Celtics’ Brad Stevens named NBA Executive of the Year

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was recognized Tuesday as the NBA’s Executive of the Year for the 2023-24 season.

Stevens, who oversaw a roster that won a league-best 64 games during the regular season, won the award in a landslide, garnering more than twice as many voting points (101) as runner-up Sam Presti of Oklahoma City (47). He also received 16 of the 29 first-place votes.

“I am so thankful to work for the Celtics,” Stevens said in a statement. “Our ownership group has given us the support and resources to build this team. The players, coaches, front office, and support staff are amazing — superstars in their jobs across the board.

“This recognition has everything to do with the team, and nothing to do with any one individual. Great teams require that everyone in the building is fully committed to each other and moving in one direction.”

Stevens is the third Celtics shot-caller to win Executive of the Year, joining Danny Ainge (2007-08) and Red Auerbach (1979-80).

In his third year as an executive, the former Celtics head coach helped transform Boston into championship favorites with a string of bold roster moves, most notably the offseason trades for impact starters Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.

Stevens also locked up Jaylen Brown to a supermax contract extension, extended key bench piece Payton Pritchard on a team-friendly deal, and reached a late-season agreement with Holiday, with the NBA champ accepting a pay cut to sign through 2027-28.

Boasting one of the NBA’s deepest rosters, the Celtics posted a 64-18 record — the best for the franchise since the 2007-08 Finals-winning squad — and clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs in early April. They lead the Miami Heat 3-1 and can close out their best-of-seven first-round series Wednesday night at TD Garden.

A key storyline for Game 5 and beyond will be the health of one of Stevens’ marquee additions. Porzingis, who averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game during the regular season, left Tuesday night’s 101-88 win in Miami with right calf tightness and did not return.

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