NBA team basketball executives named Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones as the 2020-21 NBA Executive of the Year.
This is the first time Jones has been given the honors, serving two years as the Suns’ general manager and four years total in the front office. James earned nine first-place votes and narrowly beat out Utah Jazz executive vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey 65-61.
Interestingly enough, Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka was completely left off the ballot. The Lakers finished seventh in the Western Conference and were eliminated in the first round by Jones’ Suns, but still put together a competitive roster that was overcome by injuries.