The Thunder made a quiet but calculated move on Tuesday, acquiring the NBA draft rights to Serbian center Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz in exchange for cash considerations. On the surface, it’s the kind of deal that barely makes a ripple during the regular season grind. But dig a little deeper, and it’s the kind of strategic asset play that fits Oklahoma City’s long-term blueprint.
Koprivica, now 25, is currently suiting up for Bahcesehir Koleji in Turkey’s top professional league. Before heading overseas, he played two seasons at Florida State, where his size and touch around the rim earned him some draft buzz. That led to his selection in the 2021 NBA Draft - 57th overall by the Hornets - before his rights were shipped to Detroit on draft night.
Since then, his NBA rights have bounced around like a well-traveled veteran. From the Pistons to the Clippers in a 2023 cash deal, and then to the Jazz last summer as part of the multi-player trade that included Russell Westbrook and Kris Dunn. Now, those rights belong to Oklahoma City.
For the Thunder, this isn’t about immediate impact. There’s no sign Koprivica is planning to leave Europe anytime soon.
But that’s not really the point. What this move gives OKC is another inexpensive asset tucked away for later - and in today’s NBA, where the new second-apron rules are already reshaping how teams manage their books, that matters.
Stashing draft rights like these is a savvy way to build optionality. If Koprivica develops further overseas, the Thunder could eventually bring him over on a team-friendly deal. Or, if nothing else, his rights could be used as a sweetener in a future trade - a low-cost chip that doesn’t count against the cap but still holds value.
It’s the kind of forward-thinking roster management we’ve come to expect from Oklahoma City’s front office. This isn’t a headline-grabber, but it’s a reminder that in the modern NBA, the margins matter. And the Thunder are staying sharp on the edges.