{"id":510517,"date":"2026-06-25T14:22:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/510517\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T14:22:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:22:16","slug":"starting-5-recapping-second-round-of-2026-nba-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/510517\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Recapping second round of 2026 NBA Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Bruce Thornton to Malique Lewis, rewind through the entire Second Round of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.<\/p>\n

When your son starts playing basketball at 16 \u2026 then gets selected in the NBA Draft at 23.<\/p>\n

Tobi Lawal, the No. 48 overall pick to Dallas, was just one of many remarkable stories from Round 2, putting a fitting end to the 2026 NBA Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"[<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Recapping Round 2: A flurry of trades to land the biggest names still on the board Wednesday<\/p>\n

All-Access: Proud parents, Bundesliga to Brooklyn and the families that fueled the NBA journeys<\/p>\n

Dreams Realized: Behind the scenes with the faces and stories that made this Draft special<\/p>\n

Round 2 In Focus: Snapshots from the final night of the 2026 NBA Draft<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next: Key dates over the next month, from free agency to Summer League<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"2026<\/p>\n

Full Draft Board: The 2026 NBA Draft concluded Wednesday with a busy Round 2 and 30 more dreams realized. | Picks 1-60<\/a><\/p>\n

The Next Step: The 2026 rookie class will see its first NBA action in the upcoming summer circuit, which begins with the California Classic (July 3-6) and Salt Lake City Summer League (July 4, 6-7), before all 30 teams take part in the NBA Summer League 2026 in Las Vegas (July 9-19).<\/p>\n

Reports: Reaves, Lakers Reach Deal \u2013 Lakers guard Austin Reaves reportedly plans to sign a 4-year contract<\/a> to remain in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

1. TRADES, RESHUFFLES AND MORE DREAMS MADE REAL IN ROUND 2<\/p>\n

\"Deputy<\/p>\n

Night No. 2 of the 2026 NBA Draft got underway with the reigning-champion Knicks on the clock, in position to get even better.<\/p>\n

After all, their Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson, was a second-round pick in 2018, a fact fresh on the minds of every team picking on Wednesday. | Jeff Zillgitt\u2019s Round 2 Takeaways<\/a><\/p>\n

Round 2 Liftoff: New York continued to trade back, with Bruce Thornton, the first player to hear his name Wednesday night, becoming the Rockets\u2019 first 2026 Draft selection
\n\u201cI\u2019m just trying to be a winner, at the end of the day,\u201d said Thornton, a four-year captain at Ohio State and the program\u2019s all-time leading scorer (2,164 pts)
\nMaking Moves: AJ Dybantsa\u2019s BYU teammate, Richie Saunders, went next at No. 32 to Memphis, while Brooklyn drafted Isaiah Evans at No. 33 but reportedly traded the pick to Minnesota
\n\u201cI was supposed to be [here] then, I\u2019m supposed to be here now,\u201d No. 34 pick Meleek Thomas (traded to Cleveland) said of being drafted<\/a> at Barclays Center after playing there as a McDonald\u2019s All-American
\nRazorbacks Repeat: Thomas\u2019 Arkansas teammate Trevon Brazile followed him at No. 35, a pick made by the Spurs but traded to the Nuggets<\/p>\n

\"Round<\/p>\n

The trades to land college standouts like Thornton, Evans and the Arkansas duo signaled a trend that continued throughout Round 2, as teams repositioned for chances at difference-makers that remained in a highly-touted Draft class. | Trade Tracker<\/a> |\u00a0John Schuhmann On Player Movement<\/a><\/p>\n

None bigger than a proven NBA paint-protector and six-year vet.<\/p>\n

Reports: Stewart To Memphis \u2013 Paint-protector Isaiah Stewart is linked to a Wednesday night deal between the Pistons and Grizzlies<\/a>, with three future second-round picks headed back to Detroit
\nOnly One Original Pick: ESPN\u2019s Round 2 roundup<\/a> reported that 29 of Wednesday\u2019s 30 picks were connected to a trade in some way \u2013 with 11 coming during the Draft. Toronto\u2019s selection of Jaden Bradley at No. 50 was the only unaltered pick
\nStandout Schools: Among the shuffling, five schools saw multiple players picked in Round 2, with two each for Duke, Arkansas, Purdue, St. John\u2019s and Tennessee
\nDuke, Arkansas and Tennessee joined Michigan, with its three Round-1 draftees, as the only schools to have three players drafted in 2026<\/p>\n

\"Deputy<\/p>\n

The Second Round finished with three of the final five picks hailing from international origins, and nine overall. In some cases, these draftees were preparing to become teammates with the NBA stars who inspired their global basketball journeys.<\/p>\n

[Luka Don\u010di\u0107]\u2019s just someone that I\u2019ve always kinda looked up to,\u201d said Clippers\u2019 No. 36 pick Baba Miller, a Spanish native and product of the Real Madrid system, just like Don\u010di\u0107<\/a>
\n\u201cJalen Brunson, obviously,\u201d Knicks\u2019 pick Jack Kayil (No. 39) said of the teammate he\u2019s most excited to learn from. The German guard, whose Draft profile described him as a broad-bodied finisher<\/a>, made the connection between his and Brunson\u2019s similar Draft position<\/p>\n

After New York and Houston got on the board Wednesday, three more teams clocked in to make their first picks of the 2026 Draft.<\/p>\n

Orlando: With their lone pick at No. 46, the Magic took Tennessee\u2019s Felix Okpara, who they reportedly traded to the Wizards for South Florida\u2019s Izaiyah Nelson
\nPhoenix: The Suns were first officially on the clock at No. 47, where Vanderbilt\u2019s Tyler Nickel was selected. But that pick went to New York as part of Tuesday\u2019s moves that brought Koa Peat to Phoenix
\nNew Orleans: The Pelicans had to wait until pick No. 58, but capitalized by selecting New Orleans native Jaron Pierre Jr. of SMU<\/p>\n

2. ALL-ACCESS: A FAMILY AFFAIR IN BROOKLYN<\/p>\n

\"Bruce<\/p>\n

As teams searched for Day 2 gems, Wednesday showcased the many paths that lead to the NBA \u2013 from NCAA record holders to international champions.<\/p>\n

But regardless of the road taken, the first embraces often belonged to the family members who had been there every step of the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just so grateful, man,\u201d said Bruce Thornton (No. 31 overall, HOU) after being selected. \u201cJust to hug my mom<\/a>. Just to say, \u2018We made it, we finally did it.\u2019 All the sacrifices \u2013 it was definitely worth it.\u201d
\nProud Parents: Three picks later, Meleek Thomas (No. 34, CLE) shared a long embrace with his mother and father<\/a> after hearing his name called
\n\u201cThe sacrifices, dedication, everything my parents did for me, everything my siblings did for me \u2026 it\u2019s just all one big emotion built into this moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Behind each celebration was a unique story. One pick after Purdue\u2019s Braden Smith \u2013 the NCAA\u2019s all-time assist leader \u2013 went No. 38 overall (staying in Indiana with the Pacers via trade), Germany\u2019s Jack Kayil landed with the Knicks.<\/p>\n

Where Was Kayil Four Days Ago? In Munich, helping Alba Berlin erase a 20-point deficit against Bayern Munich to win the Basketball Bundesliga Championship
\nNever Too Late: At pick No. 48, Tobi Lawal, a London native and four-year college player, was taken by Dallas. The remarkable part? He didn\u2019t start playing basketball until age 16
\nAll The Feels: Lawal\u2019s mother was brought to tears<\/a> in the green room as her son took the stage at Barclays Center as an NBA Draft pick<\/p>\n

\"AJ<\/p>\n

Family wasn\u2019t just a Round 2 storyline \u2013 it helped define both nights of the Draft, with our all-access cameras capturing what makes the event so special.<\/a><\/p>\n

Inner Circle: Go behind the scenes with No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson<\/a>, from the green room to portraits with his younger sister, as he shares the moment with those closest to him
\n\u201cThose people are the reason I\u2019m here today,\u201d said Peterson of his family. \u201cIt was great to share this moment with them.\u201d
\nRole Reversal: Sixteen years ago, a young Cameron Boozer joined his father and then-Jazz star Carlos Boozer at the podium during the 2010 Playoffs. On Tuesday, it was Carlos who joined Cam<\/a> after Memphis took him No. 3 overall<\/p>\n

Then & Now: That wasn\u2019t the only blast from the past, as Boozer and other first-rounders looked back at childhood photos and reflected on their journeys to the NBA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always knew,\u201d said the Kings\u2019 No. 7 overall pick, Darius Acuff Jr., on his NBA dream becoming reality. \u201cA lot of tough moments, but it all paid off for this day.\u201d
\n\u201cHe dreamed,\u201d said the Nets\u2019 No. 6 pick, Mikel Brown Jr., reflecting on his younger self. \u201cAnd he dreamed big.\u201d
\n\u201cYou did it,\u201d said AJ Dybantsa \u2013 the Wizards\u2019 No. 1 overall pick \u2013 imagining what he\u2019d tell his younger self. \u201cBut you still got a lot more work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. FULL NAMES, FULL CIRCLES & FUN STORIES FROM THE 2026 DRAFT<\/p>\n

\"Darryn<\/p>\n

\u201cYou guys can still call me AJ.\u201d<\/p>\n

Top pick AJ Dybantsa turned heads on Night 1 with his special request to be announced by his full name, Anicet Dybantsa Jr., in honor of his father, Anicet Sr.<\/p>\n

Chris Cenac Jr. (No. 27, Celtics) reflected on being at Barclays Center eight years prior for the 2018 NBA Draft, where Luka Don\u010di\u0107 (No. 3), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (No. 11) and other current stars realized the same dream Cenac Jr. did Tuesday.<\/p>\n

NBA.com\u2019s Krysten Peek has more on these and other behind-the-scenes stories from the Draft:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Charlotte Hornets selected Washington forward Hannes Steinbach with the 14th overall pick and then drafted his German national compatriot, Christian Anderson, with the 18th \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018That\u2019s my guy and I can\u2019t wait to play with him,\u2019 Anderson said \u2026 \u2018He was the best rebounder in college basketball this season (DI-best 11.8 rpg)\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cSteinbach\u2019s family was thrilled when the pick was made, and both families were seen hugging in disbelief that their boys would be reunited in Charlotte.\u201d | Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

4. ROUND 2 IN FOCUS: DRAFT NIGHT SNAPSHOTS<\/p>\n

The picks came quickly, but the moments last much longer.<\/p>\n

From proud parents to emotional embraces, Round 2 of the NBA Draft was a celebration of hard work, dedication and dreams realized.<\/p>\n

Check out some of our favorite snapshots from Round 2.<\/p>\n

\"Tobi<\/p>\n

\"Ugonna<\/p>\n

\"Meleek<\/p>\n

\"Baba<\/p>\n

\"Jack<\/p>\n

5. WHAT\u2019S NEXT: KEY DATES TO KNOW<\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

The 2026 NBA Draft is over, but the offseason is just getting started, with free agency and NBA Summer League just around the corner \u2013 plus some marquee WNBA events on deck.<\/p>\n

Below are some key dates<\/a> to circle on your calendar over the next month:<\/p>\n

June 30: Each NBA team may begin negotiating with all other upcoming free agents, beginning at 6 p.m. ET
\nJune 30: WNBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup Championship: Aces at Liberty (7 ET, Prime)
\nJuly 3-6: California Classic Summer League in San Francisco (Chase Center) and Sacramento (Golden 1 Center) \u2013 featuring the Warriors, Lakers, Heat and Spurs
\nJuly 4, 6-7: Salt Lake City Summer League at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Utah \u2013 featuring the Jazz, Hawks, Grizzlies and Thunder
\nJuly 6: Each NBA team may begin signing free agents to contracts, beginning at 12:01 p.m. ET
\nJuly 9: NBA Summer League 2026<\/a> tips off in Las Vegas, with all 30 teams competing at UNLV\u2019s Thomas & Mack Center and The Pavilion (full schedule TBA)
\nJuly 9: The PlayStation NBA Creator Cup<\/a> in Las Vegas at The Pavilion at UNLV (YouTube\/NBA App, Time TBA)
\nJuly 19: NBA Summer League 2026 concludes in Las Vegas with the championship game (Time & TV TBA)
\nJuly 25: WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center in Chicago (8:30 ET, ABC)<\/p>\n

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