In the latest 2022 NBA mock draft, Bleacher Report draft expert Jonathan Wasserman reported that several teams around the league think the Oklahoma City Thunder could be enticed with Purdue guard Jaden Ivey enough to select him No. 2.
“Holmgren has also been linked to the Thunder at No. 2, and most around the league are hearing that he’ll be the Oklahoma City Thunder’s pick if Orlando takes Smith. Meanwhile, there is belief from multiple rival teams that the Thunder figure to be enticed by Ivey as well. “
This comes off the heels of ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony reporting that the Thunder are acting aggressively with trading up from the No. 12 spot to potentially the No. 4 spot to select someone like Shaedon Sharpe or Ivey himself.
Even if the Thunder are interested in Ivey, it’s hard to see them take such a huge swing on Ivey at No. 2 overall. While general manager Sam Presti has been described as an outside-the-box thinker, selecting Ivey at No. 2 would be a bit too extreme.