Draft Watch: What changed for Lopez and Daniels

• ‍Two NBL Next Stars featured in ESPN's mock 2026 NBA Draft‍
• United head coach Dean Vickerman to take time with Dash's NBA dream‍
• Dash Daniels: 'What I've learned from my brother Dyson'

Eleven months ago NBL Next Stars Karim Lopez and Dash Daniels were projected 2026 NBA Draft lottery picks.

A lot has changed since then, according ESPN's latest Mock Draft.

Mexican-born Lopez, 18, has slipped to pick 20 and Daniels, 18, outside the first round to pick 31, the first pick in the second round.

The Charlotte Hornets own the 20th pick and the Memphis Grizzles the 31st pick.

ESPN Draft expert Jonathon Givony had Karim Lopez, then 17, going at No.6 to the Brooklyn Nets and Dash Daniels, then 17, heading to the Portland Trail Blazers at No.9 back in February 2025.

Both Lopez and Daniels are draft eligible this year because they turn 19 in the year of the Draft, as per the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Florida State Gators National Champion Alex Condon, who withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft to return to school for his junior year is projected to go pick 42 to the Brooklyn Nets. Given the NIL, he may opt to stay at the Gators for his senior season.

The 1.96m Daniels has development a reputation for being an elite on-baller defender and through the first nine games of season, averaged 16.7 minutes per game for the 9-0 Melbourne United. But his minutes have dipped to 12.9 minutes per game as head coach Dean Vickerman has wrestled with the once league-leaders losing eight of their last 10.

It's an inflection point for Daniels, who is the younger brother of Atlanta Hawks star guard Dyson. Stay another year in the NBL to improve his draft stocks, given the difference between a lottery pick and second-rounder is considerable, or

Dash Daniels — NBL Season Averages

• ‍‍14.3 minutes │ 4.8 points │ 2.3 rebounds │ 0.9 assists │ 0.7 steals │ 0.3 blocks │ 0.7 turnovers │ 1.3 fouls

Lopez hasn't just played more this season — he done more, is more efficiently on both ends of the floor. NBA scouts have made several trips in NBL26 to scout his progress and at 2.03m he is an exciting prospect at the next level. He has a considerable development runaway because he's only 18. He'll turn 19 in April.

Karim Lopez — NBL Season Averages

2025–26

• ‍24.5 minutes │ 10.6 points │ 5.6 rebounds │ 2.0 assists │ 1.2 steals │ 1.0 blocks │ 1.4 turnovers │ 3.0 fouls │ FG 49.3% │ FT 75.0%‍

‍2024–25

• ‍22.9 minutes │ 9.6 points │ 4.7 rebounds │ 1.2 assists │ 0.6 steals │ 0.9 blocks │ 1.4 turnovers │ 2.8 fouls │ FG 45.7% │ FT 74.1%

What is the NBA Draft?

The NBA Draft is the league’s annual mechanism for teams to acquire exclusive NBA rights to new players. Eligibility is governed by the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), not the NCAA.

The Core NBA Draft Eligibility Rules

To be eligible for a given NBA Draft, a player must meet both of the following:

1. Age Requirement

• Must turn 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft
  • Example: For the 2026 NBA Draft, the player must be born in 2007 or earlier

This rule applies to all players worldwide.

2. One-Year Separation From High School

A player must be at least one NBA season removed from high school graduation.

How this is satisfied:

• One year of college basketball
• G League Ignite / G League pro contract
• International professional basketball
• Any approved alternative pathway

Automatic vs Declared Eligibility

Automatically Eligible Players

You are automatically entered into the draft if you are:

• A college senior (or graduate student) who has exhausted NCAA eligibility
• An international player who:
  • Turns 22 in the draft year and
  • Has not previously declared

These players do not need to file paperwork.

Early Entry Players (Declaration Required)

You must declare if you are:

• A college underclassman
• A player with remaining NCAA eligibility

Key points:

• Declaration is done through the NBA
• Players can withdraw and return to college if:
  • They meet NCAA withdrawal deadlines
  • They do not sign with an agent (or use an NCAA-certified advisor only)

Why Age Matters So Much

NBA teams don’t draft only for current ability.

They draft for:

• Development runway
• Athletic projection
• Contract value over time

Younger players = more years of control + upside
Older players = shorter projection window

This is why:

• A 19-year-old raw big can be drafted
• A 22–23-year-old elite college big might not be

It’s economics, not disrespect.

What Happens If a Player Goes Undrafted?

Going undrafted does not end NBA chances.

Undrafted players can:

• Sign Summer League contracts
• Receive Exhibit 10 deals
• Earn Two-way contracts
• Play in the G League
• Be called up during the season

Many rotation NBA players entered this way.