Sam Presti's Thunder Dominates NBA Front Office Poll

The Oklahoma City Thunder were the runaway choice in The Athletic survey of 36 NBA executives as the league's best front office after winning the franchise first championship since relocating from Seattle. OKC took 31 of 36 first place votes and 341 points, well ahead of the Boston Celtics with one first place vote and 110 points. Led by GM Sam Presti and owner Clay Bennett, the Thunder went 68 wins and 14 losses last season and are 23 and 1 so far. Presti's moves, from drafting Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams to trading for Shai Gilgeous Alexander via the Paul George deal, set the foundation. Merlin sees the pattern behind the glow. Locking SGA Holmgren and Williams into long term deals and converting draft capital into impact talent explain why OKC appears a step above the rest. Still, depth health and the ever shifting salary picture are tests even the wisest front office must face.