Oklahoma City, Apr. 24, 2026 — A sign-and-trade completed 19 years ago continues to shape the Oklahoma City Thunder’s pursuit of back-to-back NBA titles, illustrating general manager Sam Presti’s long-range approach to asset management.
The first domino: Rashard Lewis, July 11, 2007
When free-agent forward Rashard Lewis accepted a six-year, $118 million offer from the Orlando Magic, Presti — then newly hired as Seattle SuperSonics general manager — negotiated a sign-and-trade that returned only a 2009 second-round pick and a $9 million trade exception.
Using the exception: Kurt Thomas deal, July 20, 2007
Nine days later, Presti absorbed center Kurt Thomas’ contract from the Phoenix Suns, collecting 2008 and 2010 first-round selections for providing salary relief. Those picks expanded Seattle’s draft cache to five first-rounders over three years.
Draft payoff: Serge Ibaka, June 26, 2008
The 2008 first-round pick from Phoenix became forward Serge Ibaka, the last player the franchise drafted before relocating to Oklahoma City six days later.
Ibaka moved: Orlando trade, June 23, 2016
On draft night 2016, Oklahoma City sent Ibaka to the Magic for Ersan İlyasova, Victor Oladipo and the rights to Domantas Sabonis.
Flipping assets: Paul George acquisition, July 6, 2017
Presti turned Oladipo and Sabonis into All-Star swingman Paul George in a deal with the Indiana Pacers. George re-signed for four years and $136.9 million in 2018.
The blockbuster: George to Clippers, July 10, 2019
After George requested a trade, the Los Angeles Clippers shipped guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, forward Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks and two pick swaps to Oklahoma City. The move allowed the Clippers to pair George with free-agent forward Kawhi Leonard.
More draft capital: Jalen Williams, June 23, 2022
One of the acquired picks yielded guard Jalen Williams at No. 12 overall, adding another cornerstone to a roster now led by Gilgeous-Alexander.
Results on the court
The Thunder secured the Western Conference’s top seed in 2024, 2025 and 2026, winning the 2025 NBA championship and entering this postseason favored to repeat.
Voices on the chain reaction
“It just shows you what type of general manager Sam Presti is,” Lewis said during 2026 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
A rival executive noted, “If you trace the asset trees he builds, there aren’t many dead ends. He uses every piece.”
What remains
Oklahoma City still owns the Clippers’ unprotected 2026 first-round pick, which will land in the lottery after Los Angeles missed the playoffs.
The Thunder’s current success, assembled through five linked transactions dating back to Lewis’ departure, underscores Presti’s stated philosophy from 2007: “Accumulate a number of very good decisions that culminate in consistency over the long term.”
Source: ESPN
