Thunderous Intentions
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Views from OKC: It’s time for Sam Presti to make a move

By Tony Heim

Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sam Presti
OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti is primed to make a move tonight. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Views from OKC is a public diary from an OKC Thunder fan. Today we look at the chances of a franchise-shaking move.

Ahhhhh the NBA Draft. The Draft is a rare time where every NBA front office is interconnected for a few hours, figuring out any possibility to improve the fortunes of their team.

Sam Presti has never been one to shy away from the leagues’ busiest dates for inter-team transactions: the trade deadline and the Draft. But unlike most other organizations, leaks don’t happen with Presti and the Thunder. When they do, however, it’s for a reason.

Think back to 2015 when the only talk was Brook Lopez to Oklahoma City. Instead Presti was able to swing an incredibly valuable deal in which they added Enes Kanter, D.J Augustin and Kyle Singler for essentially Reggie Jackson. A fleecing occurred again during last year’s Draft, this time at the hands of the Orlando Magic. Without any mention of a Serge Ibaka trade going into the day, Presti magically swung a deal adding three assets (including two young talented players) for one year of Ibaka.

The calm before the storm – it’s how Sam Presti has always worked.

While everyone else around the NBA-sphere is busy discussing the recent Celtics-76ers trade, or the potential Kristaps Porzingis trade, or the guaranteed Paul George trade, Sam Presti is busy reaching out to teams about the Other Guys. The underappreciated role players and the disgruntled starters out there looking for a change of scenery. The Moe Harkless’ and Wilson Chandler’s of the world.

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The Golden State Warriors created a new dynamic around the NBA – even before Kevin Durant signed – where teams feel like they have to make a big splash. They have to reassure fans that they are actively working to match that super team. It’s part of the reason why Presti was able to get so much for Serge just a year ago.

With the blockbuster deal surrounding this year’s #1 pick that dynamic has only intensified. New York is talking dealing Kristaps Porzingis, a player who has proven to be a future All-Star, for a top-four pick in order to draft the unproven Josh Jackson. The Suns may move out of their pick to bring in a solidified star.

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And that’s why tonight is the perfect time for Sam Presti to capitalize on all of these overeager GM’s.

Maybe that’s going all in on one of these lottery picks (ahem Jonathan Isaac). Maybe that’s trading out of the first round to pick two second rounders (ahem Tyler Dorsey, Wesley Iwundu and/or Sindarius Thornwell). Or maybe that’s trading the pick for an established player in the league (ahem Wilson Chandler).

However it plays out, Sam Presti and the Thunder need to make a move during the Draft. The Thunder will surely improve internally, but not enough to win a first round playoff series. They have to add an impact piece this offseason, via the Draft, a trade or free agency.

Anything can happen, but it’s up to Sam Presti and the rest of the front office to make the right call.

#inPrestiwetrust

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