The Oklahoma City Thunder have the best record in the West. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite to win MVP, and fans are dreaming of a championship. It is all about winning, but Sam Presti may secure the franchise an unforeseen reward.
Oklahoma City is still loaded with draft capital. Presti hoarded picks and used them to wisely build a contending roster. The Thunder drafted Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and several others to round out their rotation. They know how to find talent and may have a shot at another high pick in June.
The Thunder wisely traded for Al Horford back in 2020. His one season in Philadelphia did not go as planned, so the Sixers decided to dump his contract. Presti wisely got a top-six protected first-rounder in 2025, which may end up in the lottery after a disastrous season in the City of Brotherly Love.
Thunder may get a lottery pick thanks to Paul George and the 76ers
The Sixers entered the season with championship dreams after signing Paul George in free agency. They got their third star to pair with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. It gave fans hope of finally getting over the hump and advancing beyond the second round of the playoffs for the first time in The Process era, but everything has gone wrong.
Embiid played just 19 games before being ruled out for the season. His knee problems continue to mount and could impact the remainder of his career.
The 76ers should still be able to compete for a playoff spot with George and Maxey leading their charge, but PG has not been the star Thunder fans remember. He averages just 16.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals in 32.4 minutes per game. George is shooting just 43.2 percent from the field and 35.8 percent on his 3-point attempts. His decline has some fans questioning if PG is on the worst contract in the NBA.
The 34-year-old not being the star Philadelphia is paying him to be has derailed their season. They are 18 games under .500 and currently 12th in the East. The Sixers keep their pick if they are in the top six after the lottery. If Philly pushes for the Play-In Tournament, they will almost certainly give the Thunder a lottery selection.
Even if the Sixers decide to tank, there are no guarantees. If they hold the sixth-worst record, they have a 45.8 percent chance of holding onto their draft choice. It improves to 63.9 percent if they drop to one of the five worst records.
Oklahoma City could end up with three first-round draft picks, including the 76ers selection in the lottery. They are loaded with young talent and the rest of the NBA does not want to see them add more. The Sixers may tank the rest of the way but will face a coin flip in the lottery. Thunder fans hope the basketball gods to be on their side, especially with the loaded 2025 draft class. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.