There was a bidding war for Ousmane Dieng on Draft night

The Oklahoma City Thunder turned their focus to the 2022 NBA Draft a year ago, and throughout this season of jostling for draft position rather than wins, the Thunder entered lottery night with high hopes. The OKC Thunder saw the ping pong balls bounce their way being awarded the 2nd and 12th selections in the draft. At the time, they controlled picks 2, 12, 30, and 34. Eventually, Sam Presti flipped the 30th pick for a future first-round pick (2027 top-five protected via Denver). That was not the end of Presti’s wheeling and dealing though, on draft night the Thunder acquired a third lottery pick and spent it on Ousmane Dieng.

When the news broke that the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired the 11th pick from the New York Knicks in Thursday’s NBA Draft, the initial reaction was shocked with the assumption OKC flipped the 12th pick to move up one slot. Instead, Sam Presti kept the 12th pick and instead shipped off three future first-round picks all in the loaded 2023 NBA Draft but with heavy protections. That allowed the OKC Thunder to walk out of the 2022 NBA Draft with three (3) lottery picks.

The Oklahoma City Thunder traded three first-round picks to go get Ousmane Dieng with the 11th pick after the Cavs sparked a bidding war

For the second straight year, the Thunder and Cavs had the same target in mind during the draft. Last year, Sam Presti attempted to grab Evan Mobley before he landed in Cleveland, and this year, the Cavs attempted to leapfrog the Bricktown boys for Ousmane Dieng.

Dieng is one of the youngest prospects in the NBA Draft, he will spend his entire rookie season as a 19-year-old standing 6’10 coming in at 200 pounds, the NBL product has elite ball-handling and playmaking ability for his size.

I would still tab Dieng as a project as he averaged 7 points, three rebounds, and an assist a year ago on a dreadful 21 percent from beyond the arc. Despite failing from distance, Dieng was fearless in jacking up jumpers launching 61 triples throughout the season. That confidence will go a long way in his development process.

While a lot of Thunder fans have struggled to understand why a project prospect was worthy of three future first-round picks, The Hoop Collective Podcast detailed that the Thunder were not the only team attempting to get the same player at the same slot. The Thunder had more assets to outbid the competition and go get a guy they believe has a sky-high ceiling.

Never challenge Sam Presti to a bidding war in which draft assets are involved. If you come at the king, you best not miss.