7 NBA Executives the Wizards should be calling right NOW

Well, it finally happened and many Wizards fans are ecstatic. On Wednesday, Tommy Sheppard was released as the GM of the Washington Wizards.

The following statement was released by the team's owner Ted Leonsis:

"Tommy Sheppard was relieved from his duties as General Manager and President of the Washington Wizards. Failure to make the playoffs the last two seasons was very disappointing to our organization and our fans. A search for new leadership will begin immediately for an executive from outside the organization. I would like to thank Tommy for his dedication to the Wizards organization and wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Here are 7 up-and-coming NBA Executives that the Wizard's front office should be looking at to fill the GM role:

1. Brock Aller

Brock Aller is the Vice President of Basketball and Strategic Planning for the New York Knicks. In his two seasons with the Knicks, he has increased the team's reliance on analytics, and the organization has earned praise for several shrewd moves. Aller's strategy team has grown since his arrival, and he has gained a reputation as a bright mind in the industry. He is a name to watch for future front-office openings.

2. Tommy Balcetis

Tommy Balcetis is the Assistant General Manager for the Denver Nuggets. He started with the organization in 2013 when the franchise's analytics department was initiated by Tim Connelly, who is now the team president. Balcetis has expanded his portfolio over the years to include strategy and scouting. He has an interesting backstory, having come from Lithuania to Harvard and consulting before making it to the NBA. With executives leaving for promotions in recent years, Balcetis could soon climb the ranks again.

3. Will Dawkins

Will Dawkins is the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He started in the video room and has spent 14 seasons with the organization. Dawkins is identified as a potential future GM and has an integral role alongside Sam Presti. He is following in the footsteps of Rob Hennigan and Troy Weaver, both of whom have had the opportunity to run their own teams.

4. Katherine Evans

Katherine Evans is the Vice President of Research and Information Systems for Monumental Sports & Entertainment. She is the first woman to lead an analytics group in the NBA and oversees analytics for all of the teams in Monumental's portfolio, including the Wizards and the WNBA's Mystics. Evans has a Ph.D. in biostatistics from Harvard and started in sports after working in healthcare.

5. Landry Fields

Landry Fields is the Assistant General Manager for the Atlanta Hawks. He was already under consideration for several GM jobs last offseason and is likely to garner more consideration in the upcoming offseason. He transitioned to the front office with the Spurs after a five-year playing career with the Knicks and Raptors. Fields has had a rapid rise in the industry, becoming an assistant GM in just five years.

6. Bryson Graham 

Bryson Graham is the Assistant General Manager for the New Orleans Pelicans. He started as an intern with the organization 12 years ago when they were still called the Hornets. Graham has steadily risen through the front office and is a key person in a front office led by executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin and general manager Trajan Langdon. He is well-regarded for his work in the draft.

7. Sachin Gupta

Sachin Gupta is the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He took over the team's basketball operations in the fall of 2021 after the firing of Gersson Rosas. Gupta has a significant voice with the team and nearly earned the Kings' GM job in 2020. He is the first person of Indian descent to run a front office and has degrees from MIT and Stanford. Gupta is well-known for creating ESPN's Trade Machine.