Clark: Ainge his pick for NBA Exec of the Year

General managers around the league are making bold moves and taking big chances. But nobody has done more this year to build a championship contending team than Boston basketball boss Danny Ainge.

A lot of credit has to go to Mitch Kupchak of the Lakers. He was wise enough to hold on to Andrew Bynum, despite the trade offers for the likes of Jason Kidd. He was wise enough to hold on to Kobe Bryant through his on-and-off trade demands. Then he was wise enough to pick up Kwame Brown’s contract option, which gave him an expiring contract to send in a package for Pau Gasol in the steal of the year.

However, none of that adds up to what Danny Ainge has been able to do in Boston. Ainge spent the first few years of his tenure making smaller moves to pick up draft picks and talent that he could turn into tradable assets. For the last few years, he’s been working on making a big move to add superstar talent to the team. This past offseason, he finally succeeded, bringing in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett for a slew of picks, players, and matching contracts. Those two moves alone would be enough to make a solid case for Executive of the Year. But he didn’t stop there.

The prospect of playing for a title with the likes of Paul Pierce, Allen, and Garnett has turned Boston into a destination spot for free agents. Ainge has been put into the enviable position of having to choose which of the many interested free agents fit this team. He’s already turned away the likes of Earl Boykins, Gary Payton and Damon Stoudamire, despite having no true point guard to back up Rajon Rondo. Players that he did sign — like Eddie House and James Posey — have fit in perfectly.

Ainge refused to make a panic trade at the deadline, and thus had the flexibility to pick up veterans P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell. Both bring many years of experience, and both seem to be a perfect fit to fill the few holes remaining on the roster.

An underrated aspect of these moves is the flexibility the Celtics have. Most of the free agent deals expire at the end of this season. Regardless of what happens in the playoffs, Ainge will have the option to pick and choose who he wants to bring back and who he can let go. Plus, he’ll have a new crop of free agents lined up around the block for the chance to play on this team.

With apologies to Mitch Kupchak, there’s only one clear choice for Executive of the Year, and his name is Danny Ainge.

Jeff Clark is the founder and lead writer of celticsblog.com.