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Congratulations to Atlanta Dream general manager Dan Padover, named WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year for a record third time. Padover, then with the Las Vegas Aces, was awarded the honor in 2020 and 2021.
General managers from the WNBA’s 13 active teams, plus the general manager of the Toronto Tempo, submitted ballots with a first-, second- and third-place vote. Executives were not permitted to vote for themselves. Padover received votes on 12 ballots, securing eight first-place votes. The Golden State Valkyries’ Ohemma Nyanin appeared on 10 ballots to finish second, with the Phoenix Mercury’s Nick U’ren coming in third with votes on nine ballots.
Padover’s award stamps the success of the offseason overhaul he initiated in Atlanta, one that led to the Dream tying for the second-best record in the league and winning the most games in franchise history.
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Hiring Karl Smesko as head coach, which required coaxing him away from Florida Gulf Coast University after 22 years, was the move from Padover that motivated the rest of Atlanta’s success. The coach, whose 30 wins established a new WNBA record for a first-year head coach, boosted the Dream on both sides of the ball, creating an environment that optimized the team’s talents. Smesko’s modernized offensive system spurred Allisha Gray to a career-best season, while Rhyne Howard exhibited two-way growth under his guidance. Naz Hillmon also blossomed into the WNBA’s best bench player—so much so that she became a starter—on the Smesko-ized Dream.
Padover also equipped Smesko with additional talent, with the underrated signing of Brionna Jones, in particular, providing the Dream with a reliable interior force. Brittney Griner, Atlanta’s more celebrated acquisition, did not have the on-court impact imagined. Yet, importing a player with superstar stature signaled the seriousness of Atlanta’s ambitions, while Griner exhibited her value by eagerly embracing a reduced role and still offering championship-proven leadership. Snagging Te-Hina Paopao with the No. 18 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft was another Padover win, as the rookie from South Carolina quickly claimed a rotational role.
