Tag: Sam Presti

Carmelo Anthony details divorce with Thunder after lone season in OKC

Carmelo Anthony details divorce with Thunder after lone season in OKC.

The Oklahoma City Thunder caught headlines in the 2018 offseason when they added Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. After Kevin Durant’s departure, they suddenly were seen as title favorites led by Russell Westbrook.

But alas, the trio only lasted one season. The Thunder underperformed and were a first-round exit via the Utah Jazz. After the season, OKC wanted to shake up its roster as it tried to pursue George to sign an extension.

The biggest change involved Anthony, who struggled in his new and smaller role with the Thunder. He was shipped to the Atlanta Hawks for Dennis Schroder, where he was bought out.

In a recent podcast appearance, Anthony revealed how his divorce from the Thunder went. The future Hall-of-Famer noted he was willing to come off the bench in his second year but wasn’t given the opportunity.

“I was working with Sam (Presti), we was about to figure a deal out,” Anthony said. “… Billy Donovan called me in Paris and he was like, ‘We want to start developing Jerami Grant into the lineup, he is younger.’

“I was like, ‘Okay cool, just tell me you want me to accept that role, I am willing to work with you.’ He was like, ‘Nah, we don’t think it is going to work here anymore.'”

George — who was on the podcast — was also surprised by the move. He thought Anthony would’ve attended his free agency party for his new deal with OKC. Instead, he quickly learned the Thunder were ready to move on.

Years later, the Thunder made the right call. Grant developed into a quality starter for the Thunder and Schroder enjoyed a pair of strong seasons off the bench for OKC.

Meanwhile, Anthony struggled to stay in one spot. He spent the rest of his career as an NBA journeyman who came off the bench for playoff contenders.

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Bleacher Reports grades OKC Thunder 2024 offseason with A

Bleacher Reports grades OKC Thunder 2024 offseason with A.

The calendar will soon flip to August, which means most of the big offseason moves have already been made by NBA teams. Following the draft and free agency, most rosters are set.

This allows Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey to hand out offseason grades for all 30 NBA teams.

As one can expect, the Oklahoma City Thunder had a high result. They had a productive offseason headlined by the additions of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. OKC received an A for its efforts.

“The Oklahoma City Thunder may well have had the best offseason in the NBA.

They’re already among the youngest teams in the league and are coming off a first-place finish in the West. This summer, they addressed their glaring weaknesses…

Adding Isaiah Hartenstein gives the Thunder the option to pivot when necessary, and it’s reasonable to believe Hartenstein and the more perimeter-oriented Chet Holmgren can even play together…

The other weakness was Josh Giddey’s struggles as an outside shooter, which made him an easy option to sag off of. Alex Caruso will punish opposing defenses that choose to pack the paint rather than close out to his open catches.”

Bailey even mentioned their draft haul. The Thunder swung with Nikola Topic, who fell in draft boards because of a torn ACL that will keep him out next season. OKC has the luxury of waiting out his recovery.

“Add to those additions the team-friendly contracts for Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, as well the pick of Nikola Topić (perhaps this class’ best playmaker) in the draft, and this is an easy A even though Topić figures to miss this season while recovering from a torn ACL.”

The Thunder entered the offseason with over $30 million in cap space and used it wisely to improve their roster. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are on bargain deals for the next two seasons, so they took advantage of the added payroll to spend.

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Chet Holmgren amazed by Sam Presti, has full trust in how he operates Thunder

Chet Holmgren amazed by Sam Presti, has full trust in how he operates Thunder.

It appears the Oklahoma City Thunder have nailed their crown jewel pick of their recent rebuild with Chet Holmgren.

The 22-year-old flourished in his rookie season and helped OKC become the youngest first seed in league history. The seven-footer averaged 16.5 points on 53% shooting, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks.

He provided elite rim protection and can handle the ball as a lengthy center. He’s also a plus-shooter from deep. He has plenty of room to grow after one year, especially on the offensive end.

Holmgren is part of OKC’s trio with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. That triumvirate headline the Thunder’s current title window.

Off the court, Holmgren’s personality meshes well with how the Thunder carry themselves. The 22-year-old’s no-nonsense mindset matches up with OKC’s business-like approach.

In a podcast appearance on “Road Trippin’,” Holmgren told former NBA players Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye how much he admires Sam Presti’s work ethic.

“There’s a reason why everybody looks at what he’s doing and are like wildly impressed,” Holmgren said. “… I would just say, ‘Sit the f— down.’

“That m—–f—— is on a different level. He’s on a different level of consciousness. When you talk to him, it’s just like, yeah. You only know if you had a conversation with him but when you do it’s like, ‘This m—–f—— is so light years ahead of where I am.'”

Holmgren said he fully trusts Presti to help build up a contender in OKC. Considering their offseason additions, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

“I don’t even think or worry about what he’s doing,” Holmgren said. “I’m like, ‘He’s gonna get this s— right, let me get my s— right.’ I got a long way to go. Let me sit the f— down and get my s— right.”

Organizational synergy is an important aspect when it comes to maintaining the health of the Thunder. It’s music to Thunder fans’ ears to hear that Holmgren and Presti are on the same page.

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ESPN’s Zach Lowe loved the Thunder’s offseason, said they improved the most

ESPN’s Zach Lowe loved the Thunder’s offseason, said they improved the most.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a productive offseason after becoming the youngest first seed in league history. With over $30 million in cap space, OKC strengthened its roster.

The two big acquisitions for the Thunder were Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. They are perfect fits into OKC’s rotation and are low-maintenance rotation players who can start or come off the bench,

ESPN’s Zach Lowe has been a huge fan of the Thunder’s offseason. He recently stated they are better positioned than any other team in the league to win right now and in the long-term future due to the amount of assets they own.

On “NBA Today,” he further planted his flag on the Thunder by opinionating they improved the most this offseason.

“It won’t get reflected in their win total because they’ve already won a lot of games, but I think the (Thunder) are indisputably the biggest winner of the offseason,” Lowe said. “Again, they won a ton of games, they were the No. 1 seed last year, I’ll bet they’re going to be the favorites to be the No. 1 seed again.”

Lowe mentioned the additions of Caruso and Hartestein as underrated moves. They complement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams extremely well.

“Their versatility in the playoffs went up a level by swapping out Josh Giddey and bringing in Alex Caruso — who shot 41% on threes last year and is an All-Defense player,” Lowe said. “And Isaiah Hartenstein just brings a completely new dimension to their team.

“Helps them on the glass, he can play next to Chet Holmgren, he’s a great passer and that fits with Chet. It just gives them different looks, different styles they didn’t have last year.”

Lowe even boldly proclaimed that the Thunder are an immediate championship favorite. They might not have captured sexy headlines, but OKC quietly fixed its holes from last season.

“I think their ceiling got higher, their playoff ceiling got higher,” Lowe said. “The Thunder are here now to try and win the whole damn thing.”

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Thunder GM Sam Presti discusses new deals for Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins

Thunder GM Sam Presti discusses new deals for Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins.

Entering the offseason with over $30 million in cap space, the Oklahoma City Thunder utilized the funds to extend a pair of key role players that contributed over the years.

The Thunder extended Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to lengthy, team-friendly deals. This came after their cheap team options for next season were declined. Joe signed a four-year, $48 million deal; Wiggins signed a five-year, $47 million deal.

Both players have had similar arcs of unexpected contributors who became key rotation pieces these last couple of seasons for the Thunder.

Joe was a late training camp addition in 2022. The Philadelphia 76ers cut him after two forgettable seasons. Wiggins worked his way up the depth chart as a late second-round player in 2021. Three years later, he’s the last player left from his OKC rookie class.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti discussed their decision to sign Wiggins and Joe to new deals. As the summer league is on the verge of starting, he said they’re great reminders that anybody can carve out an NBA career regardless of draft positioning.

“I used this as an example with some people the other day, our coaches for summer league the other day about remaining open,” Presti said. “Remaining non-judgmental, having a beginner’s mindset when we’re looking at younger players in summer league.”

Presti noted that player development is a unique path for every player. He said that draft positioning shouldn’t box in what a player’s potential can be once they enter the league.

“When you go out and watch everybody in summer league, we’re all humans and people generally want to get to the fastest answer possible with as little work as possible,” Presti said. “And that’s where we get into these big judgments and plant our flag on things and hopefully no one remembers when we’re so wrong.”

Presti noted that all of OKC’s biggest acquisitions this offseason were players who either went late in the second round or were undrafted, which further proved his point.

“I think Caruso, Isaiah, Joe, Wiggins, Hartenstein, I think all these guys, some of the guys that we’ve drafted, they’re coming from behind,” Presti said. “And we like those types of guys.”

Presti continued: “We want to try to invest in those people and put as many of them together because they’re hungry, they’re grateful, and they’re driven.”

Overall, it was a smart usage of their cap space. They lock down both players for the foreseeable future on extremely movable deals.

Just like paying bills with extra money founded, it might’ve not captured headlines by it’s the type of investments that build a healthy squad.

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Isaiah Hartenstein mulled over decision to leave Knicks for Thunder

Isaiah Hartenstein mulled over decision to leave Knicks for Thunder.

Mulling over his choices, Isaiah Hartenstein made the close decision to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder over the New York Knicks.

Traditionally struggling to draw free agents, a mixture of contract and being a contender helped the Thunder land Hartenstein, who is seen as the best outside addition in franchise history.

The 26-year-old admitted he struggled with his decision to leave the New York Knicks. He had his breakout year last season as he took over the starter spot over Mitchell Robinson, who was injured.

“If I’m honest, it was hard. I was in a situation (where) I loved my teammates out in New York,” Hartenstein said. “I really appreciate what Tibs and Leon did for me, and the fans in New York showed a lot of love.”

The appeal to play for a title contender allured Hartenstein. In OKC, he can make a stellar frontcourt with Chet Holmgren. The pair of seven-footers provide the Thunder with stout rim protection.

“But going into this situation, this is very exciting,” Hartenstein said. “From afar, I always saw how the culture was, especially since they’ve been in OKC, how they established a culture.

“The style of play I think really fits me. I’m a high-IQ player. They have a lot of guys who cut, so I think to me I’m one of the best passers in the NBA.”

The Thunder landed their biggest fish yet since they relocated to OKC. Perhaps this is the dawn of a new era where modern players are more open to playing with the Thunder than previous generations.

The finances are likely the biggest reasons, but it’s still shocking to see an NBA player willingly choose OKC over the bright lights of New York.

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ESPN’s Zach Lowe impressed with OKC Thunder’s offseason, long-term flexibility

ESPN’s Zach Lowe impressed with OKC Thunder’s offseason, long-term flexibility.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have received ample praise for their offseason. The youngest first seed in league history strengthened their depth with the additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein.

OKC also swung in the draft with Nikola Topic, who was seen as one of the best prospects before he tore his ACL. The Thunder can afford a redshirt year and the risks involved.

More impressively, the Thunder maneuvered and improved their roster without giving up a single first-round selection. This puts OKC in an unprecedented situation where it can spend its wealthy draft capital when needed.

This has caused NBA media pundits to call the Thunder one of the biggest offseason winners. Zach Lowe noted that opposing squads hoped OKC would strike out this offseason with new players.

“The rest of the Western Conference is betting and hoping, crossing their fingers, they strike out,” Lowe said on NBA Today’s free agency special on Sunday.

With the additions of Hartenstein and Caruso, it appears the Thunder have hit a two-out, three-run homer.

Lowe took it further in his latest “The Lowe Post” episode. He noted that the Thunder are better equipped than any team in recent history to compete for a championship both in the short-term and long-term futures.

“I would venture to guess that no team in the history of basketball has been so well positioned for the present and the future at the same time,” Lowe said. “… This moment right now for the Oklahoma City Thunder is the best position any NBA team has ever been in in the modern era…

“Real possibilities in the present and theoretical possibilities and paths in the future. It’s just astounding what they’ve accomplished.”

The Thunder took advantage of their unique opportunity and pounced on their top targets. OKC only gave up Josh Giddey — who was an awkward fit — for Caruso, who is a seamless slide with the starters.

Meanwhile, it took a bit of an overpay to land Hartenstein, but the Thunder could afford it as they entered free agency with over $30 million in cap space to spend.

On top of those two moves, they also signed Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to team-friendly deals that are easily movable. Those two have played key roles as role players in OKC.

Across the board, the Thunder have had an A-plus offseason. It looks like national media figures like Lowe agree.

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Thunder GM Sam Presti details draft philosophy to always move up

Thunder GM Sam Presti details draft philosophy to always move up.

The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2024 NBA draft with one selection and exited the two-day event with three rookies.

The Thunder stood pat at the No. 12 spot and selected Nikola Topic. It’s a calculated swing. OKC can afford to wait out a redshirt year and not rush the 18-year-old to play.

For the other two rookies, it was a multi-step process to acquire them.

The Thunder shipped five future second-round picks to the New York Knicks for the No. 26 selection to add Dillon Jones. The next day, OKC made a series of trades to go up to the No. 38 pick to draft Ajay Mitchell.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti detailed the process to add Jones and Mitchell in the 2024 rookie introductory presser. He said it aligns with their philosophy of always being aggressors during the draft.

“We’ve always done everything we can to move up the draft. That’s something we’ve done every year,” Presti said. “If we’re picking 12, we try to get to 11, we try to get to 10.

“If we’re picking — in some cases we didn’t have picks. We’re trying to get in the draft and then seeing if we can work our way up just because we really try to follow the board the best that we can.”

The Thunder have a wealth of draft capital at their disposal. They’ve built it up over the years for these exact moments. OKC can afford to overpay for a draft selection without leaving a dint in its treasure trove.

“There have been a lot of times we’ve tried and haven’t been successful. But these situations worked out for us,” Presti said. “The players that we wanted were there. I’m really excited about it.

“But philosophically we’re always trying to maneuver and move ourselves up there, and some years are different than others.”

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Nikola Topic excited to share backcourt with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Nikola Topic excited to share backcourt with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Oklahoma City Thunder betted with ceiling and patience when they selected Nikola Topic with the No. 12 pick of the 2024 NBA draft.

The 18-year-old was seen as one of the best prospects in his class before he partially tore his ACL. He will miss all of next season and confirmed he will soon undergo surgery to repair his knee.

Topic had a chance to talk with local media on Saturday. It was the first time he’s been in OKC as he will call it his home for the foreseeable future.

“It’s bad but there are a lot of good things in that. A lot of positivity in that things,” Topic said on being redshirted. “See what the NBA is about, how it’s like living here. To make progress on the physical side on my body.”

OKC is playing the long game with Topic. It envisions him as an elite playmaker who can score downhill with hints of an outside shot. Thunder general manager Sam Presti noted after the season he thinks they can win the playoffs with the pass, he’d help with that.

If everything goes right for Topic, there’s a real possibility he’s a backcourt starter with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s too early to forecast the 2025-26 season, but he’ll have a shot to start from the jump if he impresses next offseason.

The 18-year-old said a few Thunder teammates have reached out to him. He noted he’s excited to play with Gilgeous-Alexander — who’s blossomed into one of the best players in the league.

“He’s obviously one of the best for sure,” Topic said about Gilgeous-Alexander. “Great leader, great person on the court. It really means much to me to play with him.”

It didn’t work out with Josh Giddey, but the Thunder get a redo at that type of archetype in Topic. He’ll be OKC’s best pure passer and will be a pick-and-roll savant. He’s a tall guard that can be a size advantage against most matchups.

If Topic develops an outside shot, he’ll be a threat with Gilgeous-Alexander. That duo should gel a lot better and could give the Thunder their backcourt of the future.

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Nikola Topic confirms surgery on torn ACL; compares situation to Chet Holmgren

Nikola Topic confirms surgery on torn ACL; compares situation to Chet Holmgren.

The Oklahoma City Thunder introduced their 2024-25 rookies Nikola Topic, Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell. The trio had a chance to be in OKC for the first time being drafted by the organization.

The biggest name among the three players is Topic. The 18-year-old was seen as a potential top lottery pick before he partially tore his ACL in May.

This plummeted his draft stock. It afforded OKC the chance to select him at the No. 12 spot. Topic will be out all next season as he recovers from the knee injury. He also confirmed he will undergo surgery to repair his torn ALC.

This isn’t new territory for the Thunder. Chet Holmgren missed his first year recovering from a Lisfranc injury. He made up for lost time last season and was a dominant force for OKC as a rim protector.

While Topic hasn’t had the chance to meet Holmgren yet, the Thunder believe they have the blueprint to help the 6-foot-6 guard undergo his lengthy recovery process.

“I’m really grateful that they have experience with Chet who didn’t play his first year, so we assume that will be the case with me,” Topic said. “I’m really, really grateful for the opportunity, and I’ll try my best to do my best and to be the best version of myself.”

It’s a risky gamble that the Thunder can take. If Topic fully recovers and develops into an outside shooter, he can be a high-end playmaker starter.

It’ll be at least a year before the Thunder learn if Topic was worth the No. 12 selection. The potential was too enticing to pass up on. OKC now must stay patient with the 18-year-old.

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