Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti joins Adrian Wojnarowski in studio for an illuminating visit on The Vertical Podcast with Woj.

In perhaps the most in-depth interview of Presti’s executive career, he discusses the Thunder’s vision and hopes for re-signing superstar Kevin Durant, the construction of the franchise’s culture and the significant franchise success in the Durant-Russell Westbrook era.

Presti also goes into great detail about his journey to become the second-youngest GM in NBA history, his musical career at Emerson College, his chance meeting with Spurs GM R.C. Buford and his apprenticeship in San Antonio that spawned his career.

1:34: Presti reflects on the Thunder’s season and loss to the Warriors in the Western Conference finals.

3:32: The Thunder’s poise to overcome a 2-1 deficit against the Spurs in the second round.

6:14: The difficulty of competing against the elite teams in the Western Conference.

8:23: How the franchise didn't let Durant’s pending free agency becoming a distraction.

12:17: Growing up near Boston and the impact the Thunder have had on Oklahoma City and the state.

15:06: Presti's first interaction with professional athletes as a 12-year-old with a group of barnstorming former Boston Red Sox players.

18:20: Growing up playing against Chris Herren.

21:24: Presti’s lifelong passion for drumming.

23:29: The influence that Emerson College had on Presti’s music and basketball career.

25:02: The small connection that brought him to Spurs GM R.C. Buford.

32:02: How the Spurs find and develop front-office talent.

35:45: Persuading Gregg Popovich to draft Tony Parker.

40:42: Traveling to Lithuania to get a qualifying offer to a second-round draft pick.

44:38: Establishing himself as a young GM when he took over the Sonics.

52:58: Being the face of the franchise when it moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City.

55:00: Drafting Russell Westbrook at No. 4 when no other teams had him ranked that high.

58:50: Trading James Harden.

1:04:15: Applying the same standards to all players and not creating a star culture.

1:10:09: Having a successful team to sell to Durant and Westbrook in free agency.

1:15:33: The possibility of Durant and Westbrook being free agents in 2017.

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