Contrary to what one might think, it was not Sam Presti who launched the current collection of first-round Drafts. In mid-June, in 2019, it was indeed the Pelicans who had preceded him by ceding Anthony Davis to the Lakers against the 4th choice of the 2019 Draft, and two other first rounds of the Draft, as well as the possibility of exchanging (“ swap”) a first round.
Three weeks later, the Thunder begins its major reconstruction. On July 6, OKC sends Paul George to the Clippers in exchange, in particular, for five first draft rounds. A week later, again. This time, GM Sam Presti parts ways with Russell Westbrook. Direction Houston in exchange for Chris Paul, and two first rounds of Draft (protected), and even the possibility of exchanging two first rounds.
Sixteen months later, again. With the transfers of Chris Paul (to Phoenix) and Dennis Schroder (to the Lakers), Oklahoma City is adding yet more draft picks to its collection. At the time, the franchise then had 16 first rounds over the next six years!
For now, OKC has been content to strengthen by the Draft. If Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren were selected with choices that already belonged to the franchise, the leaders also drafted Ousmane Dieng, Jalen Williams, Tre Mann, Aleksej Pokusevski, Theo Maledon, Aaron Wiggins, Vasilije Micic, Darius Bazley and Jeremiah Robinson -Earl! The reconstruction phase is far from over since the franchise has still not taken off, and it will be complicated this season.
Spurs and Knicks are well off
But it gave ideas to others, like Jazz this summer. New president-delegate of the Utah franchise, Danny Ainge decides to imitate the Sam Presti of 2019, and in four exchanges, he recovers eight first rounds of Draft. For example, in 2023 and 2025, the Jazz will have three first draft rounds out of the 30.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks decided to do the accounts, and he found that eight teams had 85 first laps over the next seven years. This gives a percentage of 40% since there are 30 choices each year. Besides the Jazz and OKC who have 14 picks each, the Spurs and Knicks have 11. The Pelicans, Pacers and Magic have 9. Finally, the Rockets have 8.
In the short term, all have only one name in mind, Victor Wembanyama, and we can expect franchises to pay dearly for their choices to try to recover it.
