For a small-market team, the draft is the easiest way to build their best title contender since free agents typically gravitate to large markets. Entering the 2021 NBA Draft the OKC Thunder had six picks (three in each round).
Over the next several seasons the Thunder will be simultaneously drafting prospects while also developing the young assets on the squad.
Why OKC Thunder, Aleksej Pokusevski weight battle isn’t that serious
They’ll also enter the 2021-22 season with the goal of developing the young talents on the squad of which there are many — 11 players are 23 or under to be exact.