Lessons Sam Presti can learn from counterparts in Thunder rebuild

Griffin shines:

As for the Pelicans, the lesson here may not be one Presti wants to experience first hand as it would mean his dismissal. David Griffin took over as General Manager and immediately effected positive change to the franchise. New Orleans had luck on their side leaping from nowhere to win the Zion Sweepstakes. However, it is the moves Griffin made with drafts and trades which could well win him Executive of the Year in 2020.

Griff didn’t rest on his laurels after draining the Lakers of their youthful assets and draft picks in order to move disenchanted star, Anthony Davis. Instead, he flipped the fourth pick to land Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (who both have stood out in Vegas Summer League).

Nor did he point out to Lakers GM, Rob Pelinka how to do his job when the latter didn’t think to discuss the timing of the trade for Davis which forced the Lakers to make additional moves to clear cap and to be hard wired to a date for the Davis transaction to be completed if they wanted to retain additional salary to sign free agents.

Adding to his stellar offseason, Griff lured sniper J.J. Redick and skilled big man Derrick Favors to sign with New Orleans both of whom will lessen the load on the young assets and serve as quality veteran additions to help mentor the youth.

The key takeaway here for Presti here is while he’s pulled in an unprecedented haul of draft picks he’ll need to be equally successful in how he uses them. Whether he flips some picks to add talent, uses them as an incentive to cut salary (Chris Paul), retains them or swaps them his successful management of them will determine his and the franchises long term fate.