Through the end of July, 11 players selected in the second round of June’s draft were still in limbo, but we’ve some movement on that front in August.
The first domino to fall was Dillon Mitchellwho signed a two-way contract with Boston. A couple days later Knicks second-round pick Jack Kyle became a draft-and-stash prospect, having signed a five-year deal to stay in Germany with ALBA Berlin.
Former Purdue point guard Braden Smith agreed to a two-way deal with Indiana in the middle of the month, then Bucks second-rounder Malique Lewis formally signed a two-year deal with the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League.
The most recent draftee whose status was resolved was Bryce Hopkinsas the ex-St. John’s standout signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets a few days ago.
In the wake of those five transactions, six 2026 draftees remain unsigned. As our tracker shows, those players are as follows:
- Memphis Grizzlies: Richie Saunders
- New York Knicks: Tyler Nickel
- Golden State Warriors: Lajae Jones
- Dallas Mavericks: Vsevolod Ishchenko
- Los Angeles Clippers: Narcisse Ngoy
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Trey Kaufman-Renn
French center Ngoy committed to the Auburn Tigers for the 2026/27 season and admitted he was surprised to be drafted by the Clippers in June. He and the Clippers were said after the draft to be discussing their options, but the expectation is that he’ll play at Auburn and essentially function as a domestic draft-and-stash prospect.
It’s possible Russian wing Ishchenko could become a draft-and-stash prospect as well, but we haven’t seen any reports indicating that’s in Dallas’ plans. But we also haven’t seen anything suggesting the Mavericks intend to bring Ishchenko stateside in 2026/27.
Players drafted as high as No. 32 typically sign three- or four-year NBA contracts and often receive multiple guaranteed seasons, but Saunders’ situation isn’t so straightforward. The former BYU star suffered an ACL tear in February and may miss a significant chunk of his rookie season as he recovers from that injury. Additionally, the Grizzlies are facing a roster crunch and might not have room on their standard roster for him right now anyway.
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Saunders ends up on a two-way deal this season before being promoted to a standard contract further down the line. It also wouldn’t be shocking if he begins the year on a G League contract and then signs a standard deal after the trade deadline — by that time, Memphis may have opened up a roster spot or two and his ACL recovery process figures to be at or nearing an end.
There have been conflicting reports on Nickel’s plans. At least two reports have suggested the former Vanderbilt sharpshooter is likely to start his NBA career with the Knickswhile two others have indicated that he continues to mull returning to college for another year after a federal court ruling granted him an extra year of eligibility.
The NCAA is fighting that court ruling, and even if Nickel does go back to school, New York would retain his NBA rights as a domestic draft-and-stash prospect. For what it’s worth, the Knicks have two standard roster openings and all three two-way spots available, so there are still multiple possibilities for Nickel.
Jones seems fairly likely to end up as the Warriors‘ third two-way player after the team recently signed veterans Brandon Williams and Georges Niang to fill their final two standard roster spots.
Still, it’s worth noting that Williams’ deal is currently non-guaranteed (it will be come partially guaranteed if he makes the opening night roster), while Niang’s contract is partially guaranteed but features Exhibit 3 language protecting Golden State in the event that Niang deals with complications to his left foot. The 33-year-old missed all of last season due to a stress reaction in that same foot.
If the Timberwolves want to sign Kaufman-Renn to a two-way contract, they’ll have to make another roster move first. They currently have Rocco Zikarsky, Zion Pullin and Enrique Freeman on two-way deals.
The Wolves recently created some financial flexibility by trading Josh Green to Utah for Cody Williams and John Koncharwho will reportedly be waived-and-stretched. But Kaufman-Renn seems unlikely to end up on the standard roster, at least before the season begins, with Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic noting last night that he expects Minnesota to target a veteran with its 15th spot.
-
Give a tasty twist to your daily idli, make paneer stuffed idli for breakfast; The recipe is easy

-
Maharashtra Food Body Makes License Mandatory For Bhandara, Mahaprasad Events

-
'He is not corrupt… speak openly' Former Pakistani players came out in support of Imran Khan

-
Pukhraj Gill shines in Jakarta, just one step away from Asian Tour card; Made place in top-10

-
Mizoram footballer Lalianzuala Changtey selected as the best Indian footballer of the year 2026
