The OKC Thunder entered yet another nerve-wracking day in their rebuild, after not getting lottery luck last season the team hoped for a better result in the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery. A better result which they got by leaping up to the second overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft. This was the third most likely outcome and avoided the most realistic scenario which was the sixth overall pick for the second straight season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder saw their logo pop up at pick 12, which they have owed to them via the L.A. Clippers and it only leaped from 15 to 12 due to the Clippers falling short in the NBA Play-In tournament, getting bounced by the New Orleans Pelicans.
As the envelopes were being opened with each passing pick anticipation grew for the Oklahoma City Thunder fanbase until it happened…the Thunder were locked into the Top-four and survived the commercial break in this drawn-out made-for-TV event. Right out of the commercial break, the Kings logo popped up and it became a joyful comma-inducing bliss, any pick inside the top three was the best-case scenario for the organization.
OKC Thunder landed the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft thanks to a great lottery night
The Houston Rockets logo lit up the screen at pick three meaning the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Mr. Thunder himself, Nick Collison, the only player in team history to have his jersey hanging in the rafters of the Paycom Center, would be picking inside the top two. Collison promised Thunder General Manager NBA Draft Lottery Luck, and the Thunder legend delivered.
The Thunder logo quickly followed Houston’s with the team earning the second pick in the NBA Draft. The Orlando Magic won the draft lottery.
This solidified the Oklahoma City Thunder draft picks with Sam Presti currently owning picks 2, 12, 30, and 34 in the 2022 NBA Draft. Now, it is time to debate who the organization should pick a two. Jabari Smith Jr? Paolo Banchero? Chet Holmgren? Or a mystery candidate that is off the radar in Sam Presti fashion?
Either way, the NBA Draft Coverage is just getting started at Thunderous Intentions so stay tuned daily for all the information!