Thunder, Bulls Push to Trade Up in 2026 NBA Draft as Warriors Weigh Moving Down From No. 11
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · Jun 21
Thunder, Bulls Push to Trade Up in 2026 NBA Draft as Warriors Weigh Moving Down From No. 11
3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Jun 21
Summary
Oklahoma City is shopping picks No. 12 and No. 17—potentially with another asset—to move into the top 10, with league buzz centering on Michigan targets such as Morez Johnson Jr.
Chicago is also trying to climb from No. 15, using picks No. 36 and No. 38 as sweeteners in a bid to land center Aday Mara after dealing Nikola Vucevic.
Golden State is open to sliding back from No. 11 if it can add another first-rounder in the teens, while still prioritizing a prospect who can help immediately in Stephen Curry's window.
At the top of the board, the draft is widely seen as beginning at No. 5 because Washington, Utah, Memphis and Chicago are expected to keep the first four picks and take AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson.
Miami is still pursuing a multiteam deal that would send No. 13 to Milwaukee for Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the Clippers now appear more likely to keep No. 5 and contenders such as Boston, Denver and Minnesota explore moving up from Nos. 26-28.