2026 NBA Draft Grades for Every Round 2 Pick
The 2026 NBA Draft's first round is in the books, but that doesn't mean all the future stars' names were called on Tuesday.
Two of the last four Finals MVPs (Jalen Brunson and Nikola Jokić), came from the second round, and though Wednesday's festivities may not produce that level of player, plenty of talent made its way to the league.
A full breakdown of every pick, including grades for each one, can be found below.
31. Houston Rockets (From WAS via NYK): Bruce Thornton (SG, Ohio State)
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Thornton's skills are sharp and well-defined. He is one of the best shooters in this draft, he has the right touch to find in-between buckets, and he is a quick decision-maker who seldom gives the ball away.
He's also a 6'0" scoring guard, which isn't really an NBA archetype. Maybe he's a good enough point-producer to fill in an instant-offense role, but his lack of size and athletic limitations won't make this transition easy.
That could be especially problematic as he tries to earn minutes for the Houston Rockets, who already have multiple undersized guards ahead of him in the rotation (Reed Sheppard and Fred VanVleet), not to mention Amen Thompson.
At this point, a swing on a little more size, especially after what we just saw in the NBA Finals, would've been easier to support.
Grade: C+
32. Memphis Grizzlies (From IND via MIL): Richie Saunders (SG, BYU)
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There isn't much mystery with Saunders, who logged more than 3,000 minutes over the last four seasons and turns 25 in September. Well, other than perhaps with his recovery from an ACL tear suffered in February.
Whenever he gets healthy, he should consistently supply outside shooting, insatiable energy and smart decision-making. Of course, he'll also have underwhelming physical tools, limited creation and one of the shorter ceilings in this draft.
At this range, that's not as big a deal, especially with decent height for a wing. And on a team that already has plenty of young talent on the wings, Saunders' experience brings a nice balance.
Grade: B-
33. Minnesota Timberwolves (via BKN): Isaiah Evans (SF, Duke)
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Evans is on the short list of this draft's best shooters, and he should leverage that skill into a specialist role right away. His off-ball activity never stops, and his shot runs just as hot on the move as it does off the catch.
While he showed more comfort this season as a straight-line attacker and finisher, he still doesn't offer much creativity for a perimeter player. Until that changes, he might struggle to rise above that specialist label.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, that shouldn't be a huge deal (at least not right now). Anthony Edwards will do plenty on the ball, and it makes sense to surround him with as much shooting as possible.
Grade: B
34. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAC): Meleek Thomas (PG/SG, Arkansas)
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Now that he has gained entry to the Association, Thomas is officially one of its most confident players. That's an underrated skill (if managed properly). It makes him an any-place, any-time scoring threat who demands constant attention from opposing defenses. And even when they show it to him, he has enough wiggle to free himself.
He doesn't always hone in that confidence, though, and his shot-selection and decision-making could be generously characterized as optimistic. His defense is the bigger worry. Effort isn't always an issue, but instincts and awareness are.
Of course, as a reserve who'll get limited minutes behind James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, that's not nearly as big a deal. In fact, it could ultimately be a strength for a second unit that could use a bucket-getter.
Grade: B+
35. Denver Nuggets (From UTA via SAS): Trevon Brazile (PF, Arkansas)
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Brazile will immediately become one of the league's better athletes. He could have one of its better highlight reels, too, assuming he gets enough floor time to actually compile them. The best part of his games are all loud: hammer dunks, defensive chaos-creation, downhill attacks, fast-break fireworks. When you notice him, you really notice him.
You just don't notice him often enough. His motor runs more cold than hot, and he doesn't impose his will the way you wish a tooled-up 6'10", 230-pounder would. His athletic tools are also often muted by slow processing.
Those are major red flags for a team that's often played muted since winning the 2023 title, but the Denver Nuggets were also in dire need of athleticism. And at this point in the draft, sometimes you just have to grab it where you can get it.
Grade: B+
36. LA Clippers (From MEM via UTA): Baba Miller (PF, Cincinnati)
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Is there such a thing as a 22-year-old project prospect? Because Miller sounds awesome in theory, but there are some critical skill developments that must happen for him to stick around in this league.
Namely, he has to figure out whatever isn't working with his jumper. He has great tools and intriguing talents outside of that—he's a 6'11" forward with advanced handles, vision and thunderous finishing—but in four college seasons, his shooting never clicked.
Whether or not that's a big problem for the Clippers depends an awful lot on how this offseason goes. If L.A. wants to keep Kawhi Leonard and stay competitive, it may not have the patience for a project. Shooting, in particular, would be nice to flank Kawhi with. But if the Clippers are already looking toward the post-Kawhi era, he's a nice addition to a young core that includes Garland and Yanic Konan-Niederhauser.
Grade: B-
37. Miami Heat (From DAL via OKC): Ryan Conwell (SG, Louisville)
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The well-traveled Conwell, who played at four different schools in four seasons, arrives in the NBA as a gifted shotmaker and physical downhill attacker. He is comfortable and capable shooting off the dribble or on the move, and he is selfless enough to keep the ball moving when a teammate has a better look.
He also measured just 6'2" at the combine, which is a worrisome number from someone who isn't a great playmaker or athlete. He played 138 collegiate contests and recorded exactly one dunk. He is a below-the-rim scorer and could have a tougher time getting buckets when he can't just overpower his defender.
Given those limitations, it could be tough for him to make the Miami Heat's roster, but they certainly need shooting in the wake of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. If he consistently hits threes over the summer and into training camp, he has a chance.
Grade: B
38. Indiana Pacers (From NOP via CHI): Braden Smith (PG, Purdue)
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Smith is probably the best passer in this class, and he'll be one of the better passers in the NBA right away. He is constantly surveying the floor, finding cracks in the defense and immediately exploiting them. He is a solid shooter from three, though his volume isn't always there. He's also a comfortable in-between scorer who can feast in the midrange.
Still, he is tiny by NBA standards. He measured in at 5'10.25" without shoes and 166 pounds at the combine.
Smith will immediately be at a disadvantage in most one-on-one situations at either end. He has a ton of trouble even getting to the paint, but finishing from there might be an even bigger issue.
Having said that, there may not be a better landing spot for the Purdue star, and that goes beyond geography. For different reasons, Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell both faced plenty of doubt during their careers, and they'll be great potential mentors as Smith tries to do the same.
Grade: B
39. New York Knicks (From CHI via HOU): Jack Kayil (PG, Germany)
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Kayil's list of strengths is a long one. The 6'3" combo guard is a skilled passer, a creative finisher, an improved shooter and an instinctive, physical defender.
The question is how many (if any) of those strengths grade at an NBA level. His attacks are based more around power than explosion, which isn't an easy way to conquer NBA defenses. He struggles to separate, lacks lift around the basket, isn't consistent with his shooting and can struggle to stay in front of speedy players.
He'll presumably have some time to work through those potential weaknesses on the defending champions, but the cost of the players at the top of the roster could mean they need cheap contributors soon.
Grade: C+
40. Boston Celtics (From MIL via ORL): Dillon Mitchell (PF, St. John's)
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Mitchell spent four seasons appearing to be a reliable jumper away from a breakthrough. It never came close to arriving, though, as he capped his college career at 11-of-57 from three (19.3 percent) with a dreadful 48.8 percent conversion rate at the foul line.
Yet, he still punched his NBA ticket with athleticism, power, ferocity, finishing and feel. He can help connect dots on both ends, but creation and shooting will probably never be parts of his arsenal.
For the Boston Celtics, that may not be as big of a deal. As team president Brad Stevens alluded to at the end of the season, Boston actually needs to do more damage inside to soften up the perimeter.
Grade: B-
41. Oklahoma City Thunder (From GSW via MIA): Otega Oweh (SG/SF, Kentucky)
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Non-shooting wings are an increasingly tough sell, but players who make it work often follow the style Oweh plays. He has length, strength, mobility and a great motor, and he leans on all of them to serve as a versatile defender.
On offense, he is a powerful finisher, a willing passer and a capable stationary shooter.
Of course, Oweh won't get nearly as many on-ball reps in the NBA, so he'll have to adjust his approach. If he bought into playing a screen-setting, off-ball-moving role, he could carve out a helpful offensive role.
With the OKC Thunder, he simply may not have time to do that. Their roster is already loaded, which could make it a lot harder for Oweh to make the team and find a role.
Grade: C-
42. San Antonio Spurs (From POR via NO): Ja'Kobi Gillespie (PG, Tennessee)
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An investment in Ja'Kobi Gillespie is a wager on skills, smarts and instincts. He has great shooting touch from all over, and he can be a steady, low-mistake leader of an offense.
He just might not have the measurements to stick in the NBA. At the combine, he came in a tick under 6'0" and weighed just 182 pounds. And he isn't some jaw-dropping athlete with vertical pop or great burst.
Since the San Antonio Spurs already have Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, that may not be a huge deal. If he plays with either one, they could help cover for his lack of size.
Grade: B
43. Brooklyn Nets (From LAC via HOU): Tyler Bilodeau (SF, UCLA)
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Tyler Bilodeau offered inside-out scoring versatility in college, but he'll be utilized as a 6'8" spacer in the NBAl. He is automatic off the catch and is comfortable firing off of screens or dribble hand-offs, too.
Creation isn't at all part of his game, though, and he rarely even dribbles before a shot. But his biggest issues come at the defensive end, where he'll be challenged on the perimeter and around the basket, making it tricky to find a workable fit.
That's particularly tricky in Brooklyn, where the best player (Michael Porter Jr.) is sort of the maximized version of this player.
Grade: C+
44. San Antonio Spurs (From MIA via IND): Maliq Brown (C, Duke)
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Maliq Brown has an argument for being this draft's best defender. A defensive playmaker, stingy paint protector and versatile switcher, he won the Lefty Driesell Award, which goes to the nation's top defender.
He is ready and willing to fill a support role on offense. He just doesn't have much to offer beyond that. He plays like a center—no shooting, no creation—but he might be undersized to even suit up as a small-ball 5 (6'8", 217 lbs).
This is sort of a curious pick for the San Antonio Spurs, who already took Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr. in the first round, but maybe they're just holding open tryouts to be Luke Kornet's heir.
Grade: C
45. Sacramento Kings (From CHA via SA, ATL and NYK): Emanuel Sharp (SG, Houston)
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Emanuel Sharp is essentially a three-and-D wing in a combo guard's body. His shooting is pure, whether he's on the move or spotting up. His defense is all energy, activity and disruption.
With that said, he isn't big or long, even for a combo guard. He is 6'3" with a 6'3" wingspan. He also isn't a great athlete, nor much of a ball-handler or creator.
There aren't many players who can make this size-skill combo work, but the ones who do are usually fan-favorite, momentum-boosting energizers.
For a fanbase that's been through as much as Sacramento's, that sort of player could be exactly what the collective psyche needs.
Grade: B
46. Washington Wizards (via ORL): Felix Okpara (C, Tennessee)
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Okpara feels like one of the more projectable prospects in this class. That's probably because his skill tree doesn't branch out in many directions, but he should have a defined role he's able to execute.
He is big, bouncy and hard-working. He is a rim-runner through and through with more mobility and a little less defensive discipline than you'd think.
Okpara figures to start his NBA career behind Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr, but he should be able to pair with either one in Washington's frontcourt.
Grade: B-
47. New York Knicks (From PHI via PHX): Tyler Nickel (SF, Vanderbilt)
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Tyler Nickel is a 6'6" swingman with a three-point laser. The NBA will always give that archetype a look. He never stops moving off the ball, and he can shred nets under any situation. Defenses that don't keep constant eyeballs on him get burned for it.
Nickel is functionally a specialist, though, so he has to be elite at his craft. He isn't a ball-handler, finisher or quick-moving defender, so his non-shooting contributions will be limited.
For the New York Knicks, that might not be a huge deal. There is plenty of creation around him. And a small-contract shooter could be very important for an expensive team that might lose Landry Shamet in free agency.
Grade: B
48. Dallas Mavericks (From PHX via WAS): Tobi Lawal (SF/PF, Virginia Tech)
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Tobi Lawal is a 6'8", 215-pound toolshed. His explosion will stand out even in the NBA. It already did at the combine.
If he sticks around in the league, he'll be a highlight-reel regular, a hope for the poster-printing industry and an obvious dunk-contest candidate. He could also be a real chaos-creator on defense.
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed that he'll stick. He is already 23 years old, but he lacks the polish you'd normally see in a prospect that age, since he didn't pick up the sport until he was 16. His jumper is very much a work in progress, and his handle is nonexistent.
He'll need a lot of help from playmakers, and Kyrie Irving certainly checks that box. But he also has Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively to leapfrog if he wants to earn minutes.
Grade: C+
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