Oklahoma City Thunder: A look back at NBA draft history before 2018

By Albert Dadson | May 19, 2018

EDMOND, OK - JUNE 29: (L-R) NBA draftees Grant Jerrett, Andre Roberson, and Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder are introduced by Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti on June 29, 2013 at the Thunder Events Center in Edmond, Oklahoma. Seated left to right are Grant Jerrett, Andrre Roberson, Steven Adams and Sam Presti. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Oklahoma City Thunder do not have a first round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, but taking a look at their draft history shows what kind of talent they could miss out on.

The Oklahoma City Thunder would’ve had a first round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft at No. 20, but they had sent it to the Utah Jazz as part of the Enes Kanter trade in 2015. Utah traded the pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who will use the pick in this year’s draft. The OKC Thunder may need to get into the first round with this class of players being deep.

Fortunately, the No. 20 pick hasn’t generated any mega stars or superstar players. Some notable names are Tony Snell (2013), Evan Fournier (2012), Jameer Nelson (2004) and Larry Nance (1981).

The Thunder may not be missing out on the pick, based on its history of success at that spot. Although that is true, there is also the unfortunate fact that picking at No. 53 and No. 57 — OKC’s only two picks in this year’s draft — likely won’t yield any great players either.

There some names that were picked 53 and 57 that have contributed greatly to the NBA.

Marcin Gortat is the center for the Washington Wizards and he was picked 57th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. Gortat has put together a 12-season career, averaging 10.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Manu Ginobili is the most famous 57th overall pick. He was picked there in 1999 and has had a career where he has won five championships and has been part of the San Antonio Spurs dynasty.

The late Anthony Mason was pick No. 53 in the 1988 NBA Draft. Mason was part of the legendary New York Knicks teams in the 1990s and ended his career averaging 10.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

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As for the Thunder’s franchise, they have picked 53rd four times and they have picked 57th pick twice. All of those picks came when they were still the Seattle SuperSonics.

In 2006, the Sonics picked Yotam Halperin with pick No. 53. He did not see any NBA action.

Ten years earlier the Sonics picked Drew Barry at pick No. 57. He would only play four years in the league and averaged 2.1 points per game.

Ten years before that, the Sonics picked Tod Murphy. He would finish his career playing six seasons, averaging 5.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. The year before in 1985, the Sonics had the 53rd pick and they drafted Rolando Lamb. He did not see any NBA action.

In 1981, Seattle picked at No. 53 and picked Mark Radford. He would play two seasons and finished averaging 3.6 points and 1.7 assists.

Ten years earlier in 1971, the Sonics had the 57th pick. They picked Pembroke Burrows, who did not see any NBA action.

The odds the Thunder will get a rotation player at those two spots are not great judging from their past and the NBA’s past.

If they are lucky and they get a player like a Manu Ginobli or Marcin Gortat, then they will come out of the draft as winners. However, since that seems like a long shot, finding a way to move into the first round will be necessary with the Thunder’s lack of depth and need for bench help.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Doncic still No. 1 in post-lottery edition

With Paul George‘s future in doubt, a good player in the draft would greatly help the team down the road.

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