Sam Presti is a highly respected figure in the world of basketball, having made a significant impact on the sport during his career. He began his career as an intern with the San Antonio Spurs, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become the team's assistant general manager. During his time with the Spurs, Presti played a key role in the team's success, helping them win multiple championships.
In 2007, Presti was hired as the general manager of the Seattle SuperSonics, where he quickly set about rebuilding the team. He made a number of shrewd moves, including drafting Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, which helped turn the team into a playoff contender. However, in 2008, the team was sold and moved to Oklahoma City, where it became the Thunder.
Under Presti's leadership, the Thunder continued to improve, making it to the NBA Finals in 2012. However, despite their success, the team was unable to win a championship, and Presti made the difficult decision to trade away some of the team's key players in order to rebuild. This move paid off, as the Thunder once again became a playoff contender, with Presti making a number of smart draft picks and trades to build a strong team.
Throughout his career, Presti has been known for his analytical approach to the game, as well as his ability to identify and develop talent. He has also been praised for his commitment to building a strong team culture, which has helped the Thunder become one of the most respected teams in the league.
In recent years, Presti has continued to make bold moves, including trading away star players like Paul George and Russell Westbrook in order to acquire draft picks and young talent. This strategy has been criticized by some, but others see it as a smart long-term approach to building a championship team.
Overall, Sam Presti's career in basketball has been marked by his ability to identify and develop talent, as well as his commitment to building a strong team culture. While he has yet to win a championship as a general manager, his impact on the sport has been significant, and he is widely regarded as one of the best executives in the game today.
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