The Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team in the NBA. As the defending champs, they are getting everyone’s best shot. Yet, they have only lost one game to this point in the season. They are by far the best team in the Western Conference standings.
Oklahoma City has the best defense in basketball by far, leading in defensive rating by six points. They also have a top-five offense in the league. To make matters worse for the rest of the NBA, the Thunder also have the Clippers’ first-round pick this season.
That first-round pick looks like it will end up being a top-five pick. A wild trade idea from Bleacher Report has the Thunder trading that pick back to the Clippers in order to obtain even more first-round picks.
GettyShai Gilgeous-Alexander dribbles the ball. (Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images)
Thunder Add Four First-Round Draft Picks in Trade Proposal
Here is the full trade proposal:
LA Clippers get: Jarace Walker, Isaiah Jackson, 2026 first-round pick (their own, via OKC), 2027 first-round pick (their own, via OKC)
Indiana Pacers get: Ivica Zubac
Oklahoma City Thunder get: LAC 2030 first-round pick, LAC 2031 first-round pick (swap), LAC 2032 first-round pick, IND 2027 first-round pick, IND 2030 second-round pick, IND 2032 second-round pick
Giving up a top-five pick in order to add more first-round picks could be a smart move if they don’t believe in anyone at the top of the draft. It’s a risk to take, as this draft is considered to have multiple generational players in the top five. The Thunder would be able to add that player to an already stacked roster.
Of course, adding future draft capital so they can replace players who will inevitably leave in order to get paid elsewhere. Oklahoma City won’t have the cap space to pay everyone, especially after dishing out massive extensions to Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
GettyChet Holmgren drives the ball. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
The Thunder Are a Juggernaut That Might Not Be Stopped
Right now, the Thunder are prohibitive favorites to repeat as champions. Only the Portland Trail Blazers have been able to take the Thunder down this season. That’s also why this trade doesn’t make a lot of sense for Oklahoma City to make, based on what they have coming to them.
The Thunder would have to give the Clippers both their 2026 and 2027 picks back in this deal. In the next three seasons, Oklahoma City has accumulated eight first-round draft picks. It may not make sense for them to add even more draft capital if they can’t use it all.
Oklahoma City could also use this draft pick as part of a package to add a superstar player to make them even tougher to beat. Giannis Antetokounmpo could be made available, and no team has better trade assets to acquire him than OKC does.
Sam Presti has a decision to make when it comes to using his draft picks and how he is going to use them. It doesn’t make sense for them to make all of those picks, so some trades will likely be coming.
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