The Oklahoma City Thunder has missed the NBA playoffs just once in the past decade. That run of success might be coming to an end as the franchise retools its roster in the coming years.
But there is reason for optimism down the road. By trading stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder acquired seven first-round draft choices.
With that in mind, let’s look back at how general manager Sam Presti utilized the team’s top draft picks through the years.
2008: Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
Round 1, No. 4 overall
Technically, Westbrook was drafted when the franchise still was known as the Seattle SuperSonics, although the team would relocate to Oklahoma City by the start of the ensuing season. All Westbrook did in the following 11 seasons was play more minutes, score more points, record more assists, grab more rebounds and make more steals than anyone to ever wear a Thunder uniform. He helped lead the team to the 2012 NBA Finals, won the 2016-17 NBA MVP award and represented the Thunder in eight NBA All-Star Games before being traded to the Houston Rockets in July.
Notable: Oklahoma City selected big man Serge Ibaka with the No. 24 pick in 2008. He would set a franchise record with 1,300 blocked shots over his seven seasons with the Thunder.
2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
2009: James Harden, G, Arizona State
Round 1, No. 3 overall
Oklahoma City made a shrewd selection in drafting Harden — one spot after the Memphis Grizzlies picked 7-foot-3 UConn center Hasheem Thabeet. He would go on to play in seven NBA All-Star Games, earn two NBA scoring titles and win the 2017-18 NBA MVP award. Of course, unfortunately for Thunder fans, those accomplishments took place in a Houston Rockets uniform. Still, he played a key role on the Thunder team that reached the 2012 NBA Finals, scoring 16.8 points per game in the regular season and 16.3 per game in the playoffs.
Notable: The Thunder picked French point guard Rodrigue Beaubois No. 25 overall, then sent him to the Dallas Mavericks in a draft-day trade for Ohio State big man Byron Mullens.
2008 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
2010: Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky
Round 1, No. 18 overall
Shortly after being selected by Oklahoma City, Bledsoe was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers for that team’s first-round pick in 2012. He went on to become a solid starter with the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 15.9 points per game or better in each of the past seven seasons.
Notable: Oklahoma City also drafted Iowa State forward Craig Brackins (No. 21 overall) and Washington swingman Quincy Pondexter (No. 26 overall) in the first round, then traded the pair to the New Orleans Hornets for Kansas center Cole Aldrich and veteran swingman Morris Peterson.
2008 / 2009 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
2011: Reggie Jackson, PG, Boston College
Round 1, No. 24 overall
Jackson slowly emerged as a solid backcourt player in his 3½ seasons with the Thunder, but there always was going to be a ceiling on his progress playing behind Russell Westbrook. Jackson was traded to the Detroit Pistons in February 2015 and signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the club a few months later.
2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
2012: Perry Jones, F, Baylor
Round 1, No. 28 overall
Jones was a role player for three seasons in Oklahoma City, averaging 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per game. He went on to play overseas and in the Big3 League.
2008 / 2010 / 2011 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
2013: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Round 1, No. 12 overall
The big man from New Zealand became a full-time starter in his second pro season and has developed into a gritty, effective post player in Oklahoma City. He’s averaged 13 points and 8.7 rebounds per game over the past three seasons. The Thunder will face a tough decision regarding Adams’ future at some point. Although his production is down this season, the team will owe him more than $50 million in total salary for this season and next season.
Notable: The Thunder made two other picks in 2013. Kentucky guard Archie Goodwin was selected No. 29 overall but was traded to Golden State and then Phoenix on draft day. Oklahoma City also drafted Spanish guard Alex Abrines in the second round at No. 32 overall. He averaged 5.3 points in 16 minutes per game in three seasons as a role player.
2008 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2014 / 2015 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
2014: Mitch McGary, PF, Michigan
Round 1, No. 21 overall
The Thunder took a chance on the 6-foot-10 McGary even though he admitted to testing positive for marijuana during the NCAA Tournament. He would play in just 52 games for Oklahoma City, averaging 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds. Facing two suspensions for failed drug tests, the Thunder waived him in October 2016.
Notable: The team drafted another power forward, Stanford’s Josh Huestis, at No. 29 overall the same year. Huestis stuck around a bit longer than McGary, appearing in 76 games and averaging 2.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
2008 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2015 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
2015: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Round 1, No. 14 overall
Like Mitch McGary and Josh Huestis, Payne’s stay in Oklahoma City would be relatively brief. He played a total of 77 games with the Thunder, averaging 5.1 points and 1.9 assists per game, before being traded to the Chicago Bulls in February 2017.
Notable: Oklahoma City selected Kentucky center Dakari Johnson in the second round at No. 48 overall. He would appear in 31 games for the Thunder in the 2017-18 season.
2008 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
2016: No draft picks
2017: Terrance Ferguson, SG
Round 1, No. 21 overall
Ferguson opted to turn professional in Australia with the Adelaide 36ers instead of playing a year of college basketball, and the Thunder liked what they saw on his game film. At age 21, Ferguson is already in his third pro season – and his second as a starter. There is still plenty of time for the native Oklahoman to develop.
2008 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2018 / 2019
2018: Devon Hall, SG, Virginia
Round 2, No. 53 overall
Hall split last season between the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League in Australia and the G League. He’s on a two-way contract this season between the Thunder and the team’s G League affiliate, Oklahoma City Blue. He made his NBA debut earlier this season.
Notable: The Thunder picked Texas-Arlington forward Kevin Hervey with the No. 57 overall pick. Hervey is with Oklahoma City Blue this season and has yet to make his NBA debut.
2008 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2017 / 2019
2019: Brandon Clarke, PF, Gonzaga
Round 1, No. 21 overall
Clarke wasn’t a member of the Thunder for long. On draft night, Oklahoma City agreed to trade him to the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 23 overall pick, 19-year-old power forward Darius Bazley, and a 2024 second-round pick. Sixteen days later, the deal became official.
2008 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2017 / 2018
