2026 NBA Draft Results

Round 2

Henri Veesar was in my projected lottery. Find out who got him in the second round.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 24, 2026.

31. Houston Rockets: Bruce Thornton, PG, Ohio State B Grade
    
    
    The Houston Rockets have Fred VanVleet at point guard, Amen Thompson, Houston's 2023 first round pick at shooting guard, Kevin Durant at small forward, Jabari Smith Jr., Houston's 2022 first round pick at power forward, and Alperen Sengun, Houston's 2021 first round pick at center. Reed Sheppard is your sixth man as a third guard as Reed Sheppard, a 2024 first round pick, started when Fred VanVleet got injured, but Sheppard has the versatility to play both point guard and shooting guard. Houston drafts Bruce Thornton here to start the second round giving them a third point guard who can develop at his own pace.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 223 lb Bruce Thornton had 10.6 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, a 45.6% field goal percentage, a 37.5% three point percentage, and a 72.9% field goal percentage as a freshman at Ohio State in 2022-2023. Bruce Thornton had 15.7 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 4.8 assists per game, a 42.7% field goal percentage, a 33.3% three point percentage, and a 85% free throw percentage as a sophomore at Ohio State in 2023-2024. Bruce Thornton had 17.7 points per game, 3. rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game, a 50.1% field goal percentage, a 42.4% three point percentage, and a 85.3% free throw percentage as a junior at Ohio State in 2024-2025. Bruce Thornton had 19.9 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, a 55.4% field goal percentage, a 40% three pont percentage, and a 82.9% free throw percentage as a senior in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Bruce Thornton can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range. He's a very good shooter. Bruce Thornton passes like a playmaker too.
    
    
    
    
    
    
32. Memphis Grizzlies: Richie Saunders, SG, BYU A- Grade
    
    
    I only had two shooting guards ahead of Richie Saunders. This is a reach, but it s ot a massive reach.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 204 lb Richie Saunders had 18 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game, a 48.9% field goal percentage, a 37.6% three point percentage, and a 81.7% free throw percentage as a senior in 2025-2026. Richie Saunders is one of the oldest players in the 2026 NBA Draft currently 24-years-old.
    
    
    
    Richie Saunders has the short range, medium range, and long range you want in a shooter. Richie Saunders is a great passer as well.
    
    
    
    
    
33. Minnesota Timberwolves: Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke A Grade
    
    
    Minnesota has Ayo Dosunmu at point guard, Anthony Edwards at shooting guard, Jaden McDaniels at small forward, and Rudy Gobert at center. Minnesota drafts a power forward that can be a day 1 starter to round out this starting five after trading Julius Randle's entire salary and pick 28 to the Brooklyn Nets for this pick in a three team trade with the Chicago Bulls that sent Nic Claxton to Chicago.
    
    
    
    Minnesota needed a power forward to round out their starting five. Isaiah Evans is my second best player availale, but he doesn't fill a need as an immediate starter, and my guess is Minnesota is drafting him as a player to comeoff the bench behind Anthony Edwards at shotting guard and Jaden McDaniels at small foward which is why this gets an A grade instead of an A+ grade.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 186 lb Isaiah Evans had 15 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, a 43.3% field goal percentage, a 36.1% three point percentage, and a 86% free throw percentage as a sophomore in 2025-2026. Isaiah Evans had 10 games where he made 50 percent of his three point shots with the Duke Blue Devils. Duke was 10-0 in those ten contests where Evans hit 50 percent of his three point attempts this season.
    
    
    
    Isaiah Evans can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range. He's a very good shooter. Isaiah Evans can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. He has the shooting and defense to be a day 1 starter for an NBA team that drafts him. Evans two biggest areas of improvement are passing to teammates as a playmaker and making shots when defenders make contact and engage with him. I think the good outweighs the bad with Isaiah Evans since hes a capable passer with plenty of room for growth, but he's not the quickest decision maker either.
    
    
    
34. Cleveland Cavaliers: Meleek Thomas, SG, Arkansas B Grade
    
    
    The Cleveland Cavaliers have James Harden at point guard, Donovan Mitchell at shooting guard, Max Strus at small forward, Evan Mobley at power forward, and Jarrett Allen at center. Cleveland has their starting five back for one more season, so the Cavaliers have a one year window to win a championship with this starting five. If you draft a point guard here and a small forward in 2027, you can keep that window alive if you draft the right players, but its hard to get the right players when picking late in the draft. Cleveland took a shooting guard over an immediate need at small forward or point guard and decisions like that kill your championship window.
    
    
    
    Meleek Thomas was the fourth best player avaialble behind the three first rounders left on my board. This is a B- grade from a need standpoint and a B+ from a value standpoint. That averages out to a B grade.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 189 lb Meleek Thomas averaged 15.6 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 1.5 steals per game, a 43.5% field goal percentage, a 41.6% three point percentage, and a 84.3% free throw percentage as a freshman in 2025-2026. Meleek Thomas is the one consensus first round prospect that fell to the second round in my yearly NBA Mock Draft, but North Carolina center Henry Veesar, Northwestern small forward Nick Martinelli, and KK Mega Bemax center Luigi Suigo were higher on my 2026 NBA Draft Simulator.
    
    
    
    Meleek Thomas has the short range, medium range, and long range shots you want. He can pass to teammates. He's not a great defender though.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Denver Nuggets: Trevon Brazile, PF, Arkansas B+ Grade
    
    
    The Denver Nuggets have Jamal Murray at point guard, Christian Braun at shooting guard, Cameron Johnson at small forward, Aaron Gordon at power forward, and Nikola Jokic at center. Denver got a backup to groom behind Aaron Gordon here.
    
    
    
    I had three players with first round grades and three players with second round grades ahead of Trevon Brazlie so this is C+ value, but this is the best power forward on the board. A C+ grade and an A+ grade averages out to a B+ grade.
    
    
    
    The 6-9 225 lb Trevon Brazile had 13 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 1.6 blocks per game, 1.5 steals per game, a 52.5% field goal percentage, a 34.1% three point percentage, and a 71.7% free throw percentage as a senior in 2025-2026. Trevon Brazile is the third Arkansas player that could get drafted in the top 40 and he's the most experienced player among their 2026 NBA Draft Prospects.
    
    
    
    Trevon Brazile has the short range, medium range, and long range. Trevon Brazile passes like a playmaker playing point guard. Trevon Brazile can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, and the 4 at power forward.
    
    
    
36. Los Angeles Clippers: Baba Miller, SF, Cincinnati C+ Grade
    
    
    The Los Angeles Clippers got my seventh best player available. Cincinnati small forward Baba Miller is a top 40 player.
    
    
    
    The 6-10 208 lb Baba Miler had 13 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, 1.2 blocks per game, a 52.9 field goal percentage, a 19.2% three point percentage, and a 65.8% free throw percentage as a senior at Cincinnati in 2025-2026. Baba Miller played at Florida State and Florida Atlantic before transferring to Cincinnati.
    
    
    
    Baba Miller the short range, medium range, and long range you want from a shooter. He does a good job stealing the basketball on defense as well as rebounding on both ends with offensive rebounds as well as defensive rebounds.
    
    
    
    
    
37. Miami Heat: Ryan Conwell, SG, Louisville A- Grade
    
    
    The Miami Heat have Andrew Wiggins at small forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo at power forward, and Bam Adebayo, their 2017 first round pick at center. Ryan Conwell could be a day 1 starter in Miami.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 214 lb Ryan Conwell had 18.8 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, a 40.8% field goal percentage, a 34.5% three point percentage, and a 83.2% free throw percentage as a senior in 2025-2026. Ryan Conwell played for four different schools in four years, but really broke out at Louisville.
    
    
    
    Ryan Conwell has the short range, medium range, and long range. Ryan Conwell can defend the 1 at point guard and the 2 at shooting guard.
    
    
    
38. Indiana Pacers: Braden Smith, PG, Purdue A- Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 166 lb Braden Smith had 12 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 7.5 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, a 44.1% field goal percentage, a 43.1% three point percentage, and a 79.5% free throw percentage as a sophomore when Purdue made the 2024 Men's Basketball Championship game where they lost to a Connecticut team that repeated in 2023-2024. Braden Smith had 15.8 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 8.7 assists per game, 2.2 steals per game, a 42.8% field goal percentage, a 38.1% three point percentage, anda 83.3% free throw percentage as a junior in 2024-2025. Braden Smith had 14.3 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 8.8 assists per game, a 44% field goal percentage, a 36.2% three point percentage, and a 82.% free throw percentage as a senior in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Braden Smith has the shooting to make short range, medium range, and long range. Braden Smith is a floor general in terms of generating assists as a playmaker too despite some scouts saying he's undersized. His defense needs to improve, but he could be a good depth player that ends up as a backup point guard to Tyrese Haliburton on the Indiana pacers.
    
    
    
    
    
39. New York Knicks: Jack Kayil, PG, Germany F Grade
    
    
    Jack Kayil is the second player drafted now outside of my top sixty. This gets the first F grade of the second round.
    
    
    
40. Boston Celtics: Dillon Mitchell, SF, St. John's C- Grade
    
    
    The Boston Celtics addressed their biggest need. Problem is he averaged under 10 points per game and was not in my top sixty overall.
    
    
    
    
    
41. Miami Heat: Otega Oweh, SG, Kentucky B Grade
    
    
    Otega Oweh might be the best shooting guard on the board. The Miami Heat needed a point guard which is why this is getting a B grade.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 212 lb Otega Oweh had 16.2 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, a 49.2% field goal percentage, a 35.5% three point percentage, and a 77.6% free throw percentage as a junior in 2024-2025. Otega Oweh had 18.6 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, a a 46.5% field goal percentage, a 33.3% three point percentage, and a 73.1% free throw percentage as a senior at Kentucky in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Otega Oweh can shoot from short range, medium range, and long range. He can get the ball to teammates as a passer and is a good playmaker. Otega Oweh can defend 1 at point guard and the 2 at shooting guard.
    
    
    
42. San Antonio Spurs: Ja'Kobi Gillespie, PG, Tennessee B Grade
    
    
    San Antonio has their future backup point guard whenever they decide to trade De'Aaron Fox. Ja'Kobi Gilespie will most likely start out in the NBA G-League and go to the San Antonio Spurs as Dylan Harper's backup whenever De'Aaron Fox gets traded.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 181 lb Ja'Kobie Gillespie had 18.4 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game, 2.1 steals per game, a 41% field goal percentage, a 35.8% three point percentage, and a 81.4% free throw percentage as a senior at Tennessee in 2025-2026. Ja'Kobie Gillespie got the short range, medium range, and long range you want in a shooter. This is the one trait Ja'Kobie Gillespie possesses that will make him successful in the NBA.
    
    
    
    
    
43. Brooklyn Nets: Tyler Bilodeau, PF, UCLA D Grade
    
    
    The 6-7 228 lb Tyler Bilodeau had 13.5 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, a 49.6% field goal percentage, a 40% three point percentage, and a 71.7% free throw percentage as a junior 2024-2025. Tyler Bilodeau had 17.6 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, a 51.8% field goal percentage, a 46.4% three point percentage, and a 87.3% free throw percentage as a senior at UCLA in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Tyler Bilodeau can shoot from short range, medium range, and long range. Shooting is his biggest strength. He needs to improve his defense and passing to become a consistent starter in the NBA, but he can come in and score off the bench while he develops his passing and defense more in the NBA G League.
    
    
    
44. San Antonio Spurs: Malik Brown, PF, Duke D Grade
    
    
    Malik Brown was a bench player at Duke. The only reason this isn't an F grade is because the Spurs have a dire need at power forward.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Sacramento Kings: Emanuel Sharp, SG, Houston B+ Grade
    
    
    Sacramento did need a shooting guard to develop behind Zach Lavine. Emanuel Sharp is a good option in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 208 lb Emanuel Sharp had 15.5 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game, a 41.3% field goal percentage, a 37.2% three point percentage, and a 89.1% free throw percentage as a senior in 2025-2026. Emanuel Sharp can hit shots from short range, medium range, and long range.
    
    
    
    
    
46. Washington Wizards:Felix Okpara, C, Tennessee A Grade
    
    
    I had Felix Okpara going forty sixth overall in m mock draft. He's going to the Washington Wizards as a backup to Anthony Davis and I really like the fit, so I will give the Wizards the second A grade of the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-10 237 lb Felix Okpara only averaged 8 points per game as a senior in 2025-2026. Felix Okpara elite short range, medium range, and long range. Felix Okpara can defend all five positions whether it is the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, or the 5 at center.
    
    
    
47. New York Knicks: Tyler Nickel, SF, Vanderbilt C Grade
    
    
    I mocked Tyler Nickel at 47 too. This is now the ninth pick I have correctly predicted in my 2026 NBA Mock Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 237 lb Tyler Nickel had 10.4 points per game, 2.4 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game, a 42% field goal percentage, a 40.5% three point percentage, and a 84.3% free throw percentage as a junior at Vanderbilt in 2024-2025. Tyler Nickel had 13.5 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, a 44.5% field goal percentage, a 40% three point percentage, and a 84.7% free throw percentage as a senior at Vanderbilt in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Tyler Nickel can shoot from short range, medium range, and long range. Tyler Nickel can play the 2 at shooting guard and the 3 at small forward, but he's a more natural fit at the 3 at small forward.
    
    
    
    
    
48. Dallas Mavericks: Tobi Lawal, PF, Virginia Tech C- Grade
    
    
    Dallas drafted another power forward. I liked Tobi Lawal, but this is a slight reach here.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 214 lb Tobi Lawal had 12.4 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game, a 55.95 field goal percentage, a 37.1% three point percentage, and a 64.1% free throw percentage as a junior at Virginia Tech in 2024-2025. Tobi Lawal had 12.3 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, 0.6 assists per game, 1.1 blocks per game, a 54.2% field goal percentage, a 25% three point percentage, and a 76.3% free throw percentage as a senior at Virginia Tech in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Tobi Lawal makes shots from short rannge. He can hit layups, dunk the basketball, attack the glass by getting offensive rebounds, and blocks shots effectively in the low post.
    
    
    
    
    
49. Denver Nuggets: Bryce Hopkins, SG, St. John's C- Grade
    
    
    Bryce Hopkins had more than 10 points per game. I actually like him in a depth role at shooting guard even though this is a reach.
    
    
    
50. Toronto Raptors: Jaden Bradley, PG, Arizona B Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 201 lb Jaden Bradley had 12.1 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, a 46.7% field goal percentage, a 32.1% three point percentage, and a 82.7% free throw percentage as a junior in 2024-2025. Jaden Bradley had 13.3 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 4.4 assists per game, a 46.3 field goal percentage, a 39.4% three point percentage, and a 80.9% free throw percentage as a senior helping Arizona get to the 2026 Final 4 in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Jaden Bradley can shoot shots from short range, medium range, and long range. His other biggest strength is his playmaking. Jaden Bradley is a great passer who can get the ball to his teammates. He needs to improve his defense, but learning under Immanuel Quickley may help him.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Orlando Magic: Izaiayh Nelson, PF, South Florida B Grade
    
    
    The Orlando Magic have Jalen Suggs their first 2021 first round pick at point guard, Desmond Bane at shooting guard, Franz Wagner their second 2021 first round pick at small forward, Paolo Banchero their first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft at power forward, and Wendell Carter Jr. at center. Orlando has everyone in this starting five locked up until 2030. Their sixth man Anthony Black a 2023 first round pick that can play both point guard as well as shooting guard is going to get extended as well.
    
    
    
    The Orlando Magic draft a big for depth. South Florida power forward Izaiayh Nelson has the versatility to play both the 4 at power forward and the 5 at center.
    
    
    
    Denver can draft Izaiayh Nelson. He can be utilized as a backup to both Paolo Banchero at power forward and Wendell Carter Jr. at center.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 219 lb Izaiayh Nelson had 15.8 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, 1.4 blocks per game, a 56.1% field goal percentage, a 14.3% three point percentage, and a 72.5% free throw percentage as a senior in 2025-2026. Izaiayh Nelson can make shots from short range and medium range. Izaiayh Nelson can defend against the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center.
    
    
    
52. Atlanta Hawks: Henri Veesar, C, North Carolina A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-11 227 lb Henri Veesaar had 17 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, 1.2 blocks per game, a 60.8% field goal percentage, a 42.6% three point percentage, and a 61.5% free throw percentage as a junior in 2025-2026. Most have Henri Veesaar in the late first round, but his tape shows he's good enough to go in the lottery range.
    
    
    
    Henri Veesaar has the shooting to make short range, medium range, and long range. Henri Veesaar also can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. Henri Veesaar is excellent at blocking shots too.
    
    
    
    Atlanta got a good backup center to Onyeka Okonwu. Okonwu is more of a 4 that converted to a 5 while Veesar is a true 5 at center.
    
    
    
    
    
53. Detroit Pistons: Ugonna Onyenso, C, Virginia C Grade
    
    
    The Detroit Pistons draft a center for depth. Ugonna Onyenso is the top center available. Luigi Suigo the final player in my top thirty withdrew from the 2026 NBA Draft six days before the draft took place.
    
    
    
    The 6-11 237 lb Ugonna Onyenso had 6.5 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game in 2025-2026. Ugonna Onyenso can hit shots from short range, defend the 1 at point guard, defend the 2 at shooting guard, defend the 3 at small forward, defend the 4 at power forward, and defend the 5 at center. He doesn't bring much else to the table though.
    
    
    
54. Golden State Warriors: Lajae Jones, SG, Florida State F Grade
    
    
    Golden State reached for a shooting guard. Yeah there were a lot of reaches near the end of the 2026 NBA Draft which made this draft very depressing.
    
    
    
    
    
55. Houston Rockets: Nick Martinelli, SF, Northwestern A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 223 lb Nick Martinelli had 20.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, a 47.1% field goal percentage, a 33.3% three point percentage, ad a 72.8% free throw percentage as a junior in 2024-2025. Nick Martinelli had 23 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, a 51% field goal percentage, a 41.7% three point percentage, and a 80.9% free throw percentage as a senior in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Nick Martinelli can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range. He passes like a playmaker. Nick Martinelli can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. Nick Martinelli doesn't have the championship pedigree that someone like Alex Karaban has, but he did look better in what I saw on film despite Karaban beating him in a tournament game during his sophomore season. He goes to Houston where he gets an opportunity to be Kevin Durant's successor.
    
    
    
56. Dallas Mavericks: Vsevolod Ishchenko, PG, Lokomotiv Kuban C Grade
    
    
    Dallas reached for a guy who will need additional development in the NBA G-League. He's 6-8 218 lbs if his NBA career doesn't workout he could always go to the other Dallas sports team that shares American Airlines Arena with the Mavericks.
    
    
    
    
    
57. Los Angeles Clippers: Narcisse Ngoy, PF, France F Grade
    
    
    I see London. I see France. I see Donald Sterling staring at the commissioners underpants.
    
    
    
58. New Orleans Pelicans: Jaron Pierre Jr. SG, SMU F Grade
    
    
    New Orleans has Dejounte Murray at point guard, Trey Murphy III at shooting guard, Saddiq Bey at small forward, Zion Williamson their first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft at power forward, and Derik Queen, their second 2025 first round pick at center. The New Orleans Pelicans also have Jeremiah Fears, their first 2025 first rounnd pick off the bench as a sixth man. This gives New Orleans the luxury to draft the best player available and at this point, that is Iowa State point guard Tamin Lipsey who played all four seasons at Iowa State without entering the transfer portal.
    
    
    
    New Orleans reached here. Lots of reaches after Nick Martinelli got drafted.
    
    
    
    
    
59. Minnesota Timberwolves: Trey Kaufman-Renn, PF, Purdue D Grade
    
    
    Minnesota drafted for need. Unfortuantely that's the only thing that kept them from getting an F grade since they reached here.
    
    
    
60. Milwaukee Bucks: Malique Lewis, PG, South East Melbourne Phoenix F Grade
    
    
    Malique Lewis is another reach to wrap up this draft. Milwaukee gets an F grade with way better point guards in college still on the board.