CBS Sports Ranks OKC Thunder as NBA's Best Front Office

The Thunder's sustained success under GM Sam Presti earns them top honors.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 12:39pm

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According to a recent ranking by CBS Sports, the Oklahoma City Thunder have the best front office in the NBA. The Thunder, led by long-time general manager Sam Presti, have built a consistent contender through savvy roster moves, strong player development, and an ability to maximize their assets. The team's championship last season was the final piece to Presti's impressive resume.

Why it matters

The Thunder's front office excellence is noteworthy because it demonstrates the value of sustained, strategic team-building in the NBA. While many teams struggle with roster turnover and short-term thinking, the Thunder have maintained a high level of performance for nearly two decades under Presti's leadership.

The details

CBS Sports praised the Thunder's front office for their stellar player development, citing rising stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, as well as role players like Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Joe. The team has also made savvy free agent and trade additions, like signing Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, to complement their homegrown talent.

  • Sam Presti has been the Thunder's general manager since 2007.
  • The Thunder won their first NBA championship last summer.

The players

Sam Presti

The Oklahoma City Thunder's general manager since 2007, Presti has built the team into a consistent contender through shrewd roster moves and player development.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder's rising star and one of the league's most promising young players.

Kevin Durant

A former Thunder superstar who helped the team reach the NBA Finals.

Russell Westbrook

Another former Thunder star who played a key role in the team's success.

Jalen Williams

A promising young player drafted by the Thunder who has emerged as a key part of their rotation.

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What they’re saying

“The Thunder have built their juggernaut already. The key now is maintenance, and the Thunder have thus far done a good job of it.”

— Sam Quinn, CBS Sports Writer (CBS Sports)

“There's no real blueprint for managing the sort of asset surplus the Thunder have built, but Sam Presti is drawing it right in front of us. Whether it's turning bad picks into high-upside swaps, taking low-risk, high-reward swings on cheap talent elsewhere or leveraging team options and restricted free agency into team-friendly long-term contracts, Presti is proving just as good at sustaining a winner as he was at constructing one.”

— Sam Quinn, CBS Sports Writer (CBS Sports)

What’s next

The Thunder will look to defend their NBA championship and continue their run of success under GM Sam Presti's leadership.

The takeaway

The Oklahoma City Thunder's front office, led by long-time GM Sam Presti, has established itself as the gold standard in the NBA through their ability to build a consistent contender through savvy roster moves, strong player development, and effective asset management.