Thunderous Intentions
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Vegas projects OKC Thunder finish last in 2022 – 3 reasons to buy

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, and Luguentz Dort, right, guard Utah Jazz's Jordan Clarkson: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
OKC Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, and Luguentz Dort, right, guard Utah Jazz's Jordan Clarkson: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /
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James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Kevin Durant, Kendrick Perkins and Russell Westbrook of the OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat G5 2012 NBA Finals. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Reason 1: It takes time to build a contender:

When Sam Presti committed to the rebuild he began amassing a flurry of draft picks. Presti’s draft closet got the biggest influx from the Clippers (four unprotected, one protected, and two swaps). With Paul George headed back home to LA, Presti then grabbed two protected firsts and two swaps for Russell Westbrook.

By the time the Thunder VP rested he had accumulated a potential 38 draft picks – 17 first and 21 second-round picks) over the next seven drafts.

OKC committed hardcore to tank hoping to land the top pick to get generational talent, Cade Cunningham. But the Basketball Gods didn’t shine upon the Thunder. Instead, the lottery bingo ball bounced sixth and by virtue of the Rockets landing the second pick also lost out on that pick due to its top four protection. Instead, OKC got the much less desirable 18th pick.

As the old adage goes – Rome wasn’t built in a day, and likewise building a championship contender will take time.

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