Oklahoma City Thunder: A History of NBA Draft Success

A Look at the Franchise's Top Picks

The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a rich history of success in the NBA Draft, selecting several players who have gone on to become All-Stars and NBA champions.

Chet Holmgren: 2nd Overall (2022)

The most recent Thunder draft pick to make an immediate impact, Holmgren was a consensus top-three prospect coming out of Gonzaga. The 7'1" center has shown flashes of his potential, averaging 12.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in his rookie season.

Josh Giddey: 6th Overall (2021)

Giddey was a surprise pick for many at No. 6, but quickly proved his worth with his all-around game. The 6'8" point guard averaged 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game as a rookie and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Russell Westbrook: 4th Overall (2008)

Westbrook is arguably the greatest player in Thunder franchise history. The 6'3" point guard led the team to the NBA Finals in 2012 and won the NBA MVP award in 2017. Westbrook averaged 23.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game during his time in Oklahoma City.

Conclusion

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a long and storied history of success in the NBA Draft, and the future looks bright with young stars like Holmgren and Giddey on the roster. The Thunder have consistently made smart draft picks, and as a result, they have been a competitive team for many years. With a solid foundation of young talent, the Thunder are poised to continue their run of success for years to come.