The NBA Draft might be over, but the hustle and bustle of team-building continues as franchises across the league scour the undrafted talent pool for hidden gems. It's a time when every team looks to add potential game-changers through two-way contracts, Exhibit 10 deals, or Summer League opportunities. While many of these undrafted players may never make a significant impact in the NBA, history has shown us that some can carve out remarkable careers.
Take Lu Dort, for instance. He went undrafted in 2019, yet by the 2024-25 season, he was a first-team All-Defense selection and a crucial part of the Oklahoma City Thunder's championship-winning squad. Similarly, Austin Reaves, undrafted in 2021, recently inked a hefty four-year, $185 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after a standout 2025-26 season.
Caleb Love, from the 2025 class, found his rhythm in the league despite not being drafted, averaging 10.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds over 49 games for a playoff-bound team.
Now, let's turn our attention to the 2026 class and some intriguing prospects who might just make waves in the upcoming 2026-27 season.
The Chicago Bulls, known for their athletic prowess, didn't quite address their need for perimeter shooting in the draft. Enter Atwell, a promising addition who could bolster their defense while providing a much-needed 3-point threat. In his senior year at Texas Tech, Atwell put up impressive numbers: 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, with a shooting accuracy of 46.3% from the field and a sizzling 45.8% from beyond the arc on 8.4 attempts per game.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks are navigating a new chapter after parting ways with Giannis Antetokounmpo. They're on the hunt for depth and youthful energy, and Castro might just fit the bill.
With an average of 15.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game, and a shooting percentage of 62.7% from the field during his senior year at George Washington, Castro could be a key piece in their rebuild. His physical presence is undeniable, standing 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1-and-a-quarter wingspan.
The Miami Heat, fresh off acquiring Antetokounmpo, are looking to bolster their guard and wing positions. Known for their knack in developing undrafted talent, Miami might have struck gold with Hall.
At Auburn, Hall averaged 19.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, shooting 45.1% from the field and 37.9% from deep. His measurements at the NBA Combine-6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10-and-a-quarter wingspan-suggest he has the physical tools to succeed.
Finally, the Golden State Warriors are seeking more frontcourt depth, and Ike could be the seasoned addition they need. As a sixth-year senior at Gonzaga, Ike averaged 19.9 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, shooting 56.3% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range. His experience and skill set could prove invaluable in strengthening the Warriors' rotation.
As these undrafted players gear up for their shot at NBA success, fans and teams alike will be watching closely, hoping for the next big breakout story.
In Other News...
Bucks Suddenly Have A New Franchise Star To Chase
After the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, Milwaukee is left trying to answer the biggest question in the franchises immediate future: who becomes the new centerpiece? The Bucks do have a path to stay in the mix if they can turn the shock of losing a superstar into a fresh scoring identity, and any search for that answer is going to start with players who can carry a half-court offense and handle the pressure that comes with being the face of the team.
Jaylen Brown has obvious appeal in that kind of rebuild, especially for a Bucks team that would need a reliable primary scorer and a player built to live in the spotlight. Brown has shown he can thrive when given more of the offensive load, and that kind of profile is exactly why a possible move would make sense on Milwaukees end, even if the mechanics of getting there are far from simple and the pieces Boston might want in return would shape the entire conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Linked To Bold Defensive Swing That Would Change Everything
A proposed three-team trade making the rounds would send Myles Turner to Golden State and Draymond Green to the Clippers, while the Bucks would come out of the deal with Bogdan Bogdanovic and Isaiah Jackson. It is the sort of offseason framework that forces a hard look at roster construction, especially for Milwaukee, which would be adding two different kinds of depth while reshaping the back end of the roster around players who can help in the short term and beyond.
The bigger point for the Bucks is what the move might mean for flexibility. By moving off Turners remaining contract in the proposal, Milwaukee would be opening the door to a cleaner financial path as it navigates the next stage of its roster plan, though this remains only a hypothetical from Sports Illustrated and nothing has been confirmed by any team. Still, it is the kind of idea that gets attention because it touches both the present and the future, which is exactly where the Bucks have some of their toughest decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Are Closing In On A Franchise Defining Ja Morant Clue
Milwaukees offseason has already taken on a different shape since the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, and it has left the Bucks weighing what kind of upgrade would actually matter most. A report from Yahoo! Sports Kevin OConnor has linked the team to Ja Morant, which immediately puts a spotlight on how Milwaukee wants to rebuild the roster around its next era, especially with the backcourt already carrying plenty of bodies.
Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakuionis, Brayden Burries, AJ Green and Gary Harris are all part of the equation, with Gary Trent Jr.s situation still unresolved, so adding another guard would only sharpen the logjam. That is why the more interesting question may not be whether the Bucks can chase a star point guard, but whether their best path is to resist that urge and use the rest of the offseason to address the forward spots instead. [Read more 🡒]