The defending champs are off to a 15-1 start despite a slew of injuries. Oklahoma City’s sights are set on becoming the first back-to-back champs since the 2017-2018 Warriors. 

But the Thunder are still loaded with incoming draft picks, and many of them could be highly valuable. Here are the best future draft picks in Oklahoma City’s stockpile. 

There are two parts to Denver’s debt. 

First, the Nuggets owe a top-5 protected 2027 first rounder to the Thunder. If this does not convey, then it becomes a top-5 protected first in 2028. And should this not convey, it becomes a top-5 protected first in 2029. Finally, the Nuggets would send a 2029 second-round pick if none of these convey. 

Second, Denver separately owes another future first-round pick to Oklahoma City that will begin two years after the one above. For example, if Denver sends its 2027 first to Oklahoma City, then the Thunder will receive a top-5 protected 2029 first rounder. 

And if Denver protects its 2027 selection and instead sends its 2028 first, then the Thunder will receive a top-5 protected 2030 first rounder. 

That’s a lot of moving parts, but here is the bottom line. Denver is extremely likely to convey its 2027 first to Oklahoma City, which means the Thunder can currently count on receiving a 2029 top-5 protected first rounder from the Nuggets that becomes a 2030 top-5 protected first if Denver lands in the top five of the 2029 Draft. 

In other words, the Thunder have two bites at the apple to land a premium pick from the Nuggets in the 2029 or 2030 Draft when Denver’s core will be at an advanced age or not on the team anymore. The risk is that Nikola Jokic remains so dominant that he takes the shine off of this debt. 

The Jazz named Austin Ainge as President of Basketball Operations in July. During his introductory press conference, Ainge was asked the following question: “What is your philosophy on tanking or manipulating minutes and player performance in order to achieve better lottery odds?” 

Ainge quickly and emphatically responded by saying “You won’t see that this year.” 

If Utah is truly done chasing lottery odds and instead simply let the ping pong balls fall where they may, then the Thunder have a decent chance of receiving a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. 

The Jazz have a 5-9 record and rank 23rd in net rating. Lauri Markkanen is averaging 30.6 points per game on 62.5% true shooting, while Keyonte George contributes 23 points and 7.1 assists per game. 

Utah has no dreams of making the Play-In Tournament, but it is far from being a bottom-dweller like Brooklyn or Washington. The Jazz are currently on pace for 29 wins and the 10th-worst record in the NBA. If that holds, then the Thunder would have an 86.1% chance of receiving the 10th, 11th or 12th overall pick. 

Now, there are plenty of avenues for the Jazz to tumble down the standings. Markkanen may cool off or get traded, thus cratering Utah’s offense. Ainge could ignore his own words and manipulate minutes. Or teams like the Clippers, Grizzlies, Mavericks and Hornets could get their act together and rise above the Jazz. 

Overall, it’s still too early to have a clear indication of where Utah’s pick will ultimately land. But the realistic outcome of landing in the 9th to 12th range in this loaded draft is extremely enticing. 

When Sam Presti acquired this unprotected 2028 swap by facilitating Daniel Gafford’s move to Dallas, it was met with skepticism. Why would the Thunder help its rival secure a cost-controlled, impactful role player for a swap that has little value due to Luka Dončić's presence?

It turns out Presti can see the future. After nearly two years since the trade, Oklahoma City has won a championship, while Dallas is in absolute shambles. The Mavericks possess an aging, injury-riddled core around rookie Cooper Flagg and do not control its 2027 first-round pick. 

Could Dallas make the 2028 playoffs because of Flagg and the player it selects with its 2026 first? Absolutely, but the Mavericks may also not have enough pieces and drop to the lottery where anything can happen. 

Overall, the Thunder could feasibly reap a top-five pick in the 2028 Draft due to Nico Harrison’s disastrous Dončić trade. 

Los Angeles has 11 players under contract for the 2027 season, and seven of them will be in their age-32 season or higher. 

Kawhi Leonard is a part-time player at this point in his career, and veterans like Brook Lopez and Chris Paul are on their last legs. 

The Clippers have space below the first apron to work with in terms of acquiring impactful players via free agency or the trade market, but Los Angeles projects to be a play-in team at best. It should be yet another unprotected lottery ticket for Oklahoma City. 

As if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams were not enough, the crown jewel of Oklahoma City’s incoming draft capital comes from the Paul George trade. 

The Thunder will receive the two best picks of its own first, Houston’s top-4 protected first and Los Angeles’ unprotected first. 

The Clippers are currently 4-10 and would miss the Play-In Tournament if the season ended today. Bradley Beal is out for the season, Derrick Jones Jr. is out for at least six weeks, and who knows when Kawhi Leonard suits up. 

Draft experts project the 2026 Draft to be one of the best in recent history given its abundance of potential superstars. If the Clippers miss the playoffs (which seems likely in this brutal Western Conference), then the Thunder may snag a cost-controlled stud. It’s the doomsday scenario for the rest of the NBA.