NEW YORK — The New York Knicks selected Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton with the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft before immediately trading his rights to the Houston Rockets. The announcement occurred Wednesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where Thornton was initially presented with a Knicks cap but appeared wearing a Rockets hat during his post-selection interviews.

Thornton expressed enthusiasm about beginning his NBA career, regardless of the team, noting the benefits of playing in Texas, including the absence of state income tax. “Somebody said I got the wrong hat. I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’ Then I heard it’s the Houston Rockets. I’m like, no state tax, so that’s even better,” he said.

The Knicks, who traded down from the 24th pick and exited the first round without making a selection, engaged in multiple trades during the draft’s second round. The event resumed Wednesday after first-round selections concluded late Tuesday night, with Washington choosing Duke forward AJ Dybantsa as the first overall pick.

NBA teams took advantage of the draft’s division into two nights, a change aimed at providing more time to evaluate prospects and complete trades. This adjustment posed challenges for some players, including Duke’s Isaiah Evans, who was present at the Barclays Center during the first night but went unselected.

Others found reassurance in patience and preparation. Meleek Thomas, selected 34th overall by Sacramento and subsequently traded to Cleveland, cited lessons learned from coaching by John Calipari at Arkansas. “The most important lesson I learned from Coach Cal this year was: Your time is coming. Don’t worry about when. Don’t worry about how,” Thomas said.

The second round featured a flurry of transactions as teams sought to position themselves strategically, with the Knicks among several franchises involved in trades to optimize their selections. Thornton’s move to Houston reflects the dynamic nature of the draft process, where players’ rights often change hands quickly after their names are called.