Thunder News: Poku cut, Chet writing history, All-Star trade, mock drafts

Mock Draft Roundup

Coming out of the All-Star Break and with March Madness just around the corner, it's the perfect time to dig into the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. For teams whose playoff hopes have disappeared, it's the perfect way to bring hope to the fan base. In the case of the Oklahoma City Thunder, their fans can get excited about the draft while also being in playoff positioning, courtesy of a pair of first-round picks they own from likely lottery teams.

Which players might be headed to the Thunder in the coming draft? Here is a roundup of some of the most prominent mock drafts to come out in the past week:

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie: Kyle Filipowski, big, Duke (pick No. 9 via HOU); Tidjane Salaun, wing, Cholet (pick No. 12 via UTA)

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman: Devin Carter, guard, Providence (pick No. 10 via HOU); Johnny Furphy, forward, Kansas (pick No. 11 via UTA)

ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo: Kyle Filipowski, big, Duke (pick No. 9 via HOU); Donovan Clingan, big, UCo

West Standings

There continues to be a collection of teams at the top of the Western Conference fighting one another for homecourt advantage in the playoffs. It's possible that a team like the New Orleans Pelicans or Dallas Mavericks makes an aggressive run and pushes into the Top 4, but right now it seems that that group is likely set.

The Denver Nuggets are nearly unbeatable at home, so holding them off to secure homecourt advantage has to be a goal of the Thunder. Beating the Minnesota Timberwolves as well would put them in the top overall seed, a strong place from which to try and make a run. Here is where things stand as of Tuesday morning:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves, 40-17
2. Oklahoma City Thunder, 40-17 (0 games back)
3. Denver Nuggets, 39-19 (1.5 GB)
4. LA Clippers, 37-19 (2.5 GB)
5. Phoenix Suns, 34-24 (6 .5GB)
6. New Orleans Pelicans, 34-24 (6.5 GB)
7. Sacramento Kings, 33-24 (7 GB)
8. Dallas Mavericks, 33-24 (7 GB)

What's Next

The Oklahoma City Thunder, winners of five straight games, will look to make it two-straight against the Houston Rockets tonight at 9:00 PM CT on TNT. They play Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night in a Rookie of the Year showdown, then are back on national television on Sunday and Monday to face the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

Only 25 games remain until the playoffs.