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The 2026 NBA Draft is only days away, and Oklahoma City has the 12th, 17th and 37th overall picks. Sam Presti needs to nail this draft because adding impactful players on cheap rookie contracts will help the Thunder navigate their precarious financial situation.
They currently have a full roster under contract for next season and minimal room for developmental minutes, so many people expect Presti to consolidate picks to move up in the draft. Whether it’s the best strategy is up for debate, but the Thunder are uniquely positioned to trade into the top ten because of their future swaps.
For example, the Thunder have the right to swap their first-round pick with the Clippers’ first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. Los Angeles owns the 5th overall pick and could explore trading back to gain more assets. If this is the case, then the Clippers’ first phone call will be to Presti in an effort to regain control of their 2027 selection. Something in the ballpark of 5th for 12th and either 17th or Denver’s 2027 first-round pick would be logical assuming the Thunder also extinguish the 2027 swap with Los Angeles. It’s a possibility if Presti loves Mikel Brown Jr. or views Keaton Wagler as the next Tyrese Haliburton.
The Thunder also own unprotected swap rights on the Mavericks’ 2028 first-round pick, and Dallas holds the 9th overall pick. Oklahoma City could attempt to move up from either 12th or 17th overall by extinguishing the 2028 swap rights and potentially adding more assets. A fascinating draft outcome for the Thunder would be trading up from 17th to 9th to select Yaxel Lendeborg and then doubling down on Michigan prospects by selecting Morez Johnson Jr. at 12th. Another option would be snagging Brayden Burries and Johnson.
Although Oklahoma City’s future first-round swaps give the franchise a unique type of ammunition in this upcoming draft, it will probably hold onto its swaps. The new lottery format made them incredibly valuable because mediocre teams are now far more likely to land a premium pick in the draft. For example, the 10th-worst slot had a 13.9% chance of winning a top-four pick under the old system compared to a 22.4% chance in the new system.
Overall, look for the Thunder to be aggressive shoppers in the 2026 Draft. They have a surplus of picks and will likely use them to secure their top prospect.
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They currently have a full roster under contract for next season and minimal room for developmental minutes, so many people expect Presti to consolidate picks to move up in the draft. Whether it’s the best strategy is up for debate, but the Thunder are uniquely positioned to trade into the top ten because of their future swaps.
For example, the Thunder have the right to swap their first-round pick with the Clippers’ first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. Los Angeles owns the 5th overall pick and could explore trading back to gain more assets. If this is the case, then the Clippers’ first phone call will be to Presti in an effort to regain control of their 2027 selection. Something in the ballpark of 5th for 12th and either 17th or Denver’s 2027 first-round pick would be logical assuming the Thunder also extinguish the 2027 swap with Los Angeles. It’s a possibility if Presti loves Mikel Brown Jr. or views Keaton Wagler as the next Tyrese Haliburton.
The Thunder also own unprotected swap rights on the Mavericks’ 2028 first-round pick, and Dallas holds the 9th overall pick. Oklahoma City could attempt to move up from either 12th or 17th overall by extinguishing the 2028 swap rights and potentially adding more assets. A fascinating draft outcome for the Thunder would be trading up from 17th to 9th to select Yaxel Lendeborg and then doubling down on Michigan prospects by selecting Morez Johnson Jr. at 12th. Another option would be snagging Brayden Burries and Johnson.
Although Oklahoma City’s future first-round swaps give the franchise a unique type of ammunition in this upcoming draft, it will probably hold onto its swaps. The new lottery format made them incredibly valuable because mediocre teams are now far more likely to land a premium pick in the draft. For example, the 10th-worst slot had a 13.9% chance of winning a top-four pick under the old system compared to a 22.4% chance in the new system.
Overall, look for the Thunder to be aggressive shoppers in the 2026 Draft. They have a surplus of picks and will likely use them to secure their top prospect.
Continue reading...
