Presti Defends Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander After Thunder's Game 7 Loss to Spurs

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti defended center Chet Holmgren and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during a postseason news conference that lasted more than 100 minutes on Monday, June 8, 2026. " He noted that Holmgren was a first-time All-Star, finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and earned third-team All-NBA honors in the 2025-26 season.

Presti added that the Thunder were sweeping their way to the Western Conference finals primarily because of Holmgren's efforts in the series against the Lakers.

7 points per game in the seven-game series loss to the Spurs. He took only three total 3-pointers in the last four games of the series and scored four points with four rebounds while taking two shots in Game 7. "This is a guy that is intrinsically motivated," Presti said.

Presti called Holmgren an "underdog," citing doubts scouts had about him dating back to high school and college, and said he remains "confident" in Holmgren moving forward. Presti also addressed criticism directed at Gilgeous-Alexander for drawing fouls. "He's playing against six people," Presti said.

Presti noted that Gilgeous-Alexander received three technical fouls in the 2025-26 season, none for complaining, and that one came from waving a towel in support of a teammate. 5 percent of the foul calls challenged that season, and tied with Joel Embiid for eighth in the NBA. Jaylen Brown and Victor Wembanyama ranked sixth and seventh.

Presti said Gilgeous-Alexander plays with four or five All-NBA defensive players and contrasted that with common NBA critiques. 7 million in the 2025-26 season, slightly below the luxury tax. 2 million contract extensions that begin next season.

The team's projected payroll will exceed $250 million, moving deep into the luxury tax and past the second apron. "Just because we're [in Oklahoma City], I don't think we should be told that we shouldn't dream as big or go as hard [financially] as a team on the coast, if we have a team that's capable or demonstrated it is capable," Presti said.

The Spurs defeated the Thunder in seven games to reach their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014.