Zach Kleiman
Memphis Grizzlies
PositionGeneral manager
Executive vice president of basketball operations
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born1988 (age 35–36)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Career information
CollegeDuke Law
University of Southern California
Career highlights and awards
As executive:

Zach Kleiman (born 1988) is an American basketball executive who is the general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1]

In 2022, Kleiman won the NBA Executive of the Year Award, having finished 6th place in voting for the award in 2020.

Early life and career

Kleiman, born in 1988, was raised in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago as a Chicago Bulls fan.

Kleiman attended the University of Southern California majoring in psychology from 2006 to 2010. During this time, he served as a public relations intern for the Los Angeles Lakers and joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

In 2013, Kleiman earned his J.D. from Duke University School of Law.[2]

During the 2012-13 season, Kleiman was a basketball operations intern for the Charlotte Bobcats under general manager Rich Cho.

Executive career

In 2015, Kleiman was an associate at Proskauer Rose when he accepted a position as team counsel of the Memphis Grizzlies.[3][better source needed]

Kleiman was promoted to Senior Director of Basketball Operations before the 2017-18 season.

Before the 2018–19 season, Kleiman was promoted to assistant general manager under general manager Chris Wallace.

Kleiman was named the executive vice president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies on April 11, 2019.[4] This change in organizational structure makes Kleiman the Grizzlies' primary decision-maker in the front office.[5] Immediately, Kleiman made seven trades, including Mike Conley Jr. to Utah and Andre Iguodala to Miami to rebuild the roster, collect draft picks and free up cap space.[6][7] Kleiman emphasized that the team is "not going to be sacrificing the long-term future for short-term gains."[8] After the 2019–20 season Kleiman finished in sixth place for the Executive of the Year Award.[9]

In December 2020, Kleiman said "We have this group now that we think is genuinely special (and) it's on me, it's on us to continue to grow this group, to continue to build...The North Star continues to be competing to win championships over time."[10]

In a 2021 post-NBA trade deadline news conference, Kleiman applauded the improvement of Ja Morant during his second season in the league. Kleiman said, "One thing I would definitely call out is Ja Morant’s growth as a leader...Something that oftentimes gets overlooked in the NBA is just accountability. I think Ja’s self-accountability and self-awareness, calling himself out—‘I need to be better tonight’—Ja sees that and holds himself accountable to such a high standard. That's a winning mentality."[11] Kleiman also shared that Jaren Jackson Jr. would be available to play before May 2021, and the team "can't wait to have him back out there".[12][13]

In June 2021, Kleiman was signed to a long-term extension. Owner Robert Pera said "Zach has proven to be a strong cultural leader in this organization, consistently demonstrating high-integrity, hard-work, humility and a drive for continuous improvement. We have confidence in our strategy and believe it will result in an elite organization over the long-term."[14] After the 2021–22 season he was named Executive of the Year Award.[15]

In the 2022 NBA offseason on draft night Kleiman made two trades, acquiring Danny Green and the 23rd pick in exchange for De'Anthony Melton.

References

  1. ^ Sain, Anthony (2020-04-11). "One Year Later, Zach Kleiman Has The Memphis Grizzlies Exceeding All Expectations". Sports Illustrated Memphis Grizzles News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  2. ^ Sankofa, Omari II. "Getting to know Zach Kleiman and Jason Wexler and what their plans are for the Grizzlies". The Athletic. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  3. ^ "Zachary Z. Kleiman - General Manager & EVP, Basketball Operations at Memphis Grizzlies". THE ORG. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  4. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies announce restructuring of basketball operations department". Memphis Grizzlies. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  5. ^ Frank, Jackson (2020-11-30). "The Memphis Grizzlies Are Maximizing Their Rebuild With Draft Gems". UPROXX. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  6. ^ "Revamped and youthful Memphis Grizzlies ready to get to work". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  7. ^ Walker, Teresa M. (2020-02-10). "Surprising Grizzlies ahead of team's rebuilding schedule". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  8. ^ Giannotto, Mark. "Zach Kleiman is the 30-year-old prodigy who will determine the Memphis Grizzlies future". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  9. ^ "Lawrence Frank wins 2019-20 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award". NBA.com. October 8, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  10. ^ "MikeCheck: Kleiman, Jenkins building championship culture as Grizzlies fortify foundation for new season". Memphis Grizzlies. 2020-12-22. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  11. ^ "Grizzlies Executive V.P. Zach Kleiman provides update on Jaren Jackson Jr". localmemphis.com. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  12. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies: 5 areas of improvement upon Jaren Jackson Jr.'s return". Beale Street Bears. 2021-03-30. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  13. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies say Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) to return by end of April". ESPN.com. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  14. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies extend contract of Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Zach Kleiman". NBA.com. June 3, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "Grizzlies' Zach Kleiman wins 2021-22 NBA Executive of the Year Award". NBA.com. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
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