There are certain conditions on which Toronto gets to retain the pick. The Raptors negotiated them into the original trade to protect themselves from relinquishing a highly coveted selection, hence the popular term “protected pick,” or “conditional pick.”
In this case, the pick is protected through the 2017 NBA Draft.
In 2013, the selection is protected from picks 1 through 3 and 15 through 30. That means the Thunder receives the pick if it's anywhere from 4 to 14.
In 2014 and 2015, the selection is protected from picks 1 and 2, as well as 15 through 30. So if the Thunder didn't receive the pick in 2013, it will receives the pick in either 2014 or 2015 if it's anywhere from 3 to 14.
In 2016 and 17, the selection is protected from pick 1 and 15 through 30. If the pick still hasn't been conveyed to the Thunder, it will be in 2016 or 2017 if it falls anywhere from pick No. 2 to pick No. 14.
In 2018, the selection becomes an unprotected pick, meaning the Thunder will receive the selection regardless of where it falls if it hasn't already been awarded the pick in any of the previous years.
What happens? The pick falls between 4 and 14 in the first year!
It's not a great draft but a number 1 is a number 1 and the Thunder have a shot (albeit a .7% shot but it's still a chance at the top 3!)
^They couldn't keep Harden.
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