It has been a great season thus far for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they continue to look like the team to beat in the Western Conference.
Of course, the Thunder finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA then swept their way past the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.
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In the second round, Oklahoma City was able to tie the series at 2-2 with their victory in Game 4 over the Denver Nuggets and they will now return home for Game 5 on Tuesday night looking to gain complete control of the series.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), forward Chet Holmgren (7), forward Jalen Williams (8), guard Luguentz Dort © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
While the Thunder are focused on bringing a championship to Oklahoma City this season, they also have a ton at stake on Monday night during the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery.
Oklahoma City currently holds the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round picks due to receiving them in a prior trade.
USA: LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (left) battle for the ball in the first half at Crypto.com Arena.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Heat received the 15th pick in the draft after finishing eighth in the Eastern Conference standings and that pick will now convey to the Thunder.
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The Thunder also hold the Clippers’ pick, which is 24th overall, as part of a pick swap as Los Angeles holds Oklahoma City’s 30th overall selection.
While these two picks are great for the Thunder as they look to add even more talent in the loaded 2025 draft, they could also receive the Philadelphia 76ers’ first-round pick as well.
Jan 12, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dives for loose ball with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center.© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Oklahoma City owns Philadelphia’s first-round pick, which is top-six protected. The 76ers have the fifth-best odds (10.5%) of landing the to pick in the draft and winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, but they could also fall out of the top six, which would convey their pick to the Thunder.
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This would be massive for the Thunder. Especially with the amount of talent in the 2025 class as they look to better their roster even more for next season to chase a championship.
Fans can catch Monday’s 2025 NBA Draft Lottery at 7:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.