The NBA’s Best Kept Secret

Seven years ago, a scrawny, 19 year old Frenchman was selected with the final pick of the first round of the NBA Draft. The consensus reaction was simply one of confusion with some questions followed by a quick progression, completely dismissing it as yet another insignificant foreign gamble. Three championships later, that little known point guard has proven to be one of the greatest steals in NBA Draft history. Tony Parker, alongside Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, has led the San Antonio Spurs to become a perennial contender and, as an added bonus, brings along the presence of Eva Longoria for courtside support.

The man behind this genius draft pick is none other than Sam Presti. Serving as a special assistant in 2001, Presti has been credited with strongly encouraging the selection of the little known Parker.

Since then, he has moved on to bigger and better things. Last year, the Seattle Supersonics made the 30-year-old Presti the youngest general manager in the NBA.

Immediately, this rookie was anything but gun shy and was eager to fulfill his masterful vision while proving experience is overrated. On draft night, Presti pulled the trigger on a controversial trade that certainly had its critics. Ray Allen along with a second round pick was sent to Boston for the fifth pick overall, along with Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak. Presti was now able to team the second pick, Kevin Durant, with the fifth pick, Jeff Green. Durant went on to earn the Rookie of the Year as Green joined him on the All-Rookie team. The trade could have gone horribly wrong had Presti decided to use the newly acquired draft pick on, say, Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah, or Brandan Wright. Green displayed flashes of stardom and proved his worthiness of being the centerpiece of the Ray Allen swap.

Presti continued to be an active player in the transaction market, making the best of every situation. When Orlando agreed in principle to an absurd contract with Sonics restricted free agent Rashard Lewis, Presti once again showed off his brilliance. With resigning Lewis out of the question, Presti pulled off a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando so the Magic could have Lewis signed for six years. In return, the Sonics received a highly coveted nine million dollar trade exemption along with a second round pick. In a later trade involving the valuable exemption and a future second round pick, the Sonics acquired Kurt Thomas and first round picks in 2008 and 2010. All of this was gained without having to part with any players or first round picks. When the loss of Lewis appeared to be nothing short of devastation, Presti made something out of nothing.

When the trade deadline arrived, Presti pulled off another great move as yet another first round pick was acquired along with Brent Barry and Francisco Elson in exchange for only the meager Kurt Thomas.

In last month’s NBA Draft, the Sonics garnered some criticism following their somewhat surprising selection of UCLA guard Russell Westbrook with the fourth overall pick. Basketball gurus, such as Dick Vitale, criticized this high selection of a player who many believe only offers potential.

As the Orlando Summer League came to end last week, Westbrook, yes, the same player so many doubted, was praised as the league’s top performer by the majority in attendance. Yes, the same league that displayed the talents of Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Jeff Green, Brook Lopez, and Courtney Lee among others. Presti quieted his critics once again.

Only a year into his career as a general manager, Sam Presti is currently perfecting the process of rebuilding a franchise. He blew up the team by removing Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis through masterful transactions. He continues to stockpile draft picks, a must when in rebuilding mode. And finally, most importantly, he has established a promising nucleus made up of Durant, Green, and Westbrook. He may be young and inexperienced, but the NBA needs to keep a watchful eye on Sam Presti because he’s brewing something special in Oklahoma City.