Analyzing the Thunder-Nuggets trade that landed OKC a first-round pick

The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded away the No. 30 pick in the 2022 NBA draft and two future second-round picks to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for JaMychal Green and a protected 2027 first-rounder. The Thunder were never going to use all four of their picks this draft. Denver shed $20 million off of luxury taxes by moving Green. The team has a lot of picks coming during the 2020s. They are also going through a difficult period with injuries to players like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. and the future of Nikola Jokic. It is unlikely that the team will use the 30th pick again.