The dust has finally settled on the 2026 NBA Draft, and while no Syracuse Orange players from the 2025-26 roster were selected, a few will be getting the chance to secure a permanent spot in the league.
Syracuse center William Kyle III will be on an Exhibit 10 deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
After two seasons at San Diego State and one with UCLA, Kyle III finished his collegiate career with the Orange. He averaged 8.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 28.1 minutes per game. In his lone year at Syracuse, Kyle started in all of the team’s games in 2025-26.
Center will certainly be a position of need for the Lakers. Starting center Deandre Ayton has a player option for the 2026-27 season. He started in 72 games for L.A. last season. Even if he picks up that option, Ayton projects as the only center left on the roster heading into free agency. It will be a key position for the Lakers, who need rim protection and a lob threat for Luka Dončić.
A second player from last year’s Syracuse roster will also get a chance to shine and compete at the next level.
Guard Nate Kingz is reportedly signing a deal to play on the Miami Heat’s Summer League team, per Dushawn London of 247Sports.
Like Kyle, Kingz transferred to the Orange in 2025 from Oregon State and played his final college season in Upstate New York. He averaged 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds, shooting 49% from the field and nearly 37% from three as a full-time starter last year.
It’s an interesting time for Miami, which recently acquired superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster deal. The Heat have limited cap flexibility and less depth after the trade, especially on the perimeter, giving Kingz a prime opportunity to stand out.
There was a former Orange player who did hear his named called during the Draft.
The San Antonio Spurs selected former Syracuse forward Maliq Brown in the second round with the No. 44 overall pick (writer’s note: #brand). Brown began his collegiate career with the Orange and played two seasons there, developing into one of the best defenders in the ACC (and arguably in the country).
Brown would eventually depart from New York to North Carolina, transferring to the Duke Blue Devils, where he played the last two years. He averaged 5.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.6 steals in 125 career games.
Brown is joining a Spurs team coming off a trip to the 2026 NBA Finals, led by MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama. That said, San Antonio looked to address its frontcourt depth, especially at the four spot, this offseason. Brown joins Wembanyama and a young, promising roster.
Two other former Syracuse players signed with NBA squads. Guard Quadir Copeland will be signing a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets, according to Jake Fischer. Forward Chris Bell signed with the New Orleans Pelicans on an Exhibit 10 deal per Jake Weingarten of StockRisers.
Copeland will join a Houston team that’s in an interesting spot. Despite trading for Kevin Durant one offseason ago, the Rockets were dispatched by the Lakers in Round One of the playoffs. Bell joins a Pelicans team which is still rebuilding so we’ll see if these players can impress in Summer League.
