The Oklahoma City Thunder has just recently lost two of the NBA's most coveted franchise players in preseason trades. Sam Presti and the gang are now preparing for a full rebuild following the departure of the team's one-two punch in Russel Westbrook, and Paul George. Trading them wasn't part of the organization's summer plans.

It certainly would sound unimaginable last year when you would think of the Thunder moving both players, let alone the heart and soul of the franchise in Westbrook. In his defense, Sam Presti believes that his hand was forced when it comes to the blockbuster summer movement, but it sounds completely unbelievable.

Russell Westbrook OKC Thunder
After trading for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, the Oklahoma City Thunder gave Russell Westbrook the largest contract in NBA history. Pictured: Westbrook reacts after scoring against the Houston Rockets in the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2017 in Oklahoma City. Getty Images

Critics privy to the deal do not even think that it was required. Keith Smith of Real GM recently talked to Presti, and as usual, the 42-year-old executive sounded off in his statement.

The NBA executive said that when they sat down to map out their summer plans, "none of them included trading Paul George... and Russell." He added that this is how the league works, "sometimes your hand is forced... Now we have to make something of all of that."

It's hard to argue that Presti's organization had to deal with both stars because they were forced. To note, the GM also messed up a possible All-Star trio formed in the draft. If Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and James Harden teamed up in OKC, we would have been witnesses to a couple of championships.

Earlier this month, George was sent to the Los Angeles Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari. The deal also included five first-round picks and rights to swap other future first-round choices.

In Westbrook's deal, Presti was able to snag an aging Chris Paul and a couple of pick considerations. The All-Star point guard is a coming off a career-low season, his future in OKC is still uncertain.

The picks, however, might turn into possible draft prospects that could bring back the team's success in the stacked Western Conference Division. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have to step up his game to account for Westbrook's production. Last year, the lanky guard averaged 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 26.5 minutes of playtime.

Although the numbers aren't up to "Brodie's" standards, Gilgeous-Alexander is still far from his prime at 21. Danilo Gallinari could also put in a decent output as a first scoring option, that is if Chris Paul commits to play in the 2019 season.

Basketball