Sam Presti presser 5 takeaways: small markets, George comments, franchise direction

With the OKC Thunder clearly shifting course following the blockbuster trades, GM Sam Presti met with media to answer questions on the new team direction and offered some key takeaways.

OKC Thunder General Manager, Sam Presti took to the podium in his first media sit down session since the big trades of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Jerami Grant. Earlier in the day Presti penned a letter to the fans which ran in The Oklahoman in which the GM discussed the new direction of the team and coined the new mantra of R and R (reposition and replenish).

This might be the most forthcoming media session we’ve ever witnessed from Presti who typically uses broad strokes to answer questions.  As I’ve noted in the past, more often than not Prest’s media sessions often require a magnifying glass and several dissecting passes to determine what he’s truly saying. In this instance, however, the GM began the process of making it clear the OKC Thunder are headed for a very different reality than the one the franchise has occupied for most of the 11 seasons in OKC.

Still, Presti, ever the diplomat elected to take the high road on many of his answers including topics surrounding disadvantages to small markets. Moreover, Presti shied away from latching onto the comments by Paul George who indicated all parties were in agreement he would only be here a year when he re-signed or his use of “stagnate” regarding how the Thunder performed last season.

With that in mind let’s dive into the key points Presti offered in his 38 minute Q and A with the media and what Thunder Nation can glean from his comments.