Updated Thunder Picks in 2025 NBA Draft: Lauri Markkanen Trade is X-Factor

The Oklahoma City Thunder orchestrated this offseason to perfection, and they subsequently hold the second-best odds to win the 2024 NBA Championship as a result. While a title run is definitely their top priority, it’s never too early to look toward the 2025 NBA Draft given their bounty of picks. 

Updated 2025 NBA Draft picks for the OKC Thunder

OKC currently has four selections in the first round of the loaded 2025 class, but protections may enter in the equation. 

They still possess their own rights, which are expected to be extremely late given their superb roster. However, the Thunder continue to receive value from the Paul George and Russell Westbrook trades.

Sam Presti has the right to swap OKC’s pick with either the Los Angeles Clippers’ or the Houston Rockets’ first-round selection (the latter of which is top-10 protected). 

Given the Western Conference’s talent and depth, it’s likely that at least one of those two teams falls into the lottery, though, ideally, this would be Los Angeles because the swap rights are unprotected for them.

Next, the Philadelphia 76ers owe their top-six protected first to the Thunder, who secured this selection by taking on Al Horford’s salary during the 2021 season. With George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey leading the charge for Philadelphia, it should convey and land somewhere in the 20s. 

Oklahoma City will also receive a lottery-protected first from the Miami Heat. They project to be a Play-In Tournament team at the least, so it’s unclear whether the pick will convey. However, from a probability standpoint, it’s more likely than not that the Heat will grab the seventh or eighth seed and send their first-rounder out to Loud City. 

Finally, the Thunder are potentially getting a first-rounder from the Utah Jazz should the pick fall outside of the top ten.

A Lauri Markkanen extension will boost their chances of actually receiving their prize.

He’s a devastatingly efficient scorer who routinely sits near the top of the leaderboard in points per touch. Without Markkanen on the roster, the Jazz will lack a go-to scorer who can deliver in crunch time and win games. 

Even if he remains on the roster, it’s still highly improbable that Utah does not land in the top ten. Therefore, fans should not expect it to convey at this point.

2025 NBA Draft picks summary 

• 2025 First-Rounder (unprotected swap rights with Clippers or top-10 protected swap rights with Rockets)

2025 First-Rounder via 76ers top-six protected (if fails to convey, becomes a top-four protected 2026 1st)

2025 First-Rounder via Heat lottery protected (if fails to convey, becomes unprotected 2026 first)

2025 First-Rounder via Jazz top-10 protected (if fails to convey, becomes top-eight protected 2026 first)

Top Draft prospects to monitor

Cooper Flagg headlines the 2025 Draft, and bottom-dwellers are salivating at the chance to land him.

The Duke commit is an elite defensive stopper who does it all on the offensive end and possesses the size (6-foot-9 with an above 7-foot wingspan) and athleticism to fill most roles.

He’s the perfect modern wing who projects to be a perennial All-NBA candidate. 

V.J. Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Nolan Traore, and Tre Johnson are no mere consolation prizes either.

Overall, this draft is absolutely loaded with premier talent, so an early-to-mid lottery pick could foundationally change a franchise.

For the Thunder, their unprotected pick swap with Los Angeles appears to be their best avenue to lucking into one of these prospects.

All it would take is one Kawhi Leonard injury (something that seems to generally have solid odds of happening) and a fortunate bounce from the ping pong balls.