Introduction
In the heat of summer 2007, Steve Kerr stepped into his new role as general manager of the Phoenix Suns, driven by a clear directive from owner Robert Sarver: cut the payroll sufficiently to avoid incurring the luxury tax. Kerr recalled,
“We found ourselves eight million dollars over the tax threshold. Just by trading away Kurt Thomas, we managed to fall below that line. The Seattle SuperSonics were the only team capable of absorbing his contract into their salary cap.”
Sam Presti’s Appointment
Simultaneously, Sam Presti had recently been appointed the youngest general manager in the NBA by the Sonics. His impressive background with the San Antonio Spurs, particularly under the wings of figures like Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford, had made an impression on owner Clay Bennett. Presti was tasked with overseeing a pivotal transformation within the franchise.
During that offseason, talented draft work ensued, including selecting Kevin Durant as the second overall pick, trading Ray Allen to the Celtics for Jeff Green, and managing Rashard Lewis’s exit through a beneficial sign-and-trade that provided a substantial trade exception valued at $9 million.
Kerr and Presti’s Negotiation
This created a unique opportunity for Kerr and the Suns. Knowing Presti personally from his time in San Antonio, Kerr engaged in nearly two weeks of negotiations to finalize a deal that would see Thomas and additional assets sent to Seattle in exchange for freeing the Suns from their tax burden. Looking back, Kerr praised Presti’s acumen, stating,
“Sam demonstrated a high level of insight and preparation for his role. I was relatively inexperienced in my new position and needed to orchestrate this deal. In the end, we gave up two unprotected first-round picks in the process.”
The Impact of the Trade
Since that summer, Presti has developed a reputation for making shrewd trades that enhance financial flexibility while bringing on respected players. His ability to absorb contracts while simultaneously generating valuable assets became a hallmark of his management style, with acquisitions like Chris Paul and Al Horford exemplifying this strategy.
The deal struck in 2007 would lay the groundwork for a series of consequential moves that would shape the future of the Thunder franchise. Kerr’s trade included Phoenix’s 2008 and 2010 first-round picks, which ultimately allowed Presti to draft Serge Ibaka at 24th overall—an investment that would flourish as Ibaka emerged as a dominant defensive player throughout his initial seven seasons in the league, even leading in blocks four times. This return on the trade underscored the importance of the transaction to Presti’s vision.
Continuing the Strategy
Following Ibaka’s tenure, Presti continued his strategic approach. In 2016, he traded Ibaka to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Victor Oladipo and the 11th pick, which he used to secure Domantas Sabonis. Shortly after, Kevin Durant’s departure from the Thunder ushered in new challenges, compelling Presti to facilitate another major trade for Paul George in 2017, sending Oladipo and Sabonis back to Indiana—echoing the cycle initiated with the Ibaka trade.
The Current Landscape
George initially thrived in Oklahoma City, re-signing for a significant four-year contract after a standout season. However, the partnership with Russell Westbrook eventually reached its limit, leading to another pivotal trade that saw George move to the LA Clippers for an impressive return of assets, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and multiple draft picks.
Fast forward to present day, and those decisions are paying dividends. Gilgeous-Alexander recently earned the MVP title, and fellow up-and-comer Jalen Williams, selected using one of the assets from the George deal, has already made an All-Star appearance. Collectively, they are at the helm of a promising young core, steering the franchise towards its first NBA Finals since 2012, backed by a wealth of future potential.
Conclusion
Reflecting on this journey, Kerr remarked on the intricacy of Presti’s strategy:
“I recognize how systematically Sam has constructed this roster. Every transaction is interlinked, making it vital to consider the impact of each move. He has done a remarkable job building this team collaboratively.”
