When Sam Presti was hired by the Seattle Supersonics on June 7, 2007, by the new Oklahoma-based ownership of the team, his first action made an immediate mark. In a draft-night trade with the Boston Celtics, Presti shipped Ray Allen, the face of the franchise, out of town. In return, he got Wally Szerbiak, Delonte West, and a draft pick that would be used to take Jeff Green. Only Green remained with the franchise beyond the next draft. This was not equal value for a future hall of famer that helped the Celtics win a championship that very next season.
It may have been the best deal Presti has ever engineered.
Being a mediocre team is poison in the NBA. Good teams get to make playoff appearances and compete for championships. Bad teams get the first dibs on incoming rookies that could help them become a good team. Mediocrity only breeds more mediocrity.