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Explaining why Knicks’ Leon Rose was overlooked for NBA Executive of Year

By Jordanna Clark

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: Executive Vice President and Senior Basketball Advisor William Wesley and President Leon Rose of the New York Knicks look on during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on December 14, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: Executive Vice President and Senior Basketball Advisor William Wesley and President Leon Rose of the New York Knicks look on during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on December 14, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The NBA announced the winner of the NBA Executive of the Year on Wednesday, and to the surprise of New York Knicks fans, Leon Rose received zero first-place votes. Sacramento’s Monte McNair won the award, finishing with 16 first-place votes, five second-place votes, and three third-place votes for a total of 98 votes.

Rose finished with only seven votes, which was lower than McNair, Cleveland’s Koby Altman (63), Utah’s Justin Zanik (20), Denver’s Calvin Booth (20), Boston’s Brad Stevens (13), Milwaukee’s Jon Horst (12), and Phoenix’s James Jones (12).

As noted, the award is voted on by other NBA executives, which should help Knicks fans understand why Rose didn’t finish with a higher number of total points.

He signed Jalen Brunson in free agency, didn’t trade Julius Randle, and sent Cam Reddish and a protected first-round pick to Portland for Josh Hart. However, when it comes to the Brunson signing, New York was docked a second-round pick for tampering. Clearly, that was at the forefront of the minds of other executives when they were casting their votes.

Knicks’ Leon Rose receives zero first-place votes for NBA Executive of the Year

Leon Rose should be happier with the fact that he and the Knicks were able to sway Jalen Brunson to sign a four-year, $104 million contract with the team. That in itself is worth more than getting any first-place votes for NBA Executive of the Year, much less winning it.

It is absurd that the lesser NBA Executive in New York was able to get a first-place vote, though. Perhaps it was a sympathy vote after Sean Marks lost James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant all within a year. However, that should’ve been enough to disqualify Marks entirely.

Rose doesn’t need an award to remind him that he’s been the leading force in helping to turn the Knicks around. He’s getting to enjoy watching his work in the playoffs while only three other executives that received more votes than him (Booth, Stevens, and Jones) still have teams that are competing in the playoffs.

In this case, Knicks fans shouldn’t be upset. The second-round pick that New York lost for tampering means nothing in comparison to the impact that Brunson has had on the team. What matters is that the Knicks are playing meaningful basketball thanks to Leon Rose (and the players that he didn’t send to Utah for Donovan Mitchell).

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