Oklahoma City has a pair of first-round picks in the 2026 class that could land towards the end or just outside the lottery.
As the NBA regular season is nearing its end, college basketball is at its peak. With the first weekend of the NCAA tournament wrapped up, the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight are up next.
March Madness has already featured several classics, with prospects showcasing their talents on the biggest stage for the chance to win the national championship. Meanwhile, the NBA is in its final stretch, as teams make their final push for playoff positioning while others fight for lottery positioning.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have won 12 consecutive games, as they maintain a three-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Despite holding the best record in the NBA, OKC is likely to secure two mid-first-round picks in the upcoming draft, coming from the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers.
Here are three prospects that have emerged as potential top fits for the Oklahoma City Thunder:
OKC Thunder Fits in the NBA Draft
Yaxel Lendeborg
Yaxel Lendeborg is a proven contributor who can fill in multiple positions across lineups.
Lendeborg is averaging 14.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 51.5% from the floor, 36.1% from beyond the arc on 4.4 attempts, and 83% from the free-throw line on 4.1 attempts per game.
At 6’9, his versatility on both ends and feel for the game, with his ability to handle, playmake, play-finish, face-up, post-up, catch-and-shoot, and defend across the board. Fits the Thunder’s playstyle perfectly.
He can be utilized as a jumbo-wing, play in the four-spot next to either big, or even as a small-ball five.
While Lendeborg is one of the older prospects in the class (turning 24 shortly after the draft), his readiness is perfect for the Thunder, who will be looking to fill the back end of their roster with cost-controlled players.
In Michigan’s first two tournament games, here’s how Lendeborg fared in helping the Wolverines reach their third Sweet 16 in the last four years:
- Round of 64: vs Howard | 9 points (on 2/5 FG, 1/3 3P, 4/4 FT), 4 rebounds, and 4 assists (0 turnovers).
- Round of 32: vs Saint Louis | 25 points (on 9/15 FG, 3/5 3P, 4/4 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists (0 turnovers), and a block.
Nate Ament
Nate Ament entered the 2025-26 season as the No. 4 player in the freshman class. Overall, it’s been an up-and-down freshman campaign with the Volunteers.
Ament is averaging 16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, a steal, and 2.3 turnovers per game while shooting 40% from the floor and 32.8% from beyond the arc on four attempts, and 79.2% from the free-throw line on 7.3 attempts per game. Standing at 6-foot-10, his skill set at his size makes him one of the highest ceiling players in this class and an intriguing player for the Thunder.
With a lot of upside as a creator and perimeter shooter, Ament has the potential to be a three-level scorer and the size to be a versatile option on both ends. All the traits and talent Ament oozes would make him quite the get for the Thunder, especially with their developmental program.
In Tennessee’s first two tournament games, here’s how Ament fared in helping the Volunteers reach their third Sweet 16 in the last four years:
- Round of 64: vs Miami (Ohio) | 0pts (on 0/3 FG), 3 rebounds, and an ast (3 turnovers).
- Round of 32: vs Virginia | 16 points (on 4/11 FG, 1/3 3P, 7/8 FT), 4 rebounds, a steal and a block, and 2 turnovers.
Thomas Haugh
Thomas Haugh offers positional versatility due to his size and frame. At 6’9, he has improved as a perimeter player, who has seen his role expand this season.
After playing as a complementary piece on Florida’s national title run in 2025, in the 2025-26 season, Haugh took the next step, becoming the Gators’ main option, averaging 17.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, a block and 1.5 turnovers per game while shooting 46% from the field and 32.6% from beyond the arc on 5.2 attempts, and 77.4% from the free-throw line on 5.9 attempts per game.
Haugh thrives off the ball, brings physicality on both ends, has a nonstop motor, and just has an impact on winning. Sounds like a lot of these Thunder players. While the skill set doesn’t jump out, he has a high floor and IQ, which is fine for a Thunder team looking to add cost-controlled players to the back end of its roster.
Haugh provides vertical spacing, size, and athleticism, and is a solid team defender. He is another player who can fill in for a few roles with his feel for the game.
Before falling to Iowa in the Round of 32. Here’s how Haugh fared in his two tournament games:
- Round of 64: vs Prairie View A&M | 14 points (on 6/9 FG), 7 assists (0 turnovers), 4 rebounds, and a block.
- Round of 32: vs Iowa | 19 points (on 3/11 FG, 2/8 3P, 11/12 FT), 6 rebounds, 2
Main Image: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
