The 2026 NBA Draft is upon us, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the Oklahoma City Thunder makes a splash on draft night, with them having multiple picks at their disposal.
OKC has historically assessed all its options on draft night: whether to move up, down, or out altogether. Despite being a contender, the Thunder has several needs to address.
Here are three realistic trade-up scenarios for the Thunder.
Assessing What It Will Take For OKC To Move Up During the Draft
Trading With the Los Angeles Clippers
The Thunder and Clippers are familiar trading partners as the two teams have made a blockbuster deal, the infamous Paul George trade that led to now two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as a record-setting seven picks to OKC.
Clippers fans may rightfully feel wary about trading with OKC, but all signs point to it being the best way for them to get back their future assets.
LA currently has the No. 5 pick and would be choosing between what is viewed as a drop-off in top-tier prospects after No. 4. If the Clippers do not like their options, they could trade with the Thunder to grab multiple picks and prospects. Keaton Wagler feels like the ideal trade-up option for OKC.
No. 12, No. 17, and all of the remaining Clippers picks and swaps the Thunder owns would likely need to be included.
Trading With the Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks sit in an interesting spot with the No. 9 pick, needing to draft capital and add future talent next to Cooper Flagg. There have been reports that these two teams have discussed a swap of Dallas No. 9 pick for both of OKC’s picks (No. 12 & 17).
The two teams have made several deals over the past couple of years, including moving up from No. 12 to No. 10 in the 2023 NBA draft by absorbing a negative contract to jump two spots and grabbing All-Defensive guard Cason Wallace, while Dallas got their guy in Dereck Lively II. OKC, once again picking at No. 12, and Dallas, sitting in a similar position at No. 9, who has limited assets and young talents to build with, Flagg could select two prospects or pick up future assets to continue building around their franchise player.
Moving up three spots for what many deem the players to be on similar tiers in this range seems like a steep price to pay for OKC giving up two firsts in a deep class. At No. 9, a prime option for the Thunder could include a player like Brandon Burries, who checks the boxes for OKC.
Trading With the Milwaukee Bucks
If the Thunder want to move up just a couple of spots, opposed to an attempt to potentially pay a steep price to move into the top-five or top-nine, they could run back a similar trade they’ve made before, as mentioned above.
Rumors surrounding the two teams have picked up on draft night for different reasons, with talk of OKC looking to move up and the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade heating up for Milwaukee. Now, if that’s the case, the Bucks will pivot to a rebuild and look to acquire future assets to continue building with.
At No. 10, the Thunder would have an array of options, potentially grabbing Yaxel Lendeborg before the Warriors do, or even Nate Ament, for whom there are reportedly links between the two.
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