OKC Trade Talk: Should Thunder move up in 2021 NBA Draft?

After a year full of a full-on tank in Oklahoma City, it’s time for the Thunder to make some decisions for the upcoming draft.

Unfortunately, the Thunder landed the No. 6 overall pick in the lottery, and have a few options as to what they can do with it. In addition to the No. 6, they own five additional selections. 

Thunder 2021 Draft Picks

• First-round – No. 6 pick
• First-round – No. 16 pick
• First-round – No. 18 pick
• Second-round – No. 34 pick
• Second-round – No. 36 pick
• Second-round – No. 55 pick

The simplest way to approach the draft would be to simply stay put and select the best player available at No. 6. One of the Scottie Barnes-Jonathan Kuminga-Jalen Suggs trio will almost certainly be available when the Thunder are on the clock. All three players have high ceilings, but their potential isn’t as potent as the top-three projected players (Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley).

What Trades Should OKC Consider?

Sam Presti has the assets to make it splash and trade up to one of the top-3 picks in the draft. Each of the top-three prospects in this years’ draft are very intriguing. If Presti could land the No. 1 pick, it would be understood that OKC is landing the consensus first-pick, Cade Cunningham.

Another option, which is a much more obtainable one, would be the No. 3 pick via Cleveland. The trade with the Cavs would be less costly than one with the Pistons. Either Jalen Green or Evan Mobley will be available at that selection and either would make a great fit as a running mate next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the young squad in Oklahoma City.

Ultimately, if Presti was sold on a prospect that would be available at a later pick, he could trade back to pile even more assets while still adding the player he wants. This isn’t uncommon for Presti, as he has done this in the past, especially if he wants to play the long game.

One of the most entertaining parts of this whole process is unpredictability. Time after time, Presti shocks the league and he is prone to do it again. No matter the result, the Thunder’s rebuild will be in a good place and fans will have plenty to look forward to.