Sam Presti

Samuel Presti (born November 1, 1977) is an American basketball executive who is currently the executive vice president and general manager for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Prior to the 2001 NBA draft, Presti was instrumental for encouraging the Spurs to draft Tony Parker.

Presti would show up at Buford's home with multiple footage of Parker during his tenure with Paris Basket Racing.

Parker went on to play 18 seasons in the NBA, making six All-Star teams, and winning four NBA championships.

During Parker's jersey retirement, he acknowledged Presti's recommendation for the Spurs to draft him.

"“Sam, I know you’re in the arena,” Parker said Monday, illuminated by a spotlight in the middle of the court. “Man, you and R.C. (Buford, former Spurs general manager and current CEO), you were ahead of your time. You took a gamble on me, because I was terrible in my first workout with the Spurs. Man, I was terrible.'"

Starting off as a video coordinator for Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, Presti rose through the front office ranks becoming assistant director of scouting in 2002 and later moved to director of player personnel in 2003.

As a member of the Spurs, Presti was part of the 2003, 2005, and 2007 Spurs championship teams, including five division titles.

He was finally elevated to the position of Vice President and Assistant General Manager in 2005.

He has held the position since 2007 when he was hired at 29 years old, making him the second-youngest person to ever hold the position in the NBA.

Since 2007, he stands as the third-most tenured head of basketball operations in the league.

After graduating from Emerson College, Presti was working at a basketball camp before being offered an internship by San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford.

Buford was refereeing a game as Presti delivered a sales pitch while running along the court with Buford.

On June 7, 2007, the Seattle SuperSonics named Presti as the newest general manager after former general manager Rick Sund was demoted to a consultant.

Sonics owner Clay Bennett viewed Presti as "thoughtful, methodical, and measured" who had "an important role within [the Spurs] and contributed to their winning and how they do business."

While Sonics president Lenny Wilkens interviewed others, Bennett, who had been a partner in the Spurs organization, interviewed and was impressed by Presti enough to demote Wilkens to "vice chairman" to give Presti full power.

With the hiring, Presti became the league's current youngest general manager, second in NBA history behind Jerry Colangelo.

Entering the 2007 NBA draft, the Sonics were transitioning into a rebuilding phase following a 31–51 record in the 2006-07 season.

On draft night, Presti completed his first trade by acquiring Jeff Green, the 5th overall pick in a blockbuster trade involving Sonics guard Ray Allen.

Green joined Kevin Durant, the 2nd overall pick, in Seattle as Presti's first two draftees in his career.

Presti then signed-and-traded Sonics forward Rashard Lewis in exchange for a second-round pick and a trade exception worth $9 million.

To fill in the trade exception, Presti acquired Kurt Thomas and two future first-round picks, one of the picks becoming future Thunder forward Serge Ibaka.

To finish his first offseason, Presti hired Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo who worked with Presti in San Antonio.

The Sonics finished the 2007-08 season with a 20–62 record, their worst record in franchise history.

Presti's first draft pick, Durant, was named NBA Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.

After the season, Presti made his final appearance as the Sonics in the 2008 NBA draft, drafting Russell Westbrook, the 4th overall pick, and Serge Ibaka, the 24th overall pick.

Before the start of the 2008-09 season, Presti joined the franchise in their relocation to Oklahoma City in July 2008 becoming the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–present)

In Presti's first season in Oklahoma City, the Thunder fired P.J. Carlesimo following a 1–12 start and named Scott Brooks as interim coach.

Under Brooks, the Thunder finished the season 23–59 with Russell Westbrook being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Brooks was later permanently named as head coach for the Thunder.

In the 2009 NBA draft, the Thunder made their first appearance since relocating and drafted James Harden, the 3rd overall pick.

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Harden will later go on to form a "Big 3" in Oklahoma City and was aided with the additions of Serge Ibaka and Thabo Sefolosha.

After their inaugural season, the Thunder experienced one of the largest turnarounds improving to a 50–32 record and clinched their first playoff berth as the eighth seed.

The Thunder became the youngest team in NBA history to qualify for the playoffs.

During the season, Kevin Durant was named an All-Star and became the youngest scoring leader at 21-years old.

At the end of the season, Durant was named to the All-NBA First Team, head coach Scott Brooks was named NBA Coach of the Year, James Harden was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Thabo Sefolosha was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

In their third season in Oklahoma City, the Thunder finished 55–27 with Russell Westbrook being named to his first All-Star game.

Building off last season, the Thunder reached the Western Conference finals as the 4th seed and became the second-youngest team to do so.

However, the Thunder lost to the eventual champions Dallas Mavericks in five games.