The 2026 NBA draft is on the way, and while the Oklahoma City Thunder are busy taking care of business in the NBA playoffs, they also have to pay attention to the upcoming draft to keep their eyes on the future.
So, who is the Thunder getting paired with in mocks? In a mock draft out on Saturday, May 23, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report names his projections for the upcoming draft and has the team going with Nate Ament out of Tennessee. No relation to Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament, from what we know, by the way.
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“The Thunder, who also hold the No. 17 pick, might be the clearest trade-up candidate in this draft,” he states in the piece. “They have more first-round selections than roster spots, and their rotation is already overflowing with championship-level talent.”
He adds: “If OKC stays here, though, it probably makes sense to use this pick with only the future in mind. Especially if Ament is still on the board, which he definitely could be after an up-and-down season with the Volunteers.”
My Analysis: Nate Ament and the Thunder
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So, if Ament is still on the board, which does feel very possible after his rough season, the Thunder should lap him up. There have been flashes where he looked like one of the most intriguing players in the class and then stretches where things just didn’t fully click yet. But, teams are always going to bet on a player with his kind of size and skill set, and the Thunder should be no exception.
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