Dan Padover Makes WNBA History with Third Executive of the Year Award
Dan Padover, general manager of the Atlanta Dream, has shattered league precedent by earning the 2025 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year honor — his third time winning the award, and the first executive in WNBA history to be so decorated. His leadership, roster moves, and vision played a central role in Atlanta’s resurgence to a franchise-best season, earning him widespread respect among his peers.
A Record-Setting Election in a Season of Rebirth
Padover first claimed the Executive of the Year title back in 2020 and again in 2021 while with the Las Vegas Aces. This 2025 win marks the first time any front office boss in the WNBA has captured the accolade three times. In 2025, he took Atlanta from rebuilding team to legitimate contender, spearheading offseason maneuvers and constructing a roster that tied for the second-best record in the league.
Voting was conducted among the general managers of the WNBA’s 13 current teams plus that of the Toronto Tempo, each submitting first-, second-, and third-place ballots (with GMs barred from voting for themselves). Padover appeared on all 12 ballots and secured eight first-place votes — a dominant showing.
By earning this award in Atlanta, Padover becomes the first executive to receive this honor with multiple franchises (Las Vegas and Atlanta), proving that his building model translates beyond a single environment.
Building a Turnaround: Moves That Mattered
Bold Free Agency & Trusted Acquisitions
Padover’s offseason strategy was aggressive. He orchestrated the addition of star talent — including Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones — to shore up interior presence and leadership. Meanwhile, he leaned into roster continuity by retaining core pieces like Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Jordin Canada.
He also backed in-house talent: Naz Hillmon, originally a Padover draft pick, earned the 2025 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year after delivering career-high performances off the bench. And rookie guard Te-Hina Paopao joined the rotation, giving the roster youthful depth and upside.
Coaching Gamble Pays Off
One of his riskier but ultimately defining moves was hiring Karl Smesko as head coach. Smesko had limited professional experience, yet under his guidance, the Dream soared. The alignment between Padover’s roster vision and Smesko’s system created cohesion and maximized growth.
Culture, Continuity, and Clarity
Perhaps just as important as signings and lines of play was how Padover built culture. He credited owners, staff, and players for sharing a unified vision and trusted process. His approach emphasized accountability, development, and balance between veterans and rising stars.
The result: a leap from the previous season’s performance to 30 wins — doubling their win total and setting a franchise high.
Why This Matters Beyond Awards
Era of Multi-Franchise Excellence
Winning Executive of the Year in two distinct markets validates Padover’s methods. It’s not just about loaded rosters — it’s about building systems, culture, and sustainable models. He’s no longer a flash-in-the-pan but a standard-bearer.
Franchise Identity Reset
The Dream hadn’t consistently been a contender in recent years, but under Padover’s direction, the narrative shifted. The team’s success in 2025 earned respect, relevance, and a proof point: Atlanta is no longer rebuilding; it’s competing.
Recognition of Internal Development
With Hillmon’s award, Paopao’s contributions, and the thriving core of Gray and Howard, Padover can point to internal growth as much as external acquisition. That balance is rare and difficult — and it bolsters the legitimacy of his evaluation acumen.
Raising the Bar for Front Offices
His win pushes front office expectations across the league. To compete, executives may need to match Padover’s willingness to take calculated risks, invest in culture, and fuse talent acquisition with development.
Dan Padover now stands atop the WNBA executive world. His third Executive of the Year award is more than recognition — it’s a statement about vision, process, and basketball truth. The Dream transformation under his watch is a model of modern team-building: bold, balanced, and built to last.
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