Oklahoma City’s draft pipeline could get even richer in 2027, and one recent mock draft has the Thunder adding a premium wing prospect with real upside.
In a mock from The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie and Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports, the Thunder were slotted at No. 5 overall in the 2027 NBA Draft. That pick was linked to BYU freshman Bruce Branch III, one of the most sought-after names in the country.
Branch enters his first college season with plenty of hype. 247Sports rated him the No. 6 overall player and the No. 2 small forward in the 2026 recruiting class, and he arrives at BYU listed at 6-foot-8 with the kind of size and athletic ability teams covet on the perimeter.
For Oklahoma City, that profile makes sense on paper. The Thunder have built one of the league’s deepest rosters, but the wing still stands out as an area where they could use more depth.
When Jalen Williams missed time with an injury during the 2025-26 season, OKC didn’t have many other wings who could provide the same blend of size, versatility and defensive impact. Branch, at least in theory, would give them another player who can guard on the perimeter and help fill that gap.
There’s also upside on offense. Branch has the chance to develop into a dependable 3-point shooter, which would fit a Thunder team that still needs more consistency from long range.
The concern is his handle. He’s currently shaky as a ball handler and may not offer much creation off the dribble early in his career.
That skill set could be the difference in how realistic Oklahoma City’s interest really is. If Branch shows real progress handling the ball as a freshman, the Thunder would likely have plenty of reason to keep him on their radar. But if that part of his game remains a weakness, the fit becomes less certain for a front office that tends to value more complete players.
Even with more than 60 wins in each of the past two seasons, Oklahoma City keeps finding ways to add to its stockpile of young talent. The Thunder picked No. 15 in the 2025 draft and also held No. 12 and No. 16 in the 2026 draft. Thomas Sorber, their 2025 first-rounder, has not yet appeared because of injuries, while both of their 2026 first-round picks have already stood out in the preseason.
And the 2027 draft could give them even more options. Sam Presti and the Thunder could have three first-round selections, including one from the LA Clippers. That pick could carry extra value if the Clippers take a major step back in 2026-27 after trading Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors.
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