2. Will Thunder Shake Up Top Of Draft?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to make multiple picks in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft. Right now, they are slated to pick second and 12th. There have been some rumors that they want to land another selection in the top 10, so they are certainly someone to keep an eye on in the coming days when it comes to trade rumors.

What people are going to be keeping an eye on is what will they do with the No. 2 pick in the draft? There is a general consensus forming that this is a three-horse race at the top of the board. Jabari Smith Jr. is expected to be selected first overall by the Orlando Magic, followed by some combination of Paolo Banchero out of Duke and Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga.

But, there is a change that goes by the wayside courtesy of the Thunder. Rumors have swirled that the draft boards teams are setting up aren’t identical to what draft analysts believe will happen, namely with Purdue guard, Jaden Ivey.

Ivey seems like a lock to be selected in the top-six, with the Indiana Pacers being his floor. More than likely, he will be gone before then, as there is a chance that the Thunder use the second overall pick on the explosive Purdue product.

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Despite already having Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey in their backcourt, some insiders believe Oklahoma City is seriously considering Ivey because of the star potential that he has. When you are a rebuilding team, you always pick the best player available and figure out how to make it work after.

Will the Thunder take that route? If not, that leads us to the last storyline to watch ahead of the draft.