NBASep 25
Presti Sees Thunder Contending Despite Cost-Cutting Departures
Oklahoma City is reshaping its rotation after trading Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, but Sam Presti believes its championship core can keep the team among the NBA’s best.
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Confidence in the core
Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti does not see an inevitable step backward after an offseason that removed significant pieces from the Thunder’s rotation. Speaking at his preseason news conference Thursday, Presti said the current roster could eventually match or surpass previous Thunder teams if it stays healthy and has enough time to develop together. That optimism follows a postseason in which injuries undermined Oklahoma City’s title defense before a Game 7 home loss to San Antonio in the Western Conference finals. The foundation remains Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Presti emphasized their All-NBA credentials and room for continued improvement, with Gilgeous-Alexander coming off back-to-back MVP awards.
Health and a reshaped rotation
Williams’ availability will be important after injuries limited him to 38 games last season. A left hamstring strain also left him largely unavailable against the Spurs. Presti offered an encouraging assessment of Williams’ current condition and play as Oklahoma City prepares for the season. The Thunder must also replace the contributions of Dort, Joe and Wiggins, whose trades reduced payroll by more than $300 million. The departing players logged roughly 10,000 combined minutes over the past two seasons. Presti acknowledged the disappointment of losing them and cautioned that the remaining group will need time to establish a different approach.
Financial adaptation
Presti framed the roster changes around Oklahoma City’s broader financial circumstances rather than simply the NBA’s second-apron restrictions. He argued that spending rules affect franchises differently depending on their circumstances and competitive timelines. For the Thunder, adapting to those pressures now means finding a workable supporting rotation without abandoning confidence in the core.
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