Apologies to the Thunder and Sam Presti

[Jables]

Presti could literally just exist and he will be called the god of basketball executives. My dude has been in charge for 17 years and made the finals once. If you had to talk about the last 20 years the Thunder have been a footnote.

I don't give a **** about any executive, I'm just bemused by the circlejerk about Presti. He's done it again! He's made a watchable team! Yeah the Thunder look decent. Is there a medal for that we can give them every year?

[7r5ur]

Presti's too obsessed with his picks. Obviously he built a very promising team here, but he blew a major opportunity to win a title today. You don't know what's going to happen when these extensions start kicking in. I don't know if the window with SGA/JDub/Chet is as long as people think. These are all max/super-max guys. Plus high level role players like Dort, Joe, Wallace, etc. That's just difficult to keep together, as Presti has found out in the past.

Maybe he thinks he'll easily be able to replace guys with some of these picks, but I tend to think if you have an opportunity, and you don't have to sell off core pieces, you have to take it.

One issue with that is: Who's available and are they worth pursuing? I know Markkanen has been mentioned on RealGm, but if Ainge wants too much for him I could understand why Presti doesn't do it.

Then there are other players who might seem like a good idea for OKC but aren't available so they can't get them (even with a solid or good offer). In the past I've said that OKC should go after Caruso, but looking back I don't think the Bulls had any interest in trading him.

One of the most criminal omissions was not getting some size and rebounding up front. Even if you didn't want to make some huge pick-based offer for a Markannen and Caruso (I probably would have), there were plenty of cheaper ways to address some of the obvious holes. Gafford, Drummond, Kelly Olynyk, etc. All of these guys were obtainable for cheap and likely could have pushed them to the WCF at least.

[perempe20]

No apology from Shaq to Jokic?

[Dan Z]

Presti's too obsessed with his picks. Obviously he built a very promising team here, but he blew a major opportunity to win a title today. You don't know what's going to happen when these extensions start kicking in. I don't know if the window with SGA/JDub/Chet is as long as people think. These are all max/super-max guys. Plus high level role players like Dort, Joe, Wallace, etc. That's just difficult to keep together, as Presti has found out in the past.

Maybe he thinks he'll easily be able to replace guys with some of these picks, but I tend to think if you have an opportunity, and you don't have to sell off core pieces, you have to take it.

One issue with that is: Who's available and are they worth pursuing? I know Markkanen has been mentioned on RealGm, but if Ainge wants too much for him I could understand why Presti doesn't do it.

Then there are other players who might seem like a good idea for OKC but aren't available so they can't get them (even with a solid or good offer). In the past I've said that OKC should go after Caruso, but looking back I don't think the Bulls had any interest in trading him.

One of the most criminal omissions was not getting some size and rebounding up front. Even if you didn't want to make some huge pick-based offer for a Markannen and Caruso (I probably would have), there were plenty of cheaper ways to address some of the obvious holes. Gafford, Drummond, Kelly Olynyk, etc. All of these guys were obtainable for cheap and likely could have pushed them to the WCF at least.

I agree. They could've made a smaller trade to help with their playoff run this year and still have flexibility going forward.

[Astaluego]

One issue with that is: Who's available and are they worth pursuing? I know Markkanen has been mentioned on RealGm, but if Ainge wants too much for him I could understand why Presti doesn't do it.

Then there are other players who might seem like a good idea for OKC but aren't available so they can't get them (even with a solid or good offer). In the past I've said that OKC should go after Caruso, but looking back I don't think the Bulls had any interest in trading him.

One of the most criminal omissions was not getting some size and rebounding up front. Even if you didn't want to make some huge pick-based offer for a Markannen and Caruso (I probably would have), there were plenty of cheaper ways to address some of the obvious holes. Gafford, Drummond, Kelly Olynyk, etc. All of these guys were obtainable for cheap and likely could have pushed them to the WCF at least.

I agree. They could've made a smaller trade to help with their playoff run this year and still have flexibility going forward.

They did it (Hayward) it just didn't work.

[rapstarter]

We'll see. Oftentimes all that bright future talk just ends up being a team hopping on the treadmill before it breaks apart.

Yep we saw this with a previous version of the Thunder and more recently the 76ers. Nothing is guaranteed.

And even Boston, which has had one of the best constructed rosters in some time, might be sweating a bit if they were not in the EC. You never know with these things, and if you have a team good enough to be the first seed in the WC, why not take a legitimate swing at the cost of 1 of gazillion first rounders they have?

[Astaluego]

Presti could literally just exist and he will be called the god of basketball executives. My dude has been in charge for 17 years and made the finals once. If you had to talk about the last 20 years the Thunder have been a footnote.

I don't give a **** about any executive, I'm just bemused by the circlejerk about Presti. He's done it again! He's made a watchable team! Yeah the Thunder look decent. Is there a medal for that we can give them every year?

I do not agree with this, the Thunder is in a privileged position to pay more, if it is for a real improvement. And even so, they would still have a lot of assets. Presti is great and deserves all the credit in the world as a builder, but it is also true that it is difficult for him to give that last touch and he seems more in love with national teams and winning trades than with real players. It is a common theme in the board (for example) that Markkanen, given the fit, talent and possibly availability, would have been perfect...why not pay 2 or 3 FRP more (which could easily end up being the Poku/Dieng of the world) when you already have a super solid young core...?

[Dacost]

This happends all the time "they will be great for years to come " is a HUGE lie.

Injurys
Max contracts
Team chemistry

All this things change season to season.

3 years ago the Grizzlies where set up for years and then the whole roster got injured no one can see the future and can guarantee success.

[Wingy]

My memory may be scrambled, but didn't he trade Sengun for Giddy?

They drafted and traded Sengun for the pick that ended up being Dieng. Rare L for Presti.

Call me a skeptical but I feel like Presti thinks he's the smartest in the room - he will go to next season without addressing a gap at C position and insist on SGA, Jdubs, and Chet as the big three. He believes he don't really need a big body out there, instead, everybody would adjust to their play style.

Everyone was aware that he assembled a very flawed roster on both ends of the floor, although they won a lot of games in the regular season. Overlooking these deficiencies by putting too much stock in regular season performance and expected development from his "big three" may lead to another disappointing end to OKC after Durant/Westbrook/Harden era. It would be very interesting offseason for Presti and staying put would be the worst IMO, even though it would give them so called "future flexibility".

WTF is Presti doing worrying about picks swaps in 2028, while that exact move is enabling their direct competitor to improve with the exact kind of player his own best record in the West team needed??

They should’ve been the ones acquiring Gafford. Young big entering his prime on a very reasonable, even bargain deal. Smells of him getting way too high on his own genius, rubbing his hands being overly infatuated with his own hoard without being able to see what he has right in front of him. Surprising given what he already watched play out with KD et al.

He flat out effed up this deadline, so don’t do it again this offseason. The time is absolutely now. I’m not one calling for AD, or Markkanen. More the Gaffords, Drummonds, Carusos of the world. Short term contracts. value deals, for highly productive players. Get a couple of them.

Another idea is Capela. Expiring deal now, and ATL might want to make room to develop Sarr.

Even if you have to “lose” a deal, this team he has built is worth it. But can he even see that?

[Wingy]

All being equal they have a big window but I agree they need to consolidate some of their picks into an additional win-now talent.

Maybe not pushing all their chips in but definitely getting a Pippen (of sorts).

That said, Chet will make a leap next season so maybe it's an incremental frontcourt move first, and another defensive wing.

One move away..

I agree it’s a couple of smaller, but still significant moves. But I’d temper expectations with Chet. It’s hard for a young big to take a leap playing with such a ball dominant guard. Chet’s a better offensive prospect, but look at Mobley being paired with Mitchell. I think similarly, SGA caps what we’ll see Chet do.

[Dan Z]

One of the most criminal omissions was not getting some size and rebounding up front. Even if you didn't want to make some huge pick-based offer for a Markannen and Caruso (I probably would have), there were plenty of cheaper ways to address some of the obvious holes. Gafford, Drummond, Kelly Olynyk, etc. All of these guys were obtainable for cheap and likely could have pushed them to the WCF at least.

I agree. They could've made a smaller trade to help with their playoff run this year and still have flexibility going forward.

They did it (Hayward) it just didn't work.

Hayward never made sense for OKC, except as an expiring contract.

[basketballRob]

The trade for Hayward helped OKC clear $23m in space this summer. I think they'll go after a big. Claxton, JV , Hartenstein, or Anchiuwa.

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[levon]

I thought Presti should've gone after Alex Caruso at the trade deadline, but Lu Dort seems to play that role for them so I can understand why he didn't do that.

However, who else could he have gotten?

Gafford and PJ Washington would have sent them to the ECF. With the parity in this league, Presti just wasted a year.

You mean the WCF. ECF means Eastern Conference Finals.

They would've been so good they'd have won the Finals then played in the ECF in reverse.

[Astaluego]

The trade for Hayward helped OKC clear $23m in space this summer. I think they'll go after a big. Claxton, JV , Hartenstein, or Anchiuwa.

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In a short period of time the THUNDER could have had Sengun/Lively/Gafford... I think that should give us a clue about Presti's ideas regarding the centers... I wouldn't bet a cent on it being planned Invest a lot in the position (those you name will be expensive)...maybe a "cheap" backup like Jalen Smith or Goga

[Slimjimzv]

We all thought the same thing when Presti had KD. Look at how that turned out

Jumping in every thread to say this, eh? God forbid someone compliments Presti without you bringing up how things went 10 years ago. Let it go.

[Dan Z]

They drafted and traded Sengun for the pick that ended up being Dieng. Rare L for Presti.

Call me a skeptical but I feel like Presti thinks he's the smartest in the room - he will go to next season without addressing a gap at C position and insist on SGA, Jdubs, and Chet as the big three. He believes he don't really need a big body out there, instead, everybody would adjust to their play style.

Everyone was aware that he assembled a very flawed roster on both ends of the floor, although they won a lot of games in the regular season. Overlooking these deficiencies by putting too much stock in regular season performance and expected development from his "big three" may lead to another disappointing end to OKC after Durant/Westbrook/Harden era. It would be very interesting offseason for Presti and staying put would be the worst IMO, even though it would give them so called "future flexibility".

WTF is Presti doing worrying about picks swaps in 2028, while that exact move is enabling their direct competitor to improve with the exact kind of player his own best record in the West team needed??

They should’ve been the ones acquiring Gafford. Young big entering his prime on a very reasonable, even bargain deal. Smells of him getting way too high on his own genius, rubbing his hands being overly infatuated with his own hoard without being able to see what he has right in front of him. Surprising given what he already watched play out with KD et al.

He flat out effed up this deadline, so don’t do it again this offseason. The time is absolutely now. I’m not one calling for AD, or Markkanen. More the Gaffords, Drummonds, Carusos of the world. Short term contracts. value deals, for highly productive players. Get a couple of them.

Another idea is Capela. Expiring deal now, and ATL might want to make room to develop Sarr.

Even if you have to “lose” a deal, this team he has built is worth it. But can he even see that?

OKC is a young team so maybe Presti wanted to see how they'd do while maintaining future flexibility...?

However, I agree that he should've made a small trade such as Drummond (which wouldn't cost much). Or if he ultimately goes after a player like Markkanen he should've done that this year so he could have him on the team for more time.

The good thing is they have cap space and the #12 pick in the draft. Maybe they draft a center (Ware? Yves?) or trade up for one (Clingan?)? Or offer a contract to Claxton or Hartenstein?

[JJ_PR]

We see it time and time again that just because a team is young it doesn’t mean that they will have a better season next year. There are teams on the come up and some haven’t made trades. Also there is the health factor so you have to take your shot when you have it.

Presti traded for Hayward and he had 0 points in the series. The mavs traded for pj and gafford which Presti also helped facilitate with the pick manoeuvre.
Sometimes you can get too cute and you get a dose of reality.

Gafford and Washington would've helped the Thunder tremendously. Presti took an L on the trade deadline, and again against the Mavs, the team that actually went and did something at the deadline with limited assets available.

[bluemj32]

I don't remember anyone saying at the deadline they should have made a deal. Hindsight is 20/20.

As long as they keep this group together and the owner does not go cheap like the previous era team, all will be good.

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[HotelVitale]

Presti could literally just exist and he will be called the god of basketball executives. My dude has been in charge for 17 years and made the finals once. If you had to talk about the last 20 years the Thunder have been a footnote.

I don't give a **** about any executive, I'm just bemused by the circlejerk about Presti. He's done it again! He's made a watchable team! Yeah the Thunder look decent. Is there a medal for that we can give them every year?

I do not agree with this, the Thunder is in a privileged position to pay more, if it is for a real improvement. And even so, they would still have a lot of assets. Presti is great and deserves all the credit in the world as a builder, but it is also true that it is difficult for him to give that last touch and he seems more in love with national teams and winning trades than with real players. It is a common theme in the board (for example) that Markkanen, given the fit, talent and possibly availability, would have been perfect...why not pay 2 or 3 FRP more (which could easily end up being the Poku/Dieng of the world) when you already have a super solid young core...?

Where would you get the idea that Markkanen was available for a couple mid 1sts?

[Astaluego]

Presti could literally just exist and he will be called the god of basketball executives. My dude has been in charge for 17 years and made the finals once. If you had to talk about the last 20 years the Thunder have been a footnote.

I don't give a **** about any executive, I'm just bemused by the circlejerk about Presti. He's done it again! He's made a watchable team! Yeah the Thunder look decent. Is there a medal for that we can give them every year?

I do not agree with this, the Thunder is in a privileged position to pay more, if it is for a real improvement. And even so, they would still have a lot of assets. Presti is great and deserves all the credit in the world as a builder, but it is also true that it is difficult for him to give that last touch and he seems more in love with national teams and winning trades than with real players. It is a common theme in the board (for example) that Markkanen, given the fit, talent and possibly availability, would have been perfect...why not pay 2 or 3 FRP more (which could easily end up being the Poku/Dieng of the world) when you already have a super solid young core...?

Where would you get the idea that Markkanen was available for a couple mid 1sts?

Sorry, I don't have a good grasp of English grammar and I tend to be difficult to understand... I meant, pay 2 or 3 FRP more (excess) a total of 4/5 maybe...they can afford it, if they think it's the right move...I could be wrong but in the Jazz situation, I think Lauri would be available for an overpayment