NBA Power Rankings: Listing the top 5 GMs in the league

The role of an NBA franchise's General Manager is one of the most challenging jobs to succeed in. There is enormous pressure to make the right decisions in the NBA Draft and the trade market, even when the on-court action is not on. However, there are some savants who have managed to make this job look easy. In this edition of the NBA Power Rankings, we rank the top 5 GMs in the league.

NBA 2020-21: Listing the 5 best General Managers in the league

There are some GMs who have changed the fortunes of the franchise they work for, whether it was through an NBA landscape-altering trade or by drafting a future superstar. These are our top 5 GMs in the NBA right now.

#5 Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers

Daryl Morey at the 2019 NBA Awards

Currently employed by the Philadelphia 76ers, Daryl Morey made his name with the Houston Rockets. Morey is best known for betting on James Harden when he was a bench player for the OKC Thunder. Morey identified Harden as a cornerstone piece for the Houston Rockets, and made and signed him in 2013.

James Harden went on to have an illustrious career with the Rockets. Daryl Morey also made some bold NBA trades such as acquiring Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, and Russell Westbrook to pair with the 2018 MVP. He has also done some great work in Philly, which is enough to qualify him as a top 5 GM in the NBA.

Oklahoma City has traded James Harden to the Houston Rockets, league sources tell Y! Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 28, 2012

#4 Masai Ujiri, Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors Victory Parade & Rally

The Toronto Raptors always have had a keen eye for talent, something that was on display yet again when they went all out to hire Masai Ujiri as their GM. Ujiri had been moderately successful with the Denver Nuggets, but his actual capabilities were best seen in his time with the Raptors.

Ujiri is known for making the Kawhi Leonard - DeMar DeRozan trade, which didn't go down well with the fans back then. However, it turned out to be a masterstroke, as Leonard and Danny Green (who was a part of the package) ended up being the driving force behind the Raptors' maiden NBA title win in 2019.

Spurs have agree to trade Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to Toronto for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick, league sources tell ESPN. Trade call with league office is starting shortly.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 18, 2018

#3 Sam Presti, OKC Thunder

Sam Presti at the New Zealand Basketball Academy Launch

After struggling in his initial years in the job, Sam Presti has done some stellar work as the OKC Thunder's GM over the last few seasons. It is a result of Presti's far-sighted approach that the Thunder now have a promising young core, as well as a plethora of first-round draft picks.

Presti decided to break up the unsuccessful partnership of Paul George and Russell Westbrook and accumulated 17 first-round draft picks through 2026 in the process.

Players like Chris Paul, Steven Adams, and Al Horford also played a role in Presti securing the Thunder's future, and it safe to say that he is currently a top 5 GM in the NBA.

#2 Sean Marks, Brooklyn Nets

Sean Marks at the Performance Summit in New York

Considered one of the best minds in the league, Brooklyn Nets' GM Sean Marks is currently the talk of the town currently, after creating one of the most fearsome NBA trios of all time.

Thanks to Marks, the Brooklyn Nets will be fielding a lineup containing James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant this season.

Marks was instrumental in creating the pairing of Durant and Irving in Brooklyn and unexpectedly landed the 2018 MVP to give the Nets a fantastic shot at this year's title. Sean Marks is a strong candidate for the 2020-21 NBA Executive of the year and could clinch the award if the Nets are successful this year.

#1 Rob Pelinka, LA Lakers

LA Lakers' Rob Pelinka in the Orlando Bubble

LA Lakers' GM Rob Pelinka lost out to LA Clippers' Lawrence Frank for the NBA Executive of the Year last season, in what was considered to be a huge snub. Pelinka certainly didn't let that affect him as he made some brilliant moves this offseason.

The highlight was acquiring NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell from city rivals LA Clippers. To top it off, Pelinka also acquired the player who finished second in the voting for Sixth Man of the Year, Dennis Schroder.

Pelinka ensured that the Lakers had a stronger bench compared to their title-winning season, which should be enough for him to win the trophy this year.