
The Chain Reaction Behind the Thunder's Turnaround: A 2007 Trade That Changed Everything
2025-06-03
Author: Liam
How One Trade Set the Stage for a Franchise Transformation
In the summer of 2007, Steve Kerr was a fresh face in the executive suite, tasked with the hefty responsibility of managing the Phoenix Suns. With the owner's mandate to unload salary and dodge the luxury tax, Kerr's mission was clear: find a way to cut costs.
"We were exactly eight million over the tax threshold," Kerr later recounted. "Trading Kurt Thomas was crucial, but there was only one team that could absorb his salary—only one!" That team? The Seattle SuperSonics, guided by the newly appointed general manager, Sam Presti, who had just jumped from the San Antonio Spurs.
Presti's Calculated Moves Set the Thunder's Course
Presti was quickly making a name for himself in the league. He was only 30 years old and was entrusted with full control to spearhead what would soon become a remarkable rebuild for the franchise. That summer, Presti drafted future superstar Kevin Durant, traded Ray Allen to the Celtics for Jeff Green, and cleverly managed Rashard Lewis' exit to create a $9 million trade exception.
This trade exception was precisely what Kerr needed to facilitate a deal with Presti. After two weeks of discussions, a deal was struck: Kerr sent Thomas to Seattle along with two unprotected first-round picks to secure the necessary salary relief.
The Domino Effect of a Single Transaction
That single trade would lay the groundwork for Presti's long and fruitful tenure in the NBA, where he is now known for his shrewdness in transactions. Over the years, he developed a knack for generating financial flexibility while acquiring valuable assets, pulling off similar maneuvers with big names like Chris Paul and Al Horford.
The Suns' picks ultimately helped shape the Thunder's future. Presti used the 24th pick to select Serge Ibaka, a dynamic power forward who dominated the paint. As the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City, Presti also nabbed Russell Westbrook at the fourth spot. The stage was set for a potent combination.
A Legacy of Strategic Moves
Ibaka became a blocking machine, leading the league in total blocks multiple times, reinforcing the success of the Thomas deal. But Presti's strategic planning didn’t stop there. After trading Ibaka to the Orlando Magic in 2016 for Victor Oladipo and the 11th pick, he used that pick to scoop up Domantas Sabonis.
The shift from Ibaka to Oladipo and Sabonis was a pivotal moment that directly influenced the franchise's trajectory. Following Durant’s departure, Presti capitalized on momentum, trading Oladipo and Sabonis for Paul George, securing a core player to team up with Westbrook.
The Future Looks Bright for the Thunder
George had a stellar season, leading to a lucrative four-year contract. However, as seasons passed, the core eventually had to be dismantled. Presti made another bold move, trading George to the LA Clippers for a treasure trove of assets, including the young sensation Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and draft picks.
Fast forward to today, and Gilgeous-Alexander recently secured an MVP title, while 2022 draft pick Jalen Williams shone as an All-Star. Together, they’ve led the Thunder to its first NBA Finals appearance since 2012—a remarkable revival, traced back to that 2007 trade.
A testament to Vision and Strategy
As Kerr noted about Presti’s approach, "Every move is connected, and that's why every single move you make is really important." This meticulous planning has set the Thunder on a path of success, illustrating how one strategic decision can send ripples throughout a franchise’s history.
The story of the Thunder's resurgence is not just about big-name acquisitions but rather the accumulation of shrewd decisions stemming from that pivotal 2007 trade with Kerr, emphasizing that sometimes it's the smaller moves that trigger monumental change.