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.

Winning the award for a third time places Padover in rarefied air within the WNBA. It highlights both his adaptability and his ability to succeed in different organizational contexts.

While many executives can find success in the right situation, Padover has demonstrated that he can replicate his blueprint for success across multiple franchises. That versatility is what makes him one of the most respected front-office figures in professional basketball.

For the Atlanta Dream, Padover’s recognition is a point of pride and a sign that the franchise is finally moving toward sustained relevance.

After years of uncertainty, the Dream now boast a strong executive, a promising head coach, and a young superstar in Howard, giving fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future.

The Executive of the Year award is not just a personal milestone for Padover but also an organizational milestone for a team that has long been searching for stability.

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.

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.

Atlanta Dream general manager Dan Padover has once again cemented his place in WNBA history after being named Basketball Executive of the Year for a record third time. The announcement marks another milestone in a career defined by bold roster moves, sharp vision, and a clear commitment to building championship-caliber franchises. For Padover, this honor is both recognition of his transformative work with the Dream and validation of his reputation as one of the league’s most astute architects.

This latest award is particularly significant as it comes during his tenure with the Atlanta Dream, a franchise that had long been searching for stability and identity. Since joining the Dream in late 2021, Padover has been instrumental in reshaping the team’s direction, placing an emphasis on culture, development, and a sustainable path to contention. His ability to identify talent, balance short-term competitiveness with long-term growth, and foster a winning environment has turned Atlanta into one of the WNBA’s most intriguing teams.

Padover’s achievement also underscores the consistency of his track record. He previously earned the honor in 2020 and 2021 while working with the Las Vegas Aces, where his roster construction played a pivotal role in transforming that franchise into a powerhouse. With the Aces, Padover was part of the leadership group that assembled a roster built around A’ja Wilson, drafted key contributors, and established the foundation for the team’s eventual championship success. His back-to-back awards during that era highlighted his forward-thinking approach and ability to execute a clear vision.

What makes his third award so impressive is the context in which it was earned. Unlike Las Vegas, which already had a budding superstar in Wilson and a roster trending upward, the Dream presented a much bigger challenge. The franchise had missed the playoffs for several years, lacked continuity, and needed a cultural reset. Padover, alongside head coach Tanisha Wright, immediately went to work in reshaping not only the team’s personnel but also its identity. Together, they established a foundation built on accountability, resilience, and growth.

Key roster moves under Padover’s leadership have accelerated Atlanta’s resurgence. Drafting Rhyne Howard with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022 gave the Dream a cornerstone talent, while strategic acquisitions and trades bolstered the roster around her. Padover’s knack for balancing veteran presence with young potential has provided Atlanta with both competitiveness in the short term and flexibility for the future. The Dream’s return to the postseason in 2023 was a clear sign that the rebuild was ahead of schedule, and this year’s Executive of the Year award validates the progress.

The recognition also speaks to Padover’s leadership style. Known for his collaborative approach, he has earned praise for fostering strong relationships between the front office, coaching staff, and players. In an era where chemistry and culture are as important as raw talent, Padover’s ability to create alignment across the organization has been a major factor in Atlanta’s upward trajectory. His vision is not simply about assembling talent but about building a cohesive unit that can grow together over multiple seasons.

Looking ahead, the challenge for Padover will be building on this momentum. Atlanta’s young core is promising, but to compete with established powerhouses like the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, the Dream will need continued smart roster moves, depth, and the ability to navigate the complexities of WNBA free agency and salary cap management. If anyone is equipped for that challenge, it is Padover, whose track record suggests he thrives under the pressure of high expectations.

Ultimately, this third Executive of the Year award cements Dan Padover’s legacy as one of the most impactful executives in WNBA history. From his championship-building days in Las Vegas to his culture-resetting efforts in Atlanta, he has shown a unique ability to envision a path to success and bring it to life. For the WNBA, his success story is also a testament to the growing sophistication of team-building in the league, where front-office decisions can make the difference between mediocrity and contention.