The Oklahoma City Thunder traded three future first-round picks to the Knicks, including the 17th selection in 2025 that turned into Joan Beringer, to get the 11th pick in the 2022 draft and select Ousmane Dieng. The Thunder's forward has struggled to get and stay on the court in his first three NBA seasons. He has never played in more than 39 games and has not exactly dominated the G League. Dieng is verging on bust status, and the Thunder are still paying the price of acquiring him.
The Knicks traded one of the picks just minutes later to get Jalen Duren at 13th overall in 2022. They also sent this year's 17th pick to Minnesota in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. New York still holds the final selection from this trade, which is a top-ten protected first from Washington in 2026. If it doesn’t convey next season, the Knicks get two second-rounders.
Sam Presti could have made this trade look like a slam dunk for Oklahoma City. They took Dieng with the 11th pick and Jalen Williams at 12. The All-Star was the number two scorer on a championship team in his third NBA season, but Presti selected Dieng over him.
Thunder regret in trading for draft bust grows with latest draft pick
Presti made a bold move to nab the 11th pick in the 2022 draft. OKC’s mountain of draft capital made it easier but giving up three choices for one is always a gamble. Here are the full details of the trade with the draft picks updated with the players selected.
- Thunder received: Ousmane Dieng
- Knicks received: Nick Smith Jr., Joan Beringer, 2026 1st round pick- top 10 protected (via Wizards)
Smith Jr. has struggled mightily in his first two NBA seasons, which makes this move appear somewhat more favorable for Oklahoma City.
There is more pain to come, and no room for Dieng's playing time to increase. The Thunder just won the championship and will add more depth this summer. The 6’10 big man would have to play his way into a role on the title favorites. That seems extremely unlikely given what fans have seen so far.
Dieng is still young with room to grow. The 22-year-old may be the type of player who breaks out on their second or third NBA team. It is difficult to see the Thunder extending him beyond the 2025-26 season, especially with more draft picks rolling in. OKC may quickly move on and leave Dieng fighting for a second contract elsewhere.
Ousmane Dieng has time to turn it around, but he certainly was a draft bust for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Having to give up the 17th pick and more as part of the package to acquire him certainly brings out the regret, but not too much. The Thunder did just win the championship.
They are built on players the franchise drafted, so Sam Presti and his front office would have loved to have this asset. This trade was a rare move that did not work in this incredible build. It just goes to show you can't win them all.