The Oklahoma City Thunder have loaded up on draft picks in a jaw-dropping manner. Oklahoma City could have as many as three first-round selections in 2026 and 2027, and are on pace to have 15 second-rounders between 2026 and 2032.
Despite what one might assume about Sam Presti's motivation for loading up on draft picks, he isn't just avoiding financial problems—he's building a sustainable model for greatness.
Presti has built the most dominant team in the NBA. The Thunder won an NBA-high 68 games during the 2024-25 regular season, accumulating a net rating of +12.7 that was a full 3.3 points higher than the next-leading team.
The Thunder then proceeded to go 16-7 en route to the first championship in franchise history, sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies and winning 4-1 over the Minnesota Timberwolves along the way.
With this in mind, one can't help but instinctively assume that the stockpile of draft picks in place are meant to provide depth to the rotation at a team-friendly cost. That much may very well prove true, but it isn't the sole reason for Presti's prioritization of draft assets.
The Thunder have willingly paid all of the players they intend to keep around long-term—and are utilizing draft picks to keep the ball rolling
Thunder have the best of both worlds thanks to Sam Presti
Oklahoma City has handed out massive contract extensions to each member of its big three: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. It also signed veteran leader and defensive specialist Alex Caruso to a four-year, $81 million extension.
The Thunder even signed Isaiah Joe to a four-year, $48 million deal, Aaron Wiggins to a five-year, $45 million contract, and Jaylin Williams for three seasons and $24 million.
With seven players signed to long-term deals at prices that, at the time they signed, either met or exceeded their market value, the Thunder have been willing to spend. One can expect that trend to continue either once or before Cason Wallace enters restricted free agency in 2027.
Oklahoma City may also commit to another long-term deal with All-Defensive First Team honoree Luguentz Dort, whom it previously signed to a five-year, $82.5 million contract—before he fixed his jumper.
All of this adds up to Presti showing no hesitation when it comes time to reward his players for their contributions, as well as the progress that hasn't yet peaked. As such, stockpiling draft picks isn't simply a matter of finding a way to reload and retool with cost-efficient players.
The Thunder have acquired a mountain of draft picks with the sincere intention of maximizing the value that they provide—no matter how that may materialize.
Thunder have drafted promising prospects, quickly rewarded progress
Oklahoma City drafted Josh Giddey, whom it traded for Caruso, and Wiggins in the same class in 2021. A year later, it selected Holmgren at No. 2, Jalen Williams at No. 12, and Jaylin Williams at No. 34—thus landing two franchise cornerstones and a rotational cog.
A year after that, the Thunder utilized the 2023 NBA Draft to make a draft-night trade that ultimately landed Wallace in Oklahoma City—and just two years later, he's the sixth man for a title-winning team.
In 2025-26, 2025 first-round selection Thomas Sorber and 2024 first-round pick Nikola Topic will make their NBA debuts. Neither player is viewed as an individual who will simply fill out the roster on a team-friendly deal. Instead, they're regarded as promising young pieces with upside to explore.
With a steady history of utilizing the NBA Draft to find meaningful talent, as well as the willingness to pay talent before their contracts come up, the Thunder are operating as a well-oiled machine.
Questions about how the CBA and the second apron could impact the Thunder will inevitably arise. Presti is likely planning for this, however, and his mastery of balancing the NBA Draft, trade market, and contract extensions has earned him the benefit of the doubt.
Presti has long been regarded as a standard-setting general manager, but the work he's done in recent years may very well define the way executives operate for years to come.