The verdict in the ongoing Kawhi Leonard NBA cap circumvention investigation is in, and, fortunately, the OKC Thunder are not remotely impacted.
According to the league's communications office, Leonard and the LA Clippers have both been penalized for "violating the salary cap circumvention rules" of the league’s newest Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Basketball Players Association.
With ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania's initial report revealing that the franchise, among other punishments, would be stripped of five first-round picks, many may have been left wondering whether or not the swap Los Angeles owes the Thunder in next year's draft would be involved in the ordeal.
After all, the transaction that initially netted OKC this luxury happened in the years directly following the alleged behind-the-scenes affairs.
In the end, however, the draft rights that will be taken away from them are set to come in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 draft cycles, leaving the Thunder and their fanbase breathing a sigh of relief.
Thunder putting in their scouting work well ahead of 2027 NBA Draft
Along with the unprotected pick swap the Clippers are still on the hook for, the Thunder are currently slated to have three total selections in the first round of next year's draft.
Based on recent reports, they're already putting in the scouting work on a particular prospect.
Per ESPN's Olgun Uluc, Oklahoma City, along with several other organizations, has sent representatives out to Bendigo, Australia, to watch young two-guard Dash Daniels take part in the 2026 NBL Blitz.
The 18-year-old has garnered some considerable buzz following his debut campaign with Melbourne United, where he displayed high-upside potential as a 3&D talent, what with his stellar 6-foot-5 height, 6-foot-9 wingspan, and efficient long-range shooting clip of 37.5 percent.
Of course, the wing still left much to be desired from an overall offensive standpoint, as he averaged just 4.2 points and just 4.0 shot attempts during his 33 games played in 2025-26.
Fortunately, Daniels appears to be well aware of the fact that he has more room to grow and took the time this offseason to work with former 15-year NBA veteran and career 3&D role player, Wesley Matthews, to strengthen his ball handling and shooting skills before presumably entering his name into the class of 2027.
Should he up his offensive repertoire during this upcoming NBL season, while continuing to showcase his strong defensive chops, there's no reason to believe Daniels can't work his way into being a first-round talent, as his brother, Dyson, did before him.
Considering his two-way upside and the fact that they have multiple first-round picks, the Thunder keeping early tabs on someone of Dash Daniels' skill set should come as no surprise.
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