Fansided

NBA Award Watch: LeBron, Westbrook and Kuzma headline the honors

By Akash Anavarathan

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Brad Stevens, Coach of the Boston Celtics reacts during the NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 14, 2017 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Brad Stevens, Coach of the Boston Celtics reacts during the NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 14, 2017 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 1: Danny Ainge looks on as Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward get introduced as Boston Celtics on September 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 1: Danny Ainge looks on as Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward get introduced as Boston Celtics on September 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Executive of the Year

While Brad Stevens seems like the runaway choice for Coach of the Year, his boss upstairs, Danny Ainge, seems like the most obvious candidate for Executive of the Year.

In the biggest trade of the offseason, Ainge was able to add an All-Star and NBA Champion in Kyrie Irving by parting ways with Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas and one of his many Nets’ draft picks. Ainge also used his last two draft picks to select Cal’s Jaylen Brown and Duke’s Jayson Tatum. Both players are already performing at a high level in high-pressure situations.

Ainge has continued to re-shape the roster and make sure that the Celtics stay in contending status even though they went from an aging, veteran roster to a much younger core now. This doesn’t even take into account Gordon Hayward, who hasn’t played since opening night after his gruesome injury.

Boston’s President of Basketball Operations has been pushing all the right buttons this season and been a huge reason for why they’re currently 18-4 and atop the Eastern Conference. They’re owners to the NBA’s longest winning streak this season as well, at 16 games.

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