The Oklahoma City Thunder are once again knocking on the door of the NBA Finals. It’s been 58 seasons for the franchise, with their lone championship dating back to 1979, when the team was still known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
Now, decades later, the Thunder are just one win away from a return to the league’s biggest stage. But according to one sharp-eyed Reddit user, this incredible run has roots that stretch back almost two decades. It all centers on the vision of Thunder’s GM, Sam Presti.
Thunder GM’s Quiet Move Made OKC A Title Threat
In 2007, Presti pulled off a quiet move at the time. The Sonics agreed to a sign-and-trade deal that sent Rashard Lewis to the Orlando Magic. In return, all Presti received was a trade exception. It appeared to be a routine front-office transaction, but it marked the beginning of a strategic journey that would slowly build the foundation of today’s championship-contending roster.
Sam Presti used the exception to acquire Kurt Thomas and two first-round picks from the Phoenix Suns. One of those picks was used to draft Serge Ibaka in 2008. Ibaka was later traded in 2016 for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis. Just a year later, Oladipo and Sabonis were sent to Indiana in exchange for Paul George.
Sam Presti is a magician.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 27, 2025
In 2007, the Seattle SuperSonics traded Rashard Lewis to the Magic. In return, Presti just got a trade exception… nothing too wild.
But 18 years later, he's turned that into SGA, Jalen Williams, a championship core, and a treasure trove of draft… pic.twitter.com/NOc2tgERpG
The 2019 trade of George to the Clippers was one of the most pivotal moments in recent NBA history. That deal brought in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks, and two pick swaps.
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Some of those picks have already been used to secure current stars like Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, while others continue to strengthen OKC’s future.
Eighteen years after a seemingly minor trade involving Rashard Lewis, Sam Presti has built a roster that is not only competing for a title now but is also stacked with future talent. It began as a modest transaction in 2007 but evolved into the foundation of a championship-contending roster.
