Should OKC Thunder TRADE UP for Brayden Burries in 2026 NBA DRAFT?
Oklahoma City Thunder eye bold NBA Draft trade for Brayden Burries—could this explosive guard be the missing piece for a championship run? Rylan Stiles reveals why Burries’ elite defense, shot creation, and relentless energy might make him the ideal fit alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell. The episode breaks down the Thunder’s aggressive mock draft strategy: packaging picks 12, 17, and Isaiah Joe to move up for Burries, despite the risks and fierce mock negotiations.
Key questions include whether sacrificing depth—like Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins—is worth the potential upside, and how another dynamic guard could reshape the Thunder’s crowded rotation and long-term ceiling. Stiles analyzes Burries’ Arizona stats, NBA-ready skills, and the domino effect on Oklahoma City’s roster sustainability amid looming contract extensions and playoff aspirations. Is Braden Burries the key to unleashing OKC’s true potential?
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#BraydenBurries #OKCThunder #NBADraft
Why in the world would they do that? They have an entire team of guards already and certainly don't need another one. They're going after yaxel. The only sort of hole in their roster is a small forward with size who can match up with guys like Gordon (denver), Siakam, Tatum, etc. Yaxel will be 24 and is ready to play now so there wouldn't be a 2-3 year development. he is an incredible athlete at that size 6'9 240.
Absolutely bizarre trade!
OKC gets picks 7 and Keeps 12.
Kings get 10th, Joe
Bucks get 17th, 2 2027 first rounders, Wiggins and Kenrich.
Just keep 12 and 17 ! Draft yaxel lendeborg or morez Johnson ! And with the 17 th pick Cameron Carr ! Or Hannes Steinbach ! Yiu don’t need Burries ! Thunder have JDUB and Cason Wallace and ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain and Alex Caruso ! Isaiah Joe and Aragon Wiggins and kenrich Williams and Lu Dort 👉
Can’t agree with the trade personally
Not a bad trade to get Brayden Burries IMO his the second best player the thunder can realistically get(behind Yaxel ofc), but IMO this is the wrong move.
This draft is very deep 1-20 and I believe there is more value out of drafting twice in this range than trading up for burries.
Yaxel + Swain/Carr to me is better than just brayden burries.
The BEST move would be to find a way to trade up while keeping that #17 pick, I would do something like this, if ATL really want Mara they could realistically still trade back and pick him up so I would offer:
Thunder: Hawks:
ATL's #8 pick(Draft Yaxel or Burries) OKC's #12 Pick, #37 Pick, 2027 SAS 1st Round Pick, 2 2028 round picks, + Isiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins
I love the Burries idea! I just wouldn’t want to give up both picks this year for him. I’d want to trade role players, maybe Topic or Lu plus a future pick, and use 17 for a big/wing (Morez, Swain, Graves, or even Carr). Burries seems like a logical Lu replacement with more offensive upside. Getting him + bigger at the wings is my dream OKC offseason.
Everyone should go watch Joshua Jefferson’s tape. He SCREAMS Thunder player and I think he’d fit perfectly. Maybe not at 12 or 17 but I’m telling you it’s something there. Definitely overlooked.
Too much of a gamble, Burries is fine if the Thunder had an OG Anunoby but they need OG type……also Burries might not be there at 9…..
🌧⚡
It was fun though, but Presti trading for someone like Burries after the Draft like with McCain and pair him up with Yaxel or Swain…..much better…..
Would give up 12 a future first and a Wiggs for him. 17 we can get a bigger player. Worry about Burries half court offence but risking it. Even if there's a chance he's a better defending Podz
I like the move, long as we also trade for a wing were good