Evaluating Presti’s past draft-night trades
A look back on the more notable draft-night trades made by Thunder GM Sam Presti.
2007 DRAFT (PART I)
The deal: Sent Ray Allen and 35th overall pick Glen Davis to Boston for fifth overall pick Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West and a 2008 second-round pick.
The fallout: This was Presti’s first major decision as boss. Though Presti was highly criticized at the time in Seattle for making the deal, this actually was the move that set up the Thunder’s future. It and subsequent moves shed payroll and provided precious salary cap space, while also clearing house for the franchise to belong to Kevin Durant. “I’m glad they did it that way,” Durant told The Oklahoman in 2009. “I guess it was a blessing in disguise.”
The grade: A. Though it set the team back two years, Presti freed the franchise from its pattern of mediocrity and ushered in a new culture of youth and, eventually, winning.
2007 DRAFT (PART II)
The deal: Sent Carl Landry to Houston for cash and a 2008 second-round pick.
The fallout: Landry has bounced around, playing on four different teams, but has made the most of his first six seasons, averaging 11.9 points and 5.3 rebounds in 389 career games. The 2008 second-round pick turned into Sasha Kaun, who was immediately traded to Cleveland for cash on draft night and never played a minute in the NBA.
The grade: D. Think the Thunder could use Carl Landry these days?
2008 DRAFT
The deal: Sent 32nd overall pick Walter Sharpe and 46th overall pick Trent Plaisted to Detroit for 29th overall pick D.J. White.
The fallout: White was a promising prospect but was stuck in a logjam in Oklahoma City. Sharpe and Plaisted combined to play 20 career minutes in the NBA, all by Sharpe.
The grade: C. This was an example of how Presti tried to maneuver late draft assets. It didn’t work. Nikola Pekovic was selected two slots after White. DeAndre Jordan was taken six picks later. Omer Asik was taken seven picks after White.
2009 DRAFT
The deal: Sent 25th overall pick Rodrigue Beaubois and a 2010 second-round pick to Dallas for 24th overall pick Byron Mullens.
The fallout: Once again, Presti felt the wrath of fans, this time in Oklahoma City. Beaubois had a promising rookie season, averaging 7.1 points 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in only 12.5 minutes. His scoring, rebounding and assists numbers all went up in each of his first three seasons. Meanwhile, with the Thunder, Mullens couldn’t get off the bench. Fans insisted Presti botched the deal. Until things started turning last season. Mullens emerged following a trade to Charlotte. Beaubois became buried deep on the Mavs’ bench.
The grade: B. The Thunder needed a big man. Give Presti credit for trying to get one. It’s not Presti’s fault Mullens never was in Scott Brooks’ rotation.
2010 DRAFT
The deal: Sent 18th overall pick Eric Bledsoe to the Los Angeles Clippers for a future first-round pick.
The fallout: Bledsoe has become one of the best and most explosive young combo guards around. The pick, which was the 22nd overall selection in 2012, was later traded to Boston in a package to acquire Kendrick Perkins.
The grade: B. Bledsoe is good and would have been nice to have. But the Thunder didn’t need him. He would have been a luxury. By packaging the pick, Presti eventually got a big man the Thunder desperately needed.