@krystenpeek I think the only way this could happen is if they got LAC involved and Memphis/Chicago would only drop to pick 5 instead of all the way to 12
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John Wayne
1.1K posts
John Wayne
@behindthearc_
Creator of the sports blog Behind the Arc | Talking OKC Thunder and Arkansas Razorback Basketball | Basketball Fanatic | Arkansas alum
Katılım Şubat 2024
109 Takip Edilen30 Takipçiler
There's a reason so many teams targeted this draft class and it's because of the 4 players at the top. OKC can try to package whatever they want but I highly doubt either Memphis or Chicago will take the deal and give up a shot at building around Cam Boozer or Caleb Wilson.
NBACentral@TheDunkCentral
Executives around the league are floating the idea of the Thunder trading up to draft Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson, per @JakeLFischer “‘What's to stop them from packaging No. 12, 17 and [even] future picks to try to go get Boozer or Wilson?’ one Eastern Conference executive asked me the other day. Imagine. The Thunder certainly have the trade assets to do so to try to nab another elite forward to throw at Victor Wembanyama.There is an undeniably growing anticipation leaguewide that the Thunder are going to do something.” (Via open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/…)
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Alex Caruso is one of the greatest role players ever.
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@DraftDeeper My point is that it’s possible to keep their top 8 players next year, which is wild. I think they try to keep IHart on the roster for 2-3 more years for sure
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@DraftDeeper They currently project to have a tax penalty of $217M. If they keep IHart, move on from Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, and keep both draft picks, that penalty drops to around $150M, which isn’t uncommon. They are the most well-equipped team to operate over the 2nd apron
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It’s going to be fascinating to see what OKC does with Isaiah Hartenstein’s team option this offseason. I understand not wanting a crazy expensive roster with already 3 max players, but IHart is so good and important to this team’s identity on both ends of the floor.
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The Thunder are at their best when Chet is aggressive. Great first half for him
NBA@NBA
Chet attacks the basket 😤 12 PTS (5-6 FGM) 6 REB The Thunder are on a 20-8 run and lead by 11 in Q2 of Game 5!
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John Wayne retweetledi
Feels like OKC has gone under ball-screens more often tonight compared to prior games this series, far fewer clean drives for the Spurs' guards
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@DraftDeeper @HPbasketball A 3-team trade with the Clippers makes more sense to me where Memphis drops to 5 instead of all the way to 12
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There isn’t a trade there at 3 for Memphis to make/take. Everyone’s saying JDub, but the money literally doesn’t work even with the massive exception. Best I came up with that OKC could offer:
2026 12
2026 17
2027 DEN 1st Top 5 Protected
2028 OKC 1st Unprotected
2026 OKC 2nd
2027 SAC 2nd
2028 UTA 2nd
Ajay Mitchell
Thomas Sorber
For
2026 3
Cam Spencer
Scotty Pippen Jr.
And even that deal, I’d be hard pressed if I were Memphis to take because this team needs an identity period.
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Trying to conceive of a trade package where OKC gets a top 3 pick for Boozer and the other team walks away happy. What do WAS, UTA, or Memphis need more than a top-3 pick?
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As projected, Allen Graves is in the 2026 NBA Draft, likely to go higher than some would anticipate
Jonathan Givony@DraftExpress
NEWS: Santa Clara's Allen Graves is staying in the 2026 NBA Draft, he tells DraftExpress. Graves, a projected top-20 pick, swept WCC Freshman, Sixth Man and Defensive Player of the Year honors, turning down significant NIL offers to start his pro career.
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OKC did what they needed in game 3 getting back home court advantage
Spurs are playing with way more energy and without Ajay Mitchell and JDub, the Thunder can’t get anything going
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@Sam_Vecenie It’s the narrative being spread online about it. I think we’re all fine with it being a physical series, but the negativity only towards OKC is wild. I guess that’s what you get when you’re the champs though
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Not taking shots at these folks at all because it's obviously a physical game. But I don't complain about Shai getting foul calls, and I don't complain about Castle bumping and being aggressive on D. I'm good with physical basketball both ways.
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John Wayne retweetledi
John Wayne retweetledi
Jordan Smith Jr. is officially an Arkansas Razorback. ✍️🐗
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@KevinOConnor They are projected to have a $217M tax penalty next year. They will likely move off of more than 1 player to cut salary. Having two rookie scale contracts could be valuable on this team. Pick 37 would likely end up on a two-way. Many possible outcomes for OKC
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It would definitely be shocking if the Thunder use all three picks. I'd expect them to move up as Windy suggested, or use just #12 and trade away #17 and #37 for future draft capital. The Clippers (#5), Mavs (#9), and Bucks (#10) are the most realistic trade down teams.
Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥@MavsFilmRoom
Brian Windhorst on NBA Today when asked if OKC would pick with their picks at 12, 17, and 37 “I do not believe they will draft all three players, because they only have one roster spot. Look for them to package those picks for a player they like inside that top 10.” Mavs 9th pick for OKC’s 12th and 17th has been a popular trade idea on Mavs Twitter
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Billy Richmond III measurements:
Great size on the wing. Will be around 6’7 with shoes on
Weight is a little lower than I thought. Arkansas’ site listed him at 205 lbs. Has the frame to add some weight. Really strong through his chest and can handle bigger, physical players
Jon Chepkevich@JonChep
2026 AWS NBA Draft Combine anthro measurements for Arkansas’ Billy Richmond III: 6’5 ¾" barefoot, 195.4 pounds with a 6’8” wingspan and 8’5” standing reach
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Meleek Thomas’ measurements:
A little smaller than I expected, although it seems like he put on a few pounds after the season
+3.75 wingspan
The 8’4 standing reach is notable for his size as well
Jon Chepkevich@JonChep
2026 AWS NBA Draft Combine anthro measurements for Arkansas’ Meleek Thomas: 6'3” barefoot, 189.6 pounds with a 6'6 ¾" wingspan and 8'4 standing reach
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Trevon Brazile has all the tools to be a great NBA player, BUT his decision-making is the big question mark
Chris Keesee (NBA Scouting)@HoopKeesee
Trevon Brazile is the perfect NBA big archetype: Pick & Pop threat who outruns other bigs in transition - 94th percentile in max vertical leap - 90th percentile in wingspan - 86th percentile in transition frequency - 71st percentile in Pick & Pop frequency High value pick
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John Wayne retweetledi
OKC is in last place in free throw attempts among all the remaining playoff teams.
Stat Defender@statdefender
Active Playoff Teams With The Fewest To Most FTA Per Game In The 2025-26 NBA Playoffs : 1. Oklahoma City Thunder — 21.0 2. Minnesota Timberwolves — 23.8 3. Los Angeles Lakers — 24.1 4. San Antonio Spurs — 25.8 5. Cleveland Cavaliers — 25.9 6. New York Knicks — 27.1 7. Detroit Pistons — 27.4
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Morez Johnson Jr is having a very very good day so far
Tyler Rucker@tyler_rucker
Morez Johnson Jr is testing very very well so far
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+5 wingspan for Darius Acuff Jr.
Best mark among the top point guards
Jonathan Givony@DraftExpress
Arkansas' Darius Acuff measured 6'2 barefoot and 186 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine, with a 6'7 wingspan and 8'2.5 standing reach. In line with past measurements. Not the biggest or longest guard around, but certainly not any kind of deal-breaker.
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John Wayne retweetledi
"Sam Presti, right now, might go down as the greatest executive in the history of basketball." 👀
@stephenasmith with high praise for Thunder GM Sam Presti 🙌
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