Oklahoma City Thunder: 2025 NBA Champions
The Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as the 2025 NBA champions, demonstrating how underperforming playoff teams can strategically gather multiple future draft selections while nurturing promising young talent. This approach draws from a pivotal 2019 deal that sent Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers, bringing reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Oklahoma City along with a treasure trove of draft picks.
Fast forward six years, and this move is now seen as a model for maximizing asset value in the league. In a notable trend, five franchises, including the Thunder, hold an impressive total of 55 first-round picks for the upcoming years, alongside the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets.
Franchises Best Positioned for the Draft
Curious about which of these franchises is best positioned to dominate the draft in the coming seasons, we present a comprehensive breakdown of the teams with the most future first-round picks as of September 18, 2025, along with the pressing questions surrounding their rosters.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Upcoming First-Round Picks: 13
- Future Second-Round Picks: 16
- Key Asset: 2026 first-round pick from Philadelphia, top-4 protected
The Thunder stand out in the league for their long-term planning. After investing $800 million this summer in players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, they’re expected to push into a second apron category next summer. However, their significant collection of future draft assets positions them well against a rising payroll. Despite the potential for a successful season, they could still find themselves in the lottery for the next two drafts, thanks to several advantageous draft picks, including a top-4 protected first from Philadelphia and swap rights with the LA Clippers in 2027.
2. Brooklyn Nets
- Upcoming First-Round Picks: 13
- Future Second-Round Picks: 19
- Key Asset: Unprotected 2032 first-round pick from Denver
The Nets are looking at 2026 with keen interest, given that the top prospects in that draft could reshape their franchise. However, they face a complication with a 2027 pick swap owed to the Houston Rockets. With a new focus on player development and roster reshaping under GM Sean Marks, the Nets have made clear moves toward maximizing their five first-round selections from this year’s draft. They’re hoping key college talents like Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa will provide impactful contributions soon, as Brooklyn aims for a competitive rebuild.
3. Utah Jazz
- Upcoming First-Round Picks: 11
- Future Second-Round Picks: 7
- Key Asset: 2026 first-round pick (top-8 protected to OKC)
The Jazz’s path has felt stagnant since their rebuild began in 2022, but recent leadership changes might signal a new direction. With Austin Ainge now in charge, there’s a commitment to not enter tank-mode for the 2025-26 season, despite facing challenges with their lottery-protected 2026 pick. Utah drafted potential standout Ace Bailey, aiming to discover which young talents will be core to their future. A focus on player development will be crucial as they wrestle with distributing minutes among a crowded backcourt.
4. Houston Rockets
- Upcoming First-Round Picks: 9
- Future Second-Round Picks: 4
- Key Asset: Unprotected 2027 pick from Phoenix
The Rockets enter the season eyeing both short-term success and future growth, bolstered by impactful offseason moves, including acquiring Kevin Durant. This positioning in the competitive Western Conference is significant, along with their promising draft capital. Despite the anticipation for the 2026 class, there are doubts about the 2027 draft’s talent pool, which puts pressure on Houston’s strategy in managing their picks, particularly with the valuable unprotected pick from Phoenix at their disposal.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
- Upcoming First-Round Picks: 9
- Future Second-Round Picks: 6
- Key Asset: Protected first-round pick to OKC (2026)
The Grizzlies have made calculated moves aimed at long-term sustainability, trading Desmond Bane for promising draft capital. They don’t plan on a complete rebuild, given the presence of stars like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., positioning themselves to remain competitive in the playoff mix. They also have a pathway to obtaining more picks with potential lottery implications should the conditions regarding the Suns’ pick swap play out in their favor. Their commitment to patient development may yield dividends in the future, balancing the roster’s ambitious growth relative to immediate risks.
Conclusion
As the 2026 NBA draft approaches, these franchises will be configured with various strategies, all aimed at leveraging their extensive draft assets for both immediate and long-term success.
