The Oklahoma City Thunder are into the NBA Finals with a bright future because general manager Sam Presti navigated the apron era better than anyone else. He stockpiled draft picks and resisted the temptation to go all-in last summer when it was clear OKC was close. Presti instead built out the team’s depth and maintained their war chest of draft capital to navigate future hurdles.
The CBA puts harsh restrictions and penalties on teams that spend over the aprons. No longer can a franchise accumulate three stars and contend for multiple championships. It takes star talent surrounded by depth and versatility to win in this era. The Thunder are the deepest team in the league, and Presti plans to keep it that way.
He has drafted for versatility. Oklahoma City wants players who can dribble, pass, shoot, and defend. Presti made a bold trade to get Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that many criticized in the moment, but it was all about landing a star and accumulating picks. He has kept those selections to allow him to turn his roster over around SGA, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren when the bill increases.
Sam Presti understood the assignment before any other GM
Presti’s talent evaluation is next level. He refused to do the Paul George trade without getting Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder’s GM found Williams with the 12th pick in the draft when many believed it was a reach and has undrafted players playing key roles. Having talent is where it all starts because the MVP cannot do it alone.
The Thunder dominated their way to the NBA Finals without being a luxury tax team. That will change when Holmgren and Williams get new contracts in 2026-27. Then, Presti will show why he has all this young talent and draft capital. He likely moves on from expensive role players like Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort and replaces them with cheaper contracts. OKC will just keep changing out the players around their stars and could have a decade of runway to win championships.
Presti will make some of the picks in hopes of finding the next Cason Wallace or Lu Dort. He will trade others for role players like Alex Caruso and I-Hart. The draft capital ensures he has avenues to maximize his roster. This is a luxury most contending teams cannot afford.
Look no further than the Nuggets, who were gassed in Game 7 against the Thunder after having to heavily rely on six players in that series. Presti has planned to avoid that. He wants ten trusted options and a few change of paces on his bench at all times.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will be the talk of the NBA for the next decade. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will win multiple MVP awards and the team will be in yearly contention. Credit to Presti for understanding the assignment before anyone else. The Thunder are here to stay because of it.