With several quality prospects unexpectedly falling into the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, fireworks were inevitable. Wednesday night did not disappoint on that front, as trades flew fast and furious, with several potential contributors leaking into the 40s and 50s.
Let’s grade every pick based on fit and their ranked on FanSided’s top 100 big board.
31. Houston Rockets (via WAS): Bruce Thornton, G, Ohio State
Houston won the trade sweepstakes to acquire this pick from New York. Bruce Thornton was one of the top guards in the country, but in the mold of the small guards who tend to stick in the modern NBA. He’s 6-foot even but also 223 pounds, with tremendous footwork and physicality as a driver. The rim-finishing numbers are elite for a guard and he can spray 3s, too. He will need to figure it out defensively, but for a Houston team in desperate need of point guard play, Thornton has a chance to squeak into a rotation spot.
Grade: A
32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND): Richie Saunders, F, Brigham Young
This is a VERY Grizzlies pick. Richie Saunders is 24 years old and coming off of an ACL injury, so there’s risk here. But he feels like a solid bet to stick on a roster and find ways to improve. To look at BYU before and after his season ended. Saunders plays with grit and physicality on defense. He’s not a great athlete, but he’ll rope 3s, attack closeouts with a purpose and make the right decisions in the flow of the offense. Given Memphis’ track record in this range, it’s hard to complain.
Grade: B+
33. Minnesota Timberwolves (via BKN): Isaiah Evans, F, Duke
Isaiah Evans was widely proclaimed as a first-round talent and even earned a green room invite, so his slide came as a surprise. Minnesota takes their best player available, no doubt. Evans is an electric movement shooter who made critical strides as a defender and a slasher in his sophomore year. Concerns persist around Evans’ thin frame, but if he can fill out, the Wolves should have a quality role player who can score off of Anthony Edwards’ gravity.
Grade: A
34. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAC): Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas
Meleek Thomas received looks in the teens, per multiple pre-draft reports, but the Cavs add him four picks into Round 2. It’s a great outcome. Thomas is a lights-out shooter with twitchy athleticism and a very intentional approach to the game. He’s out there to get buckets and he should benefit from the playmaking and overall gravity of both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. The defensive question marks are vast, but Cleveland needed guard depth and Thomas has the highest ceiling of any second-round pick.
Grade: A
35. Denver Nuggets (via UTA): Trevon Brazile, C, Arkansas
This feels like a stretch for Trevon Brazile, especially with better prospects on the board, but he’s an undeniable talent — with spring-loaded athleticism and a special ability to play above the rim. Denver has never really had a center like this behind Nikola Jokić. Brazile is limited as a decision-maker, but he can pop out for 3s and catch lobs all days, and he’s a prodigous shot-blocker. Health is also a concern after multiple major knee injuries, but the Nuggets are clearly trying to add some much-needed athleticism.
Grade: C
36. Los Angeles Clippers (via MEM): Baba Miller, F, Cincinnati
This is the kind of pick we’ve seen from Cincinnati in the past — a bet on unique tools and outlier traits, if not the immediate cleanest fit. Baba Miller is 6-foot-11 with real guard skills, especially dangerous out in transition. He’s a rangy defender. He thinks the game at a high level. The question marks hinge primarily on his shooting, but this is the appropriate range to see if Miller can become the type of point forward every NBA team wants.
Grade: A
37. Miami Heat (via DAL): Ryan Conwell, G, Louisville
The Heat acquire this pick from Oklahoma City and begin the process of stockpiling shooters to place around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt. Conwell is undersized and limited as an on-ball threat, but he’s very strong with a mean streak on defense, and he’s one of the best spot-up threats in the draft. It’s an obvious fit and he’s the kind of experienced, hard-nosed “veteran” prospect Erik Spoelstra can get something out of.
Grade: A
38. Indiana Pacers (via NOP): Braden Smith, G, Purdue
Indiana acquires this pick from Chicago. Braden Smith is a classic Pacers pick — another extremely high-feel guard with a special knack for facilitating out of the pick-and-roll and mixing in the occasional pull-up jumper. He’s 5-foot-10 and 167 pounds, which means he will fight an uphill battle defensively in the NBA, but he’s going to the team where T.J. McConnell has thrived in the Finals. Smith has the outlier feel, poise and skill to stick around.
Grade: A-
39. New York Knicks (via CHI): Jack Kayil, G, Germany
Jack Kayil withdrew his commitment from Gonzaga to keep his name in the draft. The Knicks continue to hammer the international prospect scene. Kayil is only 20, with impressive feel and craft as a point guard. He needs to improve his finishing, but he has excellent positional strength and he’s coming off of a productive season in a very good pro league in Germany. There’s real upside here and the Knicks need guard depth behind Jalen Brunson as questions swirl around the futures of Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet and others.
Grade: B
40. Boston Celtics (via MIL): Dillon Mitchell, F, St. John’s
Dillon Mitchell is an extremely fluid and explosive athlete on the wing. He’s a blur in transition, able to elevate and finish lobs with ease. He can guard all over the floor; quick enough to mirror ball-handlers on the perimeter, as well as a rangy help-side rim protector. He continues to expand his vision and aptitude as a passer. Mitchell is a total non-shooter and non-threat outside the paint, but Boston can surround him with a barrage of 3-point bombers.
Grade: C+
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