Two executives who spoke to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints about next month’s draft suggested they could envision the Thunder packaging several assets, including this year’s 12th and 17th overall picks, in order to try to trade into the top four to land Duke forward Cameron Boozer.
However, it seems unlikely that any teams near the top of the draft would be amenable to such a deal for a few reasons. For one, this year’s top four prospects are considered to be in a tier of their own. It’s also probably safe to assume that no teams will be eager to help the defending champion Thunder land another potential franchise cornerstone on a rookie scale deal unless they’re significantly overpaying to do so.
For what it’s worth, the Bulls – who have the No. 4 overall pick – would only have interest in trading that selection if they were moving up, not down, sources tell Siegel.
Even if the Thunder aren’t able to move that high in the draft, there’s an “overwhelming belief” that they won’t simply remain at No. 12 and No. 17 and draft two rookies, Siegel writes. Oklahoma City is expected to be aggressive on the trade market, which could mean trading one or both of those picks either to move up or for future draft assets.
Here are a few more draft-related rumors from Siegel:
- If they hang onto the No. 11 pick, the expectation is that the Warriors will be targeting a prospect who can step in and contribute right away. According to Siegel, Golden State is hoping this offseason to add an “impactful” guard who can play on or off the ball next to Stephen Curry, though that may not happen in the draft — Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton have been mentioned by league sources as the types of veteran free agents the team may be looking at.
- The Warriors (No. 11), Hornets (Nos. 14 and 18), Spurs (No. 20), and Pistons (No. 21) are among the teams with interest in Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg, Siegel reports. With the exception of Golden State, each of those clubs might have to trade up to have a shot at drafting Lendeborg, since he’s widely projected to be a late lottery pick. Multiple sources tell Siegel that Charlotte’s interest in Lendeborg is considered “real” and they’ll explore the possibility of moving up.
- Based on the fact that Masai Ujiri has long prioritized length and athleticism, league sources who have spoken to Siegel have identified Tennessee’s Nate Ament and Baylor’s Cameron Carr as two potential targets to watch for the Mavericks, who control the ninth overall pick.
If Mavs take Lendeborg, Warriors take Morex Johnson
Both are Michigan
Hornets move up to 8?
Hawks have pick 8 and they will look to trade down if Aday Mara and Mikel Brown Jr (or another guard they like) are off the board
Brown will be there. He has enough talent to be drafted higher, but his back thing will help him stay in 8-13 range
Sillivan, Johnson’s too raw. Warriors have no use for a kid like that right now.
Hornets acn trade 14 and 18 to the warriors for 1th spot and a 2nd round pick. That would enable warriors to get 2 draft picks to start the rebuild..
So you want hornets to give up two premium picks in a loaded draft to move up only 3 spots and just give up a 2nd? Arc I like your takes but this ain’t it my guy lol
If Hornets really like Yavel they would do it
Melton opt in
Warriors offer
Yaxel
Melton
Two Seconds
3 million cash
There are very little talents after 13th pick
Most draft analysts have a pretty sharp drop at around 10-11 to the next tier. The part of this draft that is premium is the top 4 mostly, and the top 10 to a certain extent. Some of the interesting players in the 14-30 range may return for NIL money, and then be in next years draft that’s considered very weak. If you look at recent history it usually takes multiple assets to move into that range where 14+18 straight up for 11 is pretty sound. An underpay compared to what NOP gave up last year to move to 13.
If they want lendeberg they will need to make it worth it or he doesn’t get pass warriors.
arc? Yaxel Lendeborg?
The Warriors are not drafting this guy, will never draft this guy, and are not even considering drafting this guy.
Seems like every sport writer has him going to the warriors. Nothing wrong with the pick since he has proven to be NBA ready now.
Proven to be NBA ready now? He played 6 full years in college of course he’s going to look good as a man among boys.
Seems like you are set on them trading the pick. Unless they are getting somebody young because they have enough old players on the team it would be a mistake.
I know they have to rebuild. I just want them to wait one more year.
For them to compete everything must go right and no injuries. If there is a future starter they should go for it now and pick them. They do not have the assets to bring in anybody in trade.
I was thinking they might be able to get a player and Charlotte’s 18th? Hopefully, they are really desperate.
arc you’re slipping. I don’t know what it is with you the last month or so but your takes are not good.
This is the type of draft you want more than 1 pick. Maybe they can buy another 2nd round pick like before.
Even more mock drafts have Yaxel Lendeborg being picked by the Thunder at #12.
I have also seen rumors that the Warriors might be interested in trading for the Thunder’s Aaron Wiggins, given that Jimmy Butler might not be back from rehab at the start of the season.
I could see the Thunder offer Wiggins and #12 to move up a single spot to #11 if that is who Presti wants!
Interesting. Pretty heavy price to pay for OKC.
Butler best guess back is after allstar break. OKC would offer their #17 pick not their 12th.
Oh ya.., bet your bottom dollar Jimmy takes his sweet time coming back.
I can hear it now…
“”You can’t rush back when you’re older, you have to make sure you’re 100% to help the team, you don’t want to come back too quick and get hurt again right away, just a few more practices and Jimmy will join the team, “” etc., etc.
Unfortunately you are right there will be some people claiming he should be back by now. I saw him jump he must be ready to play again.
“According to Siegel, Golden State is hoping this offseason to add an “impactful” guard”.
New contract for Kerr; another guard added to the squad; Curry, Butler and Green getting one year older.
I’ve seen this movie before.
I don’t get it. Yall complain about BP, but then don’t want a guard added to the roster. You’re ok with just running Steph and who? Pay Spencer and Will Richard? Enough with the nonsense
They had to many guards, and I think its easier to sign depth guards in FA than get more playable forwards, which is where they really need talent. They need a TMIII.
These3 are older than Curry and Butler
Post
Draymond
Porzingis
I want to trade them
Uh…No…
Ok Sparky, I think you are only viewing the trailers. You missed the scene where they lose 4 guards. You also missed the scenes where Kerr has to juggle the lineup to find some offense. Uh, those scenes where also in the prequel. Having stable lineups might resolve the underlying plot of way turnovers that cost them 8-10 games the last two seasons.
the warriors were looking at atking a guard in the 2nd round. They are looking at a wing in the 1st round or even a center.
I don’t think Boozer is making it to 3. I think he is going 2 to Utah. Boozer is a good fit with Utah
True but Utah already has Lauri, Kessler and JJJ. So they have enough forward and center depth as they head into next season. Boozer would be better for Memphis or the Bulls. Those two teams need a legit power forward like Boozer
Memphis gets #12 pick, #17 pick, SAS 2027 1st, Isaiah Joe & Nikola Topic
OKC gets #3 pick (Cam Boozer) & KCaldwell-Pope
Memphis gets a younger shooter on a better contract in IJoe w/ Mid-South ties. They also get 3 young players to infuse more talent into their rebuild. Topic has potential to be elite but they also can add a couple of big time players at 12 & 17 in the draft.
OKC gets arguably the best player in the best draft class in decades. They also get a 2x champ as backcourt depth in KCP. They would still have 2 1sts next season as well & won’t really miss Topic w/ McCain.
I can’t see Memphis wanting to do this – I think OKC would do it in a heartbeat.
What about swapping out Nikola Topić for Cason Wallace?
Warriors are going to trade the pick
I’ve always liked you JayRyder.
Can the Warriors afford Simons or Sexton? What about their defense? They do need offensive stability.
Sounds like KP and Horford on the out. So there is a lot of money leaving. They will get 1 of the 2. Pick either Landeberg or Lopez at PF position. Get a gaurd in the 2nd round.
The two guards you mentioned might sign a one year deal with option to restore their value. Hopefully there’s a few guys like that the Warriors can get.
Simons made $27 million last season. Collins made $19 million. I guess the Warriors are hoping that they have a lot of value to restore.
Collins ?? he doesn’t need to restore his value. What you see is what you get and he’s a pretty good four or five that you can plug-in.
He’s a great teammate and he’ll hit the three-point shot for you too.
Warriors can’t afford John Collins. Simons or Sexton? Perhaps so.
OKC main issue for the next few years is the second spron. Their payroll for next year is $250M when the second apron is $222M.
OKC has a boatload of wings. I think they do a new deal with Hartenstein ($28M team option next year for say starting below $20M), and they trade Jalen Williams which will save them $40M plus a year year going forward.
Williams trade to a top 4 draft pick this year, for a rookie salary top value player.
They still will trade out Dort ($20M team option next year).
This way they can keep Hartenstein, and be able to pay Cason Wallace and other players who will be up for big paydays over the next 2-3 years.
I’m predicting OKC makes a big move this draft to grab a Top 4 pick… especially if they don’t beat the Spurs.
OKC not only has 2 picks in the top 15 this year, but 4 more picks next June. Yes, that’s 6 (“six”) FRP’s in the next 15 months, and no roster/cap space for them.
The only way OKC can afford another difference maker for the next 2-3 years is to acquire a Top 4 pick, because they cost only $12-$15M per season.
If you were to trade up to get Boozer or Wislon at 3 or 4, and you still have Thomas Sorber, are you still keeping Hartenstein?
The fact that Ajay Mitchell started in front of Cason Wallace in the playoffs, until Jalen Williams went down, then Ajay went down, and the Thunder started Jarred McCain, also makes me wonder if Thunder GM Sam Presti might move on from Cason in order to get Boozer?
Cason Wallace + #12, #17 and a 2027 FRP via the Clippers to Memphis for their #3.
Agree with IHart gone. They won’t overpay a valuable role player because there’s other teams that will do so. The thunder has or will get guys they can plug in his place very easily.
Yes, but that has to be combined wide shedding at least one major salary.
But not if the Thunder traded both Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein!
Money wise no! However, if you get rid of Hart and Dort, you don’t immediately need to replace Dort with an effective player since the Thunder have so many wings that can step on, but you need to replace Hartenstein with an effective starter level center.
Are you going to rely on a rookie to come in and do that on a championship team? So, I would think that the Thunder need to go out there and still get an effective center, at least $10M salary, on top of paying a new high pick rookie.
Why would the Bulls be looking to move up in the draft? I thought Graham is supposed to be a great talent evaluator. Even Bob Myers could pick AJ first and Peterson second. What’s to evaluate there? Seems like if he’s good at making picks he should trade down so he could get more picks to make.