Thunder Reportedly Want to Trade into Top 10 of NBA Draft After 2025 Championship Win
After winning the 2025 NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly aren't done loading up on young talent.
During an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported that the Thunder are interested in trading into the top 10 of Wednesday's 2025 NBA draft.
"I keep hearing rumblings that the Thunder are trying to move up," Givony said. "They have 15, 24, 44. They could package all three of those picks, look to move up four or five slots, maybe six to Toronto [at No. 9]."
NBA insider Jake Fischer also noted the Thunder had "some dialogue" with the Houston Rockets about the 10th overall selection prior to it being shipped to the Phoenix Suns in the Kevin Durant trade.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported Derik Queen, Noa Essengue and Joan Beringer are "three names to keep an eye on" if the Thunder move up on draft night.
With an average age of 25.6 years, the Thunder are the second-youngest team ever to win an NBA championship behind only the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers. The team has the potential to be the next dynasty in the NBA, and moving up into the lottery could bring even more youthful talent to Oklahoma City.
"It's not clear on their roster that they have any real needs right now, so they can afford to take a swing on a high-upside prospect who fits that defensive DNA that won them a championship," Givony said.
Givony named French forward Essengue, Collin Murray-Boyles and French center Beringer as potential targets for the Thunder. In his latest mock draft, B/R's Jonathan Wasserman predicted that Oklahoma City would use the No. 15 pick to select Washington State forward Cedric Coward before adding Michigan forward Danny Wolf at No. 24 and Nevada forward Kobe Sanders at No. 44.
Whichever route the Thunder take, it's clear that they're set up for sustainable success over the next few years. If a trade opportunity presents itself, Oklahoma City won't hesitate to move up for the right player.
"These guys have been doing a lot of work; they've been holding a lot of workouts," Givony added. "I think they're gonna be ready on Wednesday."
