The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the 2026 NBA Draft with an ocean of possibilities open ahead of them. Who do they target, what trades could they make, and which prospects don't fit Thunder basketball?
No one is better equipped to answer those questions than Sam Presti, the league's premier basketball decision-maker. That doesn't make the task any easier, of course. The Thunder are facing a massive luxury tax bill, striking a balance between development and contention, and solving the alien puzzle that is Victor Wembanyama.
OKC has two first-round picks on Tuesday night, No. 12 and No. 17. For a team with the best record in the league last season, that is quite the advantageous position.
The Thunder could move up the draft board by attaching picks or players to their current selections. They could trade down or out and pick up future draft capital. They could take a big swing on a veteran player and use a pick in that way.
That optionality means that the Thunder must have a ranking of every player in the first round. That is what we provide here - with minimal commentary other than the tiers themselves. This is our assessment of which players would fit best with the Thunder, ranked from 1 to 30.
Tier 1: The Ultimate Thunder Player
This is a tier of one, as one player fits everything the Thunder want in terms of skill and positional size. Cam Boozer, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams would annihilate opposing frontcourts. It would take heaven and earth to trade up high enough to take him, but it would be a dream match.
1. Carlos Boozer, Forward, Duke
Tier 2: Future All-NBA Players
These three will also go in the Top 4, and while none are seamless fits with the Thunder roster, they all offer such upside that OKC would leap at the chance to draft any.
2. AJ Dybantsa, Forward, BYU
3. Darryn Peterson, Guard, Kansas
4. Caleb Wilson, Forward, UNC
Tier 3: Immediate Starters and Future Stars
These players would be worked quickly into the Thunder rotation and likely starting lineup, and their upside with OKC would be immense.
5. Keaton Wagler, Guard, Illinois
6. Brayden Burries, Guard, Arizona
7. Yaxel Lendeborg, Forward, Michigan
8. Morez Johnson, Forward/Big, Michigan
Tier 4: Prime Rotation Players
These players would fit what the Thunder are trying to do, and even if they are blocked by other players in the starting lineup, they could be contributors now or later.
9. Mikel Brown Jr., Guard, Louisville
10. Dailyn Swain, Wing, Texas
11. Hannes Steinbach, Center, Washington
12. Nate Ament, Forward, Tennesee
13. Aday Mara, Center, Michigan
Tier 5: Too Small for Thunder Basketball
This group is of guards who should and will go higher than this, but they are too small for Thunder basketball and thus OKC should pass.
14. Kingston Flemings, Guard, Houston
15. Darius Acuff Jr., Guard, Arkansas
Tier 6: Great Value to Trade Down
These players show that there is some depth in this class, allowing for the Thunder to trade down a few spots and still land a solid prospect.
16. Allen Graves, Forward, Santa Clara
17. Bennett Stirtz, Guard, Iowa
18. Cameron Carr, Wing, Baylor
19. Isaiah Evans, Wing, Duke
20. Joshua Jefferson, Forward, Iowa State
21. Sergio de Larrea, Guard, Spain
Tier 7: The Backup Bigs
If the Thunder want to add depth at center they have a few options in the 20s.
22. Tarris Reed Jr., Center, UConn
23. Jayden Quaintance, Center, Kentucky
23. Henri Veesaar, Center, UNC
Tier 8: Too Small, Take Two
More guards that are a bit small for what the Thunder want to do.
24. Christian Anderson, Guard, Texas Tech
25. Ebuka Okorie, Guard, Stanford
26. Labaron Philon, Guard, Alabama
Tier 9: Connective Pieces
These role players could fill a role for the Thunder down the line.
27. Meleek Thomas, Wing, Arkansas
28. Richie Saunders, Wing, BYU
29. Baba Miller, Forward, Cincinnati
Tier 10: The Projects
The Thunder are probably past burning roster spots on projects, but each of these players brings some intrigue.
30. Koa Peat, Forward, Arizona
31. Karim Lopez, Forward, New Zealand Breakers
32. Chris Cenac Jr., Big, Houston
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