Thunder GM Sam Presti Reportedly ‘Acted Like His Dog Died After Trading Away Paul George’

Despite the fact that he now has 15 first-round draft picks to rebuild his roster with over the next seven years, Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti was extremely bummed about having to part with a couple of the organization's current stars. How bummed you maybe ask? Well, according to a high ranking team executive who spoke to The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, Presti "acted like his dog died after trading Paul George."

That same executive also tacitly endorsed the team's parting of ways with both George and, more recently, Russell Westbrook, saying “Sam won’t admit it, but he’s too smart to not know this team reached its ceiling with Westbrook.”

O'Connor added that's a sentiment that is shared throughout the league. Citing NBA sources he spoke to on the phone and during Summer League, he said NBA higher-ups consider OKC to be the winner's of this year's offseason (and, judging from all the player movement, that's quite the compliment). Other executives also called them "lucky," while adding that they're the team that looks to be on the path to the brightest future.

A Western Conference exec added that Kawhi Leonard's recruitment of George gave the Thunder an "out" that allowed them to go into full rebuild mode and trade Westbrook without any backlash from fans.

Though it's kind of weird that teams can deal picks that won't take place for seven years, the Thunder are currently in possession of the following, as noted by The Ringer: