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OKC Thunder offseason report card – Grading every Sam Presti move

By Lawrence George

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart YoungNBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart YoungNBAE via Getty Images) /
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26 June 2018, Braunschweig, Germany: National player Dennis Schroeder during a training session of the German basketball national team. Germany is playing against Austria on the 29th of June 2018 for the World Cup Qualification. Photo: Swen Pförtner/dpa (Photo by Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
26 June 2018, Braunschweig, Germany: National player Dennis Schroeder during a training session of the German basketball national team. Germany is playing against Austria on the 29th of June 2018 for the World Cup Qualification. Photo: Swen Pförtner/dpa (Photo by Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

After a month of free agency, the OKC Thunder have successfully improved its roster and raised its ceiling. TI examines and grades each of Sam Presti’s moves.

The OKC Thunder enter off-season activities with 15 players on its roster, signing or resigning eight players in free agency. Sam Presti and the Thunder front office have done a terrific job, maneuvering out of tough situations to come out on top.

While its sad to see players leave the organization, the OKC Thunder welcome three old faces and five new faces to the 2018-19 squad. The Oklahoma City front office made a series of moves that has unquestionably raised the Thunder’s ceiling. Sam Presti deserves a tonne of credit for his ability to pivot on the move, actively partaking in trades and free agency that improves the roster now without compromising OKC’s future.

The 2017-18 season was disappointing. Carmelo Anthony‘s proved to be nothing more than a reputation signing while Paul George struggled with Jekyll and Hyde consistency. Perhaps my biggest concern was Russell Westbrook‘s lack of feel for the game at times and playing too many minutes. When a player is hot Russ, keep the ball moving! Additionally, OKC’s bench was horrible for the second straight season despite the emergence of 24 year-old Jerami Grant and superb play from veteran Raymond Felton. The organization were presented with three big questions entering July:

  • Will PG13 re-sign?
  • How do Oklahoma City move Melo’s contract?
  • What should OKC do to upgrade its bench without sacrificing the future?

OKC’s front office have done a tremendous job conquering all three of the above questions. Franchises around the league often move too late or give up too much, sacrificing the foreseeable future to win-now.  As the roster stands, the Thunder have a great mix of young talent and veteran leadership.

Lets rate the Thunder’s free agency moves .

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