Final 2025 NBA Draft Positioning Solidified With Three Total Picks

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver (R) and Chet Holmgren react after ... More Holmgren was drafted with the 2nd overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) Before the start of the 2024-25 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder had the chance to enter the 2025 NBA Draft with the most first-round picks of any team. If everything worked out in Oklahoma City’s favor, there was a scenario in which the Thunder could have four selections in the opening round. Due to pick protections and how the season unfolded, OKC will only have two selections in the first round, which was solidified on Monday night as every draft slot has now been officially set. In the end, Oklahoma City ultimately came away with the No. 15 and No. 24 overall picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Furthermore, the Thunder will also have the No. 44 overall pick in the second round, which will be the team’s third pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. The No. 15 pick comes from the Miami Heat, who snuck into the playoffs, which meant that lottery-protected selection was conveyed to OKC. From there, the No. 24 pick is owned by the Thunder via a swap with the LA Clippers. Both of these selections came from the Paul George trade in 2019 that brought Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to OKC, as that deal continues to pay dividends. Finally, the No. 44 overall pick is from the Atlanta Hawks and was acquired in a 2023 trade that re-routed Patty Mills. As for the two picks that didn’t convey to Oklahoma City, it’s not all bad news. The first was a top-10 protected selection from the Utah Jazz, but given they had the worst record in the league, that conveying was not a possibility. Instead, the Thunder will own Utah’s first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, top-eight protected. The second pick that didn’t convey this year was via the Philadelphia 76ers, which was top-six protected. There was a slim chance the Sixers could fall on lottery night, and that would still convey, but they actually jumped in the order and will keep their pick. As such, the Thunder will now have the rights to the Sixers’ first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, top-four protected. At the end of the day, Oklahoma City will have a near-lottery pick and a late first-rounder. While neither of those is likely to produce a superstar, there’s no question the Thunder can extract value at those positions with cost-controlled role players on rookie-scale contracts. The franchise is looking to build toward the future while also being a contender now, so it’s important to continue adding young talent. When it comes down to it, the bigger concern is roster spots. Oklahoma City will struggle to bring on three rookies in the 2025-26 campaign, so don’t be surprised if one or two of these selections is traded. In the meantime, the Thunder is navigating a competitive playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, currently tied 2-2 with a trip to the Western Conference Finals on the line. The OKC front office will continue scouting prospects as that unfolds, given the 2025 NBA Draft is in roughly six weeks. Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholascrain/2025/05/12/okc-thunder-final-2025-nba-draft-positioning-solidified-with-three-total-picks/