List of NBA team presidents explained

This is a list of National Basketball Association team presidents.

Key

style=width:3em"	^	Denotes leadership role for business operations
style=width:3em"		Denotes leadership role for basketball operations
style=width:3em"	~	Denotes part owner

Current List

Team	Key executives	Date hired*	Additional information
Atlanta Hawks	Travis Schlenk ^[1] Steve Koonin^^[2] ^[3] Thad Sheely^^[4] ^[5] ^[6]	^[7]	List of Atlanta Hawks executives
Boston Celtics	Brad Stevens Rich Gotham^^[8]	^[9]
Brooklyn Nets	Sean Marks ^[10] ^[11] John Abbamondi^^[12] Jeff Gewirtz^^[13]		List of Brooklyn Nets executives
Charlotte Hornets	Jeff Peterson* Fred Whitfield^^[14] ^[15]	^[16]	List of Charlotte Hornets executives
Chicago Bulls	Artūras Karnišovas ^[17] ^[18] Michael Reinsdorf^^[19]		List of Chicago Bulls executives
Cleveland Cavaliers	Nic Barlage^ Koby Altman*		List of Cleveland Cavaliers executives
Dallas Mavericks	Nico Harrison ^[20] Cynt Marshall^^[21] ^[22]	^[23] ^[24]	List of Dallas Mavericks executives
Denver Nuggets	Calvin Booth ^[25] Josh Kroenke^^[26]	^[27]	List of Denver Nuggets executives
Detroit Pistons	Trajan Langdon ^[28] ^[29] ^[30] Arn Tellem^^[31]	^[32]	List of Detroit Pistons executives
Golden State Warriors	Mike Dunleavy Jr. Brandon Schneider^^[33]		List of Golden State Warriors executives
Houston Rockets	Rafael Stone ^[34] ^[35]		List of Houston Rockets executives
Indiana Pacers	Kevin Pritchard ^[36] Rick Fuson^^[37] ^[38]	^[39]	List of Indiana Pacers executives
Los Angeles Clippers	Lawrence Frank ^[40] Gillian Zucker^	^[41]	List of LA Clippers executives
Los Angeles Lakers	Rob Pelinka Jeanie Buss^~ Tim Harris^^[42]	^[43] ^[44]	List of Los Angeles Lakers executives
Memphis Grizzlies	Zachary Kleiman ^[45] ^[46] ^[47] Jason Wexler^^[48] ^[49]	^[50]	List of Memphis Grizzlies executives
Miami Heat	Pat Riley ^[51] Nick Arison^~^[52]		List of Miami Heat executives
Milwaukee Bucks	Jon Horst ^[53] ^[54] Raven Jemison^^[55] Peter Feigin^^[56] ^[57]	^[58]	List of Milwaukee Bucks executives
Minnesota Timberwolves	Tim Connelly ^[59] Ethan Casson^^[60] Ryan Tanke^^[61]	^[62]	List of Minnesota Timberwolves executives
New Orleans Pelicans	David Griffin ^[63] Dennis Lauscha^^[64] ^[65] ^[66] ^[67]	^[68]	List of New Orleans Pelicans executives
New York Knicks	Leon Rose ^[69] David Hopkinson^^[70]	^[71]	List of New York Knicks executives
Oklahoma City Thunder	Sam Presti ^[72] ^[73] Danny Barth^^[74] ^[75]		List of Oklahoma City Thunder executives
Orlando Magic	Jeff Weltman ^[76] Alex Martins^ Charles Freeman^^[77]	^[78] ^[79]	List of Orlando Magic executives
Philadelphia 76ers	Daryl Morey ^[80] Josh Harris^~ Tad Brown^	^[81]	List of 76ers executives
Phoenix Suns	Jeff Bower ^[82] ^[83] ^[84] Jason Rowley^^[85] ^[86]	^[87] ^[88] ^[89]	List of Phoenix Suns executives
Portland Trail Blazers	Chris McGowan^^[90] ^[91]	^[92]	List of Portland Trail Blazers executives
Sacramento Kings	Monte McNair ^[93] Matina Kolokotronis^^[94] John Rinehart^^[95] ^[96]	^[97] ^[98]	List of Sacramento Kings executives
San Antonio Spurs	Gregg Popovich ^[99] R. C. Buford^^[100] ^[101]	^[102]	List of San Antonio Spurs executives
Toronto Raptors	Masai Ujiri ^[103] Michael Friisdahl^^[104] ^[105]	^[106]	List of Toronto Raptors executives
Utah Jazz	Danny Ainge^[107]	^[108]	List of Utah Jazz executives
Washington Wizards	Michael Winger^[109]		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

Team	Previous Key Executives
Atlanta Hawks	Mike Budenholzer (2015–19)
Boston Celtics	Danny Ainge (2003-2021) Rick Pitino (1997-2001) Red Auerbach (1970–97)
Brooklyn Nets	David Levy^ (2019)^[110]
Charlotte Hornets	Mitch Kupchak (2018–24) Carl Scheer (1988–90)^[111] ^[112]
Chicago Bulls	N/A
Cleveland Cavaliers	Len Komoroski^ (2003–22)^[113] ^[114] Kerry Bubolz^ (2013–17)^[115] ^[116]
Dallas Mavericks	Donnie Nelson ^[117] Terdema Ussery^ (1997-2017)^[118]
Denver Nuggets	Masai Ujiri (2010–17)
Detroit Pistons	Stan Van Gundy (2014–18)^[119] ^[120] Joe Dumars (2000–14)^[121]
Golden State Warriors	Bob Myers Rick Welts^ (2012–21)^[122] ^[123] ^[124] Robert Rowell^ (2003–11)^[125] ^[126]
Houston Rockets	Daryl Morey (2008–20) Ray Patterson (1972–90)^[127] Tad Brown^^[128] (2006–21)
Indiana Pacers	Larry Bird (2013–17)^[129] ^[130] Bob Salyers^ Donnie Walsh^ Jim Morris^
Los Angeles Clippers	Doc Rivers (2014–17)^[131]
Los Angeles Lakers	Magic Johnson (2017–19)^[132] ^[133]
Memphis Grizzlies	Chris Wallace (2007–19) Jerry West* (2002–07)^[134] Jason Levien^ (2012–14)
Miami Heat	N/A
Milwaukee Bucks	Mike McCarthy^ (2016–17)^[135] ^[136]
Minnesota Timberwolves	Gersson Rosas ^[137] (2019–21)^[138] Tom Thibodeau (2016–19)^[139] ^[140]
New Orleans Pelicans	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	Chris Granger^ (2013-2017)
San Antonio Spurs	Rick Pych^^[160]
Toronto Raptors	Bryan Colangelo (2006-2013)^[161]
Utah Jazz	Steve Starks^^[162]
Washington Wizards	Tommy Sheppard (2019-2023)^[163] ^[164] Jim Van Stone^^[165] ^[166] Ernie Grunfeld (2013-2019)^[167]

See also

• NBA Executive of the Year Award
• List of NBA team owners
• List of NBA general managers
• List of current NBA head coaches
• List of current NBA broadcasters

Notes and References

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