Golden State Warriors
11. Yaxel LendeborgÂ
- 2025-26 stats (Michigan): 15.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, and 3.2 apg
54. Lajae Jones
- 2025-26 stats (Florida State): 12.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg
Golden State’s big pickup was Lendeborg, one of the best defenders in the entire draft, whose versatility will be appreciated by the Warriors. Jones is a big guard who can shoot the ball well and could be a hidden gem who finds a way to stick around in the league.
Grade: B+
Houston Rockets
31. Bruce Thornton
- 2025-26 stats (Ohio State): 19.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 3.9 apg
After last year’s struggles at point guard due to Fred VanVleet’s injury, it makes perfect sense for the Rockets to get a ball-handler with its first pick. Thornton has over 130 starts in his decorated career and is the all-time leading scorer at Ohio State.Â
Grade: A
Indiana Pacers
38. Braden Smith
- 2025-26 stats (Purdue): 14.3 ppg and 8.8 apg
The Pacers lone pick in the draft happened to be the NCAA’s all-time leading passer in Smith, who won Big Ten Player of the Year honors. With Tyrese Haliburton returning from injury, it makes sense to add more depth among the ball-handlers. Smith, coming from Purdue, should make him an immediate local favorite. The draft would’ve been better had Indiana gotten the top-4 pick and not lost it to the Clippers in the Ivica Zubac trade.
Grade: B
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