2022 Oklahoma City Thunder draft picks, mock draft and ideal scenarios

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NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks

Mar 27, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the Oklahoma City Thunder logo during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Thunder at the American Airlines Center. The Thunder defeat the Mavericks 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The 2022 Oklahoma City Thunder draft will include two lottery selections, another first-round pick and a selection in Round 2.

For general manager Sam Presti and Co., the process seems to be coming to fruition. Oklahoma boasts 19 first-round picks over the next seven years. The idea is to build around the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey from within.

Coming off a 58-loss season, Oklahoma City must hit on a vast majority of these picks. Before we preview the 2022 Oklahoma City Thunder draft, let’s check in on the picks that they have.

2022 Oklahoma City Thunder draft picks

Related: Ideal Jabari Smith landing spots in 2022 NBA Draft

Oklahoma City Thunder draft Jabari Smith No. 2 overall

It’s either going to be Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren or Smith going No. 1 overall to the Orlando Magic. Right now, Holmgren seems to be the leader in the clubhouse. In no way does this mean Smith would be a bad consolation prize for OKC.

The 6-foot-10 former Auburn star has an ability to stretch the court from the four spot. He shot 42% from distance for the Tigers a season ago, and boasts some tremendous moves to create his own shot.

An athletic force on both ends of the court, the star potential certainly is there for Smith. If he’s available at two, Presti and Co. would be doing cartwheels.

Related: 2022 NBA Draft order

Oklahoma City Thunder draft best player available at 12

With SGA, Giddey, Smith and wing Luguentz Dort acting as building blocks in Oklahoma, some might believe that the team should draft a center with the second of its two lottery picks. We’re just not seeing it. The Thunder are not in a position to reach in the lottery. Whether it’s at one of the two guard spots or out on the wing, best player available should be the name of the game at 12.

In particular, we’d love to see Oklahoma City target fomer Duke wing AJ Griffin if he’s available at 12. We’re talking about yet another frontcourt player who can stretch the court (45% shooting from three-point range as a freshman.

Griffin would come in and become an immediate bench presence behind Dort at the three. He can also play the four when Oklahoma City goes small and has Smith at the five. That type of shooting inside would make up for Giddey’s lack of range out on the perimeter.

Related: 2022 NBA mock draft

Oklahoma City Thunder trade back into the top 20

With all of the draft capital that they boast, it would not be a surprise if the Thunder opted to trade up from the 30th spot into the top-20 for a target player at a need position. Perhaps, a team like the Houston Rockets picking at 17 might make sense.

The Thunder could offer up their 30th pick and a future first-round pick to a squad in Houston that has to continue adding draft capital. In the process, Oklahoma City targets Jalen Duren from Memphis.

Duren is the most-talented true center in the 2022 NBA Draft. He has the skill-set to make an immediate impact. He fits a major need. By avoiding Duren at 12 and trading up for him a handful of spots later, the Thunder also find value.

Projected Oklahoma City Thunder draft picks

Related: Top 50 2022 NBA Draft prospects

Past 10 Oklahoma City Thunder first-round picks

YearPickPlayerPositionCollege
20216thJosh GiddeyG/FAustralia
2021 16thAlperen Şengün (traded)CTurkey
202118thTre MannGFlorida
202025thImmanuel Quickley (traded)GKentucky
201921stBrandon Clarke (traded)FGonzaga
201721stTerrance FergusonGG-League
201514thCameron PayneGMurray State
201421stMitch McGaryFMichigan
201429thJosh HuestisFStanford
201312thJosh HuestisCPittsburgh
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