2027 NBA Mock Draft: Thunder Could Land Three First‑Round Prospects

After the 2026‑27 season wraps up, the Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves sitting on a handful of extra first‑round picks—thanks to trades with the LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs. Those assets give Sam Presti and his front office a bit of wiggle room to restock the roster without blowing up the salary cap.

It’s not a guarantee the Thunder will actually use all three selections, but a recent mock draft from CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein paints a tempting picture. In his view, the team could grab three very different types of talent, each fitting a piece of the Thunder’s long‑term puzzle.

No. 5 – Bruce Branch III (BYU) – The 6‑foot‑6 small forward is already a buzzword in college circles. Coming out of high school he was the No. 6 overall recruit and the second‑best wing in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports. Unlike BYU’s former No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, Branch isn’t a flashy ball‑handler or primary scorer; his strength is on the defensive end, where he can guard multiple positions. In a Thunder lineup that still values wing defense, he could slot in as a reliable two‑way player.

No. 25 – Dash Daniels (Australia) – The younger brother of Hawks star Dyson Daniels is carving his own path in the NBL with the South East Melbourne Phoenix. At 6‑foot‑5 and 198 pounds, Dash is already showing offensive growth—averaging 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2 assists over the first eight games of the 2026‑27 season while shooting a respectable 50.6% overall and 35.3% from deep. His defensive instincts and size make him a tantalizing fit for Oklahoma City’s up‑tempo style.

No. 29 – Rueben Chinyelu (Florida) – The Gators’ forward brings a rare blend of size and shooting touch. Standing 6‑foot‑9‑¼ with a 7‑foot‑7‑½ wingspan, Chinyelu logged a double‑double last year—10.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and a block per game—while surprisingly shooting 58.4% from three. After a stint at Washington State, he helped Florida win the 2025 national title and now looks to translate that production to the NBA, bolstering the Thunder’s front‑court depth.

If the mock holds any water, OKC could end up with a versatile wing, a gritty guard‑forward and a stretch big—all on rookie contracts that give the franchise flexibility. Whether Presti pulls the trigger on all three selections remains to be seen, but the possibilities certainly keep Thunder fans buzzing.