Thunderous Intentions
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The Real Direction Behind OKC Thunder Trade

By Gideon Lim

Mar 2, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) scramble for a ball on the floor during the second half of the game at Moda Center. The Blazers won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) scramble for a ball on the floor during the second half of the game at Moda Center. The Blazers won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti speaks to new Thunder head coach Billy Donovan after a press conference at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti speaks to new Thunder head coach Billy Donovan after a press conference at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Presti’s Big Plans

This last reason for why Presti made the trade is a bit speculative. But I genuinely think there’s some truth in it. Going back to the issue of losing players in free agency, there were many reasons why Durant left. One of them was that Presti wasn’t aggressive enough in bringing in veterans or going over the cap to get the team over the hump. Presti was too long-term for Durant.

Durant saw what other teams, especially LeBron’s teams, were doing and he wanted that for himself as well. He wanted Presti to just go all-in and make moves that would lift the team immediately.

The OKC Thunder are probably not going to contend for the title this year, but there’s another reason why they need to be all-in. Russell Westbrook is up for another extension this summer. After losing Durant for nothing, Presti must be desperate to prove to Westbrook that the Peake is his best shot at a title. And that means making sure that the Thunder finish higher in the playoff race. The OKC Thunder need to convince Westbrook and other potential free agents that they won’t be building from scratch.

Related: Taj Gibson holds key to Thunder season

OKC Thunder
Feb 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) reacts in the second half during the NBA All Star Game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

I believe this move is also a message to Westbrook himself. It is Sam Presti’s way of saying “Yes, we’ve learned from our mistakes. We know your window is now, and the organization is committed to giving you the best chance to contend every year. We’re not afraid anymore to go out and get proven veterans even if it is going to cost.”

Presti knows that there is a limit to how long Westbrook will let his future hang on his emotions. Sooner or later, he will start looking at players like Chris Paul and decide  he wants a different legacy from them. If Presti doesn’t bang his own drum loud enough, come May, it might be difficult for anyone from the OKC Thunder to stop the noise of title celebrations from reaching Westbrook’s ears, especially if it is coming from Oakland.

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