The Thunder and Hornets have completed a minor second-round draft pick swap, according to a Thunder press release. A Hornets press release also confirms the deal.
Oklahoma City acquired the Nuggets’ 2030 second-rounder that Charlotte possessed in exchange for the Suns’ 2029 second-rounder that the Thunder owned.
The Thunder had a stash of 2029 second-rounders. Besides controlling their own pick, they also have the rights to second-rounders from Atlanta, Boston, Houston and Miami. This gives OKC four second-rounders in 2030 — their own, plus picks from Denver, Houston and Miami.
There was already a scenario in which the Thunder would have acquired Denver’s 2030 first-round pick. The Nuggets owe Oklahoma City a top-five protected first-rounder in both 2027 and 2029. If the Thunder hadn’t received both of those picks by 2030, they would have instead been sent Denver’s 2030 second-round selection. Now they’ll ensure they receive that second-rounder even if both first-rounders convey, which is likely.
As for the Hornets, they now possess three 2029 picks — their own, Denver’s and now the Suns’. Swapping out that 2030 second-rounder from Denver for Phoenix’s 2029 selection ensures Charlotte is no longer at risk of losing out on the Nuggets’ 2030 second-rounder in the event that those aforementioned first-round Denver picks are protected.
Just another line in the transactions list of some random kid’s future basketball ref page.
This guarantees possession of both Denver’s 2029 protected 1st and 2030 2nd. It might also help with getting Denver’s 2031 1st in exchange for removing the protection and giving Denver some of their own picks back.
What happens next here?!? Trade 2?
Think OKC will eventually keep kicking picks back. They have so many quality young players.
SGA, Jaylen, Chet are locks
Dort, Joe, wiggins, Ihart, Jaylin, Wallace all solid contributors.
Rookies Ajay & Jones had some contributions.
Dieng went off last night.
This makes sense, honestly. It’s one thing to have draft assets available, but where would they even add right now? They’re like three deep at every position but Center.
Big news! This will bury the Luka trade.
Trading back, and evening off the picks, makes sense. Just an odd deal to do at the 2025 deadline, with the relevant drafts 4 and 5 years away.