Early 2026 Second-Round Picks Already Shaping Trade Narratives
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As the NBA’s worst teams jockey for lottery position, several second-round selections that have already changed hands could become nearly as valuable as late first-rounders. Based on today’s reverse standings, five traded picks are currently projected for the upper 30s in the 2026 draft.
Pacers pick to Grizzlies – projected No. 31
Indiana’s own second-rounder, now set to open the round, was first shipped to Milwaukee during the 2021 offseason as part of a four-pick package that allowed the Pacers to climb to No. 31 and draft Isaiah Todd (later rerouted to Washington with Aaron Holiday for No. 22 pick Isaiah Jackson). Days after that deal, the Bucks flipped the pick to Memphis in the Grayson Allen trade. With Indiana holding a league-worst 15-53 record, the selection currently sits atop the second round, giving the rebuilding Grizzlies a premium asset.
Wizards pick to Knicks – projected No. 32
New York technically controls Washington’s 2026 first-rounder, but that choice is protected for the top eight. With the Wizards at 16-51, they are on pace to keep the first and instead convey their 2026 and 2027 second-rounders. The 2026 pick is positioned at No. 32, giving the Knicks two selections in the early 30s; their own first-rounder is currently projected at No. 26.
Jazz pick to Spurs – projected No. 35
Utah’s second-rounder moved to Minnesota in a three-team trade at the 2023 deadline that sent Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and several seconds to the Timberwolves. San Antonio later obtained the pick on draft night 2023 in the package for No. 33 choice Leonard Miller. If the season ended today, the Spurs would draft 35th with Utah’s selection.
Mavericks pick to Thunder – projected No. 36/37
Oklahoma City will receive the most favorable of Dallas, Philadelphia and its own second-rounders, a right acquired in a 2020 offseason salary-dump that brought Trevor Ariza and Justin Jackson to the Thunder. Dallas and New Orleans share 23-46 records, so a tiebreaker could slot the Mavericks’ pick at either 36 or 37, but in almost any scenario the selection is headed to OKC.
Pelicans pick to Bulls – projected No. 36/37
Chicago is owed the most favorable of four teams’ 2026 seconds, but New Orleans trails the Knicks and Timberwolves and cannot realistically catch Portland, making the Pelicans’ pick the default. Acquired at this year’s deadline in the Anfernee Simons/Nikola Vucevic swap with Boston, the selection currently mirrors Dallas at 36/37. It serves as a replacement for the Bulls, who previously dealt away their own 2026 second-rounder.
With several franchises repositioning for the future, these early second-round picks could prove pivotal once the 2026 draft arrives.
Source: Hoops Rumors
