NBA Front Office Rankings (Part 1): Knicks Surpass Celtics After Championship Win

The NBA's front offices are evaluated twice a year, and this season's rankings have been split into two parts, beginning with the top 15 teams. The criteria for a great front office in 2026 include having a clear plan, being creative, adaptable, self-aware, and having a well-aligned organization with an owner willing to invest. While most NBA teams are well-run, the top 15 stand out for their exceptional execution of these traits.

## Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder remain at the top of the rankings, led by Hall of Fame executive Sam Presti. Presti's ability to draft and develop talent, make strategic trades, and sign team-friendly contracts has set the Thunder apart. Notable achievements include drafting three MVPs, trading for another, and signing high-impact free agents like Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder's contracts often include team options and non-guarantees, making them flexible and cost-effective. Even mistakes, such as drafting Josh Giddey over Franz Wagner, have turned into advantages, as Giddey helped secure Alex Caruso. Presti's strategic moves, such as trading players to improve the position of their rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, demonstrate his deep understanding of the game and the market.

## New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have climbed to second place after winning the 2026 NBA championship. Led by Leon Rose, the Knicks have built a championship team without drafting a single starter, a feat only previously achieved by the 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers. Key moves include signing Jalen Brunson, trading for Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, and acquiring Mikal Bridges. Despite initial skepticism about the Bridges trade, it proved to be a calculated risk that paid off. The Knicks' contracts are notably team-friendly, with many players making below market value and having meaningful non-guarantees. However, there are concerns about owner James Dolan's involvement in basketball decisions and the sustainability of building a team around relationships from Rose's past as an agent.

## Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have dropped to third place, partly due to the Jaylen Brown trade. The trade is seen as a miscalculation for several reasons: the Celtics didn't receive enough value in return, they rushed the deal instead of waiting for potentially better offers, and the trade disrupted a successful duo of Jayson Tatum and Brown. The Celtics' decision to trade Brown raises questions about their long-term strategy and whether they could have achieved more by keeping the core intact. Despite this, the Celtics remain a strong contender, having reached five conference finals in eight healthy years with Tatum and Brown.