Key Takeaways
- The 2026 NBA draft’s second round begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, with the New York Knicks holding the No. 31 pick after a series of trades that gave them five second‑round selections.
- Brooklyn Nets are highlighted as the most intriguing team drafting in Round 2, possessing the No. 43 pick and multiple roster needs despite sending a second‑rounder to Minnesota in the Julius Randle trade.
- Ryan Conwell (Louisville) is singled out as an under‑the‑radar prospect likely to go in the 30s, praised for his shooting, toughness, and rebounding despite his undersized frame.
- Henri Veesaar (North Carolina) is projected as a strong fit for the Knicks at No. 31, offering stretch‑5 shooting and size, though his mobility and rebounding are concerns.
- The mock‑draft roundup showcases a blend of developmental big men, versatile guards, and specialist shooters, with many prospects viewed as “stash” or two‑way contract candidates due to age, injury history, or raw skill sets.
The second round of the 2026 NBA draft gets underway Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The defending champion New York Knicks will make the first selection of the night with the No. 31 overall pick, a spot they earned after executing three trades on Tuesday that netted them five second‑round choices. Day 1 saw BYU’s AJ Dybantsa go No. 1 to the Washington Wizards, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson taken No. 2 by the Utah Jazz, and Dallas secure Morez Johnson Jr. at No. 9, reuniting him with former Michigan coach Dusty May, who was hired as the Mavericks’ head coach earlier that day.
Analysts Ben Golliver and Jeremy Woo weighed in on the most compelling storylines for Round 2. Golliver pointed to the Brooklyn Nets as the team to watch. Although they shipped one of their second‑round assets to Minnesota in the Julius Randle deal, they still own the No. 43 pick and have pressing needs across the roster—particularly on the wing and in the backcourt after loading up on guards in last year’s draft. Their reputation for unpredictability makes them a prime candidate to either trade the pick for immediate help or select a project that could develop into a rotation piece.
When asked about an under‑the‑radar prospect worth targeting, Woo highlighted Ryan Conwell of Louisville. Conwell, a senior who has bounced between four colleges, is effectively a small 2‑guard but brings a combination of shooting (career 37 % from three), physicality, rebounding, and defensive toughness. Woo believes his skill set is sufficient to carve out an NBA role as a bench scorer and defender, projecting him to be taken somewhere in the 30s. Conwell’s willingness to play hard and his ability to space the floor make him a low‑risk, high‑upside flier for teams seeking depth.
Woo’s personal favorite fit in his mock draft is Henri Veesaar to the Knicks at No. 31. Veesaar, a junior forward from North Carolina, showcases a polished offensive game for his size: soft touch around the basket, reliable three‑point range, and the ability to space the floor as a stretch‑5. Defensively, he offers size to contest shots but is hampered by stiff hips, limited lateral quickness, and a lighter frame that can affect rebounding and physicality. Woo notes that Veesaar’s offensive development after transferring to UNC mirrors the successful paths of recent NBA stretch‑bigs like Luke Kornet and Quinten Post, suggesting a viable long‑term role if he can improve his mobility and strength.
The mock‑draft write‑ups also covered a range of other prospects. Jack Kayil (Alba Berlin) is a combo guard with NBA‑ready frame and playmaking flashes, though his scoring efficiency needs work. Isaiah Evans (Duke) stands out as a pure shooter who averaged seven threes per game but lacks explosiveness and off‑the‑dribble creation. Meleek Thomas (Arkansas) combines solid three‑point shooting with defensive toughness, yet must improve shot selection and finishing. Richie Saunders (BYU) provides veteran shooting but carries age and an ACL recovery concern. Tobe Awaka (Arizona) and Dillon Mitchell (St. John’s) are touted for rebounding and defensive versatility, respectively, while their offensive games remain limited.
International and developmental names also drew attention. Vsevolod Ishchenko (Lokomotiv Kuban) earned VTB Young Player of the Year honors with strong two‑way potential, making him a promising stash pick. Ugonna Oyenso (Virginia) offers elite rim‑protection but little offensive upside, projecting as a defensive specialist. The draft class includes several older seniors—such as Saunders and Awaka—whose age may limit upside but provide ready‑made depth. Meanwhile, high‑energy athletes like Tobi Lawal (Virginia Tech) and Quadir Copeland (NC State) are viewed as projects whose raw tools could pay off in the G‑League or as two‑way contracts.
Overall, Round 2 appears poised to blend immediate‑need role players with speculative picks that teams can stash overseas or develop on rookie contracts. The Knicks’ accumulation of second‑round assets, the Nets’ need for wing depth, and the emergence of shooters like Conwell and Saunders set the stage for a night where franchises balance short‑term roster fixes with long‑term investment in upside. Expect trades, surprise selections, and a handful of prospects who could outperform their draft slots and earn meaningful minutes sooner than anticipated.