Why the Suns GM deserves Manager of the Year over Sam Presti

The NBA Executive of the Year is usually awarded to the league’s best team, as evidenced by Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti in the 2024-25 season. But don’t say that Phoenix Suns GM Brian Gregory.

The latter completely transformed Phoenix after the 2024-25 offseason, where there were plenty of questions. What will happen to Kevin Durant? What about Bradley Beal’s upcoming contract? Will Devin Booker commit to Phoenix?

He answered all those questions, but seemed to restore the culture through alignment in a few months. While reconciliation was a staple of every Gregory joke, he was aiming for a complete 180-degree turn.

Comparing the Thunder’s Sam Presti to the Suns’ Brian Gregory offseason

Presti made two of the most impressive moves of that season with Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. Those two alone showed how dominant and deep Oklahoma City is in 2024-25, thanks to Presti’s acumen for finding talent and conditioning. The 64-win season ended with a victory in the NBA Finals.

It was pointed out that building through the draft, finding and developing the right players and coaches, and establishing a culture, in addition to finding the fit, was the ultimate recipe for sustained success.

While they were in the Finals, Phoenix began preparing for the 2025 NBA Draft. They didn’t have the best draft capital after The Suns traded away their only guaranteed draft pick 2031 for three-first from the Utah Jazz.

However, these three picks were the least favorable of the three teams (basically, the highest-scoring team is the pick that would get Phoenix). Ahead of the draft, Gregory’s collegiate expertise came through.

They had a few draft picks, but secured a huge one when the Suns traded Kevin Durant for the 10th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Jaylen Green and Dillon Brooks, and a number of second-round picks.

That first-round pick was used to draft Duke center Khaman Maluah. That’s when the first-year general manager put on his scouting hat and found two future pieces in Rasheer Fleming and Kobe Brea.

Gregory called the latter “the best college shooter in the last three years.” And for Fleming, his defense, shooting and unreal athleticism matched his vision.

All along, they traded for former Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams on draft day. The 23-year-old big man was slated to be the team’s starting center, and it seemed like a low-risk, high-reward move.

But about two weeks before, The Suns signed Jordan Ottwhich has fueled much skepticism over a potential relationship between him, Gregory and owner Mata Ishbia.

Regardless, the GM mentioned that the organization conducted dozens and dozens of interviews to find the right guy. He even called in external sources to hear a different perspective.

Hiring the coach of the future, preparing key players of the future and establishing a long-standing culture prevailed within a month.

How was the regular season for the Suns against the Thunder?

For the Thunder, they did not surprise anyone with their dominance. At the start of the year, they looked to potentially break the Golden State Warriors record for most wins in a season (73).

They came back down to earth, but Oklahoma City’s dominance put everyone on notice. It looks like a dynasty is on the rise, but before we analyze that, let’s go back to January 4th.

Almost healthy The Suns beat the Thunder to the winner of the game. The previous two meetings didn’t go Phoenix’s way, but they were peppered with stars returning from injury (Devin Booker) or out due to injury.

One game is not equal why should Gregory beat Presti? If that were the case, it would be incoherent. That Sunday night was a microcosm of what the Suns GM has built: a tough, physical, defensive-minded and cohesive team.

Someone in particular changed the culture, and that was Brooks. He changed the culture everywhere he went, even from his time with the Memphis Grizzlies.

After nearly being traded to Phoenix in 2018, it was a full-circle moment when he was dealt. Playing alongside Booker elevated both of their games, but Brooks took his game to another level.

There is more of an offensive responsibility and obligation, which he carried that mantle to quite well. Averaging over 20 points per game and shooting nearly 70% at the rim is impressive.

His unorthodox offensive game threw defenders out of their rhythm. Even without Booker and Green, Brooks has embraced being an option, something he said began after the 2024-25 first-round series with the Golden State Warriors.

During the All-Star break, Oklahoma City had 42 wins compared to Phoenix’s 32 wins. The Thunder’s dominance was expected, but the surprise of the Suns was something that surprised many.

What did Brian Gregory do after the All-Star break for the Suns?

The moves have not stopped since the start of the season. The team brought Green back for the long haul, even being very diligent about rehabbing the hamstring.

At the same time, the The Suns have signed Highwood Highsmith to a two-year waiver wire deal and gave two-way player Jamaree Bouie a contract extension.

Bouiea in particular was a nice addition while Green was out. Another guard above the rim who can create his own shot. Meanwhile, Highsmith brings the defensive intensity and versatility that Gregory has preached since taking the job.

Injuries have made it difficult for the team to show what it can look like with the trio of Booker, Brooks and Green all healthy. However, Phoenix held on without all three on the field.

If the success continues, Gregory should pick up the Executive of the Year award based on turning the team around, navigating the free agent market and maximizing the bulk of Durant’s trade and getting a player that fits what the culture should be.