Oklahoma City has a top-five record in the NBA this season, which means they’re likely to have one of the top picks in the 2022 NBA draft. Because of this, the Thunder have an opportunity to acquire a franchise player.
Now in her second year of remodeling, the Thunder’s future success depends largely on design. Even if OKC is unable to snag a top 3 pick, the upcoming rookie class is talented enough to still produce starting talent outside of that range.
The addition of a cornerstone in the forthcoming design is a crucial step in the right direction for the Thunder.
Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo recently published a mock draft that sets the stage for where he thinks some of the best players in this class could end up.
Scroll to Next
Although the draft lottery will ultimately determine the final picking order for the upcoming draft, the Thunder currently have the fourth-worst record in the NBA. Based on Woo’s mock draft, their first pick would be picking a highly talented scoring guard.
Because the Thunder own the Clippers’ first-round pick, they have a chance of a second lottery pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
1. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith Jr. (Forward | Auburn)
John Reed / USA Today Sports
2. Detroit Pistons: Paolo Banchero (Forward | Duke)

Rob Kinnan / USA TODAY Sports
3. Houston Rockets: Chet Holmgren (center | Gonzaga)

James Snook / USA TODAY Sports
4. Oklahoma City Thunder: Johnny Davis (guard | Wisconsin)

Mary Langenfeld/USA TODAY Sports
5. New Orleans Pelicans: Jaden Ivey (Guard | Purdue)

Ron Johnson / USA TODAY Sports
6. Indiana Pacers: Keegan Murray (forward | Iowa)

Harrison Barden / USA TODAY Sports
7. Sacramento Kings: Bennedict Mathurin (Guard | Arizona)

Randy Sartin / USA TODAY Sports
8. San Antonio Spurs: Kendall Brown (Forward | Baylor)

Chris Jones / USA TODAY Sports
9. Portland Trail Blazers: Dyson Daniels (Guard | G League Ignite)

Darren Yamashita / USA TODAY Sports
10. Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Duren (Center | Memphis)

Joe Rondone / The Commercial Appeal-USA TODAY NETWORK
11. New York Knicks: Jaden Hardy (Guard | G League Ignite)

Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA TODAY Sports
12. Boston Celtics: Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Forward | Milwaukee)

Brad McClenny / The Gainesville Sun – USA TODAY NETWORK
13. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Blake Wesley (guard | Notre Dame)

Brad Mills / USA TODAY Sports
14. Washington Wizards: MarJon Beauchamp (Forward | G League Ignite)

Darren Yamashita / USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma City is already extremely vigilant, but at this stage of the rebuild it makes sense to pick the best available player in the draft. As such, Davis and Wesley could both be solid options for the draft night Thunder in the lottery.
Would you like to join the discussion? Like SI Thunder on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with all Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.