OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti is the right fit for this rebuild
By Rylan Stiles
![Sam Presti, OKC Thunder (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) Sam Presti, OKC Thunder (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0eff6dba5a849c5d9da0bd9a8fd8d3f4f70913de4b35c908ff112a5798de1d0a.jpg)
He has done it once, he can do it again.
The answer is simple: Yes, Sam Presti is the man for the job.
As a rebuilding team, you need stability, you need a plan, you need a philosophy and an identity.
Sam Presti’s background with the most stable organization in sports and his track record of producing both a long-term rebuild and a rebuild on the fly shows he is just the man for the job.
His past trades show he will get whatever he can for Russell Westbrook, when and if the two decide it is time to part ways.
His drafting track record shows an ability to identify high-end talent who can turn into the next championship level core.
With Sam Presti, the OKC Thunder are in good hands. This rebuild will not take eons, this rebuild could take as little as two or three seasons, which if you ask most NBA fanbases who are going through a rebuild is a quick turnaround.
The OKC Thunder will not be able to hire a better General Manager than Sam Presti, not only due to him already being one of the best in the sport, but because there are not many guys available and a small market cannot turn their back on one of the best in the business in favor of the unknown.
Sam Presti has already made a move fans might not agree with by giving in to Paul George’s requests of a trade. Fans will also be hurt when Russell Westbrook is (likely) eventually dealt. Steven Adams is another fan favorite that might be on the block.
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Still, as Thunder fans, we must take a step back and realize what this core was. While we loved Paul George and Russell Westbrook they were constantly an easy first-round exit that barely clinched the postseason on the second to last day of the year two seasons ago, and could have easily plummeted to the 8th spot in the playoffs this past season.
Paul George was always banged up in the postseason, and Russell Westbrook always took his matchups too personal.
This core was never going to win a title, heck, what if they never got out of the first round with the West getting even harder to navigate?
The Thunder are about to enter their first dark period in Oklahoma City, where the games each night do not really matter on the scoreboard. Where they can not point to at least one MVP level player, one future Hall of Famer, and maybe not even one All-Star. They need to be in good and trusted hands. Someone who has been here before.
Sam Presti knows what he is doing, and a lot of other franchise would kill to be led by him. The Thunder fanbase should appreciate what they have.
Again, it will be hard. This market has never experienced this before, but in Presti we trust.
dark. Next. What happens now for the OKC Thunder?
This offseason will be one of the most historic offseasons in franchise history, and we might just be getting started. TI has you covered all the way.=