Ryan Gomes trying to earn a spot with the OKC Thunder

Soon after the Los Angeles Clippers waived Ryan Gomes using the NBA's amnesty provision in July, he received an unexpected call from an unlikely executive.

It was from Thunder general manager Sam Presti, who reached out with words of encouragement.

He told Gomes to keep his head up. To keep working. That someone, someday, would call with an offer.

“It meant a lot to me,” Gomes said of Presti's support.