Grizzlies’ Zach Kleiman named Executive of the Year

Memphis Grizzlies EVP of Basketball Operations and General Manager Zachary Z. Kleiman has been selected as the winner of the 2021-22 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year, the NBA announced today. “This is an organizational honor,” said Kleiman. “I wouldn’t be in this position without Robert (Pera)’s vision and support, and I’m grateful to be pursuing NBA championships in Memphis with such a driven and competitive group of players and staff. Thank you to my peers for this recognition.”

I’ve heard from people around the …

I’ve heard from people around the league that one of the concerns is that such a system could lead to an acrimonious relationship between players and teams over who picks who for a playoff series. But we’re all adults. Do you think Rob Pelinka is gonna toilet-paper Zach Kleiman’s home if the Grizz pick the Lakers? At every step of every season there is incentive for teams. Allowing the top teams to choose their first-round opponent would provide even more intrigue, while also laying a foundation for organic rivalries to form, something the NBA has desperately missed in recent years.

Dillon Brooks roughly a month from returning

Chris Herrington: Zach Kleiman says Dillon Brooks’ return will likely come in early March. Source: Twitter @ChrisHerrington What’s the buzz on Twitter? Joe Mullinax @ sbnGrizzlies Zach Kleiman called this team’s success “organic” and they’ve had …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Zach Kleiman called this team’s success “organic” and they’ve had guys like Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams to help mold the vibes. Regular season success is great, but it’s not where they want to get to – 4:12 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Zach Kleiman says the team has been successful with Dillon Brooks on the court, dating back to last season, and they’re ready to get him back – 4:05 PM
Eli Savoie @Eli560
Zach Kleiman says early March is new target date for Dillon Brooks return – 4:05 PM
Chris Herrington @ChrisHerrington
Zach Kleiman says Dillon Brooks’ return will likely come in early March. – 4:05 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Zach Kleiman said you can say Dillon Brooks can be considered their “mid-season acquisition.” Likely timeline is early March. He’s going to be a key part of their stretch run – 4:05 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
GBB Roundtable: 2022 Trade Deadline Edition – Part II – @JoeMullinax, @PAKA_FLOCKA, @J_Timberfake_, and @TevShakir talk the highs and lows of Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks, as well as what should be the priority entering Thursday’s deadline. https://t.co/iNV9fTdFVz pic.twitter.com/HrQOqal68N8:30 AM

Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Taylor Jenkins: “Dillon Brooks is doing well.”
No contact drills yet. It will likely be after the All-Star break. Week-to-week now. – 6:26 PM

More on this storyline

Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: After suffering a left ankle sprain, Memphis Grizzlies G/F Dillon Brooks is expected to minimally miss three-to-five weeks — and could stay sidelined through the mid-February All-Star break. Brooks was injured in Memphis’ victory over the Clippers on Saturday. -via Twitter @wojespn / January 9, 2022

Numerous key decision-makers from …

Numerous key decision-makers from around the league were spotted during the first two days, including Denver’s Tim Connelly, Dallas’ NIco Harrison, Memphis’ Zach Kleiman, Charlotte’s Mitch Kupchak, Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti and the San Antonio duo of R.C. Buford and Brian Wright. Toronto’s Masai Ujiri, fresh off his own recent stint in the league’s health and safety protocols, was also briefly in attendance.