NBA Draft: Which Teams Hold the Cards and Control the Future?

NBA Draft: Which Teams Hold the Cards?

As we dive into the NBA draft season, the question on everyone’s mind is: which franchises are in the driver’s seat when it comes to controlling the draft both this June and over the next seven seasons? It’s a fascinating landscape, with some teams sitting on a treasure trove of picks, while others are hoping for a bit of lottery luck to turn their fortunes around.

For playoff teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets, their enviable collections of picks can be used to bolster already strong rosters. Whether it’s adding depth or swinging for the fences with a star via trade, these teams have options. On the flip side, bottom-tier teams such as the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets are crossing their fingers for some lottery luck and the chance to draft the projected No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg.

Meanwhile, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets might not find significant help through the draft this offseason. Their focus might be elsewhere as they look to maintain their competitive edge.

Let’s break down the future assets of all 30 teams and the strategies they might implement during the 2025 draft, scheduled for June 25-26 in Brooklyn.

Oklahoma City Thunder: A Wealth of Options

The Thunder are sitting pretty with two first-round picks: No. 15 (via Miami) and No. 25 (via LA Clippers), plus a second-round pick at No. 44 (via Atlanta). They could even end up with a third first-rounder on lottery night if Philadelphia’s pick, which is top-six protected, drops multiple spots. With 15 players already under contract, the Thunder will need to make some roster decisions to accommodate new talent. Expect GM Sam Presti to be active around the draft, balancing the addition of young talent with bigger-picture roster decisions. It’s a good problem to have, and Presti has positioned the franchise remarkably well.

• Incoming future first-round picks: 13
• Maximum tradeable future first-round picks: 10
• Future second-round picks: 17
• Future outgoing first-round picks: None

Brooklyn Nets: Rebuilding with a Bounty

The Nets are in a rebuilding phase and head into the predraft season with a league-high five selections in the top 40. They also have the most salary cap space, creating an opportunity to remake their roster. It’s hard to see them rostering five rookies, so they might consolidate some of their first-round selections to open up additional cap room. Brooklyn could use help on the perimeter but should focus on adding talent regardless of need, given their fluid situation and lack of an obvious long-term building block on the roster.

• Incoming future first-round picks: 12
• Maximum tradeable future first-round picks: 9
• Future second-round picks: 15
• Future outgoing first-round picks: Swap rights with Houston (2027)

Utah Jazz: Hoping for Lottery Luck

The Jazz are at the top of the lottery odds and will be holding their breath on May 12, hoping to land a star who can help tie their roster together. If they can draft Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper, the decision process is much simpler. The Jazz have collected some interesting young talent but still lack a top-tier prospect to anchor their rebuild. They’ve been extremely patient in recent seasons and might want to play the lottery again in what figures to be a strong top of the 2026 draft.

• Incoming future first-round picks: 10
• Maximum tradeable future first-round picks: 7
• Future second-round picks: 7
• Future outgoing first-round picks: Top-eight protected to Oklahoma City (2026)

Houston Rockets: A Strong Position

The Rockets are in a strong position, holding both future draft capital and emerging young talent. Phoenix’s struggles in 2024-25 were Houston’s gain, with the Rockets holding swap rights on the Suns’ pick and landing a projected top-10 selection. With a 52-win season under their belt, the Rockets have depth and quality, meaning it’s not a given that whoever they draft will need to play consistent minutes. They can go in whatever direction they want with this pick, whether that’s swinging on the prospect with the most upside or using it as a trade chip to move the roster closer to contention.

• Incoming future first-round picks: 9
• Maximum tradeable future first-round picks: 5
• Future second-round picks: 7
• Future outgoing first-round picks: Top-four protected first to Oklahoma City (2026)

Charlotte Hornets: Building for the Future

Charlotte’s primary focus will be nailing its lottery selection, which can fall no lower than seventh. The team is in asset-accumulation mode, and last year’s selection of Tidjane Salaun displayed the front office’s willingness to make developmental choices early in the draft. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller remain the centerpieces moving forward, but the Hornets should still be focused on adding the best long-term talent rather than concerning themselves too strongly with fit.

• Incoming future first-round picks: 10
• Maximum tradeable future first-round picks: 7
• Future second-round picks: 11
• Future outgoing first-round picks: None

As we look ahead to the 2025 NBA draft, it’s clear that some teams are in a prime position to shape their futures, while others are hoping for a bit of luck to turn things around. Whether it’s through savvy trades, smart draft picks, or a combination of both, the next few months will be crucial for teams looking to build a contender.