". NBA.com.
  141. ↑ "Stern: NBA will take over ownership of Hornets". 6 December 2010.
  142. ↑ "Hornets Hugh Weber 'not retained' as team president".
  143. ↑ "Checking in with the President". NBA.com.
  144. ↑ "The Knicks' eternal search for a savior has led them to Leon Rose". 6 February 2020.
  145. ↑ "Phil Jackson named president of the New York Knicks". USA Today.
  146. ↑ Cacciola, Scott (28 June 2017). "Phil Jackson is Out as Knicks President". The New York Times.
  147. ↑ "Walsh leaving position as Knicks president, GM". 3 June 2011.
  148. ↑ "Knicks fire Layden, hire Isiah Thomas as prez". 22 December 2003.
  149. ↑ "Checketts resigns as Garden president, CEO".
  150. ↑ "Raptors GM named Magic President of Basketball Ops". Sports Illustrated.
  151. ↑ "Orlando Magic dismiss GM Rob Hennigan". NBA.com.
  152. ↑ "Philadelphia 76ers team president Bryan Colangelo resigns from post". NBA.com.
  153. ↑ "Why Lon Babby is Joining the Phoenix Suns". Bleacher Report.
  154. ↑ "Suns prez Casper resigns, Rowley takes over". 27 July 2012.
  155. ↑ "Neil Olshey | President of Basketball Operations". NBA.com.
  156. ↑ "Blazers give president of basketball operations Neil Olshey contract extension". 24 May 2019.
  157. ↑ "NBA executive fired following review of workplace environment complaints". CNN. 3 December 2021.
  158. ↑ "Blazers President Larry Miller Resigns". Blazer's Edge. 7 July 2012.
  159. ↑ "Sarah Mensah, Trail Blazers chief operating officer, resigns". 29 November 2012.
  160. ↑ "Rockets' Monte McNair Hired as Kings' Head of Basketball Operations". Bleacher Report.
  161. ↑ "Rick Pych". NBA.com.
  162. ↑ "CityNews".
  163. ↑ "Jazz name Jim Olson new team president, who says he'll prioritize fan experience".
  164. ↑ Buckner, Candace. "Wizards remove interim tag from Tommy Sheppard, name him GM" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  165. ↑ "An inside look at the Wizards' new and unusual front-office structure". USA Today.
  166. ↑ "Jim van Stone". Monumental Sports.
  167. ↑ "Q&A: MSE's Jim van Stone on building the Wizards' global fanbase". NBA.com.
  168. ↑ "Wizards fire president Ernie Grunfeld after 16 seasons". USA Today.
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