Updated Thunder Future Draft Picks: Ranking the top-5 best assets

The new-look OKC Thunder enter the year as the Western Conference favorites, yet they still own arguably the most desirable draft-capital treasure chest in the NBA.

Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of Oklahoma City's future first-rounders, along with their top-five best assets ranked. Because the Stepien Rule forbids teams from trading picks more than seven years in the future, the list spans until the 2031 season. 

OKC Thunder’s Future First-Round Picks

2025 

• Own (unprotected swap rights via Clippers or top-10 protected swap rights via Rockets)
• via 76ers (top-6 protected; becomes 2026 top-4 protected if fails to convey)
• via Jazz (top-10 protected; becomes 2026 top-8 protected)
• via Heat (lottery protected; becomes 2026 unprotected)

2026 

• Own 
• via Clippers (unprotected)
• via Rockets (top-4 protected)
• Least favorable of 2026 firsts owed to 76ers

2027 

• Own (unprotected swap rights via Clippers)
• via Nuggets (top-5 protected; becomes 2028 top-5 protected)

2028 

• Own (unprotected swap rights via Mavericks)

2029 

• Own
• via Nuggets (top-5 protected; becomes 2030 top-5 protected)

2030 

• Own

2031 

• Own

OKC Thunder’s Best Future Draft Picks 

5. 2025 top-10 protected swap via Rockets

The Rockets have a quality roster led by a mixture of seasoned veterans and developing prospects. They won 41 games last season, but a considerable leap in the wins department should not be expected for a few reasons.

The Western Conference is absolutely brutal, Houston lacks an All-NBA caliber player, and it’s often difficult to consistently rack up wins when managing many young, undisciplined players trying to carve out a role. 

From a probability standpoint, they likely finish with around 42-44 wins and squeak their way into the play-in tournament. Their range of outcomes spans from barely missing the play-in to being a first-round playoff exit.

Based on relative record, that roughly places them anywhere from the 11th overall pick to the 17th pick barring a crazy shake of the ping pong balls. In other words, a late lottery pick.

The 2025 NBA Draft is expected to feature both superstar upside and excellent depth. Therefore, the Thunder could find an impact player with star potential in the late lottery, which would be massive given their inevitable financial crisis. 

Overall, Thunder fans should be rooting for the Rockets, but not too hard. 

4. 2025 lottery protected first via Heat

Miami rarely cares about the regular season, and they have dealt with injuries in recent years. Boston, New York, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Orlando, Cleveland, and Indiana will all likely snag superior records, thus pushing the Heat to the play-in tournament. 

However, the remainder of the East is significantly worse, so Jimmy Butler and company should get the seventh or eighth seed and avoid the lottery. 

Could Miami make another miracle deep playoff push? Perhaps, but the top of the East is extremely good. A first-round date against teams like Boston or New York does not bode well for them. In other words, look for the Heat to once again be eliminated early and receive around the 15th to 17th pick. 

Why is this asset ranked above Houston's swap that could theoretically land higher in the draft (top-10 protected vs. lottery protected)?

First, the Miami pick is outright owed, which inherently holds greater value than a swap. Second, it becomes an unprotected 2026 first if not conveyed, while the Rockets’ obligations are extinguished if they land in the top ten. 

3. 2029 top-5 protected first via Nuggets

Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic is signed through the next three years before he must make a decision on his player option for the 2028 season. 

The superstar assuredly loves basketball, but Jokic does not appear to be interested in a long, drawn-out career clinging to a diminished role. Of course, that's technically mere speculation, yet it also fits with what we have seen from the Serbian.

Is there a world where Jokic picks up his player option, finishes the 2028 season at 33 years old, and retires to be with his horses? Absolutely!

If that occurs, then Denver would probably be initiating a rebuild and tanking to try and keep their top-five protected pick. 2029 is also Aaron Gordon’s age 33 season, which may be an issue for a player who relies on athleticism. Who knows if he will even be on the roster? 

Could Jokic still be a superstar and lead Denver to a great record? Definitely, but the Nuggets may also be in shambles after a surprise Jokic retirement.

We simply do not know Denver’s situation, which makes this asset a mystery box with tremendous upside. 

Plus, the Thunder have five more trade deadlines before they can no longer shop the pick, so it’s a valuable bargaining chip for the foreseeable future. 

2. 2026 unprotected first via Clippers

Paul George departing this offseason was a major blow to Los Angeles, but they managed to somewhat stop the bleeding by signing a slew of quality role players. The Clippers will only go as far as their stars take them though, and red flags are certainly present. 

Kawhi Leonard’s health is the major X-factor. The 2026 campaign will be his age-34 season, which is scary when combined with his injury history. The last time Leonard played 70+ regular season games and was available for every playoff game in the same year was in 2016… the Obama administration. 

Meanwhile, it’s James Harden’s age-36 season. He’s not exactly the most cautious player in terms of taking care of his body, and a further athleticism drop would limit his impact.

He also has a player option for this season, too. If he opts out during the 2025 offseason and leaves for greener pastures, then LA is in dire straits. 

The ship may still be together in 2026, but it’s also possible that injuries cripple the elderly Clippers and drop them into the lottery where anything can happen. There’s a decent chance that this first-rounder gives the Thunder a top-10 pick. 

1. 2027 unprotected swap via Clippers

The crown jewel of Sam Presti’s collection.

Leonard (35) and Harden (37) are yet another year older, and Harden isn’t even signed for the 2027 season. It would be surprising if Los Angeles fends off an implosion for this long. If any of OKC’s assets were to give them a top-3 pick, then it would be this unprotected swap.