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Presti Sets Thunder's Post-Title Reset as Favorites Open Camp Next Week

Presti urged a clean slate, stressing process over results, with ownership backing to uphold an extension‑heavy core.

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Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hugs Oklahoma City Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti after their team defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center
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Overview

  • At his preseason news conference, Sam Presti repeated a “turn the page” message, saying the champions must pursue improvement rather than try to recreate last year’s outcome, noting how rarely teams repeat.
  • Presti said the second‑apron rules won’t force roster teardown and cited ownership support plus new TV money and a forthcoming arena as key to sustaining a costly payroll without immediate repeater-tax pressure.
  • Oklahoma City retained its title rotation and locked in Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren on extensions totaling roughly $800 million, with only marginal offseason moves reported.
  • The schedule is set: Media Day on Sept. 29, training camp opens Sept. 30, preseason starts Oct. 5 at Charlotte, and Opening Night is Oct. 21 vs. Houston with the banner and rings presented in Oklahoma City.
  • BetMGM lists a 62.5 win total and multiple outlets label OKC the repeat favorite, while availability notes include Nikola Topić expected to be ready and 2025 first‑rounder Thomas Sorber out for the season with an ACL tear.