Armed with three picks in the 2025 NBA draft, including two in the first round, the Oklahoma City Thunder may not elect to use every selection and could be active in trade discussions this week.
The Thunder currently hold pick Nos. 15 and 24 in the first round, and No. 44 in the second round. They have been linked to several players throughout the predraft process, though executive vice president Sam Presti could look to reroute at least one pick from a roster management standpoint.
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The team would have 17 players on the roster next season as currently constructed, including the No. 15 and 24 picks in the draft, which is two over the limit. Presti is reportedly open to trading the No. 24 pick, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Rival NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe Oklahoma City could trade the No. 24 pick in the draft for a future first-round selection or select a foreign draft-and-stash overseas player such as Hugo GonzalezorNoah Penda.
Presti has famously built a treasure trove of future draft capital through various trades and acquisitions. The prevailing thought would be to trade the No. 24 pick for a future selection or choose a draft-and-stash player who wouldn’t count against the salary cap or occupy a roster spot.
The Thunder enter the offseason expected to offer Most Valuable Player and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a supermax contract extension, as well as rookie-scale extensions to Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. They also hold team options on Ajay Mitchell and Jaylin Williams.
The draft will feature a two-night format for the second consecutive year, with the first round scheduled for Wednesday and the second round for Thursday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: NBA rumors: Thunder could target draft-and-stash player in draft