In a fascinating turn of events from the summer of 2007, Steve Kerr found himself at the helm of the Phoenix Suns during a crucial transition period. Newly appointed as general manager, he faced a mandate from owner Robert Sarver: trim the salary enough to slip under the luxury tax—a daunting challenge, considering they were about $8 million over.
Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Kerr recently recounted how they were able to accomplish this. “Just trading Kurt Thomas got us under the tax,” he explained. However, to execute this move, Kerr had limited options and only one team could absorb Thomas’ hefty contract without further complicating the salary cap—enter the Seattle SuperSonics.
That summer marked a significant shift in the Western Conference dynamics as the Sonics brought on Sam Presti, who had previously cut his teeth with the San Antonio Spurs. At just 30 years old, he became the youngest general manager in the league, and it was clear from the start that he was set to oversee an ambitious rebuild of the franchise.
Presti quickly made waves that summer, drafting Kevin Durant with the second overall pick and trading Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics in exchange for a package that included the fifth pick, Jeff Green. He also executed a sign-and-trade involving Rashard Lewis, creating a valuable $9 million trade exception in the process.
Kerr realized that this trade exception was his best avenue to resolve the Suns’ tax troubles. The two executives, having shared the San Antonio experience, engaged in negotiations that spanned about two weeks. “Sam knew exactly what he was doing,” Kerr noted, acknowledging Presti’s preparation and skill, honed alongside legends like Gregg Popovich. The deal ultimately cost Kerr two unprotected first-round picks, a significant sacrifice at the time.
Fast forward to today, and we can trace much of Presti’s NBA legacy back to that trade. He has become the third-longest tenured general manager in the league, and his deft handling of contracts has not just been about financial flexibility; it has involved a keen eye for talent. Whether it was absorbing players like Chris Paul, Al Horford, or Kemba Walker, Presti’s ability to turn these transactions into assets has been remarkable.
Looking back, the trade for Kurt Thomas illustrates the power of seemingly small moves to shape an organization’s future positively. Kerr traded away the 2008 and 2010 first-round picks alongside Thomas’ contract. The Suns had a strong season afterward, finishing with a 55-27 record, but the true gem of that deal emerged for Presti and the Thunder: the 24th pick, which they used to draft Serge Ibaka.
This hard-hitting power forward, who showcased immense potential while playing overseas, joined the Thunder in 2009 alongside another high draft choice—Russell Westbrook. In his first seven seasons, Ibaka made a name for himself as a dominant shot-blocker, leading the league in total blocks four times. That alone made the Thomas trade a home run for Oklahoma City.
The dominoes continued to fall from there. After Ibaka’s seventh season, Presti made yet another strategic move by trading him to the Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo and the 11th pick, which he used to draft Domantas Sabonis. Just a couple of weeks later, Durant’s departure was set in motion, leading to a critical trade in 2017 that brought Paul George to OKC.
George played a critical role for a season, ultimately signing a lucrative four-year deal before Presti executed another major trade. In a strategic move, he sent George to the LA Clippers, netting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a treasure trove of draft assets. Among these picks was the No. 12 selection in the 2022 draft, which turned out to be vital in acquiring Jalen Williams.
Now, Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as an MVP caliber player, and Williams has dazzled, earning an All-Star nod in just his third season. Together, they form a young duo that has propelled the Thunder back into contention, remaking the franchise’s fortunes and leading them to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.
It’s remarkable to think that the echoes of that seemingly modest trade for Kurt Thomas ripple all the way to the present. Kerr captured this perfectly when he remarked on Presti’s careful and connected strategies: “I’m well aware that this has been a methodical build from Sam. Every move is connected, and that’s why every single move you make is really important.” It’s a testament to the complexities of roster management in the NBA and the profound impact that even the smallest details can have on a franchise’s destiny.
