New OKC Thunder hires show rebuild is going in right direction

The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the midst of a rebuild, as Sam Presti tries to get the organization back to its winning ways by compiling as much talent and draft assets as they can. The OKC Thunder made a pair of hires over this past week that shows the NBA world, that they are going in the right direction.

The week started with Sam Presti hiring Chip Engelland as the new shooting coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Engelland has spent 17 seasons with the Spurs as an elite shot doctor helping overhaul the shooting ability of each Spurs roster headlined by names like Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, Dejounte Murray, and Keldon Johnson.

Engelland, The league’s top paid assistant coach annually, hit the open market and Sam Presti swooped him up. His performance lives up to his pocketbook.

The Oklahoma City Thunder followed that up by hiring long-time and well-respected 76ers front office member Vince Rozman. Sam Presti gave Rozman the title of Vice President of Identification and Intelligence. Rozman ranged from an intern to Vice President in his 15-year run with Philadelphia. Rozman has survived multiple regimes in Philly, a feat not done unless you bring a lot to the table.

The OKC Thunder made two slam-dunk hires this week that shows the NBA World their rebuild is heading in the right direction two years in

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the face of rebuilding since the team shipped Paul George to the L.A. Clippers for draft assets that were unheard of at the time and a budding young player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder then moved franchise cornerstone Russell Westbrook, and Steven Adams, and launched themselves into a full-fledged rebuild that was delayed a year after a surprise run by Dennis Schroder, Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, and Gilgeous-Alexander.

Fast-forward to the current day, the Thunder are coming off two straight sub-25 win seasons and have recouped four lottery picks in that span with Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Ousmane Dieng joining the young crop of players in Bricktown.

While many around the league use lazy narratives about the team’s rebuild, these moves have been criticized, made fun of, and questioned since the beginning stages of Presti’s plan. Cries of when the team will win again break out even though, the team played in game seven of the postseason just two years ago.

Now, the Thunder are heading in the right direction. That feeling was stamped by convincing two of the most respected people within the walls of the NBA to join the process in Oklahoma City.

Chip Engelland, will be tasked with the responsibility of improving the team’s shooting from three-point land. That is an area the team ranked dead-last in shooting just 32 percent and needs to see dramatic improvement.

Vince Rozman will become a vital part of the team’s scouting department for an organization that has 15 future first-round picks and 13 future second-round picks through the 2029 NBA Draft.

This is a “winning move” that fans have been clamoring for. Their impact will be seen tangibly on the court, especially in future seasons. While 2022-23 might not produce a ton of wins, the long-term ramifications of these hires will leave their mark on the future of the organization.