Oklahoma City Took the Fortieth Pick Rights, Portland the Fifty-Second
On June 27, 2024, Oklahoma City received draft rights associated with Marquette forward Oso Ighodaro from Portland. The Blazers obtained the rights to Boston College center Quinten Post along with cash. The transaction redistributed second-round prospects rather than swapping established NBA players. The Thunder preferred an earlier pick that could be held or used in another deal, while Portland moved back and received direct financial consideration. The difference between the No. 40 and No. 52 draft positions created a modest edge for the team holding the higher pick, though either choice's actual future roster impact depended on later transactions.
Ighodaro Became a Phoenix NBA Player After Additional Rights Moves
Ighodaro's draft-night rights passed through more than one club before he began his NBA career, and his playing opportunities developed with Phoenix rather than as an Oklahoma City regular. His athletic, mobile frontcourt profile helped explain why the draft position was valuable, but that scouting upside should not turn Suns games into Thunder games. The proper Oklahoma City return was a transferable early-second-round asset. A team can gain value from moving such a right in another transaction, yet the outcome must be traced rather than treating the eventual player's career as the original receiving team's direct production. No guaranteed Thunder center emerged from the single Portland exchange alone.
Post Developed With Golden State, Not Portland
Portland received the later selection associated with Post and cash. The rights to Post subsequently moved again, and his NBA career developed with Golden State rather than through a long Blazers stint. The draft position and immediate financial return were real, even though his subsequent shooting and frontcourt minutes elsewhere weren't Portland production. This is especially important for draft-night packages in which multiple teams may briefly hold the same player's rights before signing rights finally settle. The Blazers got a lower choice plus money and retained the option to redirect their acquired asset, which is a legitimate but limited return relative to Oklahoma City's incoming higher selection.
A Higher Pick Creates Only a Narrow Initial Advantage
The Thunder acquired the earlier draft-rights slot in a transaction whose direct value was largely about dealing options, while the Blazers accepted a lower slot and cash. Oklahoma City has a modest advantage when comparing the nominal draft positions, but both clubs' later outcomes depended heavily on other moves. Neither can honestly claim the full Phoenix or Golden State NBA careers of Ighodaro and Post under this single trade. A limited Thunder-winning verdict maintains that distinction and avoids grading an unsettled draft asset as if the team had already secured a regular starting center.
Final Verdict
Oklahoma City Thunder Win by a limited draft-position edge. The Thunder earn B- for the earlier No. 40 rights to Oso Ighodaro, while Portland receives C+ for No. 52 Quinten Post rights and cash. Ighodaro's Phoenix and Post's Golden State NBA production occurred after other rights transfers and is not assigned to these original receiving teams.