Sam Presti added more value by trading back from No. 37 to No. 41 before selecting former Oklahoma and Kentucky standout Otega Oweh, a defensive-minded wing with local ties and intriguing long-term upside.
The Thunder entered the second round with the No. 37 overall pick, but Sam Presti did what he so often does and extracted the most possible value. With Oklahoma City targeting a player the front office expected would still be available a few picks later, the Thunder traded back with the Miami Heat to No. 41, collecting cash considerations along the way before selecting Otega Oweh.
Oweh is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound wing with a 6-foot-8 wingspan who brings a ton of defensive versatility on the perimeter. A terrific on-ball defender, Oweh began his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma, giving him ties to the state before transferring to Kentucky, where he developed into one of the SEC’s most productive two-way guards.
If Oklahoma City ultimately loses Lu Dort at some point this offseason, Oweh has the defensive tools to help replace at least some of that perimeter production over time. Offensively, he’s still developing as a shooter, but his athleticism, downhill driving ability and physicality give the Thunder another intriguing developmental prospect who fits the organization’s mold.
While his perimeter shooting remains a work in progress, his athleticism, strength and ability to pressure the rim make him an intriguing developmental piece. For a Thunder roster already loaded with established contributors, this is the type of swing Oklahoma City has consistently targeted. Oweh has the tools to earn minutes through his defense and energy while continuing to develop offensively with the Oklahoma City Blue.
Once again, Presti leans into a natural local connection, circling back to those two seasons Oweh spent just down the road with the Oklahoma Sooners before transferring to Kentucky, giving Thunder fans a familiar face and another player already well-known throughout the state.
Trading back and still landing a player the organization valued is another example of Presti maximizing draft capital while taking another bet on upside.
