The Oklahoma City Thunder have the best record in the West as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become the favorite to win MVP. They are chasing a championship, but that has not forced Sam Presti to trade his mountain of draft capital. The Thunder are projected to have another lottery pick thanks to the 76ers struggles this season.
Presti has made the most of his draft choices. Selecting Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace, and most of the team’s core is impressive. The general manager will look for value again and may package his three potential first-rounders into a marquee talent.
The 2025 NBA Draft has multiple future stars waiting to enter the league. Here is a look at how things shake out on the eve of March Madness with a specific emphasis on the Thunder’s picks. The draft order was determined by the inverse order of the standings on the morning of March 4. Much will change in the lottery, but fans will have to wait until May 12 to find out the final order.
First round
1. Washington Wizards take Cooper Flagg
2. Charlotte Hornets select Dylan Harper
3. Utah Jazz draft Ace Bailey
4. New Orleans Pelicans pick V.J. Edgecombe
5. Toronto Raptors take Kasparas Jakucionis
6. Brooklyn Nets choose Kon Knueppel
7. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers) draft Liam McNeeley
The Sixers traded this pick to OKC with a top-six protection to dump Al Horford’s contract back in 2020. Nobody thought Philadelphia would be here after signing Paul George this offseason, but they have struggled to stay healthy.
The 76ers may try to tank the rest of the way, but there are no guarantees. If Philly stays with the seventh-worst record, they have just a 34.4 percent shot of keeping their pick in the lottery. It improves to 43.4 percent with the sixth-worst and 63.9 percent if they get to fifth.
If the Thunder get this selection, they will look for someone who can dribble, pass, and shoot to fit with their core. McNeeley is the perfect option. The 6’7 wing averages 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 32.2 minutes per game as a freshman at UConn. He is shooting 35.5 percent from 3-point range and has displayed a versatile skill set.
There are questions about his defense and foot speed, but Liam McNeeley is likely a steady role player for years to come. The Thunder have their stars and are happy to add another weapon to help them chase a championship.
8. Chicago Bulls select Tre Johnson
9. San Antonio Spurs pick Asa Newell
10. Portland Trail Blazers choose Egor Demin
11. Houston Rockets (via Suns) draft Khaman Maluach
12. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks) take Ben Saraf
13. Dallas Mavericks draft Collin Murray-Boyles
14. Utah Jazz (via Timberwolves) pick Nolan Traore
15. Orlando Magic select Derik Queen
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Heat) choose Jase Richardson
This feels like the perfect Thunder selection. There are questions about his size and ability to be a lead playmaker, but there is a ton to like. Richardson averages 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.8 steals in 23.8 minutes per game this season as a freshman at Michigan State. He is shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 39.2 percent on his threes with a high basketball IQ.
Jase Richardson knows how to play and helps his team win. The Thunder are not afraid to take an undersized guard. Finding minutes in Oklahoma City won’t be easy, but the 19-year-old will make an impact. Fans will be wondering how Presti did it again if Richardson drops to the Thunder in the middle of the first.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers) draft Hugo Gonzalez
The Thunder cannot add four players to their roster next season. The only space available is their two-way contracts, which means Presti has work to do. OKC may look for a draft-and-stash option here, and Gonzalez is the top name of that group.
The 6’6 wing has struggled to get minutes for Real Madrid this season but impressed in the Under-18 European championships. Gonzalez is known for his motor, high basketball IQ, and playmaking chops. There are questions about his jumper, but the Thunder can let the 19-year-old in Europe for a few years to iron it out. This is an upside swing, and fans know Oklahoma City is uniquely positioned to take those.
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Kings) take Noa Essengue
19. Miami Heat (via Warriors) pick Jeremiah Fears
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons) select Rasheer Fleming
21. Indiana Pacers pick Carter Bryant
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Bucks) choose Thomas Sorber
23. Brooklyn Nets (via Rockets) take Miles Byrd
24. Washington Wizards (via Grizzlies) draft Noah Penda
25. Orlando Magic (via Nuggets) select Kam Jones
26. Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers) pick Joan Beringer
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Knicks) take Alex Karaban
28. Boston Celtics select Nique Clifford
29. LA Clippers (via Thunder) draft Johni Broome
30. Phoenix Suns (via Cavaliers) choose Danny Wolf
Second round
31. Boston Celtics (via Wizards) take Labaron Philon
32. Charlotte Hornets draft Alex Toohey
33. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Jazz) choose Sergio De Larrea
34. Charlotte Hornets (via Pelicans) select JoJo Tugler
35. Detroit Pistons (via Raptors) snag Adou Thiero
36. Philadelphia 76ers pick Bogoljub Markovic
37. Brooklyn Nets draft Will Riley
38. Sacramento Kings (via Bulls) take Ryan Kalkbrenner
39. San Antonio Spurs choose Max Shulga
40. Toronto Raptors (via Blazer) select Tyrese Proctor
41. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Hawks) pick Cedric Coward
Coward is in his first season at Washington State where he continues to make shots and showcase a versatile skill set. The 6’7 wing averages 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 33.0 minutes per game. He played just six contests before suffering a season-ending injury, but there is plenty to be excited about.
The Thunder are shooting for upside and have the luxury of patience. Cedric Coward will have time to get healthy and grow in the G League before being called upon. If he can keep rounding out his game, the 6’7 wing could be a rotation piece with a versatile skill set.
42. Washington Wizards (via Suns) grab Braden Smith
43. Orlando Magic take Isaiah Evans
44. Golden State Warriors (via Heat) draft Rocco Zikarsky
45. Utah Jazz (via Mavericks) select Boogie Fland
46. LA Clippers (via Timberwolves) choose Ian Jackson
47. Chicago Bulls (via Kings) take Milos Uzan
48. Utah Jazz (via Clippers) snag K.J. Lewis
49. Washington Wizards (via Warriors) pick Alex Condon
50. Washington Wizards (via Pistons) choose Jamir Watkins
51. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Bucks) draft Walter Clayton Jr.
52. Indiana Pacers take Wesley Yates
53. Memphis Grizzlies (via Rockets) select Tahaad Pettiford
54. New York Knicks (via Grizzlies) get Josh Dix
55. Phoenix Suns (via Nuggets) pick Chaz Lanier
56. Los Angeles Lakers draft Hunter Sallis
57. Orlando Magic (via Celtics) choose Ben Henshall
58. Houston Rockets (via Thunder) take Dink Pate
59. Cleveland Cavaliers draft Michael Ruzic
NOTE: The Knicks had to forfeit their second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after being found guilty of tampering in signing Jalen Brunson in 2022.
The Oklahoma City Thunder improve their depth and upside with these four picks. Liam McNeeley and Jase Richardson give them two versatile shooters with high basketball IQs. Hugo Gonzalez and Cedric Coward are wings that need time to develop. They may spend time with Blue or overseas before joining the Thunder.
Sam Presti will look to increase the young talent on their roster likely only he can in the 2025 NBA Draft. Expect him to find some hidden gems and make the most of his picks. It is how OKC got to this position. There is certainly no stopping now.