Walt
2026 NBA Mock Draft
31. 
Houston Rockets: Bruce Thornton, G, Ohio State – MILLEN Grade
The Rockets moved up to No. 33 to draft an older player some deemed to be undraftable. Great! Houston needs point guard depth, but almost certainly could have obtained Thornton without trading up.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Also, if you haven’t visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we’ve finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look.
Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It’s $7.99 per month, but you’ll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don’t want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!
32.
Memphis Grizzlies: Richie Saunders, SG, BYU – B Grade
The Grizzlies drafted Cameron Boozer, so it makes sense that they’d pair him with a guard. Memphis doesn’t have much going on at guard with Ja Morant’s status in flux, so some depth was needed at the position. Richie Saunders makes sense at No. 32.
33.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Isaiah Evans, SG/SF, Duke – A+ Grade
What a steal! The Timberwolves needed a pick like this with the franchise shedding salary left and right. Isaiah Evans was expected to be chosen in the early-mid 20s, and yet he was still available with the third selection in the third round.
34.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas – A+ Grade
I had the Cavaliers drafting Meleek Thomas, so you know I have to like this pick. Cleveland has to get rid of James Harden, so here’s a potential replacement with a player who easily could have been chosen in the 20s.
35.
Denver Nuggets: Trevon Brazile, PF, Arkansas – B- Grade
A big makes sense for the Nuggets to give Nikola Jokic a breather at times. I had Trevon Brazile a bit later than this. He’s an older player, so you have to worry about the upside.
36.
Los Angeles Clippers: Baba Miller, C, Cincinnati – A Grade
A replacement for Ivica Zubac makes sense, and I like the value for Baba Miller; I had him going 32nd. He’ll help the Clippers improve their defense in the paint.
37.
Miami Heat: Ryan Conwell, SG, Louisville – B- Grade
Ryan Conwell was slotted in the early 40s, so the value’s not amazing here. However, Conwell has what the Heat need right now after their Giannis trade. He’s an athletic three-point shooter with upside.
38.
Indiana Pacers: Braden Smith, PG, Purdue – C+ Grade
Braden Smith was pegged to go in the mid-40s. He’s a low-upside player who could be a career backup point guard. The Pacers could have done better than this.
39.
New York Knicks: Jack Kayil, PG, Germany – A- Grade
The Knicks finally made a pick after moving down four times. I had Jack Kayil going one selection earlier than this, so the value makes sense. He has good upside as a taller point guard.
40.
Boston Celtics: Dillon Mitchell, SF, St. John’s – C Grade
Dillon Mitchell is an athletic player who can’t shoot. I had him going in the late 40s or early 50s. This is a bit of a reach.
41.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Otega Oweh, G, Kentucky – B Grade
The Thunder drafting a defensive specialist? No way! This fits what Oklahoma City is looking for, though I had Otega Oweh going a bit later than this.
42.
San Antonio Spurs: Jakobi Gillespie, PG, Tennessee – C- Grade
This is another potential future backup point guard with low upside. I had Jakobi Gillespie going in the 50s, so this is definitely a reach.
43.
Brooklyn Nets: Tyler Bilodeau, F, UCLA – D Grade
Tyler Bilodeau didn’t seem like a draftable prospect. He’s just a three-point specialist at best. The Nets reached for him. They need talent, and this isn’t it.
44.
San Antonio Spurs: Maliq Brown, F, Duke – D Grade
Maliq Brown is another mid-Round 2 player I didn’t have being drafted. I’m not surprised the Nets reached, but the Spurs, too? This is a surprising pick.
45.
Sacramento Kings: Emanuel Sharp, SG/SF, Houston – C Grade
I had Emanuel Sharp going in the mid-50s, so I’m not a fan of this value. The Kings needed depth on the wing, so the need makes sense, but Sacramento could have moved down 10 spots and gotten him.
46.
Washington Bullets: Felix Okpara, C, Tennessee – B- Grade
The Magic needed shooting, so they naturally chose a big man. I had Felix Okpara in this range, so I don’t hate this pick, but the Magic should have gone with a guard.
Update: The Magic traded this pick to the Bullets. This makes more sense for Washington, a team that needed depth in the front court.
47.
New York Knicks: Tyler Nickel, SF, Vanderbilt – B Grade
I had Tyler Nickel in this range. Tyler Nickel is a three-and-D guy who can find a role for New York off the bench.
48.
Dallas Mavericks: Tobi Lawal, PF, Virginia Tech – A- Grade
Tobi Lawal is an extremely athletic player I had being chosen one pick earlier than this. It makes sense that the Mavericks would take a high upside player like this.
49.
Denver Nuggets: Bryce Hopkins, SF, St. John’s – C- Grade
I didn’t have Byce Hopkins being drafted. He has a checkered injury history and is a risk with this selection. The Nuggets could have done better than this.
50.
Toronto Raptors: Jaden Bradley, G, Arizona – A Grade
Jaden Bradley wasn’t the best player available, but he was close. I had him going at No. 39, so this is a great bargain. Bradley is a talented passer and defender.
51.
Orlando Magic: Izaiyah Nelson, PF, South Florida – C+ Grade
I love the bargain with this pick, as Izaiyah Nelson was pegged around No. 40. I hate this lack of need fill, as the Magic needed shooting out of the backcourt more than anything else.
52.
Atlanta Hawks: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina – A+ Grade
Finally, Henri Veesaar is off the board. We were told that Veesaar had a promise, and when you break a promise, that’s seven years of bad luck. I love the value, as Veesaar could’ve easily been chosen in the 20s.
53.
Detroit Pistons: Ugonna Onyenso, C, Virginia – B+ Grade
This is a fine pick. Ugonna Onyenso was pegged around this range, and the Knicks needed another center because Victor Wembanyama will be stronger next year. Onyenso is a defensive specialist.
Update: This pick has been traded to the Pistons, who needed a replacement for Isaiah Stewart.
54.
Golden State Warriors: Lajae Jones, G, Florida State – C Grade
I didn’t have Lajae Jones being drafted. There were some decent players available, so it’s puzzling as to why the Warriors didn’t take some of them.
55.
Los Angeles Clippers: Nick Martinelli, SF, Northwestern – A- Grade
I had Nick Martinelli going at this exact pick, so I have to like this selection. Martinelli is a good shooter who can help the Rockets, given that they have severe issues scoring at times.
Update: The Clippers acquired Martinelli for cash. That makes sense because they need all the talent they can get.
56.
Dallas Mavericks: Vsevolod Ischehenko, SG/SF, Russia – A Grade
I had Vsevolod Ischchenko going in the middle of the second round, so I like this vaue at the propreantepenultimate pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. I’m not sure why the Mavericks want an overseas stash, but it’s fine.
57.
Los Angeles Clippers: Narcisse N’Goy, C, Auburn – C Grade
I didn’t have Narcisse N’Goy being drafted, so I’m not a fan of this pick. However, it’s the end of the draft, so that’s OK at the preantepenultimate selection. The Clippers need bigs with Ivica Zubac gone.
58.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jaron Pierre, G, SMU – A+ Grade
What a steal. Jaron Pierre was slotted at No. 41, so the Pelicans are getting quite the bargain with the antepenultimate pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. He’s a good shooter who will have a role with the team.
59.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Trey Kaufman-Renn, PF, Purdue – B Grade
The Timberwolves need size with Julius Randle gone. Trey Kaufman-Renn could have a role off the bench in the future. I had him being chosen around this range. A solid penultimate pick.
60.
Milwaukee Bucks: Malique Lewis, F, Trinidad and Tobago – C+ Grade
I didn’t have Malique Lewis being drafted. He’s an overseas stash for a Bucks team that won’t be good for a while, so it makes sense for them to take one.
Back to Live 2026 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 – Picks 1-15
2026 NBA Mock Draft
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Houston Rockets: Bruce Thornton, G, Ohio State – MILLEN Grade
The Rockets moved up to No. 33 to draft an older player some deemed to be undraftable. Great! Houston needs point guard depth, but almost certainly could have obtained Thornton without trading up.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Also, if you haven’t visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we’ve finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look.
Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It’s $7.99 per month, but you’ll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don’t want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!
32.
Memphis Grizzlies: Richie Saunders, SG, BYU – B Grade
The Grizzlies drafted Cameron Boozer, so it makes sense that they’d pair him with a guard. Memphis doesn’t have much going on at guard with Ja Morant’s status in flux, so some depth was needed at the position. Richie Saunders makes sense at No. 32.
33.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Isaiah Evans, SG/SF, Duke – A+ Grade
What a steal! The Timberwolves needed a pick like this with the franchise shedding salary left and right. Isaiah Evans was expected to be chosen in the early-mid 20s, and yet he was still available with the third selection in the third round.
34.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas – A+ Grade
I had the Cavaliers drafting Meleek Thomas, so you know I have to like this pick. Cleveland has to get rid of James Harden, so here’s a potential replacement with a player who easily could have been chosen in the 20s.
35.
Denver Nuggets: Trevon Brazile, PF, Arkansas – B- Grade
A big makes sense for the Nuggets to give Nikola Jokic a breather at times. I had Trevon Brazile a bit later than this. He’s an older player, so you have to worry about the upside.
36.
Los Angeles Clippers: Baba Miller, C, Cincinnati – A Grade
A replacement for Ivica Zubac makes sense, and I like the value for Baba Miller; I had him going 32nd. He’ll help the Clippers improve their defense in the paint.
37.
Miami Heat: Ryan Conwell, SG, Louisville – B- Grade
Ryan Conwell was slotted in the early 40s, so the value’s not amazing here. However, Conwell has what the Heat need right now after their Giannis trade. He’s an athletic three-point shooter with upside.
38.
Indiana Pacers: Braden Smith, PG, Purdue – C+ Grade
Braden Smith was pegged to go in the mid-40s. He’s a low-upside player who could be a career backup point guard. The Pacers could have done better than this.
39.
New York Knicks: Jack Kayil, PG, Germany – A- Grade
The Knicks finally made a pick after moving down four times. I had Jack Kayil going one selection earlier than this, so the value makes sense. He has good upside as a taller point guard.
40.
Boston Celtics: Dillon Mitchell, SF, St. John’s – C Grade
Dillon Mitchell is an athletic player who can’t shoot. I had him going in the late 40s or early 50s. This is a bit of a reach.
41.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Otega Oweh, G, Kentucky – B Grade
The Thunder drafting a defensive specialist? No way! This fits what Oklahoma City is looking for, though I had Otega Oweh going a bit later than this.
42.
San Antonio Spurs: Jakobi Gillespie, PG, Tennessee – C- Grade
This is another potential future backup point guard with low upside. I had Jakobi Gillespie going in the 50s, so this is definitely a reach.
43.
Brooklyn Nets: Tyler Bilodeau, F, UCLA – D Grade
Tyler Bilodeau didn’t seem like a draftable prospect. He’s just a three-point specialist at best. The Nets reached for him. They need talent, and this isn’t it.
44.
San Antonio Spurs: Maliq Brown, F, Duke – D Grade
Maliq Brown is another mid-Round 2 player I didn’t have being drafted. I’m not surprised the Nets reached, but the Spurs, too? This is a surprising pick.
45.
Sacramento Kings: Emanuel Sharp, SG/SF, Houston – C Grade
I had Emanuel Sharp going in the mid-50s, so I’m not a fan of this value. The Kings needed depth on the wing, so the need makes sense, but Sacramento could have moved down 10 spots and gotten him.
46.
Washington Bullets: Felix Okpara, C, Tennessee – B- Grade
The Magic needed shooting, so they naturally chose a big man. I had Felix Okpara in this range, so I don’t hate this pick, but the Magic should have gone with a guard.
Update: The Magic traded this pick to the Bullets. This makes more sense for Washington, a team that needed depth in the front court.
47.
New York Knicks: Tyler Nickel, SF, Vanderbilt – B Grade
I had Tyler Nickel in this range. Tyler Nickel is a three-and-D guy who can find a role for New York off the bench.
48.
Dallas Mavericks: Tobi Lawal, PF, Virginia Tech – A- Grade
Tobi Lawal is an extremely athletic player I had being chosen one pick earlier than this. It makes sense that the Mavericks would take a high upside player like this.
49.
Denver Nuggets: Bryce Hopkins, SF, St. John’s – C- Grade
I didn’t have Byce Hopkins being drafted. He has a checkered injury history and is a risk with this selection. The Nuggets could have done better than this.
50.
Toronto Raptors: Jaden Bradley, G, Arizona – A Grade
Jaden Bradley wasn’t the best player available, but he was close. I had him going at No. 39, so this is a great bargain. Bradley is a talented passer and defender.
51.
Orlando Magic: Izaiyah Nelson, PF, South Florida – C+ Grade
I love the bargain with this pick, as Izaiyah Nelson was pegged around No. 40. I hate this lack of need fill, as the Magic needed shooting out of the backcourt more than anything else.
52.
Atlanta Hawks: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina – A+ Grade
Finally, Henri Veesaar is off the board. We were told that Veesaar had a promise, and when you break a promise, that’s seven years of bad luck. I love the value, as Veesaar could’ve easily been chosen in the 20s.
53.
Detroit Pistons: Ugonna Onyenso, C, Virginia – B+ Grade
This is a fine pick. Ugonna Onyenso was pegged around this range, and the Knicks needed another center because Victor Wembanyama will be stronger next year. Onyenso is a defensive specialist.
Update: This pick has been traded to the Pistons, who needed a replacement for Isaiah Stewart.
54.
Golden State Warriors: Lajae Jones, G, Florida State – C Grade
I didn’t have Lajae Jones being drafted. There were some decent players available, so it’s puzzling as to why the Warriors didn’t take some of them.
55.
Los Angeles Clippers: Nick Martinelli, SF, Northwestern – A- Grade
I had Nick Martinelli going at this exact pick, so I have to like this selection. Martinelli is a good shooter who can help the Rockets, given that they have severe issues scoring at times.
Update: The Clippers acquired Martinelli for cash. That makes sense because they need all the talent they can get.
56.
Dallas Mavericks: Vsevolod Ischehenko, SG/SF, Russia – A Grade
I had Vsevolod Ischchenko going in the middle of the second round, so I like this vaue at the propreantepenultimate pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. I’m not sure why the Mavericks want an overseas stash, but it’s fine.
57.
Los Angeles Clippers: Narcisse N’Goy, C, Auburn – C Grade
I didn’t have Narcisse N’Goy being drafted, so I’m not a fan of this pick. However, it’s the end of the draft, so that’s OK at the preantepenultimate selection. The Clippers need bigs with Ivica Zubac gone.
58.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jaron Pierre, G, SMU – A+ Grade
What a steal. Jaron Pierre was slotted at No. 41, so the Pelicans are getting quite the bargain with the antepenultimate pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. He’s a good shooter who will have a role with the team.
59.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Trey Kaufman-Renn, PF, Purdue – B Grade
The Timberwolves need size with Julius Randle gone. Trey Kaufman-Renn could have a role off the bench in the future. I had him being chosen around this range. A solid penultimate pick.
60.
Milwaukee Bucks: Malique Lewis, F, Trinidad and Tobago – C+ Grade
I didn’t have Malique Lewis being drafted. He’s an overseas stash for a Bucks team that won’t be good for a while, so it makes sense for them to take one.
Back to Live 2026 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 – Picks 1-15
2026 NBA Mock Draft
Fantasy Football Rankings - June 22
2027 NFL Mock Draft - June 16
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
NFL Power Rankings - Jan. 26
Charlie Campbell