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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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 15: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Atlanta Hawks attends game between Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of Round One during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 15: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Atlanta Hawks attends game between Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of Round One during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Anthony trade delivers yet another 2013 pick to OKC:

The Thunder of course acquired Schröder in the Carmelo Anthony trade. Most teams would have just bought and stretched Melo, getting rid his nearly 28 million dollar salary. Not Presti. He saw the chance to trade an expiring contract to a team willing to get off long-term money. Enter the Atlanta Hawks and Dennis Schröder.

Atlanta, a rebuilding team, desperately wanted to get off the remaining three-years and $46.5 million of Schroder’s deal. Along with a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, the Thunder traded Anthony to Atlanta for Schroder, while also acquiring Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot from Philadelphia.

Not only were the Thunder able to save more than $70 million in luxury tax this upcoming season, they were able to add a quality point guard to serve as the sixth man.

One concern about Schroder, and something surprising considering the Thunder’s history, is his legal trouble. In September 2017, Schroder was charged with misdemeanor battery after being involved in a fight outside a restaurant in Atlanta.

The victim tore both his ACL and his meniscus. The DeKalb County Solicitor General requested that Schroder and his three friends also involved be charged with felonies. It is unclear how this will end if Schröder will be suspended. Though knowing the history of athletes involved in crimes like this, a settlement is usually involved.

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