{"id":146573,"date":"2025-06-24T12:57:23","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T16:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=146573"},"modified":"2025-06-24T12:57:23","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T16:57:23","slug":"sam-presti-draft-night-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/24\/sam-presti-draft-night-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Thunder Eyeing Draft Day Trade, but it&#8217;s Unclear Who They Will Target"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder have three picks in the 2025 draft, two of which are in the first round. They hold the No.15, No.24, and No.44 picks. But it seems like Sam Presti wants to move up in the draft and make a trade. With a stash of future picks, Presti can offer plenty of assets for teams willing to work with him.<\/p>\n<h2>Thunder Eyeing Draft Day Trade, but it&#8217;s Unclear Who They Will Target<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_146603\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-146603\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26104550_168404824_lowres-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_self\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-146603\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26104550_168404824_lowres-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"The Thunder are eyeing a draft-day trade.\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26104550_168404824_lowres-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26104550_168404824_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26104550_168404824_lowres-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26104550_168404824_lowres-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26104550_168404824_lowres-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26104550_168404824_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26104550_168404824_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-146603\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Thunder general manager Sam Presti speaks during an introductory press conference for the 2024 Thunder draft picks at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, June, 29, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">According to DraftExpress, Sam Presti is looking to trade up into the Top 10 of the 2025 NBA draft and grab another prospect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI keep hearing rumblings that the Thunder are trying to move up. They can afford to take a swing on a high-upside prospect who fits that defensive DNA that won them a championship&#8230; A young teenager who knows how to defend and bring physicality,\u201d <span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"> Jonathan Givony reported.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The OKC Thunder are reportedly trying to move into the top 10 of the NBA Draft, per <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DraftExpress?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@DraftExpress<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>(h\/t <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ohnohedidnt24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@ohnohedidnt24<\/a> )<\/p>\n<p> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hMLnhs0tAN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/hMLnhs0tAN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheDunkCentral\/status\/1937503540680757350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Right now, the Thunder look like a team with no real needs. Yet, they would certainly love to get some talented players on rookie-scale contracts. Last year, they got <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/topicni01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikola Topic<\/a>, a talented European player who fell to them because of an injury. Presti is no stranger to making <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/12\/craziest-draft-night-trades\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">draft night trades<\/a>, and he always tries to collect future assets while doing so. This time, he might cash in those assets.<\/p>\n<h3>Who is Sam Presti Targeting in a Trade?<\/h3>\n<p>The OKC Thunder looks like a future dynasty. As such, they need to plan ahead for five to ten years. Sam Presti is one of the smartest general managers, and he definitely has a trade target in mind. Looking at the positions the Thunder need help with, it is clear he wants to target a big man.<\/p>\n<p>Having both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holmgch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chet Holmgren<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harteis01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isaiah Hartenstein <\/a>on the team will become expensive in future years. So, the Thunder could look to add another young, athletic big who can defend and rebound on a rookie-scale contract.<\/p>\n<p>Right now, most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45515479\/2025-nba-mock-draft-59-picks-trade-talks-heat-30-teams\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">mock drafts<\/a> have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/international\/players\/noa-essengue-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Noa Essengue<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/khaman-maluach-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Khaman Maluach<\/a> going in the eight to ten range. That is the range Sam Presti wants to trade down to. Maluach is one of the youngest players in the draft, turning 19 in September. Both offer size and versatility and have plenty of upside for the Thunder to draft them and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/23\/how-the-thunder-should-handle-important-offseason-decisions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">develop them slowly<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Three Teams That Might Want to Work with the Thunder<\/h3>\n<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder have an <a href=\"https:\/\/fanspo.com\/nba\/teams\/oklahoma-city-thunder\/21\/draft-picks\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">abundance of future first-round picks<\/a> that they can make a compelling offer to just about anyone. The problem often is that the other side might need the pick. Right now, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tankathon.com\/full_draft\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">three potential teams<\/a>\u00a0might be <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/14\/lottery-teams-draft-night-trade\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">willing to move down<\/a> the list to get future draft assets.<\/p>\n<p>The first name is the Phoenix Suns, a team that recently traded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Durant<\/a> and got only one pick back. With the Suns looking to retool around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bookede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Devin Booker<\/a>, they can trade their pick, slotted 10th, for No.15 and some future assets. Phoenix can use all the future assets it can get and hope to use them two or three years down the road.<\/p>\n<p>The New Orleans Pelicans are another team to watch. Right now, they have no direction. They are stuck between win-now players like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murrade01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dejounte Murray<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mccolcj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CJ McCollum<\/a>, and young prospects like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murphtr02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trey Murphy<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/missiyv01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yves Missi<\/a>. The Pelicans hold the No.7 pick in the draft, but it is not clear which direction they will take.<\/p>\n<p>Last, but not least, the Toronto Raptors, another team that is stuck between two age timelines. Last season, they had more than 10 players averaging 20-plus minutes. In the last two years, they acquired <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/barrerj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">RJ Barrett<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/q\/quickim01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Immanuel Quickley<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/i\/ingrabr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Ingram<\/a>. And they have their prized young player, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/barnesc01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scottie Barnes<\/a>, signed through 2029-2030. They are projected to pay $181 million in salary next season, an amount usually contending teams pay. The Raptors could use some relief if they can flip their pick with some players for less salary.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Featured image: \u00a9 BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder have three picks in the 2025 draft, two of which are in the first round. They hold the No.15, No.24, and No.44 picks. But it seems like Sam Presti wants to move up in the draft and make a trade. With a stash of future picks, Presti can offer plenty of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5291,"featured_media":146604,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,62,556,33,3,22,28,14,4721],"tags":[4292,49403,49859],"class_list":["post-146573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nba","category-nba-draft","category-pelicans","category-news","category-thunder","category-suns","category-raptors","category-trade-rumors","tag-chet-holmgren","tag-khaman-maluach","tag-noa-essengue"],"modified_by":"Eamon Cassels, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5291"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=146573"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":146607,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146573\/revisions\/146607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/146604"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=146573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=146573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=146573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}