Throughout Sam Presti's 17-year tenure running the OKC Thunder, he's seen his fair share of home runs when it comes to selections made in the NBA Draft.
The recent signings of Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to max extensions are two of the most pertinent examples of the executive's success stories.
Of course, this isn't to say Presti hasn't been susceptible to misses in this department.
Along the way, the Thunder have taken swings at prospects who wound up proving to be absolute clunkers with the club.
From Aleksej Pokusevski to Ousmane Dieng, the list of draft-day failures is rather extensive.
However, while many are already booted from the league and playing overseas, as we speak, there's one particular past blunder that's currently making a bid for a return to the association, as former first-round pick Darius Bazley is lighting it up with the Los Angeles Lakers Summer League squad.
Former Thunder bust Darius Bazley attempting NBA comeback
After splitting time between the Chinese Basketball League and the NBA G League last season, Bazley received an invite to join the Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League roster this offseason.
Through four games played this summer, the former prep-to-pro prospect has proven to be quite a reliable asset for LA.
He's been a stat-sheet stuffing presence down in the frontcourt with impressive, all-around averages of 15.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks on 56.7 percent shooting from the floor and 37.5 percent shooting from distance while predominantly coming off the pine.
While his scoring efforts have certainly caught the attention of fans, it's been his defensive intensity that's helped the Lakers remain so competitive in each exhibition played thus far, as he's not only been a shot-swatting extraordinaire, but has showcased his switchability and versatility thanks to his electrifying length and athleticism that captivated Sam Presti years ago.
Once upon a time, Bazley was selected 23 overall by the Thunder in the 2019 NBA Draft, taken ahead of guys like Jordan Poole, Nic Claxton, and Daniel Gafford.
He spent three and a half seasons in Oklahoma City, showing flashes of promise and averaging 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds along the way, though, ultimately, failing to put his potential as a two-way difference-maker together.
In February of 2023, the Thunder parted ways with the lanky, 6-foot-9 forward, sending him to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Dario Saric, a future second-round pick, and cash.
Since then, Bazley jumped between a few other teams before fizzling out of the league entirely following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
Still only 25 years old, OKC's former first-round flop is looking to make a comeback to the States for the 2025-26 season. Considering his current rate of play, it appears he's on his way to doing so with the Lakers.