It's Sam Presti's world, and we're all just living in it. OKC Thunder fans should be absolutely elated.
Somehow, the transactional wizard has managed to build a young, dominant core of players while simultaneously assembling one of the league's best collections of draft assets. Now, with two first-round picks in this year's draft, he has an obvious move that's staring him right in the face.
The fact is that the Thunder have 15 players under contract heading into next season. Mixing in two or three rookies with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and other core members might not be the best recipe for success.
Clearly in win-now mode, they simply can't afford that.
Presti should presumably be able to take whomever he wants with the 12th overall pick, but the best choice at 17 might be... no one.
Best play for Thunder might be the most boring one
Up to this point, OKC has been rumored to be looking to trade up in the draft, down in the draft, and stay put.
In other words, all options are on the table.
Sam Presti even said so in his end-of-year presser. It's more about acquiring value than making any predeterminations.
With that being said, he might not have a choice but to delay some of his assets to later years, when he will have a greater need for them.
Right away, the 2028 draft appears to be the only weak point in the near future, where they will only have a pick swap with Dallas and a few added seconds.
Only six current Thunder players are under contract for the 2028-29 season, so it may be ideal to move this year's 17th overall pick to a team that would be willing to send them a 2028 first-rounder in return.
While something of that nature would hardly excite fans, it might be the most logical solution.
Trading up to snag a Cameron Boozer or a Caleb Wilson would be more flashy, but it might not make sense given the team's current makeup and hefty salary one of those top-tier rookies would eventually demand.
OKC simply can't keep all of their picks, and trading down might not make much sense either.
Therefore, Presti must delay. He must do what he's always done: protect his team in times when they need it most.
In this case, their projected year of greatest vulnerability is 2028 unless he can pull off another great trade heist.
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