Not a week into the OKC Thunder's offseason, their game plan has already begun to take shape.
Contract questions and postseason struggles led to a wave of unsettlement among Thunder faithful, and many fans and pundits alike are calling for major reform.
Though decisions are far from finalized, it's clear that general manager Sam Presti's preferred response to the increased noise is to completely ignore it.
A trio of updates hit social media this week regarding potential roster movements, or lack thereof.
Sources reported that Isaiah Hartenstein will likely be back in a Thunder uniform at the start of next season, and superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been rumored to heavily vouch for the return of running mate Lu Dort.
The two are both up for team options and were considered to be likely candidates to move cities in the Thunder's pursuit of staying under the second apron.
In addition, Tim McMahon reported that the Thunder will likely not listening to anybody who claims Chet Holmgren should be dealt after his underwhelming performance against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Thunder's offseason plan the exact opposite of what many had in mind
It's obvious the NBA is known for its theatrics. From Kevind Durant skipping town every other summer to Luka Doncic's blockbuster deal, it's no mystery that numerous franchises and players alike have a flair for the dramatic when it comes to changing uniforms.
The NBA world fell into the same trap this week when the Thunder lost in seven games to a fiery Spurs team. A plethora of trade proposals, both realistic and radical, were thrown around, with many pundits predicting the end of multiple Thunder tenures.
In the eye of the hypothetical trade storm, however, has been the steadying presence of Sam Presti.
He may be ready to disappoint those hoping for a Thunder roster overhaul, but he has maintained something that most fans haven't been able to demonstrate over the past few days: perspective.
Presti sees the reality of the situation. OKC just took a 62-win Spurs team to seven games without two of their four top scorers. They were one Wemby miracle three-pointer in Game 1 away from closing out the series in six games, and Oklahoma City's newest scapegoat, Chet Holmgren, was averaging 18.6 postseason points per game before the Conference Finals.
It's clear Presti will be basing his offseason decisions on the entire picture rather than a small exerpt.
By the end of the offseason, the entire Thunder front office will have demonstrated the importance of maintaining a level head when the rest of the world overreacts.
While the world demands an upheaval in Bricktown, OKC's genius GM is deferring to patience, and rightfully so. It's the same patience that brought the Thunder their first championship last year, and it has positioned them for dynastic success in the coming years.
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