The Best Managerial Teams This Season

Since we have less than 10 games to go before the Playoffs, we'd like to take a trip down memory lane and recognize the very best organizations of this season. We'd like to dive into the intricate management of the very best teams in the league.

3. Cavs

The Cleveland Cavs are a top team this season after trading for their star player, Donovan Mitchell. It's not surprising to find the Cavs in such a high spot since the organization managed to turn things around in less than a year.

Mike Gansey was once a player overseas and in the G-league, but as he retired he decided to choose the business side of basketball, being recruited as an intern for the Cavs franchise. Years later, this internship turned into a GM position for the G-League affiliate team (Cleveland Charge) where he was awarded G-League executive of the year in 2017. Following that he became the assistant GM, and finally the General Manager in February 2022.

Mike Gansey was chosen for a reason, he works hard and plays hard, there's no denying his effect on the team over the years, especially when you see the jump the Cavs went form compared to last years' seeding where they missed the playoffs.

JB Bickerstaff has been head coach of the Cavs since 2020, and boy did he deserve that spot. Much of the Cavs Success can also be awarded to head coach JB. The Cavs were bottom of the league prior to Bickerstaff's arrival, a year later the team was still rebuilding and ended 13th in the east. A year after that the shift was noticeable, as the Cavs reached the 9th seed, where they unfortunately lost to a better Hawks squad in the play-ins.

Since then, the Cavs have been a top 5 team in the east, and top 10 in the league, all while having one of the youngest teams in the NBA.

2. Kings

Monte McNair is the current General Manager of the Sacramento Kings, a role he took on in September 2020. McNair brought with him a wealth of experience from his time with the Houston Rockets, where he served in various capacities over the course of 13 years. As the Kings' GM, McNair has wasted no time in making changes to the team's roster, including trading away star player Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton, while bringing in Kevin Huerter and a couple of draft picks that turned into elite rookie shooter Keegan Murray.

McNair is known for his analytical approach to decision-making and his commitment to building a winning culture in Sacramento. While it remains to be seen how successful the Kings will be by the end of the season, McNair turned the Kings into a playoff contender, he has certainly brought a fresh perspective and a clear vision to the team.

Mike Brown was named the head coach of the Sacramento Kings in 2022, bringing with him a wealth of coaching experience in the NBA. Brown previously served as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and most recently, as an associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors where he found three championships.

Known for his offensive-minded coaching style, Brown has already made an impact on the Kings, helping to improve their offensive efficiency throughout the 2022-23 season, becoming the leading scoring team in the league. Brown's leadership and experience have also been valuable in developing the team's young talent, including standout rookie Keegan Murray. While it's still early in his tenure with the Kings, Brown's reputation as a respected and experienced coach gives hope to Kings fans that he can help lead the team to success in the playoffs.

1. Nuggets

Calvin Booth was named the General Manager of the Denver Nuggets in October 2020, after serving as the team's Assistant General Manager since 2017. As the Nuggets' GM, Booth has quickly made his presence felt, helping to orchestrate a trade that brought in forward Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic in March 2021. Known for his sharp basketball mind and strong relationships within the league, Booth has been praised for his ability to identify and develop talent.

He played a key role in building the Nuggets' roster that made a run to the Western Conference Finals in the NBA Bubble in 2020. With Booth at the helm, the Nuggets seem poised for continued success, both in the short and long term.

Michael Malone is the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, a role he has held since 2015. Under his leadership, the Nuggets have become one of the most consistent and exciting teams in the NBA, making multiple playoff appearances and reaching the Western Conference Finals in the NBA Bubble in 2020.

Known for his tough, defensive-minded coaching style, Malone has been praised for his ability to get the best out of his players and for his willingness to adapt to different game situations. He has also been instrumental in developing the team's young talent, including Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, who have become two of the most dynamic players in the league. With Malone at the helm, the Nuggets seem poised for continued success in the future.