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) /
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Nerlens Noel lands with OKC Thunder
SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 4: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 4, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.  Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The 2018 Offseason

In a piece explaining why I thought Mario Hezonja would be a good fit for the Thunder, I highlighted how Sam Presti loves to take flyers on former high lottery picks like Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Dion Waiters, and Hasheem Thabeet. While the Thunder didn’t sign Hezonja, they did end up with another high lottery pick in Noel.

The 6’11 big man would have been the first pick in the 2013 draft, had he not torn his ACL midway through his lone season at Kentucky. Noel fell just five spots, and was drafted via a trade by Philadelphia for Jrue Holiday, the first major move in former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie’s infamous “Trust The Process” movement.

After mixed results and attitude concerns  with Philly and Dallas, capped off by grabbing a hot dog during halftime of a game, Noel’s value was as low as ever. This gave Presti the opportunity to swoop in a sign Noel on a two-year minimum deal, the last year being a player option.

The Thunder are betting its culture and environment will help motivate and transform Noel’s career. He is essentially on his last strike and knows how big a deal this season will be.

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