Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade and 13 other genius Thunder moves Sam Presti nailed

7. Traded Russ for CP3

Trading a superstar is never easy, especially one that helped put the franchise on the map. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were the first two superstars in Oklahoma City. Westbrook was the first Thunder draft pick to blossom into a star as Durant played his rookie season in Seattle.

The Brodie became an all-time great with the Thunder. He was MVP in 2017 and an eight-time All-Star. After Durant’s departure, Westbrook was a walking triple-double and one of the most electric players in the league. It was not easy sending him packing, but after trading Paul George, it was the right thing for Oklahoma City to do.

Sam Presti knocked it out of the park again. He traded the 30-year-old point guard for Chris Paul and four first-round draft picks. It was an opportunity to buy low on CP3 and get a ton of draft capital. Paul led the Thunder to the playoffs in 2020 before Presti traded him to the Suns for four players and another first-round draft pick.

Russell Westbrook was an All-Star in 2020, but his stock quickly faded as he bounced around the league. Presti sold at just the right moment, and the haul helped the Oklahoma City Thunder build their current roster.