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!

  

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

  (425127)

  $26.75 (as of November 21, 2025 12:33 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 Panini Mosaic Football Ornament Box

  (4253)

  $19.99 (as of November 21, 2025 12:30 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 Score Football Series Sealed Blaster Box with 24 Rookies Cards, 18 Insert Cards, a Blaster EXCLUSIVE Parallel and Chance For Rookie Signature Autographs Cam Ward Travis Hunter Jaxson Dart Plus

  (45518)

  $34.99 (as of November 21, 2025 12:33 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 Score Football Series HUGE Sealed Retail Box 24 Packs 12 Cards Per 288 Cards Total Including Rookies, Inserts and Chance For Rookie Signature Autographs Jaxson Dart Cam Ward Travis Hunter Plus

  $89.99 (as of November 21, 2025 12:33 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)

  (455159)

  $29.99 (as of November 21, 2025 12:33 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.)

  

  Jaxon Smith-Njigba #316 JSN Facsimile Signed Reprint Laser Autographed Funko POP! Seattle Seahawks Figurine with Protector Case

  $29.99 (as of November 21, 2025 12:30 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 Panini Hoops EXCLUSIVE Factory Sealed Blaster Pack with (15) Brand New Cards Including OPTI-CHROME PREMIUM Card! Look for New Rookies & Autos of Top 2024 Rookies & Exclusive Cards!

  (48512)

  $14.95 (as of November 21, 2025 12:33 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 2025-26 TOPPSBasketball Card BLASTER Box w/84 Cards, Bonus Custom Cooper Flagg Card Sized Print

  (2956)

  $79.95 (as of November 21, 2025 12:30 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.)

  

  High Cheese Baseball Walk Off Mystery Pack - 2 Cards, 1 PSA Graded & 1 Autograph/Relic Ungraded

  (285185)

  $39.99 (as of November 21, 2025 12:33 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.)

  

  Assorted Basketball Cards 100-Count (1980s to The Present) Plus 2 Memorabilia Cards - Verified Basketball Card Packs from Licensed Manufacturers and Brands – No Two Packs are The Same

  (44560)

  $16.49 (as of November 21, 2025 12:33 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.)