Jazz GM Justin Zanik Places 3rd in Executive of the Year Voting
Across the past few weeks of the NBA postseason, we've seen a couple of members of the Utah Jazz gain considerations for some end-of-season awards. Walker Kessler was able to acquire a handful of first-place votes for Rookie of the Year, as well as first-year All-Star Lauri Markkanen being named the Most Improved Player.
This time, the Utah front office is the one receiving some recognition. Jazz GM Justin Zanik placed third for the NBA's Executive of the Year award voting, while Sacramento Kings' GM Monte McNair took home the award, announced this Wednesday.
Zanik managed to secure one first place vote, four second place votes, and three third place this votes. He did technically tie in total voting points with Denver Nuggets GM, Calvin Booth, but with Zanik's one first place vote opposed to Booth's zero, Zanik got the edge.
Despite not getting enough votes to actually win the award, it's still refreshing to see the hard work of the front office getting some love on a national stage. The decision to trade two star players like Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert for a small market franchise is a difficult one to make, but it's proven to be on a good track up to this point.
It seems as if the combination of the significant draft pick package the team acquired, exceeding league-wide expectations in the regular season, and the development of Lauri Marrkanen was enough to net Zanik a top-3 placement. Long story short, the Jazz had a successful season.
The Jazz now enter what should be an eventful, yet crucial offseason over the next few months. If Justin and the rest of the front office is able to capitalize on the opportunities presented to the franchise this offseason, we could see him getting another shot at the award next season. Whether it be in the draft, in a trade, or in free agency, Utah could forecast to have an unpredictable summer.
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