Houston Mallette Set for Predraft Workout with Oklahoma City Thunder

With only a week remaining until the 2026 NBA draft, speculation around this year's talent pool is intensifying as teams gear up for the offseason. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who narrowly missed out on back-to-back championships, are well-positioned with significant draft assets at their disposal.

Looking to balance their pursuit of a championship with strategic roster enhancements, the Thunder will approach the draft armed with three selections: the 12th pick from the LA Clippers, the 17th pick from the Philadelphia 76ers, and the 37th pick from the Dallas Mavericks. Among the prospects they are set to evaluate is Houston Mallette from Alabama, according to NBA insider Nick Crain.

Mallette, a 23-year-old guard standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 202 pounds, has spent five seasons in college basketball, first at Pepperdine and then transferring to Alabama for his final two years. In the recent season, he played in 35 games, posting averages of 6.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 37.2% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the arc.

Currently, many mock drafts suggest that Mallette may go undrafted, which could open the door for the Thunder to sign him to a Summer League deal post-draft. This would allow him the opportunity to compete for a spot in training camp or earn an invite to the G League.

The 2026 NBA draft is scheduled for June 23-24, and the Thunder are eager to infuse their roster with fresh talent to maintain their competitive edge alongside stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams.