Grading OKC Thunder’s ‘Bust Revival’ Project

The OKC Thunder have found a way to stockpile talent by trading for the former lottery picks who failed to live up to expectations, 3 years into the project the verdict is out on Sam Presti’s strategy.

Former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie is the most famous front office thinker when it comes to acquiring assets, but OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti is no slouch. His focus is on trading for former lottery picks who failed to live up to their pre-draft expectations is just as revolutionary, if not more so, for its ground-breaking complexity in considerations. Three years since the project started, the jury is out for Presti and whether these projects have justified Presti’s trade expense on them.

Enes Kanter

Draft details: 3rd pick in the 2011 draft

How he was acquired: Reggie Jackson and Kendrick Perkins for Kanter, Steve Novak, D.J. Augustin and Kyle Singler

Projected squad status: key bench player

Offensive Skillset

I have always been an advocate for trading Enes Kanter. I saw his defensive shortcomings as a factor against team fit and felt like the Thunder would be better off using him to trade for a two-way wing player.

But this week, against the Mavericks, I saw his value to the team. While Steven Adams struggled through the game, the OKC Thunder turned to Kanter for offense outside of Russell Westbrook. It occurred to me that this variation in line-up strengths matter most come playoff time.

Kanter’s shortcomings may always hurt the Thunder. But his offensive rebounding and low post game is a weapon unlike what anyone else on the team offers. Kanter essentially gives Billy Donovan another angle to attack the opposing lineup’s weaknesses. Last year’s playoffs serve as evidence for this. Even though he lost his game time against the Warriors in the finals, he gave the Thunder an imposing big men line-up that helped versus the Spurs.

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Playoff Value

During the playoffs, the difference between figuring out an alternative line-up sooner rather than later is often the difference between winning and losing the series. In this light, Kanter’s value to the team shines through.

Of course, all of this must be pegged against relative value. Today’s cap expansion makes Kanter’s max contract look more indicative of his value to the team. But back then, the Portland Trail Blazers forced Presti’s hand into matching a max contract offer that blew out any hopes of being competitive in the free agency market. So the past opportunity cost cannot be ignored when evaluating this deal.

But right now, the report card stands in Kanter’s favour. On the court, he gives Donovan options; off the court, he gives Presti options. You can wonder if Kanter was really the best the Thunder could have got for Reggie Jackson. But, it is hard to argue against the fact that Presti did commendably well in securing a rotation staple and potential trade chip for a disgruntled star.

Verdict: good trade despite a bad contract, should be considered a net win