Takeaways From OKC Thunder General Manager Sam Presti’s Media Conference

Earlier today, Sam Presti held a media conference to give updates on the team as well as the events going on around the world. While the video conference was relatively brief, there were several key takeaways from what the Oklahoma City Thunder’s general manager had to say.

1. Luguentz Dort is part of the team’s plans now and into the playoffs

Lu Dort started his career in the G-League playing for the Oklahoma City Blue. Through just 13 games, averaging 19.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game with the Blue, he had done enough to earn some time playing up with the Thunder.

As expected, he initially came off of the bench and brought a spark to the second unit with his elite athleticism and high motor along being asked to defend some of top guard scorers in the NBA, including Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Trae Young, Luka Doncic, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, and many others.

Dort eventually earned a starting spot and has started 21 of the 29 games he has played in this season. Along with being an exceptional perimeter defender, he has also produced 6.2 points per game on 30.1 percent shooting from deep and 77.8 percent from the free throw line. In these 21 games he started, Oklahoma City went 16-5.

Dort proved early on in the season that he deserved a full-time NBA contract, but hadn’t gotten one prior to the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline. Shortly after, the 2019-20 season was put on pause leaving him still on his two-way contract, even as a starter. Earning a full-time contract would result in him earning much more than the $79,568 Dort is currently making as a two-way player and he is well deserving of this.

As we head into Orlando to complete the season, there have been questions around when Oklahoma City would convert his contact as two-way players have a limited number of days with the team and also cannot participate in the playoffs.

“We’re awaiting some clarity on that. There’s still conversations taking place between the players association and the league. We have plenty of time before we’re heading to Orlando.”

With how important Dort has been for the team down the stretch, it is clear he will be someone the Thunder need for the final eight games of the season and into the playoffs. As we await clarity on how that will work, Presti has made it clear that Dort will be part of that process.

2. Andre Roberson’s status is still unclear

Mid-way through the 2017-18 season, Andre Roberson went down in a game against the Detroit Pistons and had to be put on a stretcher to leave the floor. After it was announced that he would be out the remainder of the season with a ruptured patellar tendon, Thunder fans knew would have to wait quite a while to see their elite wing defender back in action.

After missing the entire 2018-19 season, Roberson seemed poised to finally make his return this season. At Oklahoma City Thunder Media Day, there were high hopes that Roberson would be a key piece of the team heading into the 2019-20 season.

“It’s training camp, so at this point I’m in full go”.

After several setbacks in his recovery process, we thought there would be a chance that he would take the floor at some point in the 2019-20 season with the new-look Oklahoma City roster. At the time of the NBA’s shutdown in March, he still wasn’t close to making that appearance on the court.

Just a month later in April, Roberson gave the world an update of his status in an interview with Nate Tomlinson on Catching Up With The Family.

“I’m kinda past the rehab stage. I’m almost to the point where I should be playing, honestly. But I’m still taking it a day at a time until I get back into our medical staff’s hands and get re-evaluated. I’m just staying patient through it all and knowing that the light is right there at the end of the tunnel. … It’s definitely been a long journey and it’s coming to an end.”

This was an extremely optimistic outlook at one of the most in-depth updates we had heard from Roberson himself in quite a while. Today, in Presti’s media availability, his comments on Roberson seemed slightly less optimistic on the rehab journey coming to an end.

“The time has really helped Dre, from a health point he’s doing really well. We are in a better place than we were on March 11th… but we have to cross the next bridge.”

It’s been over 850 days since his injury and Roberson has still yet to touch the court during an NBA game. Set to become a free agent this summer and in the final year of his deal worth $10 million, there is still a chance he never plays another game in a Thunder uniform again. Even if he does, we don’t know what type of player he will be with the amount of time he has been out and how gruesome the injury was.