BOSTON — When Brad Stevens first joined the Boston Celtics more than a decade ago, he signed on as a coach. He wasn't supposed to call the shots from the front office, yet since he became the Green Team's President of Basketball Operations in 2021, he's excelled at his job. He now has two NBA Executive of the Year awards as proof.
On Tuesday afternoon, the league announced that Stevens was voted the 2025-26 NBA Executive of the Year. The former Celtics skipper also earned the honor during the 2023-24 campaign, which culminated in Boston's first championship in over 15 years. Stevens is just the twelfth executive ever to win the award multiple times since it started during the 1972-73 NBA season.
Brad Stevens is the 2025-26 NBA Executive of the Year.He's won twice in the last three years and is one of just 12 executives to win the award at least two times. pic.twitter.com/fJTpWiumno
Given what the Celtics were able to accomplish without having star forward Jayson Tatum healthy for 66 games, its no surprise Stevens took home the honor once again. The Indiana native shed salary while keeping the C's in championship contention and nearly every one of his offseason signings — including center Luka Garza and former Celtics wing Josh Minott who turned into a solid player for the Brooklyn Nets — has paid off.
Furthermore, Stevens drafted a promising rookie in Hugo Gonzalez and placed his trust in the right guys, such as reserve center turned starter Neemias Queta, scrappy wing Baylor Scheierman, and many others.
His impressive decision-making helped the Celtics secure a 56-26 record in the regular season against all odds and it's clear that he's aligned with the players, ownership, and coaching staff.
"We also have a unique relationship because I worked for him and there's not many of those former coaches in a GM role that can see from a GM perspective and a coach perspective," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said in early April. "And I kind of know how he thinks and the language that he speaks and how he sees the game."
While Stevens will graciously accept the award, he is focused on the ultimate goal: another championship. The Celtics' journey for a second ring in three years continues on Tuesday night for a playoff showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Boston currently leads the first-round series 3-1 and can advance to the second round for the fifth straight year with a win.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Brad Stevens is once again an award-winning executive for the Celtics