OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti has received unparalleled levels of praise in recent years as his team continues to dominate the NBA. His front office was even voted the best in the league in a recent poll, and rightfully so.
However, the recent breakout of a former Thunder draft pick has reminded the NBA that, regardless of their renowned status, this storied executive is still fallible.
Former OKC first-round draft pick and current Nuggets guard Peyton Watson has enjoyed an impressive stretch of dominance in the absence of big man Nikola Jokic.
Over the past nine games, Watson is truly putting up All-Star numbers, averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while helping the Nuggets go 6-3 along the way.
The guard was selected by OKC back in 2022 before getting dealt to Denver in a pre-arranged deal on draft day. In exchange for Watson and two future second-round picks, the Thunder received JaMychal Green and a 2027 first-round pick.
While Watson has firmly cemented himself in head coach David Adelman's rotation, JaMychal Green never even donned an OKC uniform. His contract was bought out by the Golden State Warriors, where he won a ring the following year.
He hasn't seen an NBA court since.
Thunder GM Sam Presti is by no means immune to mistakes
Of course, Presti still boasts his share of value finds. Second-round gems like Ajay Mitchell and Aaron Wiggins have boosted OKC's depth and played an integral role in its first-ever championship last year.
Most notably, he's best known for his now-infamous trade involving Paul George, in which he acquired future franchise cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander along with a plethora of future draft picks that have helped set this team up to become the game's next great dynasty.
Watson merely represents one of the few talents that have gotten away from the Thunder.
Here in 2025-26, he's beginning to tap into his two-way potential, shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from deep while holding opponents to a highly impressive 47.8 percent defensive field goal percentage.
OKC has struggled to find reliable perimeter shooters who can also defend at a high level, and Watson's player profile fits that bill. Now, the Thunder will likely be forced to offload some assets to acquire what they already had in their possession a few years back.
Oklahoma City is undoubtedly not looking back, as their sole focus remains on winning another championship. Watson might have something to say about that, however, as he and his deep Nuggets squad project to be one of the teams standing in the way of the Thunder's title aspirations.