The OKC Thunder is actively competing for its second straight NBA championship.
But when this season comes to an end, OKC will also be active in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Thunder could have up to three first-round picks in a class that’s headlined by prospects such as Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Duke’s Cameron Boozer.
Advertisement
Here’s a complete breakdown of OKC’s potential 2026 picks:
More: No bull, Chet Holmgren delivers on big stage to lift Thunder past Knicks at The Garden
How many 2026 NBA Draft picks will OKC Thunder have?First-round: Philadelphia 76ers (Top-four protected)
OKC acquired Philadelphia’s 2025 first-round pick when it traded Terrance Ferguson, Danny Green and Vincent Poirier in November 2020. It received that pick along with Al Horford, the No. 34 overall pick in the 2020 draft (Theo Maledon) and the draft rights to Vasilije Micic.
The pick was top-six protected and did not convey last year, so it turned into a top-four protected pick for 2026 and 2027. If it doesn’t convey during that time, Philadelphia will owe OKC its 2027 second-round pick.
Advertisement
Philadelphia is 34-28 this season, entering play on March 6, which is the 13th-best record in the NBA. The pick will surely convey, but it’ll likely be outside of the lottery.
Projected pick range: 15-20 (Would convey)
MUSSATTO: Give Sam Presti, Thunder credit for landing Jared McCain in savvy, buy-low trade
First round: Utah Jazz (Top-eight protected)
OKC acquired Utah’s 2024 first-round pick and Derrick Favors in July 2021. It sent out a 2027 second-round pick and cash considerations.
The pick was top-10 protected in both 2024 and 2025 but did not convey, making it top-eight protected in 2026. If it doesn’t convey this season, the obligation extinguishes.
Advertisement
Utah is 19-44 this season, which is the fifth-worst record in the NBA. And it’s doing all it can to improve the odds of retaining its pick, so much so that the NBA fined it $500,000 on Feb. 12 for conduct detrimental to the league related to roster management. I think the Jazz will get its wish barring some horrible lottery luck.
Projected pick range: 3-8 (Would not convey)
More: Chris Paul retired, but his impact on OKC Thunder’s SGA and Lu Dort is still seen
1 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stars center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks in game one against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
1 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stars center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks in game one against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
2 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 15: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Team USA Stars attends the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
3 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stars center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks in game one against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
4 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stars center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks in game one against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
5 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 15: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Team USA Stars claps before the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
6 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team All-Star center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder and forward Scottie Barnes (4) of the Toronto Raptors and Team All-Star NBA legend Richard Hamilton and actor Druski are introduced before the shooting stars competition during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
7 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team All-Star center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder competes in the shooting stars competition during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
8 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team All-Star center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder and forward Scottie Barnes (4) of the Toronto Raptors and Team All-Star NBA legend Richard Hamilton and actor Druski are introduced before the shooting stars competition during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
9 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 14, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks during interviews at media day at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
10 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 14, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Chet Holmgren speaks during interviews at media day at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
11 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; NBA All Star 2026 signage at the Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
12 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; The All Star 2026 logo at the Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
13 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; The All Star 2026 logo at midcourt at the Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
14 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Wilson official NBA All Star 2026 logo basketballs at the Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
15 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; A NBA Peacock advertisement for the NBA All 2026 at The Grove. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
16 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 14: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Team All-Star shoots the Kia Shooting Stars during 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at Intuit Dome on February 14, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images)
17 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; General view of the logo on the court before an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
18 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Detail view of the logo on the net before an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
19 / 19
See OKC Thunder’s Chet Holmgren in action at 2026 NBA All-Star Game
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 14: Richard Hamilton of Team All-Star high fives Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Team All-Star during the Kia Shooting Stars during 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at Intuit Dome on February 14, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images)
First round: The most favorable pick between Los Angeles Clippers and OKC Thunder
OKC was originally set to receive the two most favorable picks between Houston (top-four protected), the Los Angeles Clippers and itself. But it sent Houston’s pick to Philadelphia in a deal that landed it Jared McCain at the trade deadline.
Advertisement
That leaves OKC with a choice between Los Angeles’ pick and its own, and the former is clearly the best option.
The Clippers are 30-31, which is the 12th-worst record in the NBA. They also traded away James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the deadline, signaling that they’re looking toward the future.
Los Angeles’ pick won’t be nearly as valuable as it was expected to be when the team went 6-21 to start the season. Still, it’s yet another asset for OKC.
Projected pick range (via Clippers): 11-16
More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fuels OKC Thunder past Knicks for 3-0 road trip
Second round: The most favorable pick between Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers and OKC Thunder
OKC will receive the most favorable second-round pick between Dallas, Philadelphia and itself.
Advertisement
The Thunder will surely go with the Mavericks’ pick. Dallas is 21-41, which is the seventh-worst record in the NBA. And with Kyrie Irving (torn left ACL surgery) officially ruled out for the rest of the season, a late surge by the team is unlikely.
A second-rounder might not seem exciting, but OKC is known for finding hidden gems. The Thunder selected Aaron Wiggins (No. 55 overall) in 2021, Jaylin Williams (No. 34) in 2022 and Ajay Mitchell (No. 38) in 2024.
Projected pick range: 33-38 (via Mavericks)
More: Why Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell is no longer NBA’s best-kept secret: ‘He’s cold’
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How many 2026 NBA Draft picks will Sam Presti, OKC Thunder have?