NBA Mock Draft: Thunder Add Potential Franchise-Altering Forward

As 2021 comes to an end, NBA standings are starting to take shape ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft.

As the 2021-22 season continues to unfold, the Oklahoma City Thunder are starting to have more success. However, they should still be a bottom five team at the end of the season. As they continue their rebuild, acquiring top talent in the draft is the key to future success.

The upcoming rookie class has a ton of talent, meaning Oklahoma City could add franchise-altering talent in the 2022 NBA Draft. How quickly the Thunder are able to get back to being a consistent playoff team will more than likely come down to how they perform over the next few drafts. 

Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN recently released a 2022 NBA Mock Draft, which sets the stage for where some of the best prospects in this class could land.

While the draft order won't be known until after the 2021-22 NBA season, the Thunder are currently projected to take a forward that could expedite the rebuild in OKC. 

Let’s see how ESPN thinks the lottery could unfold in the 2022 NBA Draft.

---

2022 NBA Mock Draft

1. Detroit Pistons: Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga)

James Snook / USA TODAY Sports

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Paolo Banchero (Duke)

Rob Kinnan / USA TODAY Sports

3. Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith Jr. (Auburn)

Kevin Jairaj / USA TODAY Sports

4. Houston Rockets: Jaden Ivey (Purdue)

Nikos Frazier / Journal & Courier-USA TODAY NETWORK

5. New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Duren (Memphis)

Joe Rondone / The Commercial Appeal-USA TODAY NETWORK

6. New York Knicks: Jaden Hardy (G League Ignite)

Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA TODAY Sports

7. San Antonio Spurs: Trevor Keels (Duke)

Rob Kinnan / USA TODAY Sports

8. Sacramento Kings: Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee)

MARK HOFFMAN / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL-USA TODAY NETWORK

9. Washington Wizards: Jean Montero (Overtime Elite)

Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports

10. Portland Trail Blazers: TyTy Washington (Kentucky)

Jordan Prather / USA TODAY Sports

11. Memphis Grizzlies: Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona)

Soobum Im / USA TODAY Sports

12. Atlanta Hawks: Keegan Murray (Iowa)

Steven Branscombe / USA TODAY Sports

13. Toronto Raptors: JD Davison (Alabama)

Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

14. Philadelphia 76ers: Johnny Davis (Wisconsin)

Joseph Maiorana / USA TODAY Sports

This scenario could end up being the best for the Thunder. While they have a spectacular backcourt that's built for the future, their frontcourt lacks superstar talent. Once of the most talented players in this class, Paolo Banchero has the potential to be a top talent on a future championship team.

---

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.