Are the Thunder BAD for the NBA?
#nba
The Thunder are thriving because their entire organization is aligned, disciplined, and built on long-term planning, while the Clippers are the opposite—an aging roster with no young talent and no future assets. Los Angeles loaded up on veterans like Kawhi, Paul George, Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, and Nicolas Batum, leaving almost no prospects outside of Kobe Brown and rookie Yanic Kohan Neiderhouser. That happened because the Clippers traded away nearly all their draft picks, most of them to Oklahoma City, in order to land Paul George and convince Kawhi to sign. Those five first-rounders could have been the young core the Clippers desperately need now.
OKC used those picks well. One became Tre Mann, another became Jalen Williams—now an All-Star and All-NBA player. Another became Dillon Jones, and they still own the Clippers’ 2025 pick, which looks extremely valuable given LA’s struggles. But the real centerpiece of the Paul George trade wasn’t the picks; it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Shai arrived as a solid rookie with good efficiency and defensive upside, but few expected him to become an MVP-level superstar. He sharpened his point-of-attack defense, expanded his shot diet, hit more threes, pressured the rim, and became elite at drawing fouls, all while maintaining efficiency.
Much of the Thunder’s rise comes back to Sam Presti. While other executives who once looked brilliant, like Masai Ujiri or Brad Stevens, fizzled, Presti has consistently built sustainable rosters. He drafted Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka, and though trading James Harden was unpopular, Harden wouldn’t have blossomed the same way next to KD and Russ. Presti’s modern run is just as impressive: selecting Chet Holmgren despite pressure to draft Jabari Smith Jr., and identifying Jalen Williams early when most teams didn’t consider him a lottery pick. Presti prioritizes fit, character, and IQ over consensus rankings.
The Thunder’s depth is their secret weapon. Ajay Mitchell is giving them efficient scoring on an extremely cheap contract. Cason Wallace has become an elite defensive guard who also shoots well from three. They flipped Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso because the roster needed defense and shooting more than another ball-handler. Even second-rounders like Aaron Wiggins and Jaylin Williams have carved out valuable roles.
Ultimately OKC is great because Presti built a true culture, from coaching hires to draft strategy to role-player development. Every move serves the team’s identity, and the result is a young, flexible roster with star power, depth, and a long championship window, all while spending far less money than teams like the Clippers, who chased stars and sacrificed their future to do it.
26 Comments
You're right about Presti: he's not interested in the most talented player. He wants the one who best fits the OKC system. The Westbrook and Harden picks were brilliant. At the time, both picks drew skepticism. We could have gotten them later, they said. Now, it's just two more scalps on Presti's drafting belt. (Comsider, he also drafted Sabonis, AND Alperin Sengun–Presti's draft game is next level.😮)
That's why hoarding draft picks isn't going to be enough, although several teams are trying to recreate Presti's magic. It's the system. It's the culture Presti cultivated by hiring a coach like Mark Dagneault. It's getting everyone in that starting defense and that bench to commit to the swarm. Watch Luka play. That mf doesn't run back half the time. You never see that in OKC. EVERYONE hustles.
NO they on a Collision course with The Miami Heat NBA Finals .Miami in 7
7:55 Funnily enough Caruso actually started his career with OKCs G league team OKC blue alongside Their current head coach.
Killing it my man
I’m always here for some Sam Presti glazing
Great video, clickbait title. Be better 😂
Yes, OKC is THAT GOOD!
Had no idea the guy drafted that well for okc
Saying jalen williams is better thwn paolo banchero is wild
i want someone to explore whether drafting a ton of talented players who are at least not prima donnas and then making them compete for playing time and roster spots like an NFL team was a conscious strategy, and whether it's the secret behind the defensive clampdown the Thunder deploy on a nightly basis- basically structurally guaranteeing not just fresh bodies to tire an opponent out, but also that the bench guys will be highly motivated and not necessarily see themselves as lesser because everyone pitches in on D, everyone gets a chance to score.
okc is my favorite team and youre my favorite nba youtuber, who wouldve thought. great vid as always man
This is how a franchise should be run… Simple as that
IT DOESNT MATTER SKKKIUUUPPP LAYKURZ STILL IN 🖐🖐🖐
Ive never seen a more complete team than the Thunder in NBA history.
W vid
Sam Presti has now put together two rosters capable of being a dynasty. He ruined the first one by foolishly trading Harden (that team would have won at least 3 championships…hell maybe more) and this one is well on their way and he clearly learned from the Harden mistake by making sure to sign SGA, Chet and JDub and pay them what they deserved. There wasn't going to be another Harden mistake this time so he definitely learned from it.
As an OKC fan, I do wonder how long it will be before the NBA does something to put an end to this.
do you still respond to every comment ?
In an era where every front office seems to have a person with brain damage at the helm, and a gambling addict manning the phones… seeing a team with a plan and a vision – we should all be so lucky as fans.
Correction, OKC used Clippers pick of 2024 to draft Nikola Topic not dillon jones, they used some 2nd round pick package trade for a late first round pick to draft dillon jones.
the cheapest podcast that isn't free: https://www.patreon.com/whatslaps
Theyre a scary sight for everyone in the league 😬
Okc plays team basketball. No narcs on this team
The model the thunder used can’t be for every team. It’s a long term vision. Their success comes from good picks and setting a team culture. Half of the team is g league, second rounders and un drafted players. They trade unhappy players just to keep the team tight. But it all works because of shai’s ability and leadership.
Anyone thats hates on winning basketball is just a hater. Go watch a a superficial super team like the nets were. And see how much you enjoy your favorite players out on injuries and never playing, requesting a fuckton of money and ruining your franchise. Im not even a fan of okc but I respect ball. Basketball is fun when you just enjoy the game, and they sure look like they are loving it
The Gordon Hayward trade was mainly in order to free up the space from his expiring contract, which gave them salary cap space to sign Hartenstein. Hayward just being a washed selfish bitch was an unintended side effect