NBA Draft Review: Grizzlies and Warriors Shine, Knicks Falter
WHO:
The New York Times - Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, LA Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks.
WHAT:
The New York Times - The Memphis Grizzlies traded No. 16 to Oklahoma City for No. 17 and two future second-round picks.
The New York Times - The Sacramento Kings acquired Alex Karaban (No. 29) for No. 34 and a future second.
The New York Times - The Washington Wizards acquired Felix Okpara (No. 46) for No. 51 and No. 60.
The New York Times - The Chicago Bulls acquired Kam Jones, future second-round pick swaps, and cash from Indiana for No. 38.
The New York Times - The Atlanta Hawks acquired Henri Veesaar (No. 52) for No. 57 and cash.
The New York Times - The LA Clippers acquired Nick Martinelli (No. 55) for cash.
The New York Times - The Milwaukee Bucks acquired Malique Lewis (No. 60) for cash.
The New York Times - The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Otega Oweh (No. 41) for No. 37 and cash.
The New York Times - The Phoenix Suns acquired Koa Peat (No. 30) for No. 47 and two future second-round picks.
The New York Times - The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Cameron Carr (No. 24) for No. 25 and cash.
The New York Times - The Philadelphia 76ers selected Labaron Philon Jr. (No. 22).
The New York Times - The Brooklyn Nets selected Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 6) and Tyler Bilodeau (No. 43).
The New York Times - The Toronto Raptors selected Allen Graves (No. 19) and Jaden Bradley (No. 50).
The New York Times - The Miami Heat acquired Ryan Conwell (No. 37) for No. 41 and cash.
The New York Times - The Detroit Pistons acquired Ebuka Okorie (No. 17) for No. 21 and Isaiah Stewart.
The New York Times - The San Antonio Spurs selected Jayden Quaintance (No. 20), Ja’Kobi Gillespie (No. 42), Maliq Brown (No. 44), and acquired Tarris Reed (No. 26) for No. 35 and two second-round picks.
The New York Times - The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Isaiah Evans (No. 33) and Trey Kaufman-Renn (No. 59).
The New York Times - The Houston Rockets acquired Bruce Thornton (No. 31) for No. 39, No. 53, a future second-round pick, and the rights to Mojave King.
The New York Times - The Indiana Pacers acquired Braden Smith (No. 38) for Kam Jones, two future second-round pick swaps, and cash.
The New York Times - The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Meleek Thomas (No. 34) for No. 29 and a future second-round pick.
The New York Times - The Orlando Magic acquired Izaiyah Nelson (No. 51) and No. 60 for No. 46 from Washington; traded No. 60 for cash to Milwaukee.
The New York Times - The New York Knicks traded No. 31 to the Rockets for No. 39, No. 53, a future second-round pick, the rights to Mojave King, and cash.
The New York Times - Memphis Grizzlies selected Cameron Boozer (No. 3), Richie Saunders (No. 32), and acquired Isaiah Stewart and Karim Lopez (No. 21) from Detroit.
The New York Times - Sacramento Kings selected Darius Acuff Jr. (No. 7) and Emanuel Sharp (No. 45).
The New York Times - Washington Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa (No. 1) and acquired Felix Okpara (No. 46).
The New York Times - Utah Jazz selected Darryn Peterson (No. 2).
The New York Times - Chicago Bulls selected Caleb Wilson (No. 4) and Dailyn Swain (No. 15).
The New York Times - Charlotte Hornets selected Hannes Steinbach (No. 14) and Christian Anderson (No. 18).
The New York Times - Atlanta Hawks selected Kingston Flemings (No. 8) and Zuby Ejiofor (No. 23).
The New York Times - LA Clippers selected Keaton Wagler (No. 5) and Baba Miller (No. 36).
The New York Times - Milwaukee Bucks selected Brayden Burries (No. 10) and Nate Ament (No. 13).
The New York Times - Oklahoma City Thunder selected Aday Mara (No. 12) and Bennett Stirtz (No. 16).
The New York Times - Phoenix Suns acquired Koa Peat (No. 30) for No. 47 and two future second-round picks.
Newsweek - Golden State Warriors received an "A" grade for their draft picks.
The New York Times - New York Knicks traded No. 24 to the Lakers and selected Jack Kayil (No. 39) and Tyler Nickel (No. 47).
WHERE:
The New York Times - Memphis, Sacramento, Washington, Utah, Chicago, Charlotte, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Golden State, Brooklyn, Toronto, Miami, Detroit, San Antonio, Boston, Minnesota, Houston, Indiana, Cleveland, Orlando, Denver, New Orleans, New York.
WHEN:
The New York Times - The 2026 NBA Draft took place on a Tuesday.
WHY:
The New York Times - The Memphis Grizzlies aimed to acquire talent while managing their draft picks effectively.
The New York Times - The Sacramento Kings sought to improve their roster by selecting players with winning backgrounds.
The New York Times - The Washington Wizards aimed to address their weaknesses in free-throw rate and defensive rebounding.
HOW:
The New York Times - Memphis Grizzlies traded down in the draft to acquire additional second-round picks.
The New York Times - Sacramento Kings surrounded their top pick with players who contribute to team success.
The New York Times - Oklahoma City Thunder traded up to select Bennett Stirtz, embodying their core values of shooting and ballhandling.
In a series of trades, the Memphis Grizzlies sent the sixteenth pick to Oklahoma City in exchange for the seventeenth pick and two future second-round selections. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings acquired Alex Karaban with the twenty-ninth pick, while the Washington Wizards picked up Felix Okpara at forty-six, trading away their fifty-first and sixtieth picks. Other notable moves included the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kam Jones from Indiana for the thirty-eighth pick, and the Miami Heat obtaining Ryan Conwell at thirty-seven in a deal involving cash and the forty-first pick.