In this edition of the Thunder mailbag, we take discuss the 2024 NBA Draft.

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@alykaramazov: Would you move up in the draft?

I wouldn’t. Not even solely off the strength of this draft, because I imagine — as we’ve seen in the past — there will still be impactful players throughout, even if not all in the immediate future.

There’s obviously still value to the draft, especially for the Thunder. When putting into perspective what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s next contract could look like, it makes his current deal look like mere change. It’s probably the most team-friendly, star-level contract in the league. When Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are no longer on rookie deals, and SGA is printing enough money to feed a small country, getting contributors on smaller and more manageable contracts is the way OKC will be able to keep its vision under one roof.

Rookie deals are the easiest way to go about that.

With that being said, the Thunder does have a window to act on. Gilgeous-Alexander is entering his prime, and could use the best team possible over the next several seasons to give a real go at a run. Where the Thunder is slotted, the odds are against it in picking a player that’ll slip into the rotation next season and matter in a setting comparable to its West semis series versus the Mavericks.

The Thunder’s immediate needs should probably be addressed in the summer market via trade. Maybe that wouldn’t be the case in a different draft, one that would advertise prospects that could produce obvious and immediate benefits. Nevertheless, any secondary needs or qualities OKC hopes to emphasize will likely be there when it picks twelfth in June.

If it wants to swing at a motor-driven athletic wing, it’ll have thoughts of Ron Holland. If it wants to take a Barry Bonds kind of swing, Tidjane Salaun, a tantalizing big forward with some perimeter qualities, will be in range.

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If it wants another 3-&-D, on-ball hound a la Cason Wallace — you can never have too much Cason Wallace — Providence’s Devin Carter seems more than available at No. 12. And if the Thunder wants to swing at a potentially versatile, good-sized wing and fulfill the fan-fiction prophecy of drafting Jalen Williams’ brother, Cody, he’ll likely be available at the time of OKC’s selection.

I’m no Sam Presti. I’m no general manager at all. My best pitch to work in a league office is that 19-year-old me just knew Naz Reid would be a good player, though I couldn’t articulate that then. But from where I sit, I just haven’t seen enough from any top prospect to warrant the idea that OKC should move up. Maybe there’s a deal to move to No. 10 instead of No. 12 if the Thunder feels like Holland or Salaun or someone it likes will be stolen just shy of its pick.

But from what it seems, Salaun could still very well be there. Any other attempt to trade up feels like an act of doing so just because — with the Thunder’s assets — it can.

To know the Thunder is to know that the 12th pick has been in safe hands. If there’s ever been a time to prove that theory true, doing it from this year’s slot is the opportunity.

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To make future editions of the mailbag, email questions to jlorenzi@oklahoman.com or message him on Twitter @jxlorenzi.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder mailbag: Should Sam Presti, OKC move up in 2024 NBA Draft?