For smaller-market teams in the NBA, it’s generally not as easy to build a strong franchise that can be a consistent contender for the better part of a decade. There’s a premium on building through the draft to create a core and augmenting the roster through trades and in free agency to fill the gaps.
During his 12 years in Oklahoma City handling player personnel decisions, Troy Weaver helped to shape the Thunder’s rise from a 23-win squad in 2008-09, which was Kevin Durant’s second year in the league. From there, they hit the jackpot in the draft and grew into a major player in the Western Conference, with four trips to the conference finals and one to the NBA Finals.