During the NBA Finals, the eventual champion Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder completed an oddly timed trade.
On June 9, it was reported that the Thunder traded away the least favorable of potentially four 2024 first-round picks, the 37th pick in the 2023 NBA draft and a 2024 second-round pick to the Nuggets in exchange for a protected 2029 first-round pick.
Nearly two months later, the protections of the 2029 first-round pick were finally revealed, thanks to RealGM:
It is a top-five protected 2029 first-round pick that can roll over to 2030 if not converted that year. If the Nuggets get two top-five picks in back-to-back years in 2029 and 2030, then the Thunder will receive their 2030 second-round pick.
this all hinges on a first round pick that Denver owes Orlando in 2025, which is protected 1-5 thru 2027. Assuming the Nuggets don't suddenly sink to the bottom of the league, they should send a first to ORL in 2025, a first to OKC in 2027, and then a first to OKC in 2029.
— Jon Hamm (@JonMHamm) July 21, 2023
Overall, this is an excellent compensation of picks. The Thunder turned quantity into quality as they acquired a valuable future first-round pick. The No. 37 pick was used by the Nuggets to draft Clemson’s Hunter Tyson.
