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With the 32nd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies selected BYU guard Richie Saunders.
Two picks later, the Cleveland Cavaliers scooped up Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas.
How is that going to age? Thomas did enough at NBA Summer League to turn it into a conversation worth having.
Prior to the draft, Thomas worked out with the Grizzlies, according to Rookie Wire's tracker. And going into the second round, some projections had the one-and-done guard landing with Memphis.
But the Grizzlies, owning the second overall pick of the second round, might have had their minds made up going into the second day. The new two-day draft format really allows teams to reset and get organized between rounds, so there was nothing stopping Memphis from essentially having its selection in place going into the second round, as long as its preferred choice didn't get snagged at No. 31 overall.
The pick at No. 31 was Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton, which led to Memphis taking Saunders at No. 32. Unless Thornton was who the Grizzlies wanted, conventional wisdom would suggest that Saunders was the player the team decided on overnight.
So, what's wrong with that? Well, nothing. Saunders was injured when the team drafted him due to his recovery from a torn ACL, and he remained sidelined throughout Summer League play. As such, his chance to make a strong first impression is on pause, and he hasn't done anything to warrant any criticism for being picked at No. 32.
But what Thomas did in Summer League play might be making a number of teams — not just the Grizzlies — wonder if they passed on a draft jewel.
Here's a look at what Thomas did on a game-by-game basis in Las Vegas:
Overall, Thomas averaged 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in Summer League action while shooting 50.0% from the field, 43.8% from deep, and 100.0% from the charity stripe. He appeared in four games in total (the Cavs didn't play any games outside of Las Vegas).
Summer League is Summer League. But Thomas led all players in Las Vegas in scoring, and he did so in incredibly efficient fashion. He was named to the All-Summer League First Team alongside Cameron Boozer, Brayden Burries, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Caleb Wilson, the only one of the five taken outside the lottery. His scoring average was the third-highest in Summer League history, behind Marcus Banks and Donovan Mitchell, who is now his teammate.
Saunders didn't get the same opportunity. That's important, and nobody should overlook the fact that he earned all-conference honors at BYU and averaged 18.0 points per game as a senior. There is a very real chance he will turn into a productive NBA player.
But if the Grizzlies had to do it all over again, would they take Thomas at No. 32? How about the teams that passed on him in the first round? Would he be a first-rounder in a redraft scenario? A lottery pick?
That's a question that only the Cavs can enjoy, as he fell right into their lap at No. 34 overall.
Continue reading...
Two picks later, the Cleveland Cavaliers scooped up Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas.
How is that going to age? Thomas did enough at NBA Summer League to turn it into a conversation worth having.
Prior to the draft, Thomas worked out with the Grizzlies, according to Rookie Wire's tracker. And going into the second round, some projections had the one-and-done guard landing with Memphis.
But the Grizzlies, owning the second overall pick of the second round, might have had their minds made up going into the second day. The new two-day draft format really allows teams to reset and get organized between rounds, so there was nothing stopping Memphis from essentially having its selection in place going into the second round, as long as its preferred choice didn't get snagged at No. 31 overall.
The pick at No. 31 was Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton, which led to Memphis taking Saunders at No. 32. Unless Thornton was who the Grizzlies wanted, conventional wisdom would suggest that Saunders was the player the team decided on overnight.
So, what's wrong with that? Well, nothing. Saunders was injured when the team drafted him due to his recovery from a torn ACL, and he remained sidelined throughout Summer League play. As such, his chance to make a strong first impression is on pause, and he hasn't done anything to warrant any criticism for being picked at No. 32.
But what Thomas did in Summer League play might be making a number of teams — not just the Grizzlies — wonder if they passed on a draft jewel.
Here's a look at what Thomas did on a game-by-game basis in Las Vegas:
- July 10 vs. Indiana Pacers: 20 points (on 7-for-15 shooting from the field and 2-for-5 shooting from deep), 5 rebounds, and 3 assists
- July 12 vs. Detroit Pistons: 30 points (on 10-for-24 shooting from the field and 4-for-10 shooting from deep), 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals
- July 13 vs. Miami Heat: 35 points (on 14-for-23 shooting from the field and 5-for-9 shooting from deep), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals
- July 17 vs. Chicago Bulls: 24 points (on 10-for-20 shooting from the field and 3-for-8 shooting from deep), 2 rebounds, and 2 assists
Overall, Thomas averaged 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in Summer League action while shooting 50.0% from the field, 43.8% from deep, and 100.0% from the charity stripe. He appeared in four games in total (the Cavs didn't play any games outside of Las Vegas).
Summer League is Summer League. But Thomas led all players in Las Vegas in scoring, and he did so in incredibly efficient fashion. He was named to the All-Summer League First Team alongside Cameron Boozer, Brayden Burries, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Caleb Wilson, the only one of the five taken outside the lottery. His scoring average was the third-highest in Summer League history, behind Marcus Banks and Donovan Mitchell, who is now his teammate.
Saunders didn't get the same opportunity. That's important, and nobody should overlook the fact that he earned all-conference honors at BYU and averaged 18.0 points per game as a senior. There is a very real chance he will turn into a productive NBA player.
But if the Grizzlies had to do it all over again, would they take Thomas at No. 32? How about the teams that passed on him in the first round? Would he be a first-rounder in a redraft scenario? A lottery pick?
That's a question that only the Cavs can enjoy, as he fell right into their lap at No. 34 overall.
Continue reading...
