Full List of Oklahoma City Thunder 1st-Round Picks is Staggering
By Jared Kish
The Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be in full rebuild mode after dealing Paul George to the Clippers, which has now created buzz of the team potentially looking to shop Russell Westbrook.
But the latest trade the team made Monday sent Jerami Grant to the Denver Nuggets for ANOTHER first-round pick (for 2020).
In the George trade, the Thunder received four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick, and two pick swaps, adding to what has been a growing list of assets the Thunder are compiling.
OKC 1st-round picks:
— Albert Nahmad (@AlbertNahmad) July 8, 2019
- 2020 Own (1-20 only)
- 2020 DEN (protections TBD)
- 2021 Own
- 2021 MIA
- 2022 LAC
- 2022 Own (1-14 only)
- 2023 Own (with LAC swap right)
- 2023 MIA (lotto protected)
- 2024 Own
- 2024 LAC
- 2025 Own (with LAC swap right)
- 2026 Own
- 2026 LAC
The list of first-rounders that OKC has accumulated is mind boggling, with 13 of them coming within in the next seven years. This is sure to expedite their rebuilding process, whether they want to use these on young talent or package them for a star player or two.
And if they trade Westbrook, depending on the suitor, it's possible they acquire even more assets.
With Paul George heading to the Clippers, @WojESPN reports the Thunder are talking to Russell Westbrook about trade scenarios. Ex-teammate @KendrickPerkins thinks Russ should go to the Heat, but does Miami want that contract? (Russ will earn $47.1 million the year he turns 34) pic.twitter.com/RokceRs7A6
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) July 6, 2019
It would take some creative ways for the Thunder to convince a team to take on a contract of that weight, but anything is possible with general manager Sam Presti.
The Thunder aren't anyone's pick to make it to the NBA Finals next season, but that will likely change in four years.