The 2023-24 NBA Season starts next week which makes it the perfect time to dive into our preseason NBA Award predictions. Last year, Sixers fans and Joel Embiid were elated when Embiid won his first NBA MVP Award over Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Can Embiid repeat? And will any other Sixers players compete for NBA awards? Let us start with Executive of the Year.
Executive of the Year 2023-24 – Jon Horst, Milwaukee Bucks
Jon Horst pulled off the biggest offseason trade by acquiring Damian Lillard from the Portland Trailblazers. This move was unexpected by most, maybe even Jon Horst, until Giannis Antetokounmpo seemingly forced his hand by publically questioning his long-term future with the Milwaukee Bucks franchise.
Well, Horst responded in the biggest way possible and now Giannis and Dame are arguably the best duo in the NBA this upcoming season. Giannis has yet to sign a contract extension, which seems to have been the hopeful goal of the Bucks’ front office following the Lillard deal, but this was undoubtedly a step in the right direction to getting him to sign.
The 1-seed Bucks lost to the 8-seed Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA playoffs last season and in general, their recent postseasons have been disappointing compared to the regular season success this team has achieved year after year. Notably, Giannis was hurt during the Heat series, but the point remains, this roster should have more than one Championship to show for it. The blockbuster move by Horst has the team primed to do so this year.