Oklahoma City’s general manager embraces a deep, adaptable rotation, prioritizing long-term growth and versatility over short-term stability to forge a resilient roster capable of sustaining elite success.
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, developing young players and competing for championships do not have to be two separate things.
With a deep roster and plenty of players who need meaningful minutes, Sam Presti believes giving those players opportunities can actually make the team better in the long run. When asked how the Thunder can balance development with competing at a high level, Presti pointed to the team’s history of using a deep rotation and explained why he does not see it as a problem.
Presti remembered when the Thunder were “playing consistently 10 players, 11 players five years ago,” when many people expected the rotation to get smaller as the team became better. Instead, Presti believed the deep rotation was one of the reasons the team could become successful.
He explained:
“That’s part of the reason why we think we have a chance to be very good is because we are playing more players and have a rotation that we’re willing to change and it’s more adaptable and more flexible.”
That approach has become an important part of how the Thunder develop their players. Rather than only relying on their most experienced players, Oklahoma City is willing to give everyone opportunities and let them learn through actual game situations.
Presti said, “We kind of play everybody. We put people in uncomfortable positions by design.”
While putting young players in difficult situations can lead to mistakes, Presti believes those experiences are necessary for growth.
He also explained that the goal is bigger than just developing individual players.
“We think that’s a big part of development, not just individual development but developing the team so that people are accustomed to playing with different lineups at different times.”
Having players who are comfortable playing alongside different teammates can give the Thunder more flexibility throughout the season, especially when injuries or other circumstances force changes to the lineup.
Presti understands that this strategy may not always produce immediate results.
He admitted, “We might lose a little ground at different points during the regular season, but we think long-term it probably benefits us.”
That shows the Thunder are willing to accept some short-term struggles if they believe it will help the team become stronger later on.
Another factor is that Oklahoma City has not always had its entire roster available. Presti pointed out that players such as Mitchell, McCain, Cason and Jalen Williams could have played more, while also saying that the team “never really played with a full team.” Because of that, some players received more minutes simply because of the circumstances surrounding the roster.
Ultimately, Presti does not seem concerned about having too many players competing for minutes. Instead, he believes the situation will work itself out as the season progresses. “If we’re healthy, I think the minutes will figure themselves out,” he said.
For the Thunder, the depth of their roster gives them another chance to develop their players while continuing to compete. Rather than seeing development and winning as competing priorities, Presti sees them as things that can happen at the same time.
