How Sam Presti’s Roadmap Built An NBA Model In OKC

BusinessSportsMoneyHow Sam Presti’s Roadmap Built An NBA Model In OKCByBryan Toporek,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bryan Toporek covers the NBA for Forbes Sports.Follow AuthorMay 18, 2026, 03:41pm EDTOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 5: Head coach Mark Daigneault, Jalen Williams #8, Isaiah Hartenstein #55, Chet Holmgren #7, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2, Luguentz Dort #5 and Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center on April 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)Getty ImagesHeading into Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the class of the NBA.The Thunder won their first-ever championship last year after posting a franchise-best 68-14 record during the regular season. They didn't quite match that mark this season—they went 64-18—in part because injuries limited All-NBA forward Jalen Williams to only 33 games.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is fresh off winning his second straight Most Valuable Player award and is headed for his fourth straight first-team All-NBA selection. Chet Holmgren earned his first All-Star nod this year and finished second to San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama in the Defensive Player of the Year race.Top-end talent isn't all that sets the Thunder apart from the rest of the NBA, though. Other teams have Big Threes and Big Fours as well, after all.Instead, the Thunder's depth and player development have given them a major leg up on their competitors.OKC Was Ahead Of The CurveThe Thunder hard-launched their rebuild after the 2019-20 season. Over the next five years, they had exactly one top-five pick and two top-10 picks. The...