Oh how Brian Gregory is lucky to find himself on this list at all. A list that we kicked off with the pleasant surprise that was the Jamaree Bouyea experience.
His first season as General Manager of the Phoenix Suns more than deserving of the nine spot, but the Miles Bridges trade sure has left a sour taste in the wake of that surprise trade with the Charlotte Hornets.
Gregory proved he was not a “Michigan Guy” hire
To begin your first GM role coming off the back of trading Kevin Durant and buying out Bradley Beal is extremely difficult. To follow that up with a surprise postseason berth is an achievement everybody deserves credit for, and Gregory absolutely is a part of that group.
Consider that he was part of the group that asked for Khaman Maluach to be in that Durant deal. One year removed and the raw prospect of was literally shut down out in Las Vegas at Summer League in order to ensure he is ready to go for a sophomore breakout in The Valley next season.
Taking Rasheer Fleming in the second round also looks like a smart move at this point, while the midseason trade that saw the franchise ditch Nick Richards also worked out. He was an undersized center who was not helping the Suns win games, and his dismissal allowed Mark Williams to flourish and Maluach to know that his time was going to come.
Number 10 - Jamaree Bouyea took his NBA career off life support
Oso Ighodaro also benefitted from this decision, although how much credit Gregory gets for that is hard to gauge. Really though being hired by a friend in owner Mat Ishbia thanks to their Michigan connection was ridiculed by fans and those around the league when it was announced. Rather than bite back Gregory went about his business, and it quickly paid off.
About the only decision that has still raised some question marks was trading for Williams and subsequently extending him. Only he did just turn in the best year of his career (a low bar to clear but cleared nonetheless) and three-years, $38 million could end up being a steal if he can stay healthy.
It has been smart and sensible business all the way round since Gregory got in the room (the jury is still out on the Bridges trade although his first media availability went well), and if that continues he’s going to find himself even higher up this list 12 months from now.
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