It’s been some time since the Oklahoma City Thunder were considered an NBA championship contender.
Following Kevin Durant’s exit, the team decided to double down on Russell Westbrook, making the playoffs but failing to go the distance.
Then, GM Sam Presti put on several masterclasses to maximize every single one of their assets, stacking an unprecedented set of first-round picks for the future.
Now, as NBA Buzz points out, the Thunder currently have a whopping 35 draft picks over the next seven years, with 15 of those being first-rounders.
Oklahoma City Thunder have THIRTY FIVE DRAFT PICKS over the next 7 years, including 15 first round picks 😳⚡️
Whether in the draft or in trade packages, OKC can do a lot of damage! pic.twitter.com/hFzUkaOMyE
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) July 11, 2023
Needless to say, that puts them in a privileged position for the future, as they could either find stars in the draft or package some of those picks together to land a proven player who could help them win now.
If that wasn’t enough, the Thunder have put together a set of promising young talent that might as well be ready to take a leap forward and make the playoffs next season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had them close to the play-in when he was healthy last season, and they’ll now have former No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren on the floor after missing his rookie season.
Presti’s team has yet to win an NBA championship, and some will always criticize him for trading away James Harden, but he might as well be one of the savviest executives in the league, and his eye for talent is undeniable.
It may not take long before we see the Thunder back on the biggest stage, and they could be good for years to come.
NEXT: Chet Holmgren Is Off To An Efficient Start In Summer League Play
