NBA Trade Deadline: Which 3 teams have the most first-round picks from 2023 to 2029?
The dust is starting to settle from the NBA trade deadline, and rosters all around the league look different. Along with a pair of superstar trades, countless deals were made as teams get ready to either rebuild or make a push for the playoffs.
Along with players changing hands, so have draft picks. Following the trade deadline, here are some of the teams that have the most draft capital going forward.
3 NBA teams with the most first-round picks moving forward:
#1, OKC Thunder
As expected, the team to appear first on this list is the OKC Thunder. Throughout their rebuild, general manager Sam Presti has done an incredible job of collecting a war chest of first-round picks from now until 2029.
Right now, no team in the NBA has more first-rounders than the Thunder for the next seven drafts. In total, they have 17 picks at their disposal. Most of these come from the LA Clippers, who sent over a haul in the Paul George trade in July 2019.
OKC now have 34 picks in the next 7 drafts.
15 first round picks
19 second round picks https://t.co/eEMFMVhZS0
Along with the megadeal for PG, OKC has collected first-round picks from other teams in exchange for veterans or taking on bad contracts. The two drafts they have the most capital in are 2024 (four) and 2025 (four).
#2, Utah Jazz
After trading away two All-Stars this summer, the Utah Jazz have a similar pool of assets to the Thunder. With the LA Lakers sending over a protected first in the Russell Westbrook trade, CEO Danny Ainge now also has 17 first-rounders between now and 2029.
The Jazz now have 15 first round draft picks in the next seven drafts. 🤯
(via @statmuse) https://t.co/5EVeePH8IO
All of these picks came when the Jazz decided to start a complete rebuild this summer. First, they sent Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, then Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. With draft picks and cap space to work with, the Jazz are in a strong position to acquire the next NBA star that grows unhappy with their situation.
#3, San Antonio Spurs
Not far behind the Jazz and Thunder in terms of draft picks is the San Antonio Spurs. Some of their recent moves over the past two years have allowed them to stockpile assets while they round out a new young core.
Aside from controlling their own picks, the Spurs acquired multiple firsts from the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls. This came from the sign-and-trade for DeMar DeRozan and last summer's big swing for Dejounte Murray.
In total, the Spurs have 14 firsts to work with. As one of the better run organizations in the league, they are sure to put them to good use.