Nine 2026 NBA Draft Picks Remain Unsigned

Memphis Grizzlies: Richie Saunders

Some of these players are unlikely to sign NBA contracts at all before the 2026/27 begins. Ngoy, for instance, had 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.

No. 39 overall pick Jack Kayil, whose draft rights are controlled by the Knicks, recently signed a multiyear contract to stay in Germany with ALBA Berlin. Ishchenko, and Lewis, each of whom had already been playing overseas, are also candidates to end up in Europe or Australia in 2026/27, though their plans haven’t been confirmed yet.

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.

The Pacers recently waived guard Ethan Thompson, clearing a two-way contract spot for former Purdue star Smith. Reporting at the time of the draft indicated that Indiana planned to sign the 6’0″ point guard to a two-way deal.

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 Knicks, while 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 has appealed 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.

The Knicks, Nuggets, Warriors, and Timberwolves are all likely taking their tax/apron situations into account as they weigh whether to sign Nickel, Hopkins, Jones, and Kaufman-Renn, respectively, to standard contracts or two-way deals. A second-round pick who earns the rookie minimum has a cap hit of just $1.36MM, whereas a player on a veteran’s minimum deal counts for $2.45MM. That difference can be significant for a team right up against a hard cap or wanting to keep its tax bill somewhat in check.