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OKC Thunder: 3 takeaways from the Athletic agents poll

By Tamberlyn Richardson

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against Chris Paul #3 of the OKC Thunder during a game (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against Chris Paul #3 of the OKC Thunder during a game (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder in the news: Masai Ujiri, President, Toronto Raptors  (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for Audi Innovation Series) /

Sam Presti is firmly in the troika of most respected execs

In a series of questions about the top executives of franchises, a trio was mentioned repeatedly by the agents. It’s not surprising that troika was Sam Presti (OKC Thunder), Masai Ujiri (Raptors), and Pat Riley (Heat). The other executive mentioned frequently was Tim Connelly of the Nuggets.

The executive segment of the survey asked whom the agents trust the most (and least), who is the smartest, the best talent evaluator, the future front-office leader, and whom they would hire.

While Presti was frequently in the mix the one question agents predominantly answered with his name was “who is the smartest?”. Half of the 20 agents polled picked Presti (10 points). The next exec was Andy Elisburg of the Heat with four points while Ujiri and Riley each notched two points.

"“The smartest in terms of IQ, which is total comprehension of what they’re doing, but also EQ, because they know the relational aspect is just as important as the competency aspect, I might have to go with Sam Presti. I think he’s developed. He’s gotten better over time. A smart person is one who is a developing person. I would say Sam Presti has developed."

This shouldn’t shock anyone in Thunder Nation. The executive VP and GM has created a culture in one of the smallest markets, drafted well overall (including three eventual MVPs), and is the trade magician. Those accomplishments have garnered him respect amongst the agents but another simple reason speaks loudest  – – HONESTY.

Many consider Ujiri the master of the group and it’s telling that his former GM Jeff Weltman (now with the Magic) and current Raptors GM Bobby Webster also find themselves cited positively in the polls. Similarly,  Will Dawkins who works under Presti also was mentioned as someone to keep an eye on.

Equally compelling was the fact Daryl Morey and Donnie Nelson were considered the least trustworthy and people who worked in their teams also were noted negatively (Gersson Rosas).

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