It is no secret that Sam Presti has been actively collecting assets like Thanos and the Infinity Stones. The plan has been laid out, and he is in a great position to rebuild this franchise with his war-chest of first-round picks. Between now and 2027, the Thunder could have up to 30 picks. Below is a quick break down of all the picks that Presti and Co. have accumulated for this next era of Thunder basketball.
2021 first-round draft pick from Miami and/or Houston (swap, Oklahoma City or Miami outgoing to Houston)
Oklahoma City will receive the two most favorable of its 2021 1st round pick, Miami’s 2021 1st round pick, and Houston’s 2021 1st round pick protected for selections 1-4. Houston will receive the least favorable of the three. If the Houston pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyable, Houston’s obligation to Oklahoma City will be extinguished.
2021 first-round draft pick from Golden State
Golden State’s 2021 1st round pick to Oklahoma City protected for selections 1-20; if this pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyed, then Golden State will instead convey Minnesota’s 2021 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City.
2021 second-round draft pick from Denver
Denver’s 2021 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City.
2022 first-round draft pick from L.A. Clippers
L.A. Clippers’ 2022 1st round pick to Oklahoma City.
2022 first-round draft pick from Phoenix
Phoenix’s 1st round pick to Oklahoma City protected for selections 1-12 in 2022, 1-10 in 2023, and 1-8 in 2024 and unprotected in 2025.
*Oklahoma City’s 2022 1st round pick to Atlanta is protected for selections 1-14; if this pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyed, Oklahoma City will instead convey its 2024 2nd round pick 2025 2nd round pick to Atlanta.
2023 first-round draft pick from L.A. Clippers (swap, Oklahoma City outgoing)
Oklahoma City has the right to swap its 2023 1st round pick for the L.A. Clippers’ 2023 1st round pick.
2023 first-round draft pick from Miami
Miami’s 1st round pick to Oklahoma City (via L.A. Clippers) protected for selections 1-14 in 2023, 1-14 in 2024, and 1-14 in 2025 and unprotected in 2026.
2023 first-round draft pick from Denver
Denver’s 1st round pick to Oklahoma City protected for selections 1-14 in 2023, 1-14 in 2024 and 1-14 in 2025; if Denver has not conveyed a 1st round pick to Oklahoma City by 2025, then Denver will instead convey its 2025 2nd round pick and 2026 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City.
2023 second-round draft pick from Dallas or Miami (more favorable)
Oklahoma City will receive the more favorable of Dallas’ 2023 2nd round pick and Miami’s 2023 2nd round pick.
2023 second-round draft pick from Washington
Washington’s 2023 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City
2024 first-round draft pick from Houston
Houston’s 2024 1st round pick to Oklahoma City is protected for selections 1-4; if this pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyed, Houston will instead convey its 2024 2nd round pick and 2025 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City.
2024 first-round draft pick from L.A. Clippers
L.A. Clippers’ 2024 1st round pick to Oklahoma City
2024 second-round draft pick from Charlotte
Charlotte’s 2024 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City
2024 second-round draft pick from Minnesota
Minnesota’s 2024 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City
2025 first-round draft pick from Houston or L.A. Clippers (swap, Oklahoma City outgoing)
Oklahoma City has the right to swap its 2025 1st round pick for Houston’s 2025 1st round pick protected for selections 1-10 or the L.A. Clippers’ 2025 1st round pick (if the Houston pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyable, then Houston’s obligation to Oklahoma City will be extinguished).
2025 second-round draft pick from Atlanta
Atlanta’s 2025 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City protected for selections 31-55 (if this pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyed, then Atlanta’s obligation to Oklahoma City will be extinguished).
2026 first-round draft pick from Houston
Houston’s 2026 1st round pick to Oklahoma City is protected for selections 1-4; if this pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyed, Houston will instead convey its 2026 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City.
2026 first-round draft pick from L.A. Clippers
L.A. Clippers’ 2026 1st round pick to Oklahoma City.
2026 second-round draft pick from Dallas
Dallas’ 2026 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City
2027 second-round draft pick from Indiana
Indiana’s 2027 2nd round pick to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City currently owns its own first round picks in 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
With that many bites at the apple, the organization has the flexibility to really do whatever they want for the foreseeable future. Do they take the long view and utilize these picks to move up in stacked drafts to acquire blue-chip prospects? Do they accelerate the rebuild by trading for young stars on rookie-scale contracts? The most logical route seems to be somewhere in the middle.
The first run of Thunder basketball netted them 3 straight MVPs in Durant, Westbrook, and Harden. All three were taken in the top 5 of their draft class. Along the way, first-round picks were dealt for disgruntled players like Dion Waiters and Enes Kanter. For small-market teams such as the Thunder, building through the draft and trades is the best way for them to have long-term sustainable success.
I, for one, cannot wait to see what Presti Magic can pull off going forward.
