Sam Presti Articles - Page 3

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder's Sam Presti was stunned by Paul George's trade request, but respected his approach

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti was stunned when the agent of Paul George approached him on July 2nd about trading George to a team in which he could play with Kawhi Leonard, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Presti said he would consider it, but he requested a face-to-face meeting with George before […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti speaks out on Russell Westbrook's return to Oklahoma City

Thursday is going to be an emotional night for Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook, as the former MVP returns to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder. Westbrook is the most popular player in Thunder franchise history. He’s going to get his No. 0 jersey retired and will probably get a statue outside Chesapeake Energy Arena one […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti speaks on Paul George's return to OKC as a member of the Clippers

Ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers’ matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Thunder general manager Sam Presti expressed his thoughts on All-Star forward Paul George. PG13 will return to OKC for the first time as a member of a visiting team since the summer 2019 trade sent him to L.A. Per ESPN’s Royce […]

Oklahoma City ThunderRumor: Thunder would allow GM Sam Presti to leave for Knicks if he wanted to

A person close to Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti believes his relationship with Thunder owner Clay Bennett is such that if he wants to leave for the New York Knicks or another organization, he’ll be allowed to even while under contract with OKC, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. […]

New York KnicksThunder GM Sam Presti has fans within Knicks organization

The New York Knicks are an organization in flux. In the wake of firing head coach David Fizdale last week, the team will forge forth with interim coach Mike Miller. However, the threat of even bigger changes permeates from the front office, with president Steve Mills reportedly facing job security issues of his own. One […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder not in a hurry to compete, looking to build a 'sustainable' contending core

When the Oklahoma City Thunder let go of Russell Westbrook and Paul George via trade, it was a sign that the team was heading into rebuild mode. However, they admitted that they’re not in a hurry to complete a ‘sustainable’ contending core. The Thunder have been one of the more successful teams in the last […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti says Chris Paul 'galvanized' the team in offseason

When Chris Paul landed in the laps of the Oklahoma City Thunder in their blockbuster deal with the Houston Rockets, many assumed they would instantly trade the veteran guard. However, Paul is still on the Thunder, and it seems like he’s ready to take this young squad under his wing. In an article by Brett […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti stresses patience with developing team, says there are 'no shortcuts'

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti was the architect of the franchise’s 2012 NBA Finals appearance, featuring future NBA MVPs in the trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Now, Presti is overseeing the next transformation in the history of the Thunder. The past offseason saw Presti part with longtime fan favorite […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti claims Thunder fans 'are going to really enjoy watching' Chris Paul play

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti says Thunder fans “are going to really enjoy watching” Chris Paul play this upcoming season. While we don’t know if Paul is going to spend the entire season in OKC, Presti knows CP3 is going to bring it every night he’s in a Thunder uniform. Sam Presti when […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti expects Chris Paul to have a good year, Steven Adams to develop more

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti is hopeful for a new era of this franchise, despite obviously trending to rebuilding after losing Paul George and Russell Westbrook in the offseason. OKC did get back Chris Paul by dealing Westbrook, an addition Presti expects will pay off, as well as his incorporation alongside Steven Adams. […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti responds to Kevin Durant's scathing comments toward OKC

A newly-bearded Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti responded to Kevin Durant’s scathing comments about the organization and its employees during an interview with WSJ. Magazine. The longtime executive didn’t go into details, but noted the organization has done everything that’s been asked of it during his tenure in OKC. “I think we’ve been […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti speaks out on realistic goals for 2019-20 season

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Sam Presti pushed the reset button after they traded away both Paul George and Russell Westbrook in the offseason. The trade officially places Oklahoma City in rebuild mode for the foreseeable future. In an interview with Brett Dawson of The Athletic, Thunder GM Sam Presti discussed about their plan of […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti encouraged by Darius Bazley's ballhandling, but knows it'll be a process with him

The Oklahoma City Thunder took a chance in one of the most unique prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft, selecting Darius Bazley with the 23rd overall pick, a long, dynamic forward who chose to forgo his college eligibility and turned down Syracuse to seek out his own path to the league. Thunder general manager Sam […]

Oklahoma City ThunderNBA exec expects Thunder GM Sam Presti to trade Chris Paul 'for something useful'

An anonymous NBA executive expects Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti to trade veteran point guard Chris Paul “for something useful” down the line. Paul is expected to begin the 2019-20 season on the Thunder. However, Presti will most likely try and find a trade partner for CP3 before the February 2020 trade deadline. […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti explains why he granted Paul George's trade request

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti spoke with the local media on Thursday and talked about why he granted small forward Paul George’s trade request. The Thunder traded George to the Los Angeles Clippers and got an unbelievable haul. OKC acquired Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and five first-round picks: Sam Presti on why he […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti hesitant to say OKC is starting to rebuild

Despite the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Paul George and Russell Westbrook this offseason, general manager Sam Presti isn’t quite ready to say that his team is entering a rebuilding phase. “I wouldn’t say that we’ve started to rebuild,” Presti told Brett Dawson of The Athletic on Thursday. “The first step is re-positioning […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti expresses confusion about Russell Westbrook, Paul George 'discontent' with franchise

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti had kind words for former stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook at a press conference on Thursday, but he also seemed surprised when questioned about the reported discontent of the duo. Presti claimed that most NBA players are unhappy when the season ends without a championship, and insisted […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a 'tremendously bright future'

Though they lost Paul George in their recent trade with the L.A. Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder received Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as part of the deal — a player who Sam Presti is excited to have aboard. In a recent interview with Brett Dawson of The Athletic, Presti noted that Gilgeous-Alexander has “a bright future in […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti says it's 'really, really special' to have a future Hall of Famer in Chris Paul with Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be fielding a team led by Chris Paul next season, as long as there’s no surprise trade in the coming months. The Thunder are not expected to contend for a championship, but they have what it takes to be competitive. General manager Sam Presti said he’s excited to see what […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti says he didn't get Paul George trade request until July

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti explained the Paul George situation at length, claiming he did not hear of his trade request until July, according to Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman. “When the situation developed in July, that was the first we heard of that,” said Presti, referring to the George trade request. Presti […]

Los Angeles ClippersSam Presti disagrees that parting ways with Paul George was 'mutual,' but it wasn't 'adversarial'

The L.A. Clippers welcomed Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to the organization with an introductory press conference on Wednesday afternoon. During the event, George noted that his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder was “mutual.” However, Thunder general manager Sam Presti “wouldn’t necessarily agree” with George’s assessment, according to a report from Brett Dawson […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti thanks Russell Westbrook, Paul George for their contributions

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti was effusive in thanking Russell Westbrook and Paul George for their contributions shortly after taking out an op-ed on The Oklahoman to explain the team’s decision to undergo a rebuild. Presti thanked Westbrook “for the tremendous contributions he’s made to our organization and community, the time he put […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti laments challenges of being in a small market

The Oklahoma City Thunder has lost two of their best players after they have decided to trade both Paul George and Russell Westbrook. And as painful as it is for the team executives, particularly general manager Sam Presti, they will have to go through the long process of rebuild once again. Since 2008, the Thunder […]

Oklahoma City ThunderGM Sam Presti pens op-ed in local paper to explain the major decisions made this summer

At the end of last season, fans of the Oklahoma City Thunder were still optimistic about their team’s future, even after back-t0-back exits in the first round of the playoffs with Russell Westbrook and Paul George leading the way. Back then it felt like they only needed a couple more pieces to legitimately contend for […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti, Thunder front office received death threats after trading Paul George

The Oklahoma City Thunder front office has revealed that they received death threats after trading Paul George to the LA Clippers. In a report by Perris Jones of ABC-affiliate KOCO News, a man left two voicemails threatening the Thunder’s front office, coaches, and general manager Sam Presti. A transcript of the voice mail read in […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder's Sam Presti comments on getting Chris Paul, picks in Russell Westbrook trade

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets pulled off what initially seemed like an impossible trade to once again jumpstart what has been an incredibly action-packed offseason. With All-NBA point guard Russell Westbrook heading from Oklahoma City to Houston, the Thunder most notably received fellow All-Star point guard Chris Paul in return. However, the plot […]

Oklahoma City ThunderGM Sam Presti says Russell Westbrook 'is the most important player' in Thunder history

The Oklahoma City Thunder made the Russell Westbrook trade official on Tuesday, with fans saying goodbye to the 30-year-old who spent his entire 11-year NBA career thus far with the Thunder. OKC general manager Sam Presti had some words of praise for the departing Westbrook too. Presti has been with the organization since its relocation […]

Oklahoma City Thunder3 biggest NBA offseason takeaways for the Thunder

In a rather unexpected turn of events, the Oklahoma City Thunder have blown it up this offseason, trading away Paul George and beloved star Russell Westbrook for a massive haul of draft picks (and Chris Paul). It’s not like the Thunder could have improved if they didn’t decide to trade their two stars, so this […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti praised around NBA for how he handled Paul George situation

When Paul George signed a four-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer, he seemed to be making a commitment to the franchise that he was there to stay. George had an opportunity to return home to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, but instead elected to return to Oklahoma City. So Thunder general […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti says Paul George should be remembered fondly after trade to Clippers

Despite leaving a colossal demolition of the franchise in the wake of his trade, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti urged fans to remember Paul George fondly for his two years with the team. George left a sour taste in the mouths of fans when he requested a trade to the LA Clippers behind […]

Los Angeles ClippersReport: Clippers feared Sam Presti would send Paul George to Raptors to pair with Kawhi Leonard

The Los Angeles Clippers shocked the NBA community by trading for Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George and signing NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, immediately elevating their status in the Western Conference with just one bold stroke. But after the Clippers began the regular season as the presumptive favorites to land Leonard in the summer, […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder's Sam Presti says he has seen 'impressive' clips of Andre Roberson as he prepares for return to court

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti gave an update on rehabbing swingman Andre Roberson on Friday, saying he has seen “impressive” clips of the 27-year-old as he continues his training in Texas, according to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman. This is a good sign given Roberson hasn’t played since January 2018 due to a […]

Oklahoma City ThunderGM Sam Presti concedes Thunder are trying to achieve cost savings after NBA Draft

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti admitted the organization will have to make some cost-pertinent decisions in the wake of the NBA Draft: “Last season in order to keep Paul George and Jerami Grant in Oklahoma City, we were going to have to be aggressive in that situation,” said Presti, according to Erik Horne […]

Oklahoma City Thunder3 bold offseason predictions for the Oklahoma City Thunder

It was an up-and-down 2018-19 season for the Oklahoma City Thunder who were the best team in the NBA at times and the most disappointing at others. Unfortunately for Thunder fans, it was the latter that won out in the end. A season full of promise was over just as the playoffs had just started. […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder's Sam Presti thought Alex Abrines would have a breakout year, blames himself for OKC's lack of wing depth

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti thought Alex Abrines would be the next breakout star for the team. Injuries and personal problems forced the organization to waive the Spaniard, leaving a lack of wing depth in the roster. Per Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman, Presti blamed himself for not making the ample moves to […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti discusses Russell Westbrook's current status with the Thunder

There isn’t a star player in the NBA who is currently under more scrutiny than Russell Westbrook. Not LeBron James. Not Kevin Durant. Not Kyrie Irving. Nobody. Following a third straight first-round playoff exit, many are now questioning just how good Westbrook really is and whether or not the Oklahoma City Thunder can actually win […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti has straightforward response to Thunder's playoff performance

For the third straight year, the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs. In 2017, it was excused, as the clearly overmatched Thunder lost in the first round to the Houston Rockets. But these last two years? It has been a bad look for Oklahoma City. First, the Thunder fell […]

Oklahoma City ThunderSam Presti anticipates Billy Donovan returning as Thunder coach

Despite the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder were sent home in the first round of the plays, it sounds like Billy Donovan will be returning as head coach of the team next season. In an interview with the media on Monday morning, Thunder general manager Sam Presti noted that he is anticipating Donovan’s return […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThe Thunder should think about trading Russell Westbrook

The mere concept of trading Russell Westbrook might be too fraught for the Oklahoma City Thunder to fathom. No player in the league, with the ever notable exception of Damian Lillard, is more synonymous with his team than the Thunder’s superstar point guard. He was a reckless rookie for the Thunder’s 3-29 start during their […]

Oklahoma City ThunderWho is most to blame for the Oklahoma City Thunder's struggles?

There was a time when the Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the most feared teams in the league and were seen as a perennial title contender. Those days are long gone, as they flew out the door with Kevin Durant during the summer of 2016. To be fair, no one expected the Thunder to […]

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