The Oklahoma City Thunder have given their all this season. Not only did they finish the 2024-25 NBA regular season with a league-best 68-14 record, but they’re also heading into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. That alone is something to celebrate.
But before the playoffs even tip off, OKC received even more good news: they’ll be entering the 2025 NBA Draft with not one but two first-round picks.
Oklahoma City Thunder Needs To Capitalize on 2025 NBA Draft
NBA insider Evan Sidery reported that Oklahoma City now controls the 15th overall pick, along with the Los Angeles Clippers’ selection at 25th overall.
With the Heat’s win last night, they officially lost their lottery-protected 2025 first-round pick.
The Thunder now own the No. 15 overall pick. OKC also gets the Clippers’ pick at No. 25 overall.
Sam Presti can continue to add valuable rookie-scale talent to a 68-win roster. pic.twitter.com/7Z1HE1VG4P
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 19, 2025
Friday’s NBA Play-In Tournament between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks carried enormous draft implications, too. Miami’s win secured its playoff spot and confirmed that the Thunder now officially owns the 15th pick in this year’s draft.
On the other hand, Atlanta’s elimination triggered another lottery pick for the San Antonio Spurs, further reshaping the draft landscape.
The draft has always been at the heart of OKC’s strategy. They don’t build through free agency, at least not yet. Instead, they’ve made smart selections, developed talent in-house, and grown into a powerhouse. Just look at their recent success stories: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may have arrived via trade, but Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were all draft gems.
General Manager Sam Presti has a lot of time to think about what he wants to do. Now, with the 15th and 25th picks in 2025, the Thunder have the flexibility to pursue various strategies: They could target NBA-ready prospects to complement their current core, invest in high-upside projects who can develop alongside their young stars, or package these picks to acquire veteran talent or future draft capital.
With their playoff opener against the Memphis Grizzlies set for April 20, the Thunder focuses on the court, but the front office is already thinking about what comes next.
Players To Watch in OKC’s First Round Playoff Series
The Grizzlies clinched their playoff spot with impressive force. Memphis defeated Dallas 120-106, securing the final playoff spot after losing to Golden State in the first play-in game by 121-116.
Now, OKC faces a Grizzlies team led by Ja Morant. Morant is having a solid season, averaging 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. His ability to drive into the paint, absorb contact, and still find teammates makes him a tough cover for any defense.
Conversely, the Thunder will lean heavily on their young core. Gilgeous-Alexander is having an MVP-caliber year, averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. Jalen Williams has also emerged as a versatile two-way threat, while Holmgren provides elite rim protection and spacing.
This trio gives OKC the firepower and defensive tools it’ll need to challenge Memphis.