The 2023 NBA draft is just two days away, which means reports and rumors are being expedited before Thursday’s event.
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the draft with the No. 12 and No. 50 pick. The biggest news surrounding the Thunder in this year’s draft is what they’ll do with their lottery pick. Several possibilities have been discussed over the last couple of months — including trading up and down.
The Thunder could also add more draft picks than the two they currently own. With potentially four first-round picks in the 2024 draft, perhaps OKC could consolidate some of their future picks for this year’s class.
Let’s look at what the latest rounds of rumors and reports are saying about the Thunder on Tuesday as we inch closer to Thursday’s draft.
Thunder interested in Bilal Coulibaly and Dereck Lively II at No. 12
“Coulibaly and Lively are other names in the mix here for the Thunder, who have also explored trade opportunities involving this pick.”
Vasilije Micic update
“The camp of Vasilije Micic tells me that he is eager to find a team where he can secure regular playing time in the NBA. As the Thunder hold his rights, they may be the team to offer him this opportunity.”
🏀 Vasilije Micic, star guard of Anadolu Efes and former EuroLeague MVP, meets with Oklahoma City Thunder for potential NBA deal. Is the NBA his next step? Find out more in our latest blog post. #VasilijeMicic #AnadoluEfes #OklahomaCityThunder #NBA pic.twitter.com/AuyIesX39h
— ermayduran.ub (@ermayduran) June 20, 2023
Kobe Bufkin continues to be mocked at 12
“His youth, versatility, high-energy style and late-blooming trajectory have endeared him to teams, and after a quiet, strategic pre-draft process, Washington, Utah, Oklahoma City and Toronto look like his potential landing spots. In this scenario, it’s OKC which could invest in him as an upside pick despite the fact its talented young backcourt is crowded.”
(Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, ESPN)
“Bufkin spent time in the gym during the pre-draft process with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and looked comfortable matching up with the All-NBA first-team guard from this past season. The Thunder added a ton of length and wings who are playmakers in the last draft and could be looking to add another guard to lead the secondary unit after Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.”
