With the 2026 NBA Draft just a few days away, the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to add to their contending roster.
OKC owns the No. 12 (via Los Angeles Clippers) and the No. 17 (via Philadelphia 76ers) pick in the first round, as well as the No. 37 (via Dallas Mavericks) pick in the second round. Here are the top-10 prospects specifically for the Thunder that they could take a chance on:
Ranking the top-10 prospects Oklahoma City could take a flier on draft night
1. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Lendeborg checks every box on the court for the Thunder. At 6’9 with a 7’3 wingspan, his versatility with his feel for the game would fit perfectly in OKC’s system. He can play multiple roles both offensively and defensively. While his age (24 by the start of the upcoming season) could be a deciding factor for many teams, it would be beneficial to the Thunder, which is in win-now mode.
2. Brandon Burries, Arizona
Burries would be a potential trade-up candidate, as he’s one of the more NBA-ready guards in the class with his combination of size and frame. He can get his own bucket from all three levels and play off the ball. He’s arguably the best defensive guard in the draft, which not only perfectly complements OKC’s core but also strengthens their secondary creation, an area many continue to question.
3. Dailyn Swain, Texas
Swain broke out for Texas in his junior year, operating as one of the most efficient on-ball creators as a 6’7 wing. He could provide another secondary creator for OKC, in addition to having the defensive tools to be disruptive on the wing.
4. Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky
Quaintance is the biggest mystery box of the draft, having shown major flashes in his freshman season at Arizona State at just 17, before it was cut short due to a torn ACL. He hasn’t had any traction since, but has All-Defensive upside and could end up being the best defensive frontcourt prospect in the draft.
5. Cameron Carr, Baylor
Carr provides three-point shooting and elite athleticism, two areas the Thunder could use a boost in.
6. Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
Jefferson could very well be one of those late first, early second-round steals in the draft. His ability to do everything on the wing or at forward means he could fill in to OKC’s need for size and depth at forward. He can score, defend, and playmake, which checks boxes for the Thunder.
7. Nate Ament, Tennessee
At 6’10, Ament‘s size and upside at forward should pique the Thunder’s interest, but there’s a lot to be desired efficiency-wise and playing with force constantly. In Oklahoma City, he won’t be asked to make decisions. He’ll be asked to play off the catch and could play a scoring role on the wing, while being in one of the best developmental systems in the league.
8. Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Johnson Jr. is high-motor on offense and defense while adding vertical play-finishing around the rim plus physicality, which is something that OKC could use more of. If he develops his perimeter shot, he’d be a solid high-upside option in the frontcourt with his physicality and potential to defend in space and stretch the floor.
9. Karim Lopez, New Zealand
Lopez’s versatility, size, positionless play style, and NBA-ready frame make him a potential dark horse selection for the Thunder. His maturity and motor skills make Lopez one to watch on draft night. While he is still raw and has areas that need to be refined, there are areas where Lopez will make his imprint right away in the league, and OKC has proven to be one of the NBA’s development programs.
10. Chris Cenac Jr., Houston
At 6’11 with a 7’5 wingspan, Cenac Jr. is enticing as a frontcourt prospect. He has the physical tools and mobility to be elite defensively. The Thunder like switch-ability on defense, which Cenac Jr. possesses, with the fluidity and lateral quickness to defend on the perimeter. Add in his relentless motor and potential to space the floor, offering versatility, making him an interesting fit next to Chet Holmgren and others in the frontcourt.
Two-part question for the readers:
Do you prefer targeting an immediate win-now contributor or a high-upside developmental player?
Should OKC keep both picks or package them to trade up into the top 10?
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