5. Michael Winger
One of two Oklahoma City Thunder executives on this list, Michael Winger is a name that sits well with NBA folk. He’s regarded as one of the best salary cap and contract guys in the Association, and that matters far more than it seems at face value.
Winger is all about organization and responsibility, which means he’ll utilize his vast array of connections to create the best possible staff for his front office.
Winger has been on the radar as a potential general manager for more than three years. It was believed that he would have taken over as general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers had David Griffin not been promoted from interim to full-time status in 2014.
Instead, Winger has spent the past seven years with the Thunder, helping to build one of the most respected front offices in all of professional sports.
If the New York Knicks were to hire Winger, what they could expect is a methodical approach to team-building. Winger won’t blindly throw contracts at players with talent, but instead create a vision that accounts for both the salary cap and the maintenance of working relationships.
Winger is the type to remain behind closed doors, but he’ll outwork and outthink even the best of executives around the NBA.