Thunder Executive Sam Presti Voted NBA’s Top Front-Office Leader; Isaiah Mobley Nears Israel Move, European League Eyes 2027 Start
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Dec. 10, 2025 — 10:56 a.m. CST
Presti Dominates Annual Front-Office Survey
Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti was the clear choice in The Athletic’s yearly poll asking 36 league executives to identify the NBA’s best front offices. The Thunder general manager, fresh off a championship and a 23-1 start to the new season, received 31 first-place votes.
The remaining top five featured:
- Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics (second overall)
- Rafael Stone, Houston Rockets (third)
- Pat Riley, Miami Heat (fourth)
- Kevin Pritchard, Indiana Pacers (fifth)
Each of those front offices collected at least one first-place vote. Rounding out the top 10 were the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors.
The Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls were the only organizations not mentioned in the survey, either in the top five or as honorable mentions.
Isaiah Mobley Finalizing Deal With Hapoel Jerusalem
Forward Isaiah Mobley, older brother of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, is close to signing with Hapoel Jerusalem, sources told BasketNews.com. Drafted in the second round in 2022, Mobley logged time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers from 2022–25 and most recently suited up for Manisa Basket in Turkey.
NBA Europe Still Tracking for Fall 2027
FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis reiterated that fall 2027 remains a “realistic” launch window for the NBA’s long-discussed European league. Speaking Tuesday, Zagklis said the proposed competition aims to provide more clubs across the continent a path to top-tier play than currently exists through EuroLeague qualification.
Quaintance Climbs Mock Draft Boards
Kentucky sophomore Jayden Quaintance has entered the top five of Bleacher Report’s latest 2026 mock draft, trailing only the usual headline prospects. The 6-10 forward is returning from an ACL injury suffered last season at Arizona State.
Source: Hoops Rumors
