The Oklahoma City Thunder are poised on the edge of something truly wonderful -- and terrifying for the rest of the league. With the LA Clippers floundering and the Utah Jazz surprising, the Thunder are currently in line to get as many as two Top-10 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft -- all while being the clear favorites to repeat as champions.
Who should the Thunder be watching in the 2026 NBA Draft? How could things play out, and what top-tier talents could be added to the team next year? Let's take a look at a high-end possibility that is now completely in play for OKC, where they land the No. 1 and No. 10 picks in the draft. Who will be on the board?
It's time for a 2026 NBA Mock Draft:
No. 1: Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) - Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Depending on the day, the Thunder have between a five and eight percent chance to land the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, courtesy of an unprotected first they own from the Los Angeles Clippers. There is a clear top tier of prospects in this draft between Darryn Peterson, a 6'6" guard; AJ Dybantsa, a 6'9" wing; and Cam Boozer, a bruising and prolific power forward.
The pick here ends up being Peterson, who is long and athletic and could grow into a co-star role alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Scouts are raving about him, his two-way upside is tantalizing, and he at least has a chance to grow into a starter rather than being blocked by one of their current stars. Both Dybantsa and Boozer are tempting options as well.
No. 2: Washington Wizards - AJ Dybantsa, BYU
The Wizards get another top-tier frontcourt player to add to their current core, and the group of Kyshawn George, Dybantsa and Alex Sarr gives them a real foundation to build on. Dybantsa projects as the primary offensive engine of the group and will likely be the biggest star the Wizards have had...perhaps ever.
No. 3: Sacramento Kings - Cameron Boozer, Duke
Cameron Boozer falls to No. 3 here, but he has been so prolific to start his college career that he could play his way up the board. The Kings get a young star to start building around if and when they fully embrace a rebuild; if they somehow refuse to do that, Boozer is likely the most ready of the three to step into a role on a team trying to win.
No. 4: Brookyln Nets - Caleb Wilson, UNC
The battle for who will go fourth after the top tier will be hotly contested all season, but through the first few weeks it looks like Caleb Wilson has ascended into that slot. He has answered concerns about his competitive fire in overwhelming fashion, and his athleticism and activity on both ends of the court will be good culture fits for a rebuilding Brooklyn Nets team.
No. 5: Indiana Pacers - Nate Ament, Tennessee
The 6'10" Ament could have been the No. 1 player in a lot of freshman classes, but he's somewhere in the 4-7 range given the dominance of this group. That's not meant to be a knock on Ament, who is a prolific scorer with a massive NBA frame. The Pacers and their up-and-down system would love to plug in a player like Ament.
No. 6: Atlanta Hawks (from NOP) - Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
The Atlanta Hawks could move on from Trae Young during the season or this summer, and Mikel Brown Jr. could be the younger, more explosive replacement that fills his place long-term. The Louisville freshman is dynamic as a scorer and playmaker and his length would fit right into the organization's new ethos.
No. 7: Dallas Mavericks - Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
Tounde Yessoufou is another member of this incredible freshman class, but he is one of the more polarizing. Some scouts have him as a Top-5 option; others have him on the fringe of the lottery. He is a versatile wing with real defensive chops and would project as the kind of play finisher a team wants to put next to Cooper Flagg.
No. 8: Memphis Grizzlies - Koa Peat, Arizona
One of the breakout stars of the first part of the college basketball seaosn, Koa Peat is a wrecking ball of a forward who will transform a team's rebounding just by adding him. Pairing him with a stretch-big like Jaren Jackson Jr. would be ideal, and he could make up for Jackson's No. 1 weakness as a rebounder.
No. 9: Charlotte Hornets - Chris Cenac Jr., Houston
The Charlotte Hornets nailed their 2025 Draft class, led by Kon Knueppel, and hope to continue that momentum by drafting Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr. He is an athletic, mobile big man who cleans the glass and can get up to block shots, and he would be a different type of center from last year's pick Ryan Kalkbrenner, making the pairing an intriguing one.
No. 10: Oklahoma City Thunder (from UTA) - Dame Sarr, Duk
The 10th player drafted is also the 10th freshman, as this year's class of first-year players is truly special. The 6'8" Italian wing is one of the best defenders in his class and is already sparking Duke's offense by snagging steals -- exactly the archetype the Thunder love in the draft.
Sarr has shot it well to start the season and should only improve in the Thunder's development system, and his upside to become a reliable 3-and-D option who has play-wrecking turnover ability makes him the perfect player to add to the pipeline. He is the next Cason Wallace and would be yet another jewel in the Thunder's crown.
Could Oklahoma City truly land two Top-10 picks? It's not that strange of an idea at this point in the season, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA.