The Memphis Grizzlies are playing phenomenal basketball this season, currently on a franchise-best 10-game winning streak.
You can’t say enough good things about the players on this team and you have one man in particular to thank for that— Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman.
The chief architect of this team is worth consideration for putting together such an amazing group of players.
Memphis Grizzlies GM deserves to be leading candidate for Executive of the Year
Kleiman, memorably oversaw a bevy of offseason trades to help the Grizzlies be in position for the present and/or the future.
Trades with the Celtics, Clippers, Timberwolves, Pelicans and the contract extension of Jaren Jackson, Jr. were all completed over the course of the off-season in quick succession.
We’ve seen Kleiman make excellent draft pick after excellent draft pick: Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Xavier Tillman, Ziaire Williams and Santi Aldama.
All of the moves he’s made since taking over as the architect of this team during the 2018-19 season, have brought the Memphis Grizzlies to this moment.
Ja Morant is going to be participating in the first of many All-Star Games, he’s the favorite to be the league’s Most Improved Player and is getting nods in the MVP conversation.
There’s no doubt this team is over-achieving, but much of the credit should be given to Kleiman for hiring the staff, personnel and constructing this roster.
The Grizzlies have a shot to not just make the playoffs, but have home-court advantage in said playoffs and avoid the play-in.
Yes, we are only half-way through the season, but Kleiman should be the heavy favorite for winning the 2021-22 NBA Executive of the Year Award.
The Grizzlies have a chance to be in contention for a lot of awards once this season wraps, with Kleiman leading the way.