The Oklahoma City Thunder has missed the NBA playoffs just once in the past decade.

Unfortunately for the team’s fans, that run of success might be coming to an end, as the franchise retools its roster for the future. But there are plenty of reasons for optimism down the road. By trading stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, respectively, the Thunder acquired seven first-round draft choices.

The team also landed a conditional first-round pick when it traded forward Jerami Grant to the Denver Nuggets. In addition to Oklahoma City’s own picks, that means the Thunder could have 15 first-round draft picks between 2020 and 2026.

So while the immediate future of the team on the court is uncertain, the long-term prospects of the franchise are promising.

With all that in mind, let’s look back at how general manager Sam Presti has 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