Thunder's Journey from Rebuilders to Contenders Following a Historic 2022 Draft Night
The Oklahoma City Thunder transformed from a struggling lottery team to championship contenders thanks to their impressive 2022 NBA Draft haul.
The night of the 2022 NBA Draft was pivotal for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they transitioned from a lottery team to an NBA Finals contender in under three years. This draft is also noted as one of the most memorable in NBA history.
Initially, the Orlando Magic held the first pick and were anticipated to select Jabari Smith Jr. However, they surprised everyone by picking Paolo Banchero as the top choice. The Thunder then seized their opportunity by selecting Chet Holmgren second overall.
Despite uncertainty leading up to the draft, both teams made wise selections. The Thunder had also acquired the No. 12 pick through trades earlier and opted for Ousmane Dieng, who has yet to make a significant mark in the league.
With the No. 12 pick, they aimed for Jalen Williams, a rising star from Santa Clara, who was initially projected to go in the late teens. Trusting their judgment, the Thunder drafted him in the lottery, and it proved to be a successful decision.
Historically, not many teams have managed to draft multiple players in the lottery within a single year, similar to the Thunder’s successful picks with Holmgren and Williams.
Here’s a summary of teams that had multiple lottery picks since 2010:
| Year | Team | Lottery Picks/ Players |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Cleveland Cavaliers | (1) Kyrie Irving, (4) Tristan Thompson |
| 2012 | New Orleans Hornets | (1) Anthony Davis, (10) Austin Rivers |
| 2012 | Portland Trail Blazers | (6) Damian Lillard, (11) Meyers Leonard |
| 2015 | Denver Nuggets | (7) Emmanuel Mudiay, (11) Trey Lyles |
| 2016 | Phoenix Suns | (4) Dragan Bender, (8) Marquese Chriss |
| 2021 | Orlando Magic | (5) Jalen Suggs, (8) Franz Wagner |
| 2022 | Oklahoma City Thunder | (2) Chet Holmgren, (11) Ousmane Dieng, (12) Jalen Williams |
Williams has already earned All-NBA honors, while Holmgren’s impact was limited this season due to injuries, though he would have likely been an All-Star otherwise.
Both of these selections appear to be franchise-defining. With players like Gilgeous-Alexander also up for a significant contract extension following his success, Oklahoma City is well-positioned for future success.
The Thunder’s draft choices in 2022 have indeed changed the trajectory of the franchise, making them contenders in the race for an NBA title.
