NBA Mock Draft: Taking Swings Outside of Lottery

For the second consecutive year, the Oklahoma City Thunder have three selections in the first round of the NBA Draft. Last year, they traded away one of their picks for two future firsts and also took Josh Giddey and Tre Mann. This time around they could do the same, or take a swing on three players.

Along with their own pick, Oklahoma City will be selecting in the first round via picks from the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns. The Thunder's own pick is projected to be in the top five, while the other two will likely land outside of the lottery.

With that in mind, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman recently released a mock draft that has OKC taking two solid prospects with their second and third overall picks.

Let's take a look at how the non-lottery portion of the 2022 NBA Draft could unfold.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Blake Wesley (Guard | Notre Dame)

16. Houston Rockets: Kendall Brown (Forward | Baylor)

17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jeremy Sochan (Forward | Baylor)

18. San Antonio Spurs: Walker Kessler (Center | Auburn)

19. San Antonio Spurs: Christian Braun (Guard | Kansas)

20. Indiana Pacers: Mark Williams (Center | Duke)

21. Dallas Mavericks: EJ Liddell (Forward | Ohio State)

22. Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jovic (Forward | International)

23. Milwaukee Bucks: Dyson Daniels (Guard | G League Ignite)

24. Brooklyn Nets: Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Forward | Milwaukee)

25. Chicago Bulls: Bryce McGowens (Guard | Nebraska)

26. Memphis Grizzlies: Jean Montero (Guard | Overtime Elite)

27. Miami Heat: Jaden Hardy (Guard | G League)

28. Memphis Grizzlies: Malaki Branham (Guard | Ohio State)

29. Golden State Warriors: JD Davison (Guard | Alabama)

30. Oklahoma City Thunder: Trevor Keels (Guard | Duke)

Although the lottery is where the Thunder will have the best chance to land a franchise-altering talent, there's also quality players later in the first round.

Want to join the discussion? Like SI Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.