NFL/NBA Analyst Stephen A. Smith was debating with former NBA player Kendrick Perkins about whether or not the dominance of the Oklahoma City Thunder is good for the NBA in the long run. Oklahoma City won the NBA title in 2024-2025. They have been the number one seed in the Western Conference for the last three seasons.
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Oct 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti shakes hands with guard Luguentz Dort during the championship ring ceremony before a game against the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
If the Thunder win the title in 2025-2026, this will be the first team to go back-to-back since the Golden State Warriors in 2016-2017 and in 2017-2018. If this gets accomplished, a lot of people may believe that Thunder general manager Sam Presti is the greatest executive in the game of basketball. He has been in the Thunder’s front office since 2007 when his career started as a full-time general manager with the Seattle Supersonics. Presti also won three NBA Championships in the San Antonio Spurs front office in 2003, 2005, and 2007 as well.
NFL/NBA Analyst Stephen A. Smith Has High Praise For Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti
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Thunder draft pick Thomas Sorber poses for a photo with general manager Sam Presti during a press conference at the First American’s Museum in Oklahoma City, Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Smith had high regards about Presti on First Take on ESPN on Monday morning. He said, “Sam Presti, right now, might go down as the greatest executive in the history of basketball.” Presti has done a great job of drafting players, making trades, and developing them over the years. He has drafted players like Serge Ibaka, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and other solid players throughout the years with the Supersonics/Thunder organization.
He also traded away Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a ton of draft picks. Because of the Clippers trade, the Thunder received the 12th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and will gain another great player. Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber have been Presti’s draft picks over the last two years and they haven’t even scratched the surface yet. He also acquired Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers this season and also have Philadelphia’s selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. That will be 17th overall.
The Thunder will be able to add to its great team in the 2026 NBA Draft. Oklahoma City is on the verge of being the next dynasty in the NBA. Presti is just better than everyone else in the league at the moment and this is why Stephen A. is praising him. The San Antonio Spurs may have the best chance to beat the Thunder, but Oklahoma City’s experience will get them to go back-to-back potentially.
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