The 2023 NBA draft is less than two weeks away, and with the Oklahoma City Thunder owning another lottery selection at No. 12, let’s look back on the short draft history of the franchise since they relocated.
Since 2008, the Thunder have seldom been in the lottery because they enjoyed a decade of being a constant title/playoff contender. That has obviously changed. They endured a rebuild in 2020 that looks like it’s nearing its end.
In this exercise, we look at the best five draft picks in Thunder history. This also includes draft picks Thunder general manager Sam Presti made during the last couple of years the franchise was known as the Seattle Supersonics, since those players spent most — if not their entire — tenure with the Thunder.
Honorable mentions
Chet Holmgren, No. 2 pick in 2022 draft
He hasn’t played yet and missed his entire rookie season due to foot surgeries, but the hype around Chet Holmgren is still there. Being OKC’s highest selection since Kevin Durant, Holmgren deserved to be mentioned.
Josh Giddey, No. 6 pick in 2021 draft
Josh Giddey has turned into a high-end starting guard for the Thunder in his two seasons. The 20-year-old’s ceiling is still very high. It’ll all come down to whether he can develop a consistent jumper.
Steven Adams, No. 12 pick in 2013 draft
The only redeemable part of the James Harden trade, Steven Adams provided the Thunder with seven seasons of quality starting center minutes. He averaged 9.8 points on 58.9% shooting and 7.6 rebounds with OKC.
No. 5 Serge Ibaka
This is cheating since he was technically drafted by the Supersonics in their last draft before relocating to OKC. Still, it would be malpractice not to mention Serge Ibaka — and other entrants — in this list, as he played for the Thunder his entire tenure.
Ibaka was drafted 24th in the 2008 draft and was a key starter for the Thunder from 2010 to 2016 in the midst of their championship window.
He led the league in total blocks twice and was an All-Defensive team honoree three times during his time with the Thunder. In seven seasons with OKC, Ibaka averaged 11.6 points on 52.3% shooting, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.
No. 4 Jalen Williams
The newest addition in the top five, Jalen Williams looks like he will go down as one of the best selections in Thunder history.
Williams wrapped up his rookie season at No. 2 in Rookie of the Year voting and arguably the second-best player on a 40-win team.
This is an impressive start to his career as he was selected No. 12 in the 2022 draft. If the Thunder found a borderline All-Star wing at that selection, they hit a home run.
No. 3 James Harden
While his stay was short, James Harden left a definitive impact during his time with the Thunder. He was selected No. 3 in the 2009 draft.
In his three seasons with the Thunder, Harden became the third-best player of an NBA Finals team in 2012, when he also won Sixth Man of the Year.
Alas, Harden’s tenure with OKC was cut short due to a contract dispute. He was notoriously dealt in 2012 to the Houston Rockets, with whom he would become one of the greatest shooting guards of all time.
In three seasons with the Thunder, Harden averaged 12.7 points on 44.4% shooting, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
No. 2 Russell Westbrook
As I mentioned, some of these players were drafted by the Supersonics, but it would be negligent to not mention them.
Russell Westbrook was selected No. 4 in the 2008 draft and spent 11 seasons with the Thunder, where he became one of the best point guards of all time.
During his time in OKC, Westbrook won the MVP in 2017, was an eight-time All-NBA member, an eight-time All-Star and won two scoring/assists titles.
In 11 seasons with the Thunder, Westbrook averaged 23 points on 43.4% shooting, 8.4 assists and 7 rebounds.
Westbrook owns the Thunder franchise records for total points, assists, rebounds, steals and triple-doubles.
No. 1 Kevin Durant
While Westbrook is the greatest Thunder player of all time, he isn’t necessarily the best. That honor goes to Kevin Durant, who was drafted No. 2 in the 2007 draft by the Supersonics.
Durant spent nine seasons with the Thunder, with whom he won his sole MVP in 2014, and was a six-time All-NBA member, a seven-time All-Star and a four-time league scoring champion.
In nine seasons with the Thunder, Durant averaged 27.4 points on 48.3% shooting, 7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Durant is one of the greatest players of all time and spent nine seasons in OKC. Despite his ugly departure, he easily goes down as the greatest draft pick in Thunder history.
