OKC has two lottery picks in the upcoming draft

[The Servant]

The 2024 draft is going to to be the worst draft in over twenty years. Besides, the Rockets pick is top four protected.

That pick is worthless. They’re most likely drafting a role player with that pick.

I have heard this many times over the years and most drafts seem to still produce top 25-30 players in the league.

[Dan Z]

Don't do an Ainge. Make sure you flip them over for actual contributing win-now assets. Especially the next 2-3 years when that title window is wide open...

Ainge did a good job. Instead of making a short sighted trade he drafted players such as Tatum, Brown, Robert Williams, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart and Peyton Pritchard. I know he drafted some player that didn't work out, but that happens to every GM (regardless of the amount of picks they have).

[Black Jack]

If that happens the Utah pick will then move to 2025 with a top 10 protection (and 1-8 protection in 2026).

That also means that OKC would have 4 first round picks in 2025 (Utah, OKC, Philly and Miami). They won't need 4 rookies.

Why doesn't OKC keep their assets and stay in the hunt for a disgruntled superstar, someone like Giannis?

That's okay in theory, but Giannis has to want out and be okay with going to OKC.

Then OKC needs to have enough assets for Milwaukee to agree to it.

Next year OKC might have 3 first round picks. Then 3 in 2025. If a trade for a star doesn't happen (or even for a vet or two) then they'll have too many rookies. The other option is trading those picks for later picks down the road (if a team or teams agree to that).

They can keep trading picks to future drafts I guess. Their target star list has to be insane. KAT, Giannis, Curry, etc. are definitely names they are tracking especially since Chet is on a rookie contract. They have the option to make like a short term 2-3 year title run with an older star then when he is done their big 3 will be in their prime. So it's a huge luxury.

Basically when you have 2 pieces like SGA and Chet then one more young star and assets, its best case scenario.

[Black Jack]

Don't do an Ainge. Make sure you flip them over for actual contributing win-now assets. Especially the next 2-3 years when that title window is wide open...

Ainge did a good job. Instead of making a short sighted trade he drafted players such as Tatum, Brown, Robert Williams, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart and Peyton Pritchard. I know he drafted some player that didn't work out, but that happens to every GM (regardless of the amount of picks they have).

Ainge's Tatum/Fultz trade was a coup. That said, his biggest weakness is drafting relative to his insane trade record. I just don't think he is elite at talent scouting the way say other top GMs in recent history like Jerry West or Don Nelson were.

[Dan Z]

Why doesn't OKC keep their assets and stay in the hunt for a disgruntled superstar, someone like Giannis?

That's okay in theory, but Giannis has to want out and be okay with going to OKC.

Then OKC needs to have enough assets for Milwaukee to agree to it.

Next year OKC might have 3 first round picks. Then 3 in 2025. If a trade for a star doesn't happen (or even for a vet or two) then they'll have too many rookies. The other option is trading those picks for later picks down the road (if a team or teams agree to that).

They can keep trading picks to future drafts I guess. Their target star list has to be insane. KAT, Giannis, Curry, etc. are definitely names they are tracking especially since Chet is on a rookie contract. They have the option to make like a short term 2-3 year title run with an older star then when he is done their big 3 will be in their prime. So it's a huge luxury.

Basically when you have 2 pieces like SGA and Chet then one more young star and assets, its best case scenario.

Jalen Williams is also a good player to go with those two.

I agree with you that they should monitor what players like Giannis are doing, but they'll probably be okay even if they don't end up trading for a star.

[ChiTownHero1992]

THey'd be smart to pair the picks with GIddy and get a big star return.

With that in mind i'll gladly give you Zach Lavine for that deal but he is in no way worth it lol

[Cavsfansince84]

Their core is young enough that I think they should keep using some of these draft picks. It will pay off in the long run to have some young guys on cheap contracts. If a trade presents itself you could pull the trigger but I wouldn't go into the offseason planning to burn them.

[MoneyTalks41890]

If OKC uses the draft picks and doesn’t move up, I like what Yahoo has mocked, Tidjane Salaun at 10 and Kyle Filipowski at 11.

Use Giddey and other picks for vet(s)

[FarBeyondDriven]

too many people laughably get their draft opinions from frauds like Givony and Vecenie. Stop it. These yahoos get it wrong every single year. You'd think people would have learned by now. This draft class is solid. Don't believe the clueless naysayers. It has the best international class in history, great returners and several freshmen that should develop into starters. Just because a draft lacks the consensus (from draft "experts") #1 type guy doesn't mean it's a weak class.

Presti has become almost cavalier about draft picks, choosing to waste them or trade them which at the end of the day weakens the initial haul he received for the earlier trades. He should probably at this point trade any picks he gets to maximize the chance at winning a championship rather than waste the pick like he's been prone to do.

[Johnston797]

The obvious trade will be Giddey, Rockets pick, Heat pick, 2024 Utah pick, or 2025 1st next year if the pick doesn't convey for Lauri Markkannen. They can give Lauri an extension this summer with their cap space on a descending deal that will allow them to extend Chet and JDub the following 2025 offseason.

It's hard to imagine a star trade between Ainge and Presti. I would pay to witness the negotiations. It's like when Manu and Harden bumped into each other and both flopped. Just two absolute legends at the top of their game going at it.

Also, if I were Utah I'd keep Lauri.

I agree with this 100%. Utah has a ton of picks. Lauri is v valuable to Utah. Danny wouldn't want to give the team with an amazing young core the perfect missing piece. Ainge would demand an absolute ransom.

Presti doesn't over pay.

Ainge asks for JDub and all the picks. Presti maybe gets up to Wallace, Giddey and some good picks.

No deal.

[RoyceDa59]

First move is see how far they go and how well this team comes together in the playoffs.

Then from there they have a few options, and drafting a legit two way defensive minded big would fill out the championship core, but they may want to go for it now.

So packaging it all up w Giddey for a superstar makes the most sense but how many of them are truly available that are a good fit. They’d need an off ball superstar or defensive minded guru.

I think KD is the perfect fit for this team.

[Black Jack]

First move is see how far they go and how well this team comes together in the playoffs.

Then from there they have a few options, and drafting a legit two way defensive minded big would fill out the championship core, but they may want to go for it now.

So packaging it all up w Giddey for a superstar makes the most sense but how many of them are truly available that are a good fit. They’d need an off ball superstar or defensive minded guru.

I think KD is the perfect fit for this team.

I would definitely be tuning in if they added Durant.

[louc1970]

Filipowski is the ideal pick for OKC. The other pick if it comes through should be for a defensive SF. They have enough scoring.
As for a trade to get Young, no way. He is not within the team structure.
Mitchell would certainly be a gold nugget move.

[Clemenza]

OKC actually has 3 first round picks and one second round pick this upcoming draft

[payton2kemp]

OKC actually has 3 first round picks and one second round pick this upcoming draft

They do not that pick now belongs to the Jazz via Indy via Toronto.

[Anderson Hunt]

Bridges, Durant, Curry, LaVine, etc. don't solve their issues. Their issues are rebounding and physicality/girth.

Ideally, the guy they add (who has weight and can rebound) will also be able to shoot, so they can keep the continuity of their offense.

KAT, Vucevic, Stewart, and Markennan all fit the bill to varied degrees. If I were Presti, my number one target would be Stewart. He's the guy they need.

[FeatheryTouch]

They are a young and talented team but let's not pretend they are a finished juggernaut that has assembled it's entire core and has every thing in place. Presti still has work to do, he still needs those assets that he has collected.

1)Upgrade the Giddey spot - an elite 3 and D guy would be perfect. Giddey can be packaged in a deal or moved to the bench to be a creator/facilitator for the 2nd unit.

2)Big man is badly needed. Beef, muscle, rebounding, rim defense, finishing SGA lobs, let Chet play more on the perimeter and bang less. Does not need to be a "star".

[EArl]

They will probably trade them for more picks.

[Chuck Everett]

Filipowski is soft and doesn't rebound nor defend. He is not an ideal pick for OKC. If they're going to get size to help Chet, they'd be better off looking via the trade market.

[Dan Z]

Filipowski is soft and doesn't rebound nor defend. He is not an ideal pick for OKC. If they're going to get size to help Chet, they'd be better off looking via the trade market.

I think they should've inquired about Andre Drummond at the trade deadline. He'll be a free agent after the season so they can always go after him at that time. I know he's not a shooter, but he has size and is good at rebounding.