2026 NBA Round 2 mock draft: Henri Veesaar, Meleek Thomas, Isaiah Evans go early in second round predictions

The skilled 7-footer slid out of the first round after leaving millions of dollars in NIL money on the table in college. With the Knicks, he should have a chance to stick because they need depth up front, and he has a unique overlap of size and skill.

Thomas is a microwave scoring guard and tough shot-maker who needs to prove he can be efficient and solid enough defensively to hold his own, but his upside is significant. He also left a significant amount of money on the table to stay in the draft.

Evans is one of the best shooters in the draft, and he's proven he can make NBA-caliber threes off movement. In Minnesota, he'll help create some much needed space around Anthony Edwards

Miller is a high upside proposition because of his combination of size, mobility, two-way playmaking, and rebounding. The Kings have few, if any, long-term pieces, so they can take some swings like this.

Saunders is rehabbing from his ACL injury, but once he gets back to 100%, there is real belief he's a true NBA player. Saunders has a throwback jump shot with positional size, competitive intangibles, and an understanding of how to space the floor.

Onyenso is a rim protector who wasn't fully utilized as a lob threat last year and just started to stretch the floor with his shooting. It would not be a surprise to see the Clippers find a useful way to utilize those tools.

Conwell is a high-level shooter with a strong body and enough handle to play on or off the ball. OKC doesn't have excess roster space, but if they were to make a consolidation move, he could fight for time at the end of the bench.

Oweh's power, physicality, and projected two-way grit should fit the new philosophies in Chicago. When you factor in his improved spot-up shooting, he could have a chance to stick in the NBA.

Smith is a pure point guard and one of the all-time great passers in college basketball history. With Fred VanVleet having a player option, Smith gives the Rockets insurance at the point guard position.

Bittle is one of the more skilled and headier bigs expected to be available in the late second round. He's even a little more versatile defensively than he gets credit for.

Sharp is a shot-maker who spent four-and-a-half years under Kelvin Sampson and should thus fit right in with the Miami culture.

Brazile can space the floor as a lob threat or spot-up shooter and could have the versatility to play alongside Wemby or back him up in smaller lineups.

Nickel is one of the best pure shooters in this draft. Given the amount of young playmakers Brooklyn could have on their roster, they could utilize some extra floor-spacing.

Thornton had an unmatched combination of volume and efficiency last year at Ohio State and may prove to be sustainable in a vastly scaled-down role in the NBA.

Mitchell is an extreme mid-air athlete who showed off defensive versatility and offensive playmaking this year with St. John's. He's not a shooter, but his unique overlap of tools could be interesting for the Kings.

Frontcourt spacing is a priority for the Magic, and Bilodeau is one of the best shooting forwards in this draft. The question will be whether he can hold his own on the defensive end of the floor.

Okpara is a rim protector, offensive rebounder, and lob threat who needs to get stronger but could fight for minutes in a Phoenix frontcourt that is lacking depth.

The Big 12 Player of the Year is a downhill force, quality defender, and improved shooter. This could also reunite him with his former Arizona backcourt mate Brayden Burries.

Uzan projects as an ideal blend player who may be able to carve out a niche by being reliable with the ball, knocking down open shots, content to play off other dynamic creators, and solid defensively.

After three years at Arkansas State, Nelson played his way onto the NBA map this year at USF and then made a bigger impression in the pre-draft process. Analytic models are also going to value someone who pulls down 4 offensive rebounds and 3 stocks per game.

The Wizards roster looks crowded, and so Yaacov could give them a draft-and-stash type asset that they could monitor abroad while simultaneously developing the young talent on their own roster.

Castro's defensive playmaking numbers have been through the roof the last two years at GW and he has very unusual bend and elasticity for someone his size. Whether that's enough to make it in the league remains to be seen, but he's worth the risk at this point.

His offense is limited, but his defense and willingness to do the dirty work would fit the culture in Houston. If it turns out he can establish a niche on the other end, he could prove to be better than expected.

I got to see DeVries work out this spring and thought he looked healthier than he has in several years. There's no question he's a truly elite shooter, so this might be worth a look for the Warriors.

Lawal is a truly elite athlete who will be able to simplify his game at the NBA level in hopes of finding a sustainable niche. The Knicks have minimal frontcourt depth locked in for next year, so he could have an opportunity.

Boswell is powerful and very pliable on both ends of the floor. He would be a philosophical fit in Chicago, and if he can find his jumper again, he could prove to be an NBA player.

Kayil was believed to be on his way to Gonzaga but now appears intent to stay in the draft. He's a versatile guard with on/off ball versatility and well-rounded skill set.

The Pelicans have 10 guaranteed deals already on the books for next season and hold four team options. The one spot they could use more depth is at the point, and Boyd provides an ultra-solid, battle-tested option.

Hopkins' strength and physicality, coupled with the gains he made with his skill and shooting this year, give him a pretty rare overlap of attributes as a combo forward. Minnesota doesn't necessarily have anyone like that on their roster and numerous expiring contracts to replace.

Hall has been a stat-stuffer at every stop and now the lefty scorer has got himself into the best shape of his life. Washington may be too crowed in the middle of the line-up, but the Auburn wing would be an interesting developmental flyer.