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The Utah Jazz are coming away with one of the greatest draft opportunities in all of team history. The #2 pick could not have happened in a more talented draft. The question is, did they make the right pick? Here is a roundup of all the draft grades around the league, telling us how the Jazz did.

Mock	Link	Jazz Grade
SB Nation	https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1119813/nba-draft-instant-grades-for-every-2026-first-round-pick	B+
Athletic	https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7382887/2026/06/23/nba-draft-grades-analysis-2026-vecenie-hollinger/	B
ESPN	https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49147426/2026-nba-draft-grades-winners-losers-sleepers-best-picks-value-reaches-all-30-teams-classes	A-
Yahoo	https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/2026-nba-draft-grades-second-round-pick-by-pick-analysis-002235518.html	A+
CBS	https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2026-nba-draft-grades-pick-by-pick-analysis-round-2/	A

This group of draft grades gives the Jazz a GPA of 3.66. That puts the Jazz average at an A- or in the 90-92% range. Not bad for the Jazz, who come away with one of the most heralded guard prospects in decades. Darryn Peterson is the type of player who will change everything for the franchise. Peterson is the type of prospect who has every career outcome on the table if he reaches his potential. What do I mean by career outcome? Things like All-Stars, All-NBAs, MVPs, and Hall-of-Fame. Those are the types of things that Peterson could potentially reach with his level of talent.

I’d say picking a player like that is definitely worthy of an A-. It’s grades like these that remind me that some teachers are curmudgeons and just want to give a low grade. You can’t win no matter what you do.

FanDuel now has the Rookie of the Year odds added. It looks like Darryn Peterson is tied for second with AJ Dybantsa behind Cam Boozer.

The second round of the draft came and went mostly unceremoniously, but a few trade rumors cropped up during the broadcast. One of them involved the Spurs and an unlikely trade target. While discussing Kawhi Leonard’s future, his “former teams” were listed among those “keeping an eye on” the situation, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

Bobby Marks:

"I think there's a lot of playoff teams keeping an eye on what happens with Kawhi Leonard"

"What playoff teams?"

*Silence*

Marks: "Maybe his former teams" pic.twitter.com/3Nibdt2q3A

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 25, 2026

Now, bear in mind that Marks was reluctant to name any potential trade destinations, first saying that several playoff teams were interested. Brian Windhorst confidently suggested that the Pistons were one of them before Marks, prompted by host Malika Andrews, sheepishly said that “maybe” Leonard’s former teams, the Raptors and Spurs, would be potential landing spots. It wasn’t a strong report naming San Antonio as actively engaged in talks. The Silver and Black were mentioned as a franchise that is, again, keeping an eye on things.

That said, the fact that insiders even mentioned the Spurs as a team potentially trying to acquire Leonard is shocking, given how messy their breakup was. For those who don’t remember, here’s a short and incomplete summary: The team’s medical staff and Leonard’s doctors disagreed on the diagnosis of an injury. The first disagreement led to Kawhi refusing to play while cleared. Tensions rose until the future Hall-of-Famer and his controversial representative and uncle, Dennis Robertson, forced their way out. Instead of sending him to Los Angeles, as Leonard wanted, San Antonio’s front office sent him to Toronto, where he won a title before signing with the Clippers in free agency.

Leonard has been repeatedly injured since the initial trade and for a sizable part of his Clippers tenure, but had a bounce-back year in 2025/26, playing 32 minutes a night on the 65 games he suited up for and posting a career-high in points per game. His fantastic performance on the floor was often overshadowed by an off-court scandal. The NBA is currently investigating the Clippers for circumventing the salary cap to pay Leonard by funding a sponsor that gave him a large deal without asking anything in return from Leonard. In the past, Robertson had reportedly asked for no-show endorsement deals, among other things, but the league found no evidence of wrongdoing back in 2019.

From a purely basketball-related standpoint, Leonard could be a great fit in San Antonio. He’s not the All-NBA defender he once was, but he can still guard multiple positions, and he’s a deadly scorer with the size to play either forward spot. He would represent a significant upgrade as a starter over either Devin Vassell or Julian Champagnie. He has championship experience and can create for himself in the clutch. If he’s healthy enough to play 60+ regular-season games and be in rhythm for the postseason, he’d make the team better.

The question is, how would the Spurs acquire him? The simplest transaction would be to trade De’Aaron Fox for Leonard, but such a move seems unlikely. Not only did general manager Brian Wright assure the media and fans that the franchise had full trust in Fox despite a poor showing in the Finals, but even if San Antonio was willing to trade Fox, why would the Clippers agree to such a deal? They drafted Keaton Wagler fifth overall in the 2026 draft and have Darius Garland making a lot of money on their books, which makes them unlikely to covet another guard. A third team would likely be necessary.

Beyond the logistics of a potential trade, would Leonard be happy returning to the Spurs? And would Spurs fans embrace him after all the drama? The decision-makers seem to have made their peace with what happened, with Gregg Popovich scolding fans for booing Kawhi back in 2023, but Leonard never expressed remorse for how things went in San Antonio, and a lot of fans haven’t forgiven him. Leonard is also extension-eligible, which could make things awkward fast if he doesn’t commit to the team or the front office hesitates to offer him long-term money.

For now, this is only a rumor. It’s completely possible Leonard stays with the Clippers or is traded somewhere else. There’s even a very small possibility that his contract is voided if the league finds evidence of cap circumvention after ending the investigation. Nothing seems imminent.

It will be interesting to see if the rumor turns into a report soon, as the league approaches the more hectic time of the offseason, free agency. At this point, a reunion seems unlikely for many reasons, but stranger things have happened in the NBA.

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So, Spurs fans, how would you feel about Leonard potentially returning to San Antonio? Let us know in the comments.

The Phoenix Suns are already getting to work after not selecting anyone in the second round of the NBA Draft. According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, Nebraska’s Sam Hoiberg intends to sign a contract with the Phoenix Suns after not getting drafted to a team.

Hoiberg, who was Big-Ten All-Defensive team last season, played four years at Nebraska, where his father Fred, who used to coach the Chicago Bulls, is the coach. A 6’0,” guard, the 23-year old senior averaged career-highs in points, steals, rebounds and assists, playing more than 32 minutes per game as he helped his school’s men’s team reach their first ever Sweet 16, where they lost to Iowa. Hoiberg shot 55% from the field, 38% from three and 75% from the charity stripe during the 2025-2026 campaign.

While the contract details haven’t been announced yet, it’s likely that his contract is a two-way deal considering Phoenix’s limited roster space and reported intentions of retaining center Mark Williams in free agency.

After resigning Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie in the last week, Hoiberg’s signing is an extension of management’s efforts to solidify the team’s guards spots after dealing with injuries to Goodwin, Devin Booker and Jalen Green throughout the season.

Center Narcisse Ngoy secured a spot in the NBA before officially starting his college career.

The Clippers hold the rights to the 7-foot-1 Frenchman after trading with the Atlanta Hawks for the 57th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA draft on Wednesday, June 24.

Ngoy is said to have a 7-foot-7 wingspan but has a raw skill set on the offensive end, according to Raphielle Johnson of NBC Sports.

He helps address a positional need for the Clippers roster, but he will not be available for the franchise next season.

Ngoy will play for Auburn this upcoming season after committing to the program in March before deciding to enter his name in the draft.

Ngoy played professionally for the French Pro B league. He averaged a double-double and led France's second division in blocks per game.

He will serve as an interesting case study for NBA teams.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers to stash Auburn center Narcisse Ngoy after second round draft

Jaden Bradley is heading to the Six.

The Arizona point guard was selected 50th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Bradley will play only a couple hours from where he grew up in Rochester, New York.

The 6-foot-3 Bradley capped off a prolific collegiate career with a senior season for the ages. He earned Big 12 Player of the Year honors, averaging 13.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds. Bradley was a Big 12 All Defensive Team selection and a Third Team All-American (NABC, USBWA, The Sporting News).

Bradley led Arizona to Big 12 regular season and conference tournament championships. He was named the Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Bradley played a standout role in Arizona advancing to its first Final Four in 25 years.

JB is heading to the North 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/5IHsRmvVF2

— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) June 25, 2026

Bradley joins a Raptors franchise coming off a fifth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Toronto’s point guards include Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead.

Bradley was the third Arizona player selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, joining Brayden Burries (10th overall to the Milwaukee Bucks) and Koa Peat (30th overall to the Phoenix Suns).

Arizona’s three draft picks are the program’s most since 2022, when Bennedict Mathurin, Dalen Terry and Christian Koloko were selected.

Veesaar slides, Awaka goes undrafted

The bigger surprise of the draft was the fall of former Arizona big man Henri Veesaar, who had to wait until pick 52 to hear his name called. The North Carolina product turned down a reported $5 million NIL deal to remain in the draft with the hopes of being selected in the first round.

Veesaar instead slid to the late second round, when the Atlanta Hawks traded with the Los Angeles Clippers to draft him. Veesaar’s fall will serve as a cautionary tale for college players with remaining eligibility who face the choice of returning to school for a large payday or chasing their professional dreams.

Arizona forward Tobe Awaka went undrafted after averaging 9.3 points and 9.1 rebounds as a senior, winning Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year, but ended up reportedly signing a 2-way deal with the Chicago Bulls.

ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo ranked Awaka as his top undrafted player.

My top-ranked undrafted players:

Tobe Awaka (48)
Aaron Nkrumah (52)
Nate Bittle (55)
Milos Uzan (57)
Noam Yaacov (58)
Oscar Cluff (59)
Kylan Boswell (62)
Michael Ajayi (63)
Jaden Henley (64)
Nick Boyd (65)

— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) June 25, 2026

Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal is headed to the NBA. In the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks used the No. 48 overall pick on Lawal.

Here’s Lawal hearing the news.

Dallas selects Tobi Lawal with the 48th pick! pic.twitter.com/iFVi5qZ5hx

— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 25, 2026

The 6-foot-8 Lawal is a native of London, but did not start playing basketball until he was 16. He moved to the United States, where he played at Lee Academy in Maine. Lawal would commit to VCU, where he played for two seasons, before transferring to Virginia Tech after the 2023-24 season.

Lawal became a starter for the Hokies in 2024-25, appearing in 30 games and averaging 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. In 23 games last season, Lawal averaged 12.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. For his career, Lawal shot over 58% from the field.

Lawal impressed NBA teams at the 2026 NBA Combine, recording a 40-inch standing vertical jump and a 45.5-inch maximum vertical jump. The maximum vertical jump is tied for the second-highest in the history of the NBA Combine.

Air Lawal has landed in the League 🛬 pic.twitter.com/1AtyBCVEVY

— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) June 25, 2026

While second-round NBA draft picks are not guaranteed roster spots, Lawal’s athleticism gives him a shot to become a contributor early in his career. He can play defense and run the floor. He’s an excellent finisher around the basket, but his outside shot remains a work in progress.

Lawal is the first Virginia Tech player selected in the NBA Draft since Nickeil Alexander-Walker went in the first round in 2019. Alexander-Walker was recently named the NBA’s most improved player for 2025-26.

Congratulations to Tobi. We’re pulling for you.

The Lakers got to work immediately on signing undrafted free agents as soon as the draft ended on Wednesday.

First, they signed AK Okereke to a two-way deal, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.

Undrafted Vanderbilt forward AK Okereke has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026

At Vanderbilt last season, Okereke averaged 9.6 points per game while shooting 40% from the 3-point line. In his junior season at Cornell, he averaged 13.9 points per game, shooting 59.5% from the field, but just 32.1% from three. His 3-pointer improved significantly in his final season.

Los Angeles wasn’t done with their two-way signings either. They also brought on Pete Suder of Miami University, last season’s MAC Player of the Year.

Sources: The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a two-way contract with MAC Player of the Year Peter Suder. He led Miami (OH) to a 31-0 regular-season record and shot 42% from 3-point range this season. Keith Kreiter and Sam Cipriano of Edge Sports completed the deal. pic.twitter.com/4LmGvTIM01

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 25, 2026

Last season, he averaged 14.8 points and shot 42% from 3-point range. His best performance this past season came against Buffalo where he scored 37 points in a double overtime win while hitting seven 3-pointers.

The guard will now be part of the Lakers franchise as another piece that can bolster the backcourt.

The Lakers’ two remaining two-way signings from last season, Chris Mañon and Drew Timme, both were expiring this year. The Lakers can have up to three players on two-way deals, meaning there is one more opening for the team.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

The Lakers have agreed to terms on a two-way contract with former Vanderbilt forward AK Okereke, a source confirmed to the California Post on Wednesday night. 

Okereke, who went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, averaged 9.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2 assists in his lone season with the Commodores after three seasons at Cornell.

He started his college career with the Big Red in 2022 as a walk-on, playing four games as a freshman before becoming a fixture in the rotation during his sophomore season. 

Okereke was a full-time starter at Cornell as a junior in 2024-25, averaging 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals. 

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward led the Ivy League and ranked 18th nationally in field goal percentage as a junior, shooting 59.5% from the field, including 67% on 2-pointers. 

Okereke shot 40% on 3-pointers (40 of 100) at Vanderbilt. He started in 35 of the 36 games he played with the Commodores. 

Okereke’s path to the Lakers should sound familiar.

Chris Manon, who spent the 2025-26 season on a two-way deal with the Lakers, played at Cornell from 2021-24, transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024-25 and went undrafted before the Lakers signed him last summer.

Gonzaga Bulldogs’ Graham Ike may have gone undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, but the 6-9 forward will still get his NBA shot in Northern California.

His agent, Fess Irvin of Fess Irvin Basketball, told The Consensus NBA Substack that he will sign a free agent deal with the Golden State Warriors. The nature of the deal is an Exhibit 10 contract.

The Golden State Warriors have agreed to a deal with undrafted free agent Graham Ike out of Gonzaga, his agent Fess Irvin tells @TheConsensusNBA.

Ike measured 6-foot-9¾ with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and 9-foot-2 standing reach, bringing size, physicality and interior presence.

— Aryan (@Ary_Report) June 25, 2026

An Exhibit 10 is a one-year, non-guaranteed training camp deal that pays the league minimum salary. This partnership gives Ike a chance of possibly making the 2026-27 opening day roster on a standard contract or spending the majority of his time with the Golden State’s G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, on a two-way contract.

The Warriors currently have the maximum three players signed to a two-way deal. If he’s waived before the start of the regular season, Ike would most likely join a G League roster as a full-time player.

The 23-year-old native of Aurora, Colorado, was a proven winner and scoring threat throughout his three seasons in Spokane, Washington. During that 101-game stretch under coach Mark Few, Ike averaged 17.8 points on a shooting split of 58.9 percent from the field, 35.8 percent on three-pointers, and 79.6 percent at the free throw line. The 2025-26 West Coast Conference Player of the Year and Associated Press’s Third Team All-American also grabbed 7.5 rebounds per game and 31 double-doubles across that span.

Recent Gonzaga alums have found success after grinding their way through the G League to the NBA. Just take a look at Los Angeles Lakers forward Drew Timme, Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard, and Brooklyn Nets guard Malachi Smith, who all went undrafted.

Ike’s first chance at proving the doubters wrong will come at the 2026 California Classic, a summer league taking place inside both the Golden State’s Chase Center and Sacramento Kings’ Golden 1 Center from July 3 through 6.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

The Detroit Pistons reportedly agreed to trade Isaiah Stewart, their longest tenured player, on Wednesday night for a trio of second-round picks. But that small move might point to something larger, as ESPN reports that the Pistons are looking to go “big game hunting” this offseason. What does big game hunting mean in reality? Brian Windhorst and Bobby Marks, who were discussing potential Pistons plans during the NBA Draft broadcast, dropped names like Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James as potential targets.

The Pistons have been looking to upgrade scoring and playmaking with two positions — power forward and shooting guard the most obvious targets. The Pistons have incumbent starter Duncan Robinson under contract, and he could shift to a bench role or be included in any trade for an under-contract player. Tobias Harris is an unrestricted free agent, but the two sides reportedly have mutual interest in seeing the longtime veteran return. Though he, too, could be moved in a deal as a sign-and-trade piece to help make salary work.

Leonard would be a risky play for any acquiring team with an extensive injury history, a need to manage his workload throughout the season, and potential penalties related to alleged off-book payments from the Los Angeles Clippers or that the NBA is still investigating.

James, meanwhile, is trying to figure out where he fits for the final season or two of his career. The Los Angeles Lakers are a natural fit, but when the team unexpectedly was able to trade for Luka Doncic, it became Luka’s team, and James had to take a backseat.

There are other big-name players who have been seen as potentially available after their respective teams came up short, including Jamal Murray in Denver and LaMelo Ball in Charlotte.

Of course, wanting to go “big game hunting” and being able to seal the deal are two very different things. We will see how Detroit’s offseason develops. It’ll be a big one.

Eventually, the Knicks did it.

Eventually, they actually made and kept their picks.

They began the second round of the NBA draft Wednesday like they left off in the first round Tuesday — by trading. They started the night with the Nos. 31, 47 and 55 picks. But they sent Nos. 31 and 55 to the Rockets in exchange for Nos. 39 and 53 along with a future Kings second-rounder.

And then at No. 39, they drafted German youngster Jack Kayil. A 20-year-old, 6-foot-5 guard, Kayil played professionally for Alba Berlin in the German Bundesliga. He averaged 12.3 points and 3.5 assists per game on 40 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent shooting from 3-point range last season.

Kayil won the Bundesliga’s Best Young Player award and committed to Gonzaga before opting to stay in the draft.

He plans to join the Knicks, not go back to Germany as a stash option.

“Not really,” Kayil said. “My plans are to stay here and get into the organization and keep going with them.”

He thinks his experience overseas has helped his development.

“I think I already saw,” Kayil said, “for a young guy, a lot of places and different things, different plays and different systems and I think it can help me in the future.”

Then at No. 47, they selected Tyler Nickel, a big-time shooter out of Vanderbilt. A 6-foot-7 forward, he averaged 13.5 points and shot 40 percent from 3-point range as a senior last year.

Finally, at No. 53, the Knicks picked shot-blocking center Ugonna Onyenso out of Virginia — who could have been potential insurance with Mitchell Robinson’s future uncertain — but quickly sent him to the Pistons for cash.

It is clear the Knicks, who have limited space to stay under the second apron, which owner James Dolan said they intend to do, did not want to pick in the first round and have to pay the salary that comes with the guaranteed contracts first-rounders get. And even though second-rounders are usually less expensive and don’t automatically get guaranteed contracts, the Knicks opted against making a selection at the beginning of the round, which would have likely commanded a higher salary than they could afford to give.

But, eight and 16 picks later, Kayil and Nickel should command less money — at or closer to the rookie minimum — than anyone they would have selected at No. 31. They could even potentially be signed to two-way deals.

On Tuesday, the Knicks originally had the No. 24 pick but, after a four-team deal, moved out of the first round and left with five additional second-round picks, the draft rights to three international players who are unlikely to ever sniff the NBA, plus cash.

So, in total between the two rounds, the Knicks sent away three picks, kept two picks that should be economically friendly and added a handful of second-rounders for the future.

Everything right now revolves around the second apron. The Knicks acted accordingly.

The Knicks traded down in the second round before eventually selecting Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel with the No. 47 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft...

By The Numbers

Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 217 pounds
2025 Stats: 13.5 points (43%/40% from three), 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists in 36 games (30.6 minutes)

Prospect Overview

NBA.com:Nickel is a movement shooter, comfortable launching off pindowns, flares and curls without needing to gather. He reads the floor and relocates constantly. He has the frame to hold up on the wing, and his physicality lets him absorb contact through screens. Other offensive positives include playing within himself, keeping the ball moving and avoiding mistakes. The tools to grow defensively are there, and he competes on every possession.

Bleacher Report: Nickel's shooting ability is the foundation of his NBA appeal. He connected on 40.0 percent of his three-point attempts while also shooting 84.7 percent from the free-throw line....he's a good movement shooter who understands how to create opportunities without the ball. He relocates effectively, uses screens well and consistently finds open space along the perimeter.

NBA Comparison

NBA.com: Duncan Robinson, Sam Hauser and Max Strus

The final pick of the NFL draft is always referred to as "Mr. Irrelevant." The NBA Draft equivalent is not always such a throwaway pick.

The one that many overlook, often forgotten about, except for one team looking to take a chance on a prospect.

This year's Mr. Irrelevant title goes to Malique Lewis out of Trinidad and Tobago after being taken with the No. 60 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.

However, through a trade, the pick will go to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lewis is considered to be a 'three-and-D' player. An area that the Bucks are looking to surround their team with after a blockbuster trade that sent out Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis and the No. 13 pick.

Lewis joins a Bucks draft class that includes Brayden Burries (Arizona) and Nate Ament (Tennessee).

More: Best players available in 2026 NBA Draft: Who is worth taking in Round 2?

Can Malique Lewis become the next Isaiah Thomas?

Truth of the matter is that being Mr. Irrelevant doesn't come with any pressure or expectations. A lot of the time, the player is just happy to have their name called. But that doesn't mean they can't carve out a nice career in the NBA.

The last notable "Mr. Irrelevant" was the Sacramento Kings' No. 60 selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, who selected Isaiah Thomas out of Washington.

Thomas played 14 NBA seasons with the Kings, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets.

In his rookie season in Sacramento, he finished with All-Rookie second team honors and seventh in Rookie of the Year voting. He quickly became a fan favorite for his skill, community presence and 5-foot-9 stature.

Thomas's best season came in 2017 with the Celtics, when he became an All-Star, averaged 28.9 points per game, led the Celtics to a 53-29 record, and finished fifth in MVP voting.

In his 14-year career, Thomas averaged 17.5 points and 4.8 assists in 556 career games.

Lewis isn't expected to become that, by any means. It's all about enjoying the journey. Once the real work begins, surely the Bucks would love for him to develop into half of what Thomas became.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Who is Mr. Irrelevant in NBA Draft? Meet Malique Lewis