It’s time to start appreciating Sam Presti

Another day, another great trade for the Thunder and Sam Presti.

Thursday afternoon marked another moment in a great history of Sam Presti trades. This time with the Chicago Bulls. Presti made his magic work again, trading Cameron Payne, Joffery Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow for Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson and a second round draft pick.

Many analysts and fans love the trade for the Thunder because it gives the Thunder a great scorer off the bench, something they desperately needed. Along with McDermott comes Gibson.

Gibson is a little older at 31, but he still has starting ability and could very well be starting down the stretch over Domantas Sabonis. This trade is just another one to add to Presti’s resume of great trades he has made.

Must Read: Grading the Cameron Payne, Taj Gibson trade

Let’s go back to just last year. Right after the season ended, Presti ended up trading life-long Serge Ibaka for Victor Oladipo and Sabonis in hopes of keeping Durant. Although Durant did not stay in the end, the Thunder definitely got the better end of the trade because Ibaka has already been traded by the Magic.

Since acquiring Oladipo he is averaging career highs from three point and field goal percentage. Oladipo and the Thunder have also already agreed on a 4 year, $84 million dollar contract right before the season began. With Oladipo making great strides in OKC since his arrival, the trade is looking like another genius move from Presti.

Re-wind to two years ago, Presti worked his magic yet again. The day of the trade deadline, Presti worked up a three team deal that would eventually get the Thunder Enes Kanter. At the cost of an unhappy Reggie Jackson and overpaid Kendrick Perkins, Presti got the most out of expiring players yet again.

Related Story: Trust Sam Presti’s process

Since the trade, the Thunder have locked up Kanter for 4 years $70 million. Not bad for a 6th man of the year candidate.

Sadly, most people recognize Presti as the guy who gave away James Harden. But, what people fail to realize is Harden declined an offer Presti made because Harden wanted his own team and wanted to start. He even said in an ESPN E:60 that he thought his career in OKC was forever a 6th man. The man wanted out, and nobody can blame him for it. Presti did everything in his power to try and get assets back for him.

Yea, when you look back at the trade now, the Rockets won. But if the Thunder keep Harden who knows how this team would look now? Maybe Russell Westbrook bolts, or even Durant earlier than expected. It is one of the many unknowns in the NBA. Sure, if they all three stayed together they may have won a championship, but if they didn’t the Thunder could potentially be sitting with no rings and all three of their superstars gone.

There is always a what if in sports. Nobody can predict the future, but Presti seems like he can.

Related Story: Twitter reacts to the Thunder’s trade deadline

When Harden was traded, the Thunder got Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and a few draft picks. Martin was gone after his first year since he demanded too much money, and Lamb never developed into the player many thought. But, on the bright side, those draft picks have turned into Steven Adams and Alex Abrines. One is our starting center, the other is a rookie sharp-shooter who will only get better with time.

Presti is always looking towards the future. He could have easily been stubborn or held out hope that Harden would come to terms and re-signed after the 2013 season. But that is a big if, and if that big if did not come true, Harden walks for nothing. If the Thunder also kept Harden, Ibaka was gone. Ibaka helped the Thunder a lot in many playoff series with his good defense, something that Harden lacks in.

I think the Thunder have come out much better than most fans and analysts have made it out to be. They act like the Thunder got nothing in return, when in reality they have a great young center who is still learning the game with tons of potential, and a young sharp shooter of the bench who will only get better with time.

Must Read: Thunder player grades from the first half of the season

It is time to stop judging Presti off this one trade nearly five years ago, and start appreciating the greatness he continues to bring to the Thunder. Like on Thursday, he could have easily not did a thing, but he noticed the Thunder struggle on some nights and Westbrook needs help. So he gets Westbrook help. That is what great GMs do. They try to help out their super stars so they keep them.

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Losing a superstar is really devastating to most teams, but what people fail to realize is the Thunder lost a super star yet are still a playoff team. Look at the Cleveland Cavaliers. When LeBron left, they were one of the worst teams in the league. The Thunder and their fans should still feel very fortunate that even after losing a top five player, we still remain a playoff team. Having super stars is a rare benefit, and although Presti lost one, he is still managing this team just fine.

He did everything in his power to try and keep Durant, but unfortunately he left. Now, Presti will do everything in his power so that Westbrook does not leave. This is a small market team-and for the job that Presti has done-and will continue to do, is pretty amazing. Thunder fans should really take the time to appreciate him and look back on how our team could be much worse without this man at the helm. It is time to put our full trust in Presti.

#inPrestiwetrust