The Oklahoma City Thunder have three picks in the 2025 draft, two of which are in the first round. They hold the No.15, No.24, and No.44 picks. But it seems like Sam Presti wants to move up in the draft and make a trade. With a stash of future picks, Presti can offer plenty of assets for teams willing to work with him.
Thunder Eyeing Draft Day Trade, but it’s Unclear Who They Will Target
According to DraftExpress, Sam Presti is looking to trade up into the Top 10 of the 2025 NBA draft and grab another prospect.
“I keep hearing rumblings that the Thunder are trying to move up. They can afford to take a swing on a high-upside prospect who fits that defensive DNA that won them a championship… A young teenager who knows how to defend and bring physicality,” Jonathan Givony reported.
The OKC Thunder are reportedly trying to move into the top 10 of the NBA Draft, per @DraftExpress
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Right now, the Thunder look like a team with no real needs. Yet, they would certainly love to get some talented players on rookie-scale contracts. Last year, they got Nikola Topic, a talented European player who fell to them because of an injury. Presti is no stranger to making draft night trades, and he always tries to collect future assets while doing so. This time, he might cash in those assets.
Who is Sam Presti Targeting in a Trade?
The OKC Thunder looks like a future dynasty. As such, they need to plan ahead for five to ten years. Sam Presti is one of the smartest general managers, and he definitely has a trade target in mind. Looking at the positions the Thunder need help with, it is clear he wants to target a big man.
Having both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein on the team will become expensive in future years. So, the Thunder could look to add another young, athletic big who can defend and rebound on a rookie-scale contract.
Right now, most mock drafts have Noa Essengue and Khaman Maluach going in the eight to ten range. That is the range Sam Presti wants to trade down to. Maluach is one of the youngest players in the draft, turning 19 in September. Both offer size and versatility and have plenty of upside for the Thunder to draft them and develop them slowly.
Three Teams That Might Want to Work with the Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have an abundance of future first-round picks that they can make a compelling offer to just about anyone. The problem often is that the other side might need the pick. Right now, three potential teams might be willing to move down the list to get future draft assets.
The first name is the Phoenix Suns, a team that recently traded Kevin Durant and got only one pick back. With the Suns looking to retool around Devin Booker, they can trade their pick, slotted 10th, for No.15 and some future assets. Phoenix can use all the future assets it can get and hope to use them two or three years down the road.
The New Orleans Pelicans are another team to watch. Right now, they have no direction. They are stuck between win-now players like Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum, and young prospects like Trey Murphy and Yves Missi. The Pelicans hold the No.7 pick in the draft, but it is not clear which direction they will take.
Last, but not least, the Toronto Raptors, another team that is stuck between two age timelines. Last season, they had more than 10 players averaging 20-plus minutes. In the last two years, they acquired RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Brandon Ingram. And they have their prized young player, Scottie Barnes, signed through 2029-2030. They are projected to pay $181 million in salary next season, an amount usually contending teams pay. The Raptors could use some relief if they can flip their pick with some players for less salary.
Featured image: © BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
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