Thunder Trade Draft Picks for Future Assets in Deal with Nuggets

The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to send 2024 first and second-round picks to Denver in addition to the No. 37 pick in this year's draft. OKC will receive a protected 2029 first-round-pick in return.

NBA Finals trade: The Denver Nuggets are acquiring the least favorable of Oklahoma City's first-round picks in 2024, the 37th pick in the 2023 draft and 2024 second-round pick for a protected 2029 first-round, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 9, 2023

The Thunder were slated to have four first-round picks in 2024, with less than four roster spots open next offseason. This trade gives Oklahoma City more options, extending the team's treasure trove of draft capital even further down the road.

With the added pick in 2029, it will give OKC a much needed asset once the rest of their stashed selections have already been utilized. While the Nuggets are one of the league's top teams right now, Denver could be in a much different situation six years from now.

If the Nuggets’ team life-cycle follows what so many other organizations have, Denver will likely be a lottery team six years after this year's finals appearance, especially when considering the age of their centerpiece, Nikola Jokic.

Additionally, the Thunder still own Denver's 2027 first-round pick from the JaMychal Green trade last June.

After Friday's trade, Oklahoma City owns picks No. 12 and 50. Shedding three picks over the next two seasons helps detract from the stress of a roster crunch, as there will be less players coming into the organization through the draft.

While this sounds like the opposite of what OKC has aimed for over the past three summers, it will help the Thunder evaluate and develop the talented players currently on the roster. As the team grows older, Sam Presti and company will have to make tough decisions regarding who remains on the roster, with Oklahoma City owning so many future picks in addition to the large talent pool already in the Modern Frontier.

For Denver, the team gets another valuable asset in next year's draft, giving the Nuggets another chance at a title in the coming years.

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