From Russell Westbrook’s legendary MVP run to Sam Presti’s latest draft-day steals, rediscover the transformative selections that built a perennial contender and defined the franchise’s winning culture.
The Oklahoma City Thunder received consensus praise for their 2026 NBA Draft class of Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz and Otega Oweh.
As buzz of the draft is still fresh and an ongoing conversation, it's an opportune time to look back on all the best selections in OKC's draft history. There are plenty of prodigious Presti picks from which to pick.
One note: Kevin Durant was a Seattle SuperSonics draft pick and thus does not qualify for this list. On the other hand, Russell Westbrook was technically a Seattle draft pick but the franchise moved to Oklahoma City six days later so he is considered a Thunder pick.
Top 5 Draft Picks In OKC Thunder History
Honorable Mentions
Aaron Wiggins. #55 pick in 2021.
Chet Holmgren. #2 pick in 2022.
Cason Wallace. #10 pick in 2023.
Jaylin Williams. #34 pick in 2022.
Steven Adams. #12 pick in 2013.
5. Domantas Sabonis. While the Orlando Magic made the pick at #11 in the 2016 NBA Draft, it was Sam Presti calling the shot. Sabonis (along with Victor Oladipo) was immediately traded to OKC after the selection for the #3 player on this list. Not only did he end up becoming a three time All-Star and two time All-NBA selection, but the Thunder traded Sabonis and Oladipo for Paul George... who was then traded for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a ton of draft picks and a Larry O'Brien Trophy.
4. Ajay Mitchell. I may be accused of recency bias, but the #38 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft looks like a star in the making. After only two years, Mitchell goes top 5 in a re-draft of his class.
3. Serge Ibaka. The man known as Air Congo was thought of as a raw project player when OKC drafted him #24 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. Ibaka ended up becoming a key role player as an elite defender and pick and pop shooter on a team that went to one NBA Finals and four Western Conference Finals.
2. Jalen Williams. The second best player on an NBA Championship team and an All-NBA/All-Star/All-Defense selection was the #12 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Williams was viewed as a high 2nd rounder or low 1st rounder before he climbed up draft boards after his impressive combine showing. And yet many fans and analysts thought OKC may have taken him too early. Four years later, he or his teammate likely go #1 in a re-draft.
1. Russell Westbrook. The all time Thunder legend and 2016 NBA Most Valuable Player was the #4 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. OKC drafting him that high was considered a major reach at the time. Wrong.
