After the Houston Rockets went on a 20 game losing streak, they dropped from playoff contention to the worst team in the league. Now with John Wall sitting out the rest of the year, they have surely secured their spot at the bottom of the Western Conference. When the Thunder traded Russell Westbrook to the Rockets for Chris Paul and picks, I thought that this year picks would be a late first-round pick considering how successful the Houston Rockets are in the regular season, but now, the reality is, that Rockets pick could be a Top 5-10 pick and it would be the Thunders.
For the Rockets pick to officially be the Thunders, it has to be a five or lower pick as it is a top-four protected pick. According to tankathon, although the Rockets have the worst record in the league, they have a 47.9% chance to acquire the fifth pick. Although to start the season, the Thunder were a few games back from a play-in game, recent injuries to Shai GIlgeous Alexander and Lugentz Dort, have put the Thunder on a 14 game losing streak. The Thunder currently have the fifth-worst record in the league and have a 27.9% chance to end up the seventh pick.
If the Thunder end up with the fifth and seventh pick, I would love to see them get a guard and a big man. The Thunder in mock drafts have been tied to Jalen Suggs, Evan Mobley, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Scottie Barnes, but a fan favorite is hometown hero Cade Cunnigham.
Although the Thunder are a young team, they have shown flashes of a team that will be dominant to come. The last time the Thunder picked in the top 10, they landed Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. If Presti learned from his last mistake, he will lock up his young stars for years to come.
With SGA playing like an all-star, Lu Dort continuing to play elite defense and improving his three-point shot, and some great young pieces in Alexsej Pokusevski, Moses Brown, Ty Jerome, Theo Maleodon, Darius Bazley, and Tony Bradley, this Thunder team will be elite for years to come.
Potential Lineup:
Starters:
PG: Shai Gilgeous Alexander
SG: Lugentz Dort
SF: Darius Bazley
PF: Evan Mobley(R)
C: Moses Brown
Bench:
PG: Ty Jerone
SG: Jalen Suggs(R)
SF: Alexsej Pokusevski
PF: Isaiah Roby/Gabriel Deck
C: Tony Bradley
Potential Plug and Plays: Svi Mykhaliuk, Jaylen Hoard, Charles Brown Jr, and Kenrich Williams
