Rumor: Thunder's NBA Draft trade plans with 24th pick
The post Rumor: Thunder's NBA Draft trade plans with 24th pick appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the persistent Indiana Pacers — who fought valiantly after Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals — and claimed the team's first championship on Sunday night.
Advertisement
OKC faced plenty of adversity en route to the Larry O'Brien Trophy, but with MVP/Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and magnificent team defense leading the way, this squad capped off the most amazing year the fan base has ever experienced.
And if the Thunder continue to play their cards correctly, this may only be the beginning. They boast a young core and an abundance of future assets, which elite general manager Sam Presti can use to potentially cement OKC as the sport's next dynasty.
The 2025 Executive of the Year does not have much time to pat himself on the back, though, with the NBA Draft set to begin this Wednesday.
The organization currently owns the No. 15, No. 24 and No. 44 selections, but since its roster is already quite bloated, fans should not expect to see Presti snag a prospect who will contribute right away. He will likely be ready to do business at some point during the proceedings. The No. 24 pick could be on the move.
Advertisement
'Nobody around the league expects the Thunder to make two selections in this year's draft,' ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel writes. 'Presti is always pulling the trigger on deals during the NBA Draft, and we should expect nothing different when it comes to Oklahoma City with the 24th and 44th picks.
'That is why the expectation is that the Thunder will either trade this pick or use it for a draft-and-stash option.'
What do the Thunder have planned at NBA Draft?
This front office has a sharp eye for talent — they grabbed future All-Star Jalen Williams at No. 12, traded down to take rising talent Cason Wallace and signed All-Defensive First-Team selection Luguentz Dort as an undrafted free agent — but there is little room for newcomers at the moment.
Advertisement
The Thunder will have to keep the big picture in mind, which will presumably result in them completing at least one draft-night deal.
Sam Presti could still identify a long-term difference-maker at No. 15, though. And if he does, there is a distinct possibility that the rest of the league will put him on trial for practicing black magic.
Related: Thunder's Jalen Williams will 'stick to Shirley Temples' after NBA Championship win
Related: Thunder's Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren in line for $247 million contract extensions
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade
NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers had a relatively quiet offseason before Thursday. The team made no major moves after getting bounced by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, and it also didn't have a first-round pick. Advertisement Los Angeles did not make a transaction during Wednesday's first round despite its need for a starting center. The Lakers are known for splashy offseason moves, but they haven't made one since acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February. They sent out Anthony Davis in that deal, which left a hole in their frontcourt. However, they finally made a trade during Thursday's second round, via ESPN's Shams Charania. Former Arkansas Razorbacks forward Adou Thiero (3) Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images They sent pick No. 45 and cash to the Timberwolves for pick No. 36, which they used on Arkansas forward Adou Thiero. The 6-foot-6-inch, 218-pounder averaged 15.1 points on 54.5 percent shooting with 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists across 27.5 minutes for the Razorbacks last season. Advertisement Even still, many Lakers fans aren't satisfied on social media. "He can't shoot, he's trash," one said. "WE NEEDED A BIG BUT THEY DRAFTED HIGHFLYER," another said. A "high flyer" is a player known for their leaping and dunking abilities. "WOULD IT KILL THEM TO GET A [EXPLETIVE] CENTER," another asked. "There was a [expletive] good center sitting there for the Lakers & they draft this guy? I don't get it," another said. On the other hand, general NBA fans are impressed. "Ngl top 5 pick of the draft," one said. "Seriously a star, just know he averaged a good amount of assists (5 apg + I think) playing as a guard in high school," another said. Advertisement Related: Warriors NBA Champion Emerges as Potential Lakers Target Related: NBA Legend Dwight Howard Was in Tears After Major Personal News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lakers Turn Heads With Move Immediately After NBA Draft
Lakers Turn Heads With Move Immediately After NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers waited a long time to make a pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. They didn't have a first-round selection, but they traded up to No. 36 on Thursday to get Arkansas forward Adou Thiero. Advertisement Los Angeles still needs a starting center, but it has several months to figure that out before opening night in October. The team traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic in February and has had a hole in the frontcourt ever since. It also agreed to acquire Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets shortly after, but it nixed the deal after he failed his physical. The Lakers made another move right after the draft on Thursday, via ESPN's Shams Charania. Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images "Villanova star Eric Dixon has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN," he reported. "Dixon was the No. 1 scorer in college basketball last season, shooting 41% from 3-point range." Advertisement The 6-foot-8-inch, 265-pounder averaged 23.1 points on 45.1 percent shooting with 5.1 rebounds across 34.7 minutes for the Wildcats last season. Fans had mixed reactions on social media. "Lakers fans gonna say he's better than [Jayson] Tatum now," one said. "How was he undrafted then?" one asked. "How did he go that low in the draft if he was hooping like that?" another one asked. "Lakers got a SNIPER!" another said. "Ring us I've seen enough," another said. "NOT GONNA SAVE THEM," another said. Dixon played five seasons at Villanova and became a full-time starter in 2021-22. Related: NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade Related: Warriors NBA Champion Emerges as Potential Lakers Target This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lakers Fans Excited After Chris Paul News
Lakers Fans Excited After Chris Paul News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers became a guard-driven team after flipping Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic in February, and it could stay that way for years to come. The latter star averaged a team-high 28.2 points per game in the regular season and 30.2 in the playoffs, while fellow guard Austin Reaves was third with 16.2 points in the postseason. Advertisement Meanwhile, future Hall of Famer Chris Paul was at home during the playoffs for the second straight season. The 40-year-old has made the postseason 15 times, but missed out with the Golden State Warriors in 2024 and the San Antonio Spurs this year. However, a new report suggests that Paul could attempt one more run at his first championship out west, via NBA insider Marc Stein. San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3)© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images 'Chris Paul would be another [Dallas] Mavericks target at $5.7 million, but there is a growing belief that Paul — after starting all 82 games last season in San Antonio as a 39-year-old newcomer to the Spurs — is determined to play closer to his home base in Los Angeles if he indeed comes back for a 21st season,' he wrote on Friday. Advertisement The Wake Forest alum is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Lakers fans on social media want to see him play for their team. "Luka, Reaves, DFS, Bron, Clax, CP3, NAW, Wiggins, Capela, Omggggggggggg," one said. "CP3 finally end up in LA? I think he will help more than hurt, so why not?" another asked. "Takes some more ball handling pressure from Bron and Luka. Especially if it's on a cheap deal." "Lakers Backup PG bye Gabe," another said. "I will love to see him playing alongside LeBron. That will be nice to watch," another said. "We bouta finally see Lebron & CP3 play together," another said. Advertisement Related: Lakers Turn Heads With Move Immediately After NBA Draft Related: NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
