Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti’s 2013 NBA draft obsession

By Austin Sternlicht

NBA draftees Grant Jerrett, Andre Roberson, and Steven Adams, Sam Presti. OKC Thunder (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBA draftees Grant Jerrett, Andre Roberson, and Steven Adams, Sam Presti. OKC Thunder (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
OKC Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 23: Steven Adams #12 and Andre Roberson #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate during Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Find someone who loves you the way OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti loves the 2013 NBA Draft.

Ask any die-hard NBA fan what the worst draft has been in recent memory. The 2013 NBA Draft should be at or near the top of that list.

With first-overall pick Anthony Bennett looking like an all-time  bust, as well as several other top selections underperforming, it seemed this class was heading for historic levels of putridness.

But over the past few years, this class’ reputation has been slightly salvaged.

The 2013 NBA Draft produced a perennial MVP candidate (Giannis Antetokounmpo), a defensive player of the year, (Rudy Gobert) three total  all-NBA players (Antetokounmpo, Gobert, Victor Oladipo), a few more borderline all-stars, and many more high end-starters.

One man who deserves credit for this draft’s resurgence is OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti. With the recent acquisition of Dennis Schröder, the Thunder have, or had eight total players from this draft on their team.

Nerlens Noel (6th overall) Steven Adams (12th overall), Dennis Schröder (17th overall), Andre Roberson (26th overall), and  Alex Abrines, (32nd overall)  are all currently on the roster. Assuming all are key contributors this year, it’s quite possible half the regular season rotation will be comprised of 2013 NBA draft members.

Of course, the Thunder also had one year of Victor Oladipo (2nd overall), who was then traded for Paul George in a deal that as crazy as it sounds, both teams actually won. The Thunder also took flyers on Grant Jerrett (40th overall) and Joffrey Lauvergne (55th overall), both of whom, are out of the league.

So how did Sam Presti land all of these 2013 NBA draft members? Through the same tools and strategies that have made him the successful general manager he is today: smart maneuvering and buying low on low-risk high-reward projects.

Home/Thunder News