The Thunder’s latest path to another premium draft asset runs straight through the Clippers’ collapse.
Oklahoma City sits at 6-2 and fourth in the West, but the record only tells part of the story. The roster has been hit hard by injuries, and the team’s ability to keep this pace going is very much in question. Even so, the Thunder are in a far better spot than Los Angeles, where the Clippers have stumbled to a 1-7 start and sit last in the Western Conference after eight games.
That matters because of the 2027 first-round pick swap the Clippers sent to Oklahoma City in the Paul George deal. If L.A. keeps sliding, the Thunder could end up with the right to swap picks and take the better one. Even if the Clippers manage to land a top-five selection, Oklahoma City would still have a chance to claim it.
Under the new anti-tanking policy, the Clippers would need to finish above 13th to maximize their odds of keeping a top-five pick. But if they don’t, the Thunder are positioned to benefit either way.
It’s another reminder of how much value came back to Oklahoma City in the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade. That deal brought SGA, Danilo Gallinari, and a package of draft picks to the Thunder, and the franchise has already turned that haul into major success. Now there’s a chance one more piece of that transaction pays off.
The Thunder may not need another first-rounder on paper, but their situation makes the pick useful. The injuries are a concern, and the payroll picture could force Oklahoma City to move other players to stay below the second apron. In that case, adding another young talent would give the front office more flexibility.
If the Thunder do end up with the Clippers’ pick, they’d have options. Bleacher Report’s 2027 mock draft has Tyran Stokes, Jordan Smith Jr., Caleb Holt, Bruce Branch III, and Colben Landrew among the top five.
Stokes is projected at No. 1 and brings star-level shot creation and playmaking, plus an NBA-ready frame. Bleacher Report noted that his shooting efficiency and decision-making have raised questions, even after a debut of 15 points and seven rebounds on 71.4% shooting from the field.
Smith, from Arkansas, offers a different profile. He doesn’t have Stokes’ physical tools, but his defense and athleticism stand out. His first outing - 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals - gave him a strong early case.
Bleacher Report has Arizona’s Caleb Holt as the player Oklahoma City would target if it ends up swapping for the Clippers’ pick. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard brings offensive versatility and defensive potential, though his reliability is still a question. At 18, he could fit as a possible Jalen Williams replacement.
Branch, a BYU wing, is viewed as a strong scorer with improved ball-handling and playmaking. Landrew, a 6-foot-6 Connecticut guard, is praised for his shot-making and frame, even after a debut of 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, and 66.7% shooting from the field.
There’s even another angle for Oklahoma City if it wants to go big. With Aday Mara added this year, the Thunder could choose to move Isaiah Hartenstein or Chet Holmgren and use the pick on a young center to deepen the frontcourt.
For now, the Thunder are sitting on a valuable position that could get even better if the Clippers keep falling.
In Other News...
Jared McCain Is Giving The Thunder A Reason To Stay Patient
Jared McCains recent shooting slump has been hard to miss, with the rookie going 1 of 22 from three over his last four games and sitting at 33.7 percent overall on the season. Even so, the Thunder have not rushed to shrink his role, and Mark Daigneault has kept leaning on him because McCain keeps finding ways to help beyond the box score.
The defense has been the biggest reason for that patience. McCain has been active, disruptive and willing to do the dirty work, limiting opponents efficiency while chipping in on rebounds, deflections and charges drawn. For a young guard trying to settle in, that kind of two-way impact can buy a lot of runway, even when the shot isnt falling. [Read more 🡒]
Westbrooks Thunder Honor Just Reopened The Kevin Durant Debate
Russell Westbrooks jersey retirement on Feb. 7 is a fitting milestone for the Thunder, a reminder of how much of the franchises modern identity was built around the core that came through Oklahoma City in the 2010s. It also naturally pulls attention back to the other towering figure from that era, Kevin Durant, whose time with the team brought elite production, deep playoff runs and a permanent place in the organizations history.
For the Thunder, the question is simple to ask and complicated to answer. Durants accomplishments in Oklahoma City are impossible to ignore, but the emotional baggage attached to his exit still hangs over any discussion of a future jersey retirement, and there has been no official announcement either way. Westbrooks honor may have reopened the conversation, but the franchise is still left weighing legacy against memory. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Daigneault Hinted At What Thunder Needed From These Roster Fixes
The Thunder used their latest roster moves to reinforce the kind of depth and versatility they keep chasing at the margins, adding Micah Peavy to a two-way spot and bringing in Dalen Terry for their final standard roster opening. Both players fit the broad profile Oklahoma City tends to value, and head coach Mark Daigneault pointed to their physical tools and the ways they might help the team in different spots.
The shuffle also came with a difficult casualty, as Otega Oweh was waived after an injury setback. For a team that has spent years fine-tuning the back end of the roster, these kinds of decisions are rarely just procedural. They usually say something about what the Thunder think they still need, even if the full picture of how these pieces will fit is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]