Published
- 4 min read
Young Guns Galore: Ranking Teams with the ...
Young Guns Galore: Ranking Teams with the Most Draft Capital
The NBA landscape is undergoing a transformation, with several teams prioritizing future assets in the form of draft picks. This rebuild strategy, popularized by the Oklahoma City Thunder’s haul after trading Paul George, is becoming a dominant trend. Here’s a breakdown of the top five teams with the most first-round picks in the coming years:
1. San Antonio Spurs: Rebuilding Around Wembanyama
The Spurs, despite having three fewer picks than Brooklyn, claim the top spot due to the quality of their selections. Unprotected picks from Atlanta in 2025 and 2027, along with swap rights in multiple years, provide immense flexibility. With young talents like Keldon Johnson and Blake Wesley already on board, the addition of a potential franchise player like Victor Wembanyama solidifies their rebuild.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Contenders with a Future
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads a strong starting lineup, while Jalen Williams and Ousmane Dieng showcase the Thunder’s recent draft success. They boast an impressive 13 first-round picks, including an unprotected one from the Clippers in 2026. Additionally, swap rights with the Clippers in multiple years offer valuable options. Oklahoma City is uniquely positioned to compete now and build a dynasty for the future.
3. Brooklyn Nets: A Gamble on Potential
The Nets’ rapid decline from championship contenders to a team lacking identity is a cautionary tale. Trading away stars like James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant left them with eight first-round picks, but most lack strong protections. Reclaiming their own picks from Houston and acquiring four unprotected picks from the Knicks provided a lifeline. However, the long-term success of this strategy hinges on these picks translating into impactful players.
4. Utah Jazz: Holding Pattern for the Right Star
The Jazz, following the blockbuster trades of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, possess 13 first-round picks. While they have five unprotected selections, the lack of a clear franchise player slows their rebuild. The value of picks from Minnesota and Cleveland, who have extended their young core players, remains uncertain. Utah’s most valuable pick might be the 2027 top-5 protected selection from the Lakers, with LeBron James nearing retirement.
5. Houston Rockets: Diversifying Assets with Risks
The jury remains out on Houston’s trade with Brooklyn. Giving up swap rights and a first-round pick in exchange for future picks like an unprotected 2027 selection from Phoenix carries a risk. While they have potential high picks, missing out on top prospects like Cooper Flagg raises questions. With a young core already in place, the Rockets might be aiming to compete sooner rather than later.
Beyond the Top 5
While these five teams dominate the list, several other notable teams also possess significant draft capital. Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, and Orlando Magic all have full control of their next seven first-round picks, giving them flexibility to trade for established stars.
The Warriors and Lakers: A Different Path
Golden State and Los Angeles, despite being contenders, have also strategically acquired future draft picks. The Warriors’ trade with Washington for Chris Paul included a top-20 protected first in 2030. The Lakers, on the other hand, sent their 2025 first to Atlanta and a 2027 top-5 protected first to Utah in the D’Angelo Russell trade. Both teams have options to trade multiple firsts in the future.
Eastern Conference Teams with Draft Capital
Boston, New York, and Philadelphia also have first-round picks available, despite their recent playoff runs. Boston’s trade with San Antonio for Derrick White included a swap right in 2028, while New York acquired four unprotected picks from the Knicks in the Mikal Bridges trade. Philadelphia, with its acquisition of James Harden from the Clippers, has two first-round picks and swap rights.
Key Takeaways:
- The NBA is witnessing a significant shift towards rebuilding through draft picks.
- San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and Houston Rockets lead the league in terms of draft capital.
- Teams like Memphis, New Orleans, Toronto, and Orlando have flexibility to trade their picks for established stars.
- Golden State and Los Angeles have also acquired future draft picks, providing options for the future.
- Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, despite being contenders, have draft capital to explore trade opportunities.
The future of the NBA could be shaped by how effectively these teams utilize their plethora of draft picks. The upcoming years will reveal the winners and losers of this rebuild strategy.