Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti has never been one to lean on clichés when describing the challenges of building a winning basketball team. But his latest analogy may be one of his most revealing yet.
“The NBA is not a chess game, it’s a poker game,” Presti explained. “It’s poker, everyone has a different hand they’ve been dealt.”
Sam Presti:
“The NBA is not a chess game, it’s a poker game… It’s poker, everyone has a different hand they’ve been dealt.” 🥶
via @BrandonRahbar pic.twitter.com/SLoZvtJ2Y2
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) September 26, 2025
In chess, every player begins with the same pieces, the same opportunities, and the same theoretical path to victory. The NBA, Presti argues, is nothing like that. Teams don’t start on equal footing, some inherit superstars, others face injuries, market disadvantages, or salary cap constraints. The real test isn’t whether a team can execute a flawless strategy, but whether it can maximize the imperfect hand it’s given.
For Presti, success is about staying in the game long enough to capitalize on opportunities when they arise. A poor draft lottery result, a sudden injury, or a free agent’s decision can alter a franchise’s trajectory overnight. The key is resilience, continuing to play smart, disciplined basketball operations so that when the right card turns over, the team is ready.
Few executives embody this philosophy better than Presti himself. Since taking over in 2007, he has navigated both highs and lows: drafting Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden in succession, then watching them depart; rebuilding through lean years; and now assembling a new contender around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams.
Rather than panic when the Thunder’s “hand” looked weak, Presti stockpiled draft picks, invested in player development, and waited for the right moment to push forward. That patience has transformed Oklahoma City from a rebuilding project into one of the NBA’s most exciting young teams.
