At What Point Does A Team Have Too Many Draft Picks?

After the Oklahoma City Thunder finalized a deal to bring in two future second rounds picks for Kevin Porter Jr. (who they immediately waved), the message becomes clear that GM Sam Presti views draft pick surplus as priority number one when his on-the-rise team.

But at what point does an NBA team have too many draft picks?

While the simple answer might be none, there may become a certain point that if they’re not traded, they lose their value.

After the Porter Jr. deal, the Thunder are currently left with the following total of picks, according to NBA Central.

2024

4 1st Round Picks | 1 2nd Round Pick

2025

4 1st Round Picks | 3 2nd Round Pick

2026

3 1st Round Picks | 3 2nd Round Pick

2027

2 1st Round Picks | 2 2nd Round Pick

2028

1 1st Round Picks | 3 2nd Round Pick

2029

2 1st Round Picks | 6 2nd Round Pick

2030

2 1st Round Picks | 2 2nd Round Pick

Presti deserves credit for obtaining such a depth of draft picks that can basically put the odds of hitting on a pick as favorable as a team has ever had. And when working in a market like Oklahoma City, it’s safer insurance than relying on premiere free agents who notoriously have not signed for the Thunder.

If you don’t believe me, Nerlens Noel being their largest free-agent signing since leaving Seattle in 2008.

But, with the current roster at hand, Presti may now owe some established stars to go alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander before he decides to join the fate of other stars drafted by OKC.

The Thunder were able to sign SGA to a 5-year, $179 million deal ahead of last season, as the Thunder as a team were able to take a step forward, finishing just 2 games below .500 after back-to-back sub-25 win seasons.

The depth of the team showed progressive steps as the wins continued to grow, including Josh Giddey who averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists a night over 76 games, Jalen Williams averaged 14.1 a game on a .567 eFG% and Luguentz Dort averaged 13.7 and impressive perimeter defense in his team-leading 73 starts.

But with those being the next best option to a 31.7 point per game player, Shai is in desperate need of a secondary option.

There were only 5 players in the NBA last season that averaged north of 31 a game, with Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo being the other four. Of that group, Giddey’s 16.6 being OKC’s second-best scorer is by far the lowest of the group, with the next closest being Jrue Holiday averaging 19.3.

And for Milwaukee, their usual secondary option of Kris Middleton only playing 33 games due to injury skewed their normal split of usage, which still motivated the front office to bring in Damian Lillard.

So, this embarrassment of riches should not only serve as a security on their future, but it could allow them to be aggressive for their current window. It will just be key to make this move before it’s too late, which could change the layout of the West for quite some time.