Isaiah Evans, Meleek Thomas' Top Potential Landing Spots in 2026 NBA Draft after Day 1
The first round of the NBA draft is in the books, but there's still plenty of talent left on the board.
Heading into Day 2, Duke's Isaiah Evans and Arkansas' Meleek Thomas highlight some of the best available names in the second round. Here's a look at some potential landing spots for the two collegiate standouts.
Isaiah Evans' Top Landing Spots
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While Cameron Boozer was the headliner of this year's Duke roster, Isaiah Evans put together a tremendous year, averaging 15 points per game on 43.3 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from deep.
Evans is still a bit raw as a prospect, but it's easy to see a world in which he develops into a serviceable NBA player.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies made a few trades in the first round, so they might end up moving back in the draft, but if they keep the No. 32 overall pick, they should consider taking Evans.
Memphis took two forwards in the first round in Boozer and Karim Lopez, leaving a bit of a need to add to the front court, especially with Ja Morant potentially on his way out this offseason.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets made a blockbuster trade earlier this week when it acquired Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they're still very much a rebuilding squad.
Brooklyn should be drafting best available over fit, but Evans might fit the bill for both categories since the Nets are still looking to build a strong front court.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings' frontcourt currently consists of two aging guards, which is the opposite of what a rebuilding franchise needs.
Sacramento, which has the fourth pick in the second round, added a tremendous guard in the first round in Darius Acuff Jr. Now, it can bolster the backcourt further by picking up Evans.
Meleek Thomas' Top Landing Spots
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The fact that Thomas is still on the board after the first round likely comes as a shock to many. As a freshman, he put up 15.1 points per game while playing second fiddle to Darius Acuff Jr., one of the best guards in the country.
It's safe to say that whoever gets Thomas in the second round is getting a steal.
New York Knicks
Some would say that a small guard picked in the second round can't lead a team to a championship. Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks would beg to differ.
It's unrealistic to expect Thomas to reach the heights that Brunson has in his career, but he certainly can be a starting point guard in the NBA one day.
For now, the Knicks don't need a starting point guard, but they could use a backup since Jose Alvarado could be entering free agency and signing elsewhere on Friday.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have addressed their frontcourt already this offseason, trading for Nic Claxton before drafting Caleb Wilson on Tuesday. Still, Chicago has some questions in the backcourt.
Josh Giddey has been tremendous as the Bulls' starting point guard, but backup Rob Dillingham left much to be desired after being traded to Chicago at the deadline.
It's not a bad idea for the Bulls to consider drafting Thomas as his replacement.
Memphis Grizzlies
Assuming the Grizzlies move on from Ja Morant this offseason, they'll have some work to do rebuilding the backcourt. Even if Memphis gets a guard in return for Morant, picking up another.
The Grizzlies could have two strong options to choose from in Evans and Thomas.
