Nick Collison to represent OKC Thunder at 2026 NBA draft lottery

May 17, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; Former OKC player Nick Collison waits to hear results during the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

While the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to continue their Round 2 series with the Los Angeles Lakers, there will be some appointment viewing on Sunday that could strengthen the reigning NBA champion's future.

For another year, the Thunder will have a vested interest in the 2026 NBA draft lottery. Not because of their own draft pick, of course. But because it might be another year where an NBA franchise gifts them a lottery pick. It's become tradition at this point as Sam Presti collected future draft capital at the start of the decade.

The Thunder will send front office member Nick Collison to be their on-stage representative at the 2026 NBA draft lottery on Sunday, May 10. Presti will be in the actual room when the lottery results are first known.

Collison spent his entire 14-season NBA career with the Seattle Supersonics and Thunder as a role player. He's the sole player to get their jersey retired by OKC since its 2008 relocation. Since his 2018 retirement, he's been part of their front office.

The Thunder are guaranteed to have one lottery pick. They own the LA Clippers' 2026 first-round pick swap. And considering they were booted in the play-in tournament, they enter with the 12th-best odds. LA has an 86.1% chance to give OKC the No. 12 pick; a 6.7% chance at No. 13; a 2.1% chance at No. 4; a 1.9% chance at No. 3; a 1.7% chance at No. 2; a 1.5% chance at No. 1; and a 0.1% chance at No. 14.