Clarifying the Thunder’s draft pick trades

Rejoice, Thunder fans that are really into the NBA Draft. The Thunder will have a selection in the 2015 NBA Draft. The Thunder’s loss at the Pacers coupled with the Wizards’ win over the Hawks on Sunday night means the Thunder will get no worse than the 18th pick. Of course, if the Thunder misses the playoffs they would jump to the 14th pick with a miniscule chance of leaping into the top 3.

The Thunder originally dealt a protected first round pick to Cleveland* on January 5. It was protected for sections 1-18 in 2015. The Thunder were concerned, rightfully so, that injuries would continue to wreak havoc on the season. They also had a price they were willing to pay for Waiters, and it wasn’t a draft pick better than the 18th pick this season.

* For those scoring at home, Cleveland re-routed the pick to Denver days later in the Timofey Mozgov trade. The Nuggets then sent the pick to Philadelphia at the trade deadline in order to unload Javale McGee

As is always the case with traded draft picks that have protection, there are other conditions lined out for satisfying the terms of the trade. Since the pick will not convey this season, the Thunder will give up their 2016 first round pick as long as it’s not one of the top 15 selections. If something else disastrous happens and the Thunder don’t convey their 2016 first round pick (excuse me while I go throw up) then they’d send their 2017 first round pick, again protected for picks 1-15. And in the unlikely event that the bottom falls out from under the franchise and they get a top-15 pick in 2017, they’d then convey their 2018 and 2019 second round picks and be done with the deal.

Hopefully and optimistically, the Thunder power washes away the injury stink from this season, returns to their usual 60-ish win pace and surrenders one of the lowest first round picks in 2016 to tie up the Waiters trade.

These events also impact the first round pick that the Thunder traded to Utah in the Enes Kanter trade. The league forbids teams from going two consecutive future drafts without a first round draft pick**. The pick that was traded to Utah was a conditional 2017 first round pick, but it was contingent on the Thunder surrendering their 2015 first rounder. Since that won’t happen, the pick owed to Utah is pushed to at least 2018. Additionally, It is lottery-protected through 2020, at which point it would turn into a pair of second round picks. It’s a safety net in case… well, you know.

** Read this for a quick idea on why there is a “Ted Stepien Rule” in the league.

It’s all a tad confusing, but if nothing else, understand that the Thunder won’t send a first round pick to Utah until at least two years after satisfying the terms of the Waiters trade***.

*** A minor complication: because of the aforementioned Stepien Rule, it will be difficult for the Thunder to trade any more future first round picks until this all gets sorted out. It may not matter since the Thunder isn’t typically predisposed to to dealing first rounders, these two trades aside, but it’s noteworthy.

So what does this mean for 2015? As mentioned, the Thunder will have a selection. They could keep the pick, or attempt to move up or down in the draft. They could also deal it away if they wanted to. They would have to do it AFTER the 2015 draft, however, to get around the Stepien Rule. This is not uncommon, and it’s sometimes a reason why so many trades are leaked during the draft and not officially announced until afterward. Remember, the wording is that a team can’t go consecutive FUTURE years without a first round pick. The moment the 2015 pick is made, it’s in the past.

Enjoy the new toy, all of your armchair GM’s, as you piece together blockbuster trades between now and the end of June.