"The 2019 trade that brought reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a load of draft picks to Oklahoma City for Paul George produced twofold and six years later has become the blueprint for how teams can maximize their return value. And as a result, five teams, including the Thunder, have a combined 55 first-round picks over the next couple of years: the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets"
"Incoming future first-round picks: 13Future second-round picks: 16Most valuable pick: 2026 top-4 protected first from the Philadelphia 76ers and 2027 swap rights with the LA Clippers There's no team better positioned for long-term success than Oklahoma City. Even after committing $800 million this summer to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, which projects them to be a second apron team next summer, the Thunder have a treasure chest of future draft assets to offset their rising payroll."
The Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2025 NBA championship while demonstrating how fringe playoff teams can stockpile future draft picks and develop young talent. A 2019 trade that brought Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plus numerous picks for Paul George created a blueprint for maximizing return value. Five teams — Oklahoma City, Brooklyn, Utah, Memphis and Houston — hold a combined 55 first-round picks over the next few years. Oklahoma City holds 13 incoming first-round and 16 second-round picks, including a 2026 top-4 protected first from Philadelphia and 2027 swap rights with Los Angeles. Significant salary commitments project the Thunder into second-apron territory, but their draft assets offset the rising payroll amid apron restrictions on roster moves.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]