We are officially less than a month away from the 2026 NBA Draft as the league welcomes in the newest rookie class. 

For the Duke Blue Devils, they are projected to have two first-round picks as well as the potential for Maliq Brown to go in the second round. Their top prospect, Cameron Boozer, is projected to go in the top four. Boozer likely will land with either Memphis or Chicago as the current mock drafts state. 

However, there has been some buzz about a potential trade up from a team that is already stacked and chasing another title. 

The rumor first appeared a few weeks back, stating that the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to move up and add another big piece to their roster. Right now, they are on the verge of returning to the NBA Finals again and potentially winning it all for the second-straight year. 

They have a lot of picks they could move in a deal and trade up into the top four to land Boozer. 

Brett Siegel of Clutch Points reported on the possibility: 

“As of right now, the likeliest scenario involves the Thunder trading one of these picks for future draft compensation, something Sam Presti has done countless times through the years,” Siegel wrote. “However, two executives who spoke with ClutchPoints envision Presti attempting to use both picks, along with other assets, to try and trade up into the lottery, possibly as high as the top four, and pursue Cam Boozer.”

There are a few things to note. The Thunder could very well be targeting a trade-up but would one of the top four agree to it? It seems foolish for Memphis or Chicago to move a top-four pick in the situations their franchises are in. 

The other thing is that it would be devastating for other teams in the league if the Thunder can land a talent like Boozer or even Caleb Wilson.  It does feel less and less likely that a team would be willing to do that and improve a franchise that is already the best in the West.