The Oklahoma City Thunder have started an arms war for draft picks over the next half-decade.
They just got a head start on their 2027 collection.
As part of the Jalen Lecque trade for T.J. Leaf, the Thunder also acquired a 2027 second-round draft pick from the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City announced Wednesday.
They now have picks from other teams in every single draft from now through 2027.
LIST: See all the Thunder’s future draft picks
Leaf was a first-round pick in 2018 but only played 28 games last year. Owed $4.3 million this season, the final of his contract before he hits restricted free agency, the Pacers used the second-round draft pick to incentivize Oklahoma City to take him for Lecque, who is on a $1.5 million contract and is on the final fully guaranteed year of his deal.
Over Leaf’s career, the power forward has averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game. He has shot 49.1% from the field on 2.9 field goal attempts per game.
The Thunder will have a year to see if they’d like to bring him back, and almost seven years to decide who they’d like to draft. Some middle schooler was just traded to Oklahoma City.
[lawrence-related id=439321,439270]