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

TeamKey executives Date hired* Additional information
Atlanta HawksTravis Schlenk [7] List of Atlanta Hawks executives
Boston CelticsBrad Stevens [9]
Brooklyn NetsSean Marks List of Brooklyn Nets executives
Charlotte HornetsJeff Peterson*
Fred Whitfield^[14] [15]
[16] List of Charlotte Hornets executives
Chicago BullsArtūras Karnišovas List of Chicago Bulls executives
Cleveland CavaliersNic Barlage^
Koby Altman*
List of Cleveland Cavaliers executives
Dallas MavericksNico Harrison [23] [24] List of Dallas Mavericks executives
Denver NuggetsCalvin Booth [27] List of Denver Nuggets executives
Detroit PistonsTrajan Langdon [32] List of Detroit Pistons executives
Golden State WarriorsMike Dunleavy Jr. List of Golden State Warriors executives
Houston RocketsRafael Stone List of Houston Rockets executives
Indiana PacersKevin Pritchard [39] List of Indiana Pacers executives
Los Angeles ClippersLawrence Frank [41] List of LA Clippers executives
Los Angeles LakersRob Pelinka [43] [44] List of Los Angeles Lakers executives
Memphis GrizzliesZachary Kleiman [50] List of Memphis Grizzlies executives
Miami HeatPat Riley List of Miami Heat executives
Milwaukee BucksJon Horst [58] List of Milwaukee Bucks executives
Minnesota TimberwolvesTim Connelly [62] List of Minnesota Timberwolves executives
New Orleans PelicansDavid Griffin [68] List of New Orleans Pelicans executives
New York KnicksLeon Rose [71] List of New York Knicks executives
Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti List of Oklahoma City Thunder executives
Orlando MagicJeff Weltman [78] [79] List of Orlando Magic executives
Philadelphia 76ersDaryl Morey [81] List of 76ers executives
Phoenix SunsJeff Bower [87] [88] [89] List of Phoenix Suns executives
Portland Trail BlazersChris McGowan^[90] [91] [92] List of Portland Trail Blazers executives
Sacramento KingsMonte McNair [97] [98] List of Sacramento Kings executives
San Antonio SpursGregg Popovich [102] List of San Antonio Spurs executives
Toronto RaptorsMasai Ujiri [106] List of Toronto Raptors executives
Utah JazzDanny Ainge[107] [108] List of Utah Jazz executives
Washington WizardsMichael 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

TeamPrevious Key Executives
Atlanta HawksMike Budenholzer
  • (2015–19)
Boston CelticsDanny Ainge
  • (2003-2021)

Rick Pitino

  • (1997-2001)

Red Auerbach

  • (1970–97)
Brooklyn NetsDavid Levy^ (2019)[110]
Charlotte HornetsMitch Kupchak
  • (2018–24)

Carl Scheer

Chicago BullsN/A
Cleveland CavaliersLen Komoroski^ (2003–22)[113] [114]
Kerry Bubolz^ (2013–17)[115] [116]
Dallas MavericksDonnie Nelson

Terdema Ussery^ (1997-2017)[118]

Denver NuggetsMasai Ujiri
  • (2010–17)
Detroit PistonsStan Van Gundy

Joe Dumars

Golden State WarriorsBob Myers

Rick Welts^ (2012–21)[122] [123] [124]
Robert Rowell^ (2003–11)[125] [126]

Houston RocketsDaryl Morey
  • (2008–20)

Ray Patterson

Tad Brown^[128] (2006–21)

Indiana PacersLarry Bird

Bob Salyers^
Donnie Walsh^
Jim Morris^

Los Angeles ClippersDoc Rivers
Los Angeles LakersMagic Johnson
Memphis GrizzliesChris Wallace

Jason Levien^ (2012–14)

Miami HeatN/A
Milwaukee BucksMike McCarthy^ (2016–17)[135] [136]
Minnesota TimberwolvesGersson Rosas

Tom Thibodeau

New Orleans PelicansHugh Weber^ (2007–12)[141] [142] [143]
New York KnicksAndrew Lustgarten^(2014–2022)
Steve Mills

Phil Jackson

Donnie Walsh

Isiah Thomas

  • (2004–07)

Scott Layden

Ernie Grunfeld

  • (1996–99)

Dave Checketts^ (1991–94)[149]

Oklahoma City ThunderN/A
Orlando MagicRob Hennigan
Philadelphia 76ersBryan Colangelo
Phoenix SunsLon Babby

Brad Casper^ (2011–12)[154]

Portland Trail BlazersNeil Olshey

Larry Miller

Sarah Mensah^[159] (2009–12)

Sacramento KingsChris Granger^ (2013-2017)
San Antonio SpursRick Pych^[160]
Toronto RaptorsBryan Colangelo
Utah JazzSteve Starks^[162]
Washington WizardsTommy Sheppard

Ernie Grunfeld

See also

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.