Views from OKC: Sam Presti strikes again

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Oh Sam…

“Many had wondered if the Thunder were even capable of landing any help for their team, with a lack of future assets and current ones to get deals done. Fans had screamed and begged for Russell Westbrook to receive some much-needed assistance, and his incredible MVP-calibre campaign and triple-double season will certainly be aided by what can be considered upgrades.”

Think about this. Sam Presti traded a fringe asset and two lower-tier bench players for two assets and a second rounder. The pick was like a cherry on the top. You know who has been drafted in the second round via picks from a trade? Draymond Green and Isaiah Thomas. That’s right, I went there. Because guess what? #inPrestiwetrust

Must Read: Why Doug McDermott makes sense for the Thunder

So what happens to that extra roster spot now?

“Oklahoma City’s trade-deadline deal on Thursday sent Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow and Joffrey Lauvergne to the Bulls in exchange for Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick, a three-for-two trade that freed up one roster spot.”

If Presti even considers bringing in Kendrick Perkins I’m going to be so disappointed. Why? They are already wasting a roster spot with Kyle Singler (jokes). But seriously, they already have five big men on the roster not including the supreme stretch four Jerami Grant. OKC could use that roster spot for something useful, like a point guard. Just a thought.

Views from Twitter

Doug McDermott is going to be great for the Thunder. For the first time this season the bench will have a wing who can score in a variety of ways. McDermott’s got a nice mid-range post game to pair with his 37% three-point percentage. Hopefully Billy Donovan maximizes his playing time alongside Russell Westbrook to free up the floor for the MVP.

If OKC can convince Taj Gibson to stay than this trade was a home run. I said it on the inaugural Thunderous Intentions podcast. Gibson is a different type of big for the Thunder; he’s a defensive-minded physically imposing big. I know they have Steven Adams, but Adams doesn’t have the lateral quickness like Gibson.

I’ll end with this.