Sam Presti’s war chest is loaded with high-upside assets. From unprotected swaps to bets on aging contenders, discover which future selections offer the greatest potential for lottery luck.
The 2026 NBA Draft is just around the corner and rightfully hogging the spotlight. Oklahoma City has the 12th, 17th and 37th overall picks along with a treasure chest of future picks that could be used to trade into the top ten.
Here are the Thunder’s top-three future first-round picks based on their potential to bestow a premium prospect.
3. Denver Nuggets 2029 First-Round Pick (Top-5 Protected)
The Thunder acquired this future first-round pick when they sent 2023 and 2024 draft capital to the Nuggets ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft. Sam Presti banked on long-term uncertainty and may be rewarded for his roll of the dice.
Denver was upset by an injured Minnesota squad in the first round of the 2026 playoffs and has reportedly made available everyone on the roster excluding Nikola Jokić. The Nuggets are keen to maximize Jokić’s prime and subsequently could make rash moves this offseason, such as trading Jamal Murray. It doesn’t help that Denver is currently $12.8 million over the luxury tax with deals for Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones yet to come. Ownership may step in and force the front office to slash salary, thus diminishing the roster.
Even if the Nuggets get back on track next season, Jokić and company will be in their mid 30s during the 2029 season. Oklahoma City could land a lottery pick from a declining Nuggets roster. And if it winds up in the top five and does not convey, then it becomes a 2030 first-round pick (top-five protected).
2. Dallas Mavericks 2028 First-Round Swap
The Thunder acquired this unprotected swap when they helped facilitate the Daniel Gafford to Dallas trade in 2024. It appeared to be a move without much upside at the time, but Luka Dončić’s ousting changed the equation.
Dallas tied for the 7th-worst record in the NBA this past season and faces a tough choice regarding its veterans. Will the front office sell players like Gafford, Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall for future draft capital to build a long-term roster around Cooper Flagg? Or will the Mavericks value the short term and risk Flagg entering his prime with Dallas at a significant draft capital deficit?
Hopefully the front office prioritizes the future and flips veterans for picks because this would make the Thunder’s unprotected 2028 swap incredibly juicy. And although Flagg will prevent Dallas from being a terrible team, the new lottery format means mediocre teams have a decent chance of landing a top-five pick.
1. Los Angeles Clippers 2027 First-Round Swap
Presti acquired this unprotected swap when he helped facilitate the James Harden to Los Angeles trade in 2023.
The Clippers began the 2026 season with a 6-21 record before Kawhi Leonard morphed into The Terminator and dragged Los Angeles to the play-in tournament. Oklahoma City wound up receiving the 12th overall pick in this upcoming draft, and it could receive another tantalizing pick next season.
Leonard’s future is uncertain, especially if he faces punishment from the NBA about the Aspiration accusations. John Collins and Bennedict Mathurin are also unrestricted and restricted free agents, respectively, and the rest of the roster is riddled with veterans in their mid to late 30s. Factor in the brutal Western Conference, and the Thunder could receive another lottery pick from the Clippers next season where anything can happen under the new lottery format.
