The Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled to have the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Let’s take a look at the Thunder best NBA draft picks in franchise history.Their time previously as the Seattle SuperSonics is included. It’s not necessarily the 10 best players ranked in order as where they were selected was taken into consideration. Only time with the team is credited which is why James Harden is not on here. We shall see if an active Thunder draft pick such as Chet Holmgren or Aaron Wiggins can play their way onto the list in the near future. Honorable mentions that were heavily considered include Bob Rule, Xavier McDaniel, Nate McMillan, and Steven Adams.
10 Best NBA Draft Picks In Oklahoma City Thunder History
10. Jalen Williams (12th overall, 2022)
Yes, after just three years, Jalen Williams is on the list (and will likely climb up in future seasons). He is the second leading scorer on a team that is a Game 7 win away from winning it all. This season, the 24-year-old made the All-Star Game, the All-NBA Third Team, and the All-Defensive Second Team.
9. Serge Ibaka (24th overall, 2008)
Standing at 6-foot-11, Serge Ibaka started out as a shot-blocking machine and eventually developed into a solid outside shooter. He led the league in blocks in both 2011-12 and 2012-13 while making three All-Defensive first teams. His 1,300 blocks are a franchise record.
8. Fred Brown (6th overall, 1971)
‘Downtown’ Fred Brown played 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the SuperSonics. An All-Star in 1975-76, that was one of two years that he averaged more than 20 points. Brown is one of three players on this list from their 1979 championship team.
7. Rashard Lewis (32nd overall, 1998)
Rashard Lewis became a full-time starter in his third season and continued improving throughout his nine years with Seattle. Named an All-Star in 2004-05, he averaged more than 20 points per contest in each of his final three seasons for the SuperSonics. He made 973 three-pointers in Seattle, second in franchise history (only behind the player you will find in first).
6. Dennis Johnson (29th overall, 1976)
Selected in the second round, Dennis Johnson is on here despite spending just four years with Seattle. As the SuperSonics took home the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 1979, Johnson was named Finals MVP. He twice made the All-Defensive First Team and was fifth in MVP voting in 1979-80.
5. Jack Sikma (8th overall, 1977)
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019, Jack Sikma was a seven-time All-Star with the SuperSonics. Seattle won the franchise’s first (and only) championship in 1979, during a season where Sikma finished seventh in MVP voting. His 7,729 rebounds are the most all-time for the franchise.
4. Shawn Kemp (17th overall, 1989)
A 6-foot-10 forward with seemingly unlimited athleticism, Shawn Kemp had three top-10 MVP finishes in eight years with the SuperSonics. In his last six seasons with the team, he averaged at least 15 points and 10 rebounds. ‘The Reign Man’ was named to the All-Star team the last five of those years and made three All-NBA second teams.
3. Gary Payton (2nd overall, 1990)
One of the best backcourt defenders of all-time, Gary Payton was the first point guard to win Defensive Player of the Year in 1095-96. For seven straight seasons from 1993-94 until 1999-00, he finished top-nine in MVP voting. ‘The Glove’ is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (999), assists (7,384), and steals (2.107).
2. Russell Westbrook (4th overall, 2008)
The triple-double king, Russell Westbrook became the second-ever player to average one in a season. He won MVP that season (2016-17) and went on to also average a triple-double in the following two years as well. The 6-foot-4 point guard won two scoring titles and made eight All-NBA teams in his 11 seasons with the team.
1. Kevin Durant (2nd overall, 2007)
One of the all-time great scorers, Kevin Durant played one season with the SuperSonics and eight with the Thunder. He was named MVP in 2013-14 and finished as the runner-up three times while with the franchise. Durant won four scoring titles and helped guide OKC to the NBA Finals in 2012.
Photo credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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