NBA Draft Asset Tiers: Why OKC and San Antonio’s Rebuilds Are Just Getting Started
Beyond their shared history of matching up in the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs share a massive competitive advantage: they practically control the future of the NBA Draft. Over the next eight years, these two franchises hold a staggering combined total of 20 first-round and 30 second-round selections.
Meanwhile, a massive shift in how the rest of the league values draft capital could be on the horizon. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reports that the NBA is expected to pass a new “3-2-1” lottery system at the upcoming Board of Governors meeting. Designed to increase randomness, this overhaul would give up to 18 teams a genuine shot at the top overall pick. If approved, the changes would run from the 2027 draft through the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement in 2029.
This rule change will drastically reshape trade negotiations for both teams looking to deal future selections and those holding them. As it stands, 18 teams across the league are still on the hook for first-round picks or pick swaps over the next three seasons.
Ahead of the June draft in Brooklyn, here is how all 30 teams stack up across seven distinct tiers of draft equity.
Tier 1: The Wealthiest Asset Holders
This elite group features franchises that not only hold selections in the upcoming June draft but boast an absolute treasure trove of future picks acquired through past blockbusters. These seven teams—led by Oklahoma City and San Antonio—control 77 first-rounders and 88 second-rounders through 2033. That accounts for an incredible 34% of all available draft picks over the next eight years.
San Antonio Spurs
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2026 Draft Capital: No. 20 (via ATL), No. 35 (via UTAH), No. 42 (via POR), No. 44 (via MIA)
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Incoming Future First-Rounders: 7
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Maximum Tradable Future First-Rounders: 4
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Future Second-Rounders: 14
The Big Picture: The crown jewel of San Antonio’s war chest is an unprotected 2027 first-round pick from the Atlanta Hawks, alongside a trio of highly favorable pick swaps. The Spurs hold the right to swap first-rounders with Boston in 2028 (protected 2-30), Sacramento in 2030, and will receive the most favorable selection between Dallas and Minnesota (protected 2-30) in 2030.
