Thunder GM Presti Evolves, Surrounds Westbrook With Stars

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Sam Presti has evolved with the times.

Oklahoma City's general manager is perhaps best known for drafting Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Over the years, instead of adding big-name free agents and making blockbuster trades, he has added relatively inexpensive players around his stars and built through the draft.

Presti couldn't work out a contract extension with Harden in 2012. And last year, Durant left Oklahoma City for Golden State. Durant recently criticized Thunder management for failing to put the right players around him to compete for a title.

In a perfectly timed move, Presti shook the NBA by trading for Carmelo Anthony. The Thunder already had traded for Paul George in the offseason. The man who always has focused on the process has shifted gears and built a super team in a matter of months.