Pre-Draft Outlook
The Thunder haven’t picked in the top four since 2009 when they selected James Harden (No. 3 overall), but this year the team owns two picks in the lottery (No. 2 and No. 12). Both of those should help considerably when it comes to reaching general manager Sam Presti’s vision for sustainable success in Oklahoma City. The Thunder acquired the 12th selection through a trade with the LA Clippers, giving OKC another chance to grab another foundational piece to play alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 2021-22 All-Rookie Second Team selection Josh Giddey. The last time Presti drafted No. 2 was 2007, when he selected future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant.
A Stat That Matters
36.81% — The Thunder got 36.81% of their minutes from rookies. That was the second highest rate of the last 15 years, trailing only the 36.83% of the 2014-15 Philadelphia 76ers.
The Way To Go
OKC will have its choice between two of the top three players in the 2022 Draft at No. 2. The Thunder could use some help in the interior, considering the perimeter is essentially set for the foreseeable future with Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey, and Lu Dort (who is expected to sign an extension this offseason). Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, and Paolo Banchero are all 6-foot-10 or taller and widely considered the top players in the 2022 class. The latter is often billed as the safest pick among the top players in the class. But the Thunder could be looking to take a big swing early in the Draft, given they’ve got two total lottery picks and two more selections in the second round.
Under Contract
G: Lu Dort
G: Josh Giddey
G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
G: Vit Krejci
G: Theo Maledon
G: Tre Mann
G: Aaron Wiggins
G/F: Ty Jerome
G/F: Kenrich Williams
F: Darius Bazley
F: Aleksej Pokusevski
F: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
F: Lindy Waters III
Free Agents
G/F: Melvin Frazier Jr. (restricted)
F: Derrick Favors (player option)
F: Isaiah Roby (restricted)
F/C: Mike Muscala (team option)
> 2022 Free Agent Tracker
Last year’s Draft
2021: Josh Giddey (6), Alperen Sengun (16)**, Tre Mann (18), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (32)*, Rokas Jokubaitis (34)**, Miles McBride (36)**, Aaron Wiggins (55)
* = acquired via trade
** = traded in draft-night deal
— Michael C. Wright