2009 NBA Draft Coverage: In Sam Presti We Trust (Thunder GM)
We've all been exhausting ourselves discussing what the Thunder will do with their #3 pick in next weeks draft, and while all the possibilities are intriguing, one thing we can bank on is that Thunder General Manager Sam Presti will undoubtedly make the smartest move for Oklahoma City with respect towards building this team for the future. He and his staff are looking at all sorts of players, and discussing potential moves with all sorts of teams. By the time the Thunder officially make/trade their pick come draft day, you can trust that the staff will have done their homework, carefully plotted out their move, and figured out the best way to make the most of our draft choice. It could come by using the 3rd pick to select a guy like James Harden (Which we love), Hasheem Thabeet, or even a guy like Tyreke Evens (whom you'll likely be hearing from, fictitiously of course, this week in our continued "My Name Is Series"). Or perhaps it could come by trading that third pick away, possibly with expiring contracts (Earl Watson anyone....please?), or with draft picks, and could be used to add a veteran player from another team in addition to dropping down a few slots and drafting a player like Stephen Curry to help maximize the value of our 3rd overall pick.
Whatever the case, In Sam Presti We Trust, and In Sam Presti You Can Trust. If you don't believe us, just take a look at the entire history of moves he's made since joining the club. Its quite a long list, especially when you consider he only took the job just a little over two years ago, but one thing is for sure, he isn't afraid of wheeling and dealing. So take a few minutes, look over this list, form your opinion about any/all of the moves he's made, and let us know if you Trust in Presti as much as we do.
Also, it's recently been announced that the state of Oklahoma will be releasing a limited edition State specific Nickel for use in the state of Oklahoma only, as part of an advertising campaign to raise awareness about our professional basketball team. The tails side is of course the Thunder logo, but the heads side features our very own Sam Presti, with the words In Sam We Trust. You can see the head side of the Nickel below Presti's transaction history on this post. Of course this is all complete malarkey and isn't actually true, I just had to make something up so that my post header made more sense, or cents. I mean not everybody would have made the connection between In Sam We Trust and In God We Trust which is most commonly found on all forms of American Money. And no, in no way does this post, or post title have anything to do with God or Religion, its just my new catch phrase for anytime someone posts or makes comments in reference to our wunderkind general manager.
Sam Presti's Transaction History (2007-09) Seattle Sonics / Oklahoma City Thunder
(Transaction History From HoopsHype, although any links contained inside stay in the SBNation Network)
| TRANSACTIONS: | |||
| SEASON 2008-09 | |||
| March 31 2009 Signed guard Shaun Livingston. March 1 2009 Waived forward Joe Smith. February 20 2009 Waived center Saer Sene. February 19 2009 February 17 2009 Traded forwards Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox and the draft rights to forward DeVon Hardin to the New Orleans Hornets for center Tyson Chandler. The trade was voided the following day. January 7 2009 Traded center Johan Petro and a second-round pick to the Denver Nuggets for guard Chucky Atkins. December 31 2008 Signed center Nenad Krstic. December 30 2008 Waived center Steven Hill. December 22 2008 November 22 2008 November 4 2008 Signed center Steven Hill. November 3 2008 Waived guard John Lucas. October 21 2008 Waived forward Derrick Byars and center Chris Alexander. October 16 2008 Exercised the contract options on forwards Kevin Durant and Jeff Green through 2009-10. September 29 2008 Signed guard John Lucas, forward Derrick Byars and center Chris Alexander. September 11 2008 Re-signed center Robert Swift. August 27 2008 Signed guard Kyle Weaver. August 20 2008 Waived forward Donyell Marshall. August 13 2008 August 11 2008 Traded a second-round pick to the Charlotte Bobcats for the draft rights to guard Kyle Weaver. July 18 2008 Signed guard CJ Miles to an offer sheet. July 4 2008 Signed guard Russell Westbrook and forward DJ White. June 28 2008 Tendered a qualifying offer to forward Robert Swift. Draft 2008 Traded the draft rights to forward Walter Sharpe and center Trent Plaisted to the Detroit Pistons for the draft rights to forward DJ White; traded the draft rights to center Sasha Kaun to the Cleveland Cavaliers for cash. May 8 2008 Named Troy Weaver assistant general manager. |
|||
| SEASON 2007-08 | |||
|
April 13 2008 |
Then check out more from our BDTStatistics Series (Click on a player card to view article)
You might like our EOS Series too! (Click a Picture below to read our Final Evaluations)
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52 comments
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Comments
Really? Why is that? LOL
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, lol
It was hard to find a nice side profile of the guy that would work though, so its not like I had tons to work with.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions
January 7 2009
Traded center Johan Petro and a second-round pick to the Denver Nuggets for guard Chucky Atkins.
Didn’t we also get 1st round pick?
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Yes, that’s correct. I believe that’s the pick we used to nab Sefolosha.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Presti isn't perfect.
I think he made a mistake when he waived Hill. In his time in the NBA (all 2 minutes of it) Hill made 2 points, 2 ORB, and 1 ORB. If we project those numbers to 36 minutes he would average 36pts (w/100% shooting), 36 ORB, and 18 DRB. Seriously, what happened.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
We need to give him
A 45 mill a year contract for those types of numbers!
If it makes you feel better he was still with the 66ers to close the season, even while being injured. I think they still have some interest in seeing if he can develop a bit more, at the D-league level.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions
I imagine he'll be back with the 66ers to start next season...
Otherwise why would they keep him around when he was injured for so long? Seriously, its the D-League, most guys who get injured are gone.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions
In all honesty...
I don’t really read any other Thunder blogs anymore to avoid things like you are implying. When covering the exact same subject matter, there is always going to similar stuff posted by each different site covering whatever specific topic.
I’m sure they have posted plenty of stuff similar to ours at 1 point or another. I remember a month or two back they posted an article with almost an identicle headline to one I’d written already. It was at that point I decided to stop reading other Thunder blogs on a regular basis.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Not cool...
if all you can do is pop up and criticize. I thought you said you weren’t reading this blog after loud links announcement. Grow up.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
All some people want to do is start trouble.
I guess we can always throw down the ban hammer if she continues to be a negative nancy. It would be our very first userban. I’m kinda looking forward to it. lol
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions
There are OTHER Thunder blogs?
Pfft.
And that blog didn’t have the nifty picture of the coin.
I think I’ll just stick with this blog.
by ElectricPencils on Jun 15, 2009 1:16 PM CDT reply actions
Should we really call it...
Photoshops when I don’t even use photoshop? LMAO, I mean I use the term a lot, but if I’m going to give credit to a software I suppose I should Paintshops. hehe
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Better material by P
Just read that other article & feel P’s was written better, better evidence of Presti’s moves since he took over & yes, better photoshop. Although Sam does kinda look like Raiden from Mortal Kombat, which is coincidently known as the “Thunder God.” I didn’t know that off the top, I just googled it cuz I couldn’t put my finger on what Presti looked like…I swear.
Remembers when GP & the Reign Man were the best Duo in the NBA, hence the 4020...R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics & welcome Oklahoma City Thunder
His fatality would be that he’d force his opponent to trade his first born son and wife for a paper cup and a slit throat.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks EHoff
Nothing against the guys at Daily Thunder, people get passionate about the sites they like. Royce and Joe run a quality blog. I used to read Joe’s stuff a lot when he was running his own blog (Thunder Guru), always enjoyed his stuff. Anymore though, like I mentioned above, I don’t even check other sites so as not to take influence from someone else.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Just an FYI...
I received an email from Royce over at Daily Thunder and he assured me the comments posted above are not the same feeling of those at the Daily Thunder blog. They, just like I, realize when covering something so specific as a team similar stories are likely to happen. Its not the first time and won’t be the last.
Anyway, thanks again to Royce for reaching out and to Daily Thunder for giving Thunder fans another great blog to check out and read on a Daily Basis. Both Royce and Joe do an excellent job covering the team, and that’s a big reason why we link them in our daily Loud Links so much.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 5:54 PM CDT reply actions
For the record
I read their blog and this blog. I find both informative and useful. Hard to find one good blog for a team, much less two! So I can’t hate on Daily Thunder, they have some good stuff over there too.
And yes, when it’s the dull days of summer and you’re scraping for something to talk about, you’re bound for some crossover at times. Good to know that those guys understand!
by dishingoutdimes on Jun 15, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Classy move on their part.
Mr. P is right, I never shy away from linking their posts. It is a very good blog.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Royce is a classy dude.
And when I desire Thunder coverage (pretty much semi-monthly), I try to check both sites out.
I’d only check the Daily Thunder, but they never off all green Kevin Durant wallpaper….
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by Scott Schroeder on Jun 15, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Man I wish we had held onto Delonte West
That guy is a shooter. We could use one of those…
by dishingoutdimes on Jun 15, 2009 6:09 PM CDT reply actions
So...
the Thunder Blog Wars have been squashed before they even got started?
Fine. We’ll just talk about basketball then.
Maybe Hedo Turkoglu will come to OKC now that he’s a FA. I heard he’s the Turkish Michael Jordan.
by ElectricPencils on Jun 15, 2009 6:32 PM CDT reply actions
I've been in contact with Royce and Joe...
going back to when I was running Thunder in OKC, Royce was running Thunderworld, and Joe was running Thunderguru. We all had the opinion that helping each other was more beneficial to all of use than competing. Some teams still don’t even have one decent blog to read regularly, so Thunder fans should feel pretty lucky that they have a couple to check out on a Daily basis.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 15, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I’m sure that saying has been used 10,000 times before with regard to sports and everything else.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 16, 2009 6:45 AM CDT up reply actions
yes, but I want this to be a rivalry somehow… I miss Sonics/Blazers. We need to have competing GM slogans.
proud hinrichsheeple
Truth
If there’s a rivalry to be started, I think that’s the place to do it. The only place where both teams are pretty even. Unless you count destinations I’d barely want to live in over Bismarck, North Dakota.
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by Scott Schroeder on Jun 16, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
As both teams continue to become better and better, it will happen naturally…as long as they stay in the same division (no realignment).
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 16, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, the teams will figure out a rivalry. I’m trying to start a to fun, snarky, tongue-in-cheek blog war. :)
proud hinrichsheeple
by Cablinasian on Jun 17, 2009 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions
query
Waived forward Joe Smith.
at the time cavaliers were interested in joe and he signed with them after being released.
my question is if presti knew cavs were interested shouldnt we have atleast tried a trade with them??
I’m sure Presti looked into offers beofrr the trading deadline. I think the Thunder were aware if Joe Smiths desire to chase a championship and waived him just in time fir him to meet the deadline to be available for the playoffs. At that point why not save some cash and give the younger guys playing time. It might also be because of how the orginization worked with him and respected his wishes that he expressed interest in wanting to play for OKC next season. Either way it’s all pretty inconsequential.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 16, 2009 6:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Off topic
but I was just going to go to Mr. P on Twtter, per your sig, but a little bird popped up and said you don’t exist. Sad.
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by Scott Schroeder on Jun 16, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
little bird popped up and said you don’t exist.
I thought we had this discussion before. Mr. P = figment of iceman’s demented imagination.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
So that explains...
why Presti is in black and white. I thought I just went colorblind.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
hehe
I had too many twitter accounts going. I dropped it back to just the one.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 16, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions
So why is it still in your sig?
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by Scott Schroeder on Jun 17, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm lazy?
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 17, 2009 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
concerning Smith
He wasn’t playing major minutes at all. Plus it was an expiring contract, so there was no major loss on our part. I think it was a classy move to allow Smith the opportunity to sign with a championship caliber team. The guy really wants a ring, plain and simple. I can’t be mad at that.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Championship caliber team?
I thought he signed with the Cavs.
Boom! Roasted!
by ElectricPencils on Jun 16, 2009 2:45 PM CDT reply actions
You better watch out...
or you’ll have a manic lebron muppet stalking you like Chuckie on a sugar binge.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
LMAO
Chuckles
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 16, 2009 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions
They'll always be
the Cleveland Cadavers to me.
by ElectricPencils on Jun 16, 2009 7:53 PM CDT reply actions
That's awesome.
That’s all they’ll ever be too if LeBreezy bolts after next season.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jun 16, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions

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