Atlanta plays the Golden State Valkyries in a best-of-seven series that begins Saturday. Padover arrived in 2021 from Las Vegas, where he was with the Aces when they drafted Jackie Young with the No. 1 pick. Atlanta never got lottery luck or many free agents, he said, so he built through trades. "That's definitely the hardest way to build a franchise."
His first big move was acquiring the No. 1 pick from Washington in 2022 to draft Rhyne Howard. He then took Naz Hillmon 15th that year through another traded draft pick. "None of it gets off the ground without Rhyne and Naz," he said.
ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo sees two reasons for the run: a GM who found the right pieces and a team that came together at the right time. She said Atlanta picked up DeWanna Bonner for nothing at the end of the season. "If they don't have Angel (Reese) this year they aren't in the finals," Lobo said.
Padover credits ownership for staying patient. "A lot of times in sports, teams get broken up too early," he said. "Letting them grow together gives a continuity that is a huge competitive advantage."
Now the three-time WNBA Executive of the Year has his team four wins from a title.