CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: Braden Smith drives to the basket during the game during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 13, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As I type this we’ve got Braden Smith drafted by the Chicago Bulls oh wait he’s been traded to the Indiana Pacers with #38 in the 2nd round of the NBA Draft. That’s a great landing spot for him and should put him on a pretty good team assuming that everyone on the Pacers comes back healthy. Not only that, but it places him in Indiana a state that he is obviously very familiar with as he played both high school and college ball here. Now, we wait to see if any other Boilermaker player gets their name called on the second night of this draft. As part of this week’s survey I asked you how many players you thought would be drafted and we closed this one early since the draft end tonight. So, here are the results.
Already 11% of respondents are wrong because they thought zero Purdue players would get drafted. Every other number is still on the board, though I gotta admit it that 2% who said four are sure optimistic. Oscar Cluff and TKR are still on the board and have a shot but it will be a long night for them as they would likely be toward the very end of the draft. So stay tuned to see how Boilermakers make it to the Association.
Continue to check out our friends at FanDuel for how this impacts NBA odds.
Baba Miller with NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum after being selected by the Clippers on Wednesday. (Yuki Iwamura / Associated Press)
The Clippers chose Spanish forward Baba Miller with the 36th overall selection in the NBA draft Wednesday at Barclays Center.
Miller came through Real Madrid’s famous youth academy before playing at Florida State, Florida Atlantic and Cincinnati. As a senior at Cincinnati, the 6-11, 208-pound Miller averaged 13 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
The Clippers already bolstered their backcourt during the draft by taking guard Keaton Wagler fifth overall in the first round Tuesday. Wagler is expected to pair immediately with All-Star guard Darius Garland with the Clippers trying to win their first playoff series since 2021.
The Clippers added frontcourt depth during last season’s draft with Yanic Konan Niederhauser, but the 6-11 center suffered a Lisfranc injury in March and missed the end of the season. After trading starting center Ivica Zubac to the Pacers midseason, helping the Clippers secure the draft pick that turned into this year’s top-five selection, the team only had 38-year-old Brook Lopez at center.
Miller was just one of three players nationally to average at least 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists this season. He was the first Bearcat to lead the team in points, rebounds and assists since Oscar Robertson in 1959-60.
Braden Smith is headed down I-65 from Purdue to Indianapolis as the Indiana Pacers acquired the local point guard via an immediate trade with the Chicago Bulls. This is the most ideal situation for a player who has been at the forefront of basketball in Indiana for over five years as Tyrese Haliburton recovers from a major injury that forced him to miss all of the 2025-2026 season. Smith will likely eventually replace veteran TJ McConnell as the guard for the second unit.
— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) June 25, 2026
Indiana’s style of play lends itself wonderfully for Smith as he will not be asked to do anything other than what he is very good at already. The Pacers have shooters surrounding lead guard Tyrese Haliburton already and Smith will benefit from that established culture and style of play.
More from Hammer and Rails on the other three Boilers who are waiting for where their NBA destination will lead.
INGLEWOOD, CA — The L.A. Clippers continue to take a business-as-usual approach to the offseason.
Veteran Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers remain in close communication regarding the future direction of the team, including NBA draft-related topics. Regardless of what the future holds for the team, the franchise remains tied to the superstar player while an NBA investigation remains ongoing.
The league is investigating team owner Steve Ballmer, Leonard and his uncle/advisor Dennis Robertson. All three men were allegedly involved in a “no-show” agreement with a company, Aspiration, to funnel extra compensation to the player as part of a salary cap circumvention. Leonard, Ballmer and other team executives were reportedly interviewed as part of the investigation.
“I can’t comment on the specifics of the investigation, but what I can say is we did not do what we are accused of doing,” said Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations. “The investigation has had no impact on how we go about our business. We just continue to go about our business as normal.”
The law firm tasked with running the investigation is expected to deliver its findings to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who will decide on any potential discipline. Silver indicated during a press conference in early June that the investigation needs to be wrapped up and have some finality.
“The team has to understand what situation they are going to be operating under and so do the other 29 teams,” Silver said.
A few teams, including the Golden State Warriors, may be closely monitoring Leonard’s status and could be interested in trading for him.
The Warriors reportedly checked in with the Clippers about Leonard leading up to the trade deadline in February, but Ballmer did not want to move his star player, in contrast to what the team did with Ivica Zubac and James Harden.
Leonard has one more year left on his contract with the Clippers, worth $50.3 million. The star will become a free agent if he is not signed to an extension. He played in 65 games last season, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Bruce Thornton shakes hands with Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum after he is drafted 31st overall by the New York Knicks in Round Two of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 24, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“With the 31st pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select Bruce Thornton, a guard from The Ohio State University.”
Ohio State’s all-time leading scorer and the only four-time captain in program history, Thornton heard his name called on Wednesday night during the second round of the draft, and will now have to work to earn a spot on the Rockets roster in the fall. Thornton is the first Ohio State men’s basketball player drafted since Brice Sensabaugh — who was in Thornton’s recruiting class — went 28th overall to the Utah Jazz in 2023.
Thornton was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree while at Ohio State, was one of just two Big Ten players ever to finish their career with 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists, and finished second all-time in program history in starts (136). He only missed one game in his college career — a game against Nebraska his sophomore season — due to a migraine that hit him shortly before game time.
Thornton averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game last season, shooting a hyper efficient 55.4% overall, 40% from three-point range, and 82.9% from the free throw line.
At 6-feet tall and 223 pounds, Thornton is stockier and shorter than a prototypical NBA point guard, but the ability to shoot the ball is transferrable anywhere, and Thornton proved in his college career that he can make any shot on the floor. According to Jam Hines of No Ceilings NBA, Thornton’s size and his age (22) were always going to count against him in this draft, but, “Because of what be does shooting the ball, he’s going to be a good fit anywhere.”
While talking to Land-Grant Holy Land on May 21 on the Bucketheads Podcast, Hines specifically pointed out Houston as a potential landing spot for Thornton, saying, “I think the Rockets would make a lot of sense, too. You have the defensive infrastructure there for the most part with (Amen) Thompson (being) there, a good defender. Tari Eason, Steven Adams too when he comes back. And we kind of saw what happened with them just running out of guards last year.”
As the first pick of the second round, Thornton will have a real shot at making Houston’s opening night roster. If not, Thornton will likely bounce between the Rockets and their G-League team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, based in Edinburg, Texas. Last year’s 31st overall pick, Rasheer Fleming, was drafted by the Phoenix Suns. He appeared in 31 games for the Suns this past season, averaging 12.2 minutes per game. After the draft, he signed a 4-year, $8.7-million dollar contract. Look for Thornton to agree to something similar.
Congratulations to Bruce, we look forward to watching your sensational career continue at the highest level!
WACO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 10: Richie Saunders #15 of the BYU Cougars is introduced as a starter before a game against the Baylor Bears at Foster Pavilion on February 10, 2026 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Scott Wachter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After AJ Dybantsa went #1 overall the Washington Wizards Tuesday night in the NBA Draft, Richie Saunders was selected in the second round at pick #32 by the Memphis Grizzlies .
After serving a two-year LDS Church mission, Richie began his career for BYU in 2022-2023 where he spent four years and will go down as one of the best players in BYU program history. Richie went from role player in his first two seasons under Mark Pope to Big 12 Most Improved Player and First Team All-Big 12 as a junior in Kevin Young’s first season. Richie’s points, rebounds, and assists all increased as a senior alongside AJ Dybantsa before Richie tore his ACL versus Colorado on Valentine’s Day.
As a junior in 2024-25, Richie averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds with 52/43/84 shooting splits. He was BYU’s best player despite playing alongside star freshman Egor Demin, who was drafted #8 by the Brooklyn Nets. Richie average 18 points and 6 boards as a senior on 49/38/82 splits and tore his ACL 25 games into the season.
Richie’s shooting prowess is easy to spot on film, but his hustle and tenacity are what will get him to stick around in the NBA. Richie averaged 2 offensive rebounds per game as a senior, and has what Kevin Young calls an “uncommon” motor. Richie was BYU’s glue guy his first two season, and kept that mentality his final two seasons despite being one of BYU’s star players.
He is one of BYU’s most beloved players ever, and I have no doubt Grizzlies fans will embrace him as well.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Bruce Thornton #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after a three-point basket against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Rockets are starting the second round of the NBA Draft with a bang.
Going into the night, the Rockets held the No. 39 and 53 picks, but they made a trade with the New York Knicks for the first pick in the second round. In the deal, the Rockets acquired Nos. 31 and 55 for Nos. 39 and 53. Houston also sent a 2029 second-round pick to New York in the deal. ESPN insider Shams Charania was the first to report the news.
Sources: The New York Knicks are trading Nos. 31 and 55 to the Houston Rockets for Nos. 39 and 53 and a 2029 Kings second-rounder. The moves begin for night two of the NBA Draft.
With the No. 31 overall pick, the Rockets selected Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton, who is the all-time leading scorer in Buckeyes history.
“What we’ve been able to do as we constructed this roster is put multiple playmakers out on the floor so we can move him into different areas and different spots, and he doesn’t always have to playmake with the ball in his hands and the guys can create some stuff for him,” Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler said in March.
“He got a couple of catch and shoot threes today that those other guys created for him and that versatility for us, I think makes us really hard to guard.”
Standing six feet tall, Thornton is undersized, but his ability to create should help the Rockets depth at the point guard position, which was sorely needed this season.
TDS community, what do you make of the Rockets’ decision to select Thornton in a trade with the Knicks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 3: Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) reacts to a call during the college basketball game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Arizona State Sun Devils on March 3, 2026 at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The hype for this group has been slowly building for years, and it reached a crescendo when a loaded freshman class immediately left a huge imprint on college basketball. NBA teams were so eager to land a top pick this year that it triggered a full-on tanking crisis, which caused the league to change the lottery rules going forward.
Finally, draft day is here. A good draft class can take teams from worst-to-first, and the recent success of the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Detroit Pistons proves it.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Darryn Peterson after he is drafted second overall by the Utah Jazz during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All in all, it’s just another brick in the wall All in all, you’re just another brick in the wall — Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2
Darryn Peterson is the defining piece of Utah’s rebuild
It would be inappropriate to open this article with anything besides a warm welcome to the newest member of the Utah Jazz, Darryn Peterson. A standout at Kansas, Peterson distinguished himself as the best guard prospect the NBA Draft has seen since Kyrie Irving, behind a symphonic combination of scoring, ball-handling, vicious perimeter defending, and a sugar-sweet jumper that has worked at every level.
Even as BYU’s AJ Dybantsa distanced himself in the race for the number-one pick, supporters of Peterson’s candidacy remain resolute that he is a number-one quality prospect. Utah feels the same way.
But he means much more than that for the Utah Jazz. In the context of his new home, Darryn Peterson is the final brick in Utah’s prolonged reconstruction efforts. In selecting Peterson second overall, the Jazz have sent out a telegram to the basketball universe, and it contains just two poignant words: we’re ready.
While Pink Floyd may have illustrated a lack of individuality and a mandate for conformity, I refer to the line “another brick in the wall” from a different perspective. Darryn Peterson is a member of the team now, and the defining addition of a team that has been years in the making.
Piece by piece and brick by brick, the Utah Jazz have spent the past three seasons constructing a contender. Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Walker Kessler were the first crucial additions in the fallout of the Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell expulsions.
Last year’s acquisition of Ace Bailey was a massive step in the right direction. Despite slipping to the fifth pick in the draft order, Utah secured a player who could bloom into a high-level star in the NBA — even if he has a few imperfections to shave from his skill tree.
Now with Peterson, the Jazz have a player who is expected to develop into a superstar; he’s no project.
Are Darryn Peterson-Kobe Bryant comparisons blasphemous?
This fellow here has been compared to countless established NBA players, as is the customary rite from evaluators and engagement farmers.
Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, Bradley Beal, Brandon Roy, and even Kobe Bryant are the electron cloud orbiting Darryn Peterson’s nucleus. That’s a high-grade spread of all-time great shooting guards, and a tall bar to clear for a player who has yet to play a second of NBA basketball. But every player has their own distinct platter of tendencies. So what can be gleaned from what Darryn Peterson has displayed to this point?
Well, if Peterson’s perspective is significant, he models his game after Booker, one of basketball’s best jump-shooting guards in recent memory.
“Who’s one player you’ve modeled your game after?”
For all of Keyonte George’s strides from last season, Peterson will need to fill in for his backcourt mate on the defensive end this year. He’s the ideal complement for a player like George, who’s become adept at drawing fouls and creating his own shot — so much that his improvements as a playmaker have gone largely overlooked by the general public. Keyonte and Collier, Inc. is a proficient distribution center in Salt Lake City, and Peterson will gladly play the recipient for catch-and-shoot looks.
He’ll need to continue to grow off-ball and as a passer, because he did not share the rock especially well as a Freshman in Lawrence. Pushing just 1.6 assists per night in 20 minutes does not inspire hope that he could become a one-stop shop for all of Utah’s offensive needs — even if the team believes he, like George, holds untapped playmaking upside.
Fortunately, DP creates his own shot with all the grace of a first-chair cellist. He is beauty, grace, and Miss United States with the basketball in his hands, and he has no shortage of moves, athleticism, or shooting touch when elevating for a jumper. He’s got a killer’s mentality, and basketball flows from his fingertips like sweet, sweet music.
He soars to the basket upon eagles’ wings and is truly a revelation when he gets a glimpse of the rim.
This is his biggest selling point: his ability to put that darn ball through the darn basket. Utilizing a cling-wrap handle in conjunction with his liquid jump shot makes Darryn’s offensive game unstoppable — much like liquid held in a pocket of cling-wrap. Metaphorical abnormalities aside, Peterson’s jump shot is one smooth motion — practically as close to one motion as a player could realistically get — while maintaining control and precision. He hit 38% of his three-pointers as a freshman under Bill Self, and this despite appearances that he was a bit restricted by design while running with the Jayhawks.
He rounds out the backcourt in Utah and may be half of one of the NBA’s best scoring guard lines within the next few seasons.
Peterson’s addition gives the Jazz a remarkably complete starting lineup, with Markkanen, Jackson Jr, and Kessler (presumably) adding experience and complementary skills and one of the most air-tight frontcourts in the league, on paper at least.
If you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding!
Remember, Darryn, if you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding (that’s right, I’m not done with the Pink Floyd reference). The Jazz are fully constructed and ready to pursue their ultimate goal: a chance at bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy to Utah. But that goal will never be actualized without a commitment — a whole-hearted buy-in — from the player who was selected to become the organization’s foundational star.
Source on the Jazz picking Darryn Peterson: He's super excited to be a part of the program and the Jazz are thrilled to have him. Darryn can lift the group in the short and long term
Early reports about Darryn’s aversion to Utah appear to have been completely off-base — just like Ace Bailey last year, what are the odds? — and I have no reservations about his commitment to his teammates, to his team, and to the fanbase celebrating his selection back in the Beehive State.
I have no doubts that Peterson is sincere about his plans with the Jazz. He’ll put in the work, he’ll be a good teammate, and he’ll be the type of player that makes local fans clamor to snatch his jersey off the racks.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jaylen Brown’s name has been coming up a lot in trade rumors beyond just Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name.
It sounds like he is available and the Celtics are listening “with intention” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
When asked if Jaylen Brown would be on the team next year, Brad Stevens said last night, “Jaylen Brown is a big part of us. I’m never gonna predict the future, but everything I think about has been building around (Brown and Jayson Tatum). Obviously, you never know, but the one thing I want to make clear is how valued he’s always been.”
Not exactly a resounding “yes, Brown will be in Boston next season,” so let the rumors continue.
Thus, here are five teams that could trade for Brown and what they could give up.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 12: Zion Williamson #1 and Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans defend Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden on January 12, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
New Orleans Pelicans
If any trade is going to happen with New Orleans, Trey Murphy is going to be involved in any deal.
A 6-foot-6 swing man, Murphy has averaged 21.2 and 21.5 points per game that last two seasons while playing solid defense. He is a really good player who has three years at $87 million on his current contract.
Zion Williamson is, of course, going to be mentioned, too. Health has always been a concern for Zion, but he played in 62 games last season, including missing only one game from December 12th to April 5th, when he was shut down for the final three games of the season.
The former #1 pick of the 2019 NBA Draft is a good player, scoring 21.0 points per game on 60% from the field last year and 60% from inside the arc. Stevens has said Boston wants more dunks and Zion would certainly provide that. However, his fitness and health probably keep him out of a deal.
Herb Jones is another valuable piece that the Pelicans could include in a deal. An elite defensive player, Jones would become Boston’s best wing defender, but his shot leaves something to be desired. A new 3-year, $68 million extension does kick in next season for Jones, but he is a good player who Boston should want in a deal.
A potential deal: Boston gets Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Jordan Poole and the better of Bucks or Pelicans 2027 first round pick, unprotected. New Orleans gets Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser.
That Bucks or Pelicans pick is likely going to be top-10 and a pick I am rather interested in, even if next year’s draft is considered bad by many. Murphy, as I stated, is a must and Jones is a guy Boston would likely want to grab, too.
I debated between Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole as the big salary matcher of this trade. Murray is a better player, but he has a $30.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season that I have limited interest in acquiring.
Adding Hauser to the deal hurts, but he helps the salaries and allows the Celtics to get more from the deal because New Orleans really values Murphy and Jones.
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 1: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game on November 1, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Houston Rockets
This is about Kevin Durant vs. Alpren Sengun. I’d rather get Durant — he is a better player and I just don’t think Sengun can survive well enough on defense to win a title. Yes, there is baggage involved with Durant. He could make a burner and say everyone on the team stinks, and his age is an issue, but I would rather him over Sengun.
I don’t like Sengun’s game, but I can understand why someone would want him over Durant. His passing and rebounding are both good traits; his defense is just too bad for me to want to grab him.
Meanwhile, Durant remains an excellent player. He played in 78 games last season, averaging 26.0 points, 5,5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. He slides into the Celtics starting lineup very well and can give Boston 2 or 3 more years of high level play.
I also have no interest in Jabari Smith Jr. He is a fine player, but paying him $122 million over the next 5 years is not something I would love to do.
Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson are players the Celtics have to ask for and the Rockets will say no. They should also ask for the 2027 Brooklyn pick, another thing that Houston likely says no to, although they’re more likely to say yes to that than the players.
A potential deal: Boston gets Kevin Durant, Clint Capela, the Suns 2027 first round pick, unprotected and the best of Suns, Rockets, Mavericks 2029 first round pick, unprotected. Houston gets Jaylen Brown.
I do think there is a debate on if Brown or Durant is a better player right now. I’d lean Brown, but it’s really close. Age is what gets Boston more assets in this deal. Capela is a salary matcher, but he is a solid backup center, who doesn’t fill the Celtics need at center.
The picks are where the value is. The Suns proved to be better than expected this year, but that is still a mid-tier pick and with less tanking, could lead Phoenix into the lottery. The hope is that one of the three teams is in the lottery with the 2029 pick and you get two lottery picks from this deal.
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 26: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball as Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers plays defense during the game on January 26, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Portland Trail Blazers
This is the move that would net the Celtics the least amount of player value and the most amount of draft value. Portland owns the Bucks swap rights in 2028 and 2030 while also owning the Celtics 2029 pick. Those are the prizes of this deal.
However, there are some good young players on the Blazers roster. Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson are the guys Boston would want to acquire in a deal. Brad Stevens said in his press conference on Tuesday night that the Celtics want to add speed on the perimeter this offseason. Those guys help that goal.
Sharpe averaged 20.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season while Henderson averaged 14.2 points and 3.7 assists. Henderson only played in 30 games due to a torn left hamstring.
You’d need to eat the last two years and $70.6 million left on Jerami Grant’s contract but that gets you more value in any deal. Grant isn’t a bad player, but he is overpaid and hurt a lot.
A potential deal: Boston gets Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Jerami Grant, the best of Bucks, Blazers or Magic 2028 first round pick, unprotected, the best of the Bucks, Blazers or Celtics 2029 first round pick, unprotected and the better of the Bucks or Blazers 2030 first round pick, unprotected. Portland gets Jaylen Brown.
Milwaukee doesn’t project to be very good over the next few seasons, so betting against them would be the big chips in the deal for the Celtics. You could make those picks or you could trade those picks for an upgrade in your talent pool as they build around Jayson Tatum.
Sharper and Henderson are both at the end of their rookie contracts. Sharpe has a 4-year $90 million extension kicking in this season and Scoot is extension eligible as he gets set to be a restricted free agent next season. While those guys have value, I am unsure of how much.
Add that to Grant being a negative asset and that is how I landed on Boston getting three picks.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 27: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics attempts a shot past Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers during the first quarter at the TD Garden on January 27, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have been long rumored as a Jaylen Brown team. However, a deal isn’t possible to make without Los Angeles including one of Darius Garland or Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard is the better player right now. He was All-NBA last season averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game and a duo of him and Tatum would rank among the top of the NBA.
However, his health and contract is a concern. He missed a large chunk of the 2024-25 season, but has been healthy ever since that point. He is also set to be a free agent and the last time he was a free agent, he did everything in his power to get to Los Angeles. Are we sure he’d extend in Boston?
Garland, meanwhile, is a worse player by a pretty significant margin, who also has health concerns. However, unlike Leonard, you know he’d be a Celtic long term, he is younger than Leonard and the Celtics could get more assets with Garland.
A potential deal: Boston gets Kawhi Leonard and the Pacers 2029 first round pick, unprotected. Los Angeles gets Jaylen Brown.
The gap between Leonard and Garland is too big for Boston to not ask for Leonard. Would the Clippers do it? I’m not sure but it would be funny after all these years for the Celtics to trade Jaylen Brown for Kawhi Leonard.
I also don’t think that the Clippers have the assets to bridge the gap to get a Brown for Garland deal done without putting newly drafted Keaton Wagler in the trade.
Leonard and Brown are so close as players, I think Leonard is probably better and that this deal would keep the Celtics in the hunt and get them another asset. However, no deal would be possible without an extension commitment from Leonard.
Cleveland Cavaliers
There was a Jaylen Brown for Evan Mobley trade framework floating around social media on Wednesday and I do think it has some merit. The Celtics need a big and while Mobley is a flawed player who hasn’t broken out in the ways many thought he would, he is a really good player.
Last season he averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game and was really great in the playoffs, though his numbers were down averaging 17.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, he was very impactful on both ends of the floor, lifting Cleveland’s defense in a number of ways.
While he isn’t the best player I have proposed today, I think his long term impact is the most valuable to the Celtics and think getting him would be a good idea while Cleveland shakes up their team in a major way.
It would be interesting to see what a Jayson Tatum-Evan Mobley pick-and-roll connection would look like because it hasn’t felt like Mobley has clicked with James Harden in that regard.
A potential deal: Boston gets Evan Mobley, Dennis Schroder, 2031 Cavaliers unprotected first round pick. Cleveland gets Jaylen Brown.
I think the gap between Mobley and Brown, combined the Celtics taking on Schroder in this trade, is enough for there to be an unprotected pick involved.
While Mobley is a great player, he is by no means a perfect player as there are still concerns on if he can play center in the NBA for an entire season.
Bringing Schroder back to Boston is something that I would not be the biggest fan of but if it means the Celtics get a pick out of this deal, I’d be willing to do it.
NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Steve Nash poses with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft on June 26, 1996 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver poses with the 2026 NBA Draft prospects for a portrait before the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s time for the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft! The Golden State Warriors, who used their first-round pick on Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg on Tuesday, have the No. 54 pick on Wednesday. However, the Dubs have made a habit of making draft-day trades during the second round in recent years, so don’t be surprised if there’s some action from them today.
Join us in the comment section for all the action! It kicks off at 5:00 p.m. PT on ESPN.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: AJ Dybantsa is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 NBA Draft continues tonight with the opening round beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT), while the second round will take place tomorrow evening. Use this open thread to follow every pick, react to trades, and discuss everything happening as the league’s newest class finds its NBA homes.
You can watch the draft live on ESPN.
Second-Round Order
Houston Rockets (via New York): Bruce Thornton, G, OSU
Memphis Grizzlies: Richie Saunders, G, BYU
Minnesota Timberwolves (via Brooklyn Nets): Isaiah Evans, G, DUKE
Sacramento Kings: Meleek Thomas, G, ARK
Denver Nuggets (via San Antonio Spurs): Trevon Brazile, F, ARK
Los Angeles Clippers: Baba Miller, F, CIN
Miami Heat (via Oklahoma City Thunder): Ryan Conwell, G, LOU
Indiana Pacers (via Chicago Bulls): Braden Smith, G, PUR
New York Knicks (via Houston Rockets): Jack Kayil, G, Germany
Boston Celtics: Dillon Mitchell, F, SJU
Miami Heat (via Oklahoma City Thunder, via . . . Miami Heat): Otega Oweh, G, UK
San Antonio Spurs: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, G, TENN
Brooklyn Nets: Tyler Bilodeau, F, UCLA
San Antonio Spurs: Maliq Brown, F, DUKE
Sacramento Kings: Emanuel Sharp, G, HOU
Orlando Magic: Felix Okpara, F, TENN
New York Knicks (via Phoenix Suns): Tyler Nickel, F, VAN
Dallas Mavericks: Tobi Lawal, F, VT
Denver Nuggets: Bryce Hopkins, F, SJU
Toronto Raptors: Jaden Bradley, G, ARIZ
Orlando Magic (via Washington Wizards): Izaiyah Nelson, F, USF
Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Clippers): Henri Veesaar, C, UNC
Detroit Pistons (via New York Knicks, via Houston Rockets): Ugonna Onyenso, C, UVA
Golden State Warriors: Lajae Jones, G, FSU
Los Angeles Clippers (via Houston Rockets, via New York Knicks): Nick Martinelli, F, NU
Dallas Mavericks (via Los Angeles Lakers, via Chicago Bulls): Vsevolod Ishchenko, G, Russia
Los Angeles Clippers (via Atlanta Hawks): Narcisse Ngoy, F, France
New Orleans Pelicans (via DET via NYK, BKN, PHX, ORL and LAC): Jaron Pierre Jr., G, SMU
Minnesota Timberwolves: Trey Kaufman-Renn, F, PUR
Milwaukee Bucks (via Orlando Magic, via Washington Wizards):
First-Round Order
Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, G, KU
Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, F, DUKE
Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, F, UNC
Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana): Keaton Wagler, G, ILL
Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., G, LOU
Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., G, ARK
Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans): Kingston Flemings, G, HOU
Dallas Mavericks: Morez Johnson Jr., F, MICH
Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries, G, ARIZ
Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, F, MICH
Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers): Aday Mara, C, MICH
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: A view of the stage after the conclusion of Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers will be involved in the second round of the draft on Wednesday after all.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Lakers have traded for the No. 56 pick in the draft, sending the Bulls cash considerations in exchange.
Sources: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring No. 56 from the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the NBA draft tonight at 8 pm ET on ESPN. Lakers sent cash to the Bulls to get a pick tonight.
That latter trade could come up again this season. Getting a foot in the door with a second round pick is the first step and now the front office and ownership can start moving up the draft if a player they value is still on the board.
According to NBA beat writer Jake Fischer, it looks like the Lakers will try to repeat that sequence again this year.
We're expecting a ton of trade activity throughout tonight's second round.
Among that movement: I'm being told the Lakers are working to trade up even higher in the second round, after already acquiring the No. 56 pick tonight.
The Lakers are flexing their financial muscle this year, trading cash to the Knicks to move up one spot from the No. 25 pick to the No. 24 pick. There is a finite amount of money a team can trade in each league year, but the figures involved in LA’s trade with the Knicks on Tuesday, or in this trade, are not known, so it’s unclear how much money they have left to offer.
Still, this is the benefit of having an owner in Mark Walter who is willing to spend. If the team has money to spend, there’s no upside to not spending it. The Lakers are a team in need of athleticism and young talent and they’re using money to move up in the draft and acquire players.
The amount cash allowed to send or receive in a trade resets on July 1.
Teams are at their own discretion to use cash received in a trade as they please.
The maximum allotment this season was $7.96M.
A team is hard capped at the second apron if cash is sent.
The Lakers still have an obvious need at center. Teams also can never have too many wings and the Lakers still need some athleticism even after selecting Cameron Carr in the first round.
It’s always hard to project how things will play in the second round of the draft, so it’ll be hard to know who might be available with the No. 56 pick. But don’t be surprised if this is the first of a couple of deals for the Lakers on the night.
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 15: Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (7) goes up for a dunk around Vanderbilt Commodores forward Ak Okereke (10) during the SEC Tournament championship game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Arkansas Razorbacks, March 15, 2026 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
If anyone thinks the Washington Wizards 2026 draft is now reduced to offloading picks 51 and 60, I have four words: I sure hope not.
The Wizards got the draft started by making the high-scoring, hyper-athletic AJ Dybantsa the No. 1 overall pick. That’s fine work. And there’s no reason to stop.
The Wizards should trade up in the second round to land someone like Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile. | Getty Images
As Greg Finberg wrote this morning, potentially good players are still available. According to YODA (my stat-based draft analysis tool) top remaining prospects not selected in the first round include:
Trevon Brazile | F | Arkansas
Meleek Thomas | G | Arkansas
Richie Saunders | G | BYU
Isaiah Evans | W | Duke
Izaiyah Nelson | C | South Florida
Ugonna Onyenso | C | Virginia
Tamin Lipsey | G | Iowa State
At this stage of the rebuild, the Wizards would be wise to be aggressive in acquiring additional talent. I understand concerns about players potentially blocking each other from playing time and of the possibility of creating headaches for the coach. I’m not persuaded, though.
To me, one lesson of nearly 50 years of watching and analyzing NBA basketball is that there’s no such thing as “too much” talent. As former Wizards executive Tommy Sheppard once said about finding good players, “We’re all robbing the same train.”
The current Wizards roster has theoretical depth. If young guys develop as hoped, they could end up with a logjam.
But when it comes to theoretical depth and player development, there’s an important thought to keep in mind: You never know.
As in, you never know when someone you’re counting on to play major minutes is going to land awkwardly and take an odd step and end up missing 30 games.
While you may believe in the ability of young players to improve, history says some of them won’t — or won’t improve as much as you’d like. Some might even get worse. It happens. We talk about career arcs and improvement trajectories, but those are averages across hundreds or even thousands of players. The thing about averages is there are outliers on all sides. Maybe you get lucky and an afterthought becomes a star. Or maybe you get unlucky and someone you thought would be a star becomes average or worse.
Back to the Wizards roster for a moment, they have two guys who could truly be considered proven — Anthony Davis and Trae Young. When healthy, Davis was among the best big men in the game, especially on defense. Young has more warts, but at worst has been pretty good the past few years. Both have some durability concerns, but assuming reasonable luck with health, it’s reasonable to think they’ll be good.
I’d consider Alex Sarr proven. He was terrific last season for a second-year player. Even if he doesn’t improve a bit, he could still be a good starter on a team trying to win.
After that, I get the arguments in favor of Kyshawn George, but he’s at a point where his career could go in a lot of different directions. He has plenty of strengths. He also makes a ton of mistakes — some of which (turnovers and excessive fouling) make him unreliable in high-pressure situations.
Bilal Coulibaly might be a starter or valued reserve. He might also remain so limited on the offensive end that he’s relegated to a defensive specialist role.
Tre Johnson showed promise as a shooter, but he also needs to improve his skills, conditioning, strength, defense, and all-around awareness.
Bub Carrington shot well, but struggled to handle the ball against pressure, played smaller than his measured height, and struggled to get by any but the weakest defenders.
Will Riley flashed potential, but deeper analysis of his last-season surge indicated there was less there than met the eye.
The point is not to trash these guys — none of them are bad players. Any of them could possibly become All-Stars or better if they put in the work and get lucky. But any of them could also get hurt, regress, focus offseason work time on the wrong things, or get derailed by personal issues.
Since none of the youngsters — except perhaps Dybantsa and Sarr — could be considered “sure things,” (and Dybantsa hasn’t stepped on an NBA floor yet), the Wizards front office should continue bringing in talented youngsters who can create some competition for minutes and roles.
Worst case, some talented players might get out-competed for a role and be relegated to the bench. At least until someone ahead of him gets hurt or doesn’t perform as hoped. Over a long NBA season, teams need guys who are chomping at the bit for minutes and are working for playing time. They need guys who stay ready for when their chance comes.
And, if there’s a problem at some point that the team has “too many” good players (a challenge the Wizards have never faced and probably never will), someone can be traded.
In other words, Will Dawkins should see if there’s a way to trade up to add someone like Brazile or Thomas or another youngster who just might have a chance to be a good NBA player. They’re going to need guys like that. Probably sooner than they think.
