NBA Mock Trade: Thunder Acquire No. 11 Pick in 2023 Draft
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The Orlando Magic own the No. 11 pick in Thursday nights NBA draft, it is the second of two lottery picks the Magic control on Thursday night. The pick is one ahead of the Thunder’s current pick of No. 12, but the Thunder traded up before and have the future capital to trade up again this year.
The Magic will have already selected a top prospect as they have the sixth pick and will have selected a player with high upside to join an already impressive young core which continues to take strides to compete again.
Led by Paolo Banchero the Magic’s young core is well underway and being built pick-by-pick and with already owning one 2023 lottery pick the team could benefit from trading away the No. 11 pick in exchange for more future capital. The Thunder made a similar move in last year’s draft in a trade with the Knicks to secure the No. 11 pick, but were able to hold onto the No. 12 pick as well.
The Thunder have the capital to make a deal happen without giving up the No. 12 pick if they wanted to draft two lottery players, however despite the Magic’s strong young core its unlikely OKC would be able to pry the No. 11 pick out of them without another lottery pick being involved.
OKC has been linked to plenty of prospects over the course of the draft process and if one of the top prospects falls as the pick approaches, Sam Presti could be inclined to jump up and ensure they land their guy this year. With guys like Taylor Hendricks rising up draft boards late in the process, the Thunder could eye the slight move up to help ensure one of their top prospects ends up in OKC.
The Thunder are in need of added front-court depth alongside Chet Holmgren and as Jarace Walker, Taylor Hendricks or even Dereck Lively could be off the board earlier than No. 12, the Thunder have the means to entice the Magic to move down one spot in the draft and help their future draft stock in the process.
Both teams have the young cores intact and would benefit from a small deal that would see the two teams flip places on the draft board. While it’s not the flashiest deal, with OKC on the brink of getting over the ledge and into the playoffs a small jump up the draft board could be the difference in the draft.
Oklahoma City’s offer: No. 12 pick, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Philadelphia 2025 2nd round pick for No. 11 pick
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