OKC Thunder Roundtable: What Direction Will the Team Go With Pick No. 12?

The Inside the Thunder staff made their predictions as to what the Thunder will do with pick No. 12 in the 2023 NBA Draft.

As another NBA season comes to a close, and a new champion has been crowned, the NBA offseason is underway. There’s been no break, though, as the Oklahoma City Thunder were involved in a trade during the NBA Finals. The trades have been a constant ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, the next part of the offseason.

With the NBA Draft looming, it’s still a secret as to what direction the Thunder will go. There’s been rumors of them having promised Bilal Coulibaly at pick No. 12, which was further believed when Sam Presti was spotted in France. The Detroit Pistons may be looking to move down from pick No. 5, and the Thunder have the assets and front office connection to make a move up. If Presti truly likes a prospect he can get later in the draft, he will shamelessly move down in the draft.

That being said, there’s endless possibilities as to which way the Thunder go during tonight’s draft, and there’s no report with substance giving out any clues.

With that being said, the Inside the Thunder staff took their stab at predicting what Presti may be cooking with pick No. 12 in tonight’s draft.

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Nick Crain: I think Oklahoma City attempts to move up from No. 12, but given how many teams are trying to do the same it won’t happen. Instead, the Thunder will actually end up trading back a few spots and still get the original targeted player that was there at 12. 

Derek Parker: The Thunder have a plethora of options at No. 12. So much so, I think their likeliest option is to trade back and maximize their options at hitting on a future contributor. For my money, I think G League Ignite forward Leonard Miller and Duke forward Dariq Whitehead are two players Oklahoma City could target in a potential move back.

Ross Lovelace: I’m going to go with Bilal Coulibaly at No. 12. I think OKC tries hard to trade that pick one way or another, but ultimately settles with high upside at No. 12. It doesn't seem very Thunder-like, but I also think Nick Smith Jr. is a true sleeper in Oklahoma City’s range. His upside is crazy, and a down year at Arkansas is clouding his potential. If the Thunder want to take a gamble, that’s one I’d take for sure. I could see a trade up with the Pistons or the Pacers, but ultimately I’m gonna go with Coulibaly at twelve.

Chris Becker: I believe the Thunder will stick at No. 12 in the draft tonight. The pick comes with no shortage of possibilities and none of them bad. Despite who I may want to see in OKC, I think the Thunder will end up selecting Bilial Coulibaly. He’s a Thunder-like project and has the tangibles to be a talented NBA wing someday. He needs development and OKC is in a position to take a player like that this year.

Randall Sweet: I am going to go with Coulibaly to OKC. Seems like a lot of smoke and seems like the type of player the Thunder front office would fall in love with.

Dustin McLaughlin: I can envision Sam Presti bundling two or three first round picks to move up from 12 and into the 4-6 territory to take the talented Jarace Walker to solidify the Thunder’s future front-court.

Kade Kimble: It's hard to imagine Sam Presti doesn't try and trade to up secure his guy in the 4-7 territory. Whether it be Jarace Walker, Gradey Dick or any other top-ten prospect, trying to get ahead of other team's to make sure Presti gets his choice seems likely. 

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