Unveiling the Ultimate NBA Shot-Caller Rankings: You Won’t Believe Who Tops the List!

AdvertisementAdvertisementUsing baseball’s Sabermetrics, we categorized every trade, every draft pick and every free-agency signing as a strikeout, walk, single, double, triple or home run, creating a rating (or OPS) of each executive. If you want to get a feel for exactly how this works, go back and read Parts 1, 2 and 3. It will all make sense then.Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

3. Sam Presti, Oklahoma City Thunder (2007-)

• Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

  Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

  Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

  Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

  Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

  Another great executive. This must be where your OPS settles when you’ve had a long and accomplished career, because who could ask for more from Riley? He drafted Dwyane Wade, traded for Shaquille O’Neal and signed LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler, delivering three titles and seven NBA Finals appearances. The System is the System, and his score is his score, but who could ask for more?

  TOTALS: .741 OBP • 1.056 SLG • 1.797 OPSAnd again: If you take issue with a particular executive’s ranking, go back through his history and tell me which decision was more of a walk than a strikeout or a triple instead of a double. If we agree, we’ll adjust the System. But you can’t just change the System because you didn’t like the way a ranking turned out.

  CHECK OUT THE HOTTEST DEALS ON AMAZON!

  

  PSA Football Graded Card Mystery Pack | PSA Graded Football Card + 1 Sealed Pack of Cards | Grade 8+ Guaranteed | Contains One Graded Vintage, Rookie, Legend or Current Star | by Zoo Packs

  (315225)

  $39.95 (as of October 6, 2025 23:23 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

  

  2025 Topps Chrome Baseball Hobby Box

  $279.99 (as of October 6, 2025 23:24 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

  

  2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball - Factory Sealed - Value Box

  (405101)

  $26.95 (as of October 6, 2025 23:23 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

  

  New York Yankees 2025 Topps Complete Mint 26 Card Team Set Featuring Aaron Judge on 3 Different Cards with Will Warren, Carlos Narvaez, Ben Rice and Duke Ellis Rookie Cards Plus

  (5051)

  $19.99 (as of October 6, 2025 23:24 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

  

  Topps 2025 Series 1 Baseball Trading Card Hanger Box (59 Cards)

  (455139)

  $28.50 (as of October 6, 2025 23:23 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

  

  NEW 2025 Baseball UPDATE SERIES Trading Card Blaster Box w/84 Cards, Bonus Custom Shohei Card Sized Print

  $59.95 (as of October 6, 2025 23:24 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

  

  2025 Wild Card Metallix Pro-Look Football Hobby Trading Card Box (6 Encased AUTOGRAPHED Cards Per Box)

  (3953)

  $199.99 (as of October 6, 2025 23:24 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

  

  MNTY Football Card Mystery Pack, 1 Graded Card, 1 Non-Graded Autograph Card, Look for Hall of Fame Players, Rookies, MVPs, and Stars.

  (34523)

  $29.99 (as of October 6, 2025 23:24 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

  

  TJ T.J. Watt #309 Facsimile Signed Reprint Laser Autographed Funko POP! Football NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers Figurine with Protector Case

  (5051)

  $29.99 (as of October 6, 2025 23:24 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

  

  Seattle Mariners 2025 Topps Complete Mint 19 Card Hand Collated Team Set Featuring Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez with Rookie Cards of Tyler Locklear, Ryan Bliss and Troy Taylor Plus

  $14.99 (as of October 6, 2025 23:24 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)