• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

How OKC Thunder Actually Won The NBA Draft Lottery

  • Despite missing on the first pick, Oklahoma City nabbed the second and 12th overall picks.
  • This will be Sam Presti’s first top-five selection since taking James Harden third in 2009.
Bryan Terry

The Orlando Magic may have won the first overall pick at Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery, but the Oklahoma City Thunder were the real winners, nabbing the second and 12th overall picks.

OKC general manager Sam Presti had been preparing for this moment, trading superstars like Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Paul George for picks and financial flexibility amid a dramatic rebuild.

The Thunder haven’t won more than 24 games in each of the past two seasons and suffered a league-worst 73-point loss earlier this season, but Presti has amassed 38 picks over the next six years — and this is a good draft for OKC to make a splash.

  • This will be Presti’s first top-five selection since 2009 (James Harden, 3rd).
  • Before Harden, he drafted Kevin Durant (2nd) and Russell Westbrook (4th) — and the Thunder reached the playoffs 10 of 11 seasons with that Big Three.
  • The Thunder will likely end up with one of the three favorites to go first: Jabari Smith Jr. (-125), Chet Holmgren (+150), or Paolo Banchero (+500).

Presti has created the necessary space for a possible franchise-changing selection. OKC’s $82 million payroll is by far the lowest in the NBA — $35.3 million below the second-lowest Memphis Grizzlies. 

Plus, the squad is built around a young core of guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5 YRs, $172M), Lu Dort (4 YRs, $5.4M), and rookie Josh Giddey (4 YRs, $27.2M). Any of the projected top three — all forwards or centers — could complement OKC’s current setup. 

With the right selection, Presti can finally start the Thunder’s rebuild in earnest.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) defends Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) during the second half at United Center.

Why Are the NBA’s Biggest Restricted Free Agents Still Unsigned?

Draymond Green said the new CBA is responsible for ending free agency.

NBA Draft Ratings Fall 14.5% Despite Early Cooper Flagg Lift

3.77 million viewers watched across ESPN and ABC.

Ace Bailey’s Strategy May Have Cost Him $9M—and Preferred Team

Bailey reportedly wanted to go to the Wizards, Pelicans, or Nets.
Bristol, CT - October 3, 2023 - Studio X: Kevin Negandhi on the set of SportsCenter.

From NBA Draft to Rubik’s Championship: Negandhi’s Whirlwind Summer With ESPN

Negandhi recently anchored the NBA draft lottery and NBA draft.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Apr 10, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; (L-R) Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), Ovechkin's wife Nastya, and sons Sergei and Ilya watch a video during a ceremony honoring Ovechkin's becoming the NHL all-time goals leader prior to the Capitals' game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena.

Ted Leonsis Says His $7B Sports Empire Beats the NFL Model

Why synergy is the future of sports ownership.
July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.
April 14, 2025

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
March 13, 2025

Junior Bridgeman Was the Prototype for Business Success After Sports

He started with Wendy’s franchises, later expanding into bottling, magazines, and more.
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; A$AP Rocky on the sideline after halftime during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium.
February 27, 2025

A$AP Rocky Could Be Latest Celebrity Owner in English Soccer

Following his acquittal, the rapper is closer to owning Tranmere Rovers.
Oct 23, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley addresses the crowd during the Pat Riley Court dedication ceremony at halftime at Kaseya Center.
February 14, 2025

Here’s Where Pat Riley’s Three-Peat Trademark Money Goes

Riley has the phrase trademarked despite having no three-peat of his own.
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters (L) talks with Commanders owner Josh Harris (R) on the field prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.
December 4, 2024

CEO Leaves $13 Billion Soup Company to Run Commanders

The new president will lead the planning and development of the team’s stadium.