Chapter 39:

The 2026 NBA Draft

64


Chicago

Illinois

USA

Two weeks after the draft combine, Lokesh Kumar had now been admitted to Saint Mark’s Memorial Hospital in Downtown Chicago. Doctors had stated that Lokesh’s ankle would take another week to heal. It wasn’t a very serious injury, as Keon Jordan Jr had told him.

Lokesh would be able to play again soon.

And he was very grateful.

But, on that particular day, he was also very, very nervous.

For that day was the day of the 2026 NBA Draft.

Where dreams were made, and broken.

*

Lokesh placed his busted leg in the position recommended by the doctors. He also placed a large jug of water by his bedside.

He was extremely nervous.

But he also knew that if he got drafted, his dream of winning an NBA title would no longer be far-fetched. He would finally get the chance to convert his dream to reality.

He requested the nurse to switch on the TV and switch to the channel broadcasting the NBA draft. The nurse did so. She knew fully well that the patient was an NBA aspirant. In his two weeks in the hospital, he’d successfully befriended every doctor, nurse, and member of staff that ever came to visit him. Everyone was drawn to his magnetic personality and wanted to be in his company. But, as much as she liked Lokesh Kumar, she knew that injured players had a very, very, limited chance of getting drafted.

Nobody wanted to waste their valuable draft picks on sunken ships.

But, as she left the room, despite the fact that she wasn’t very religious, she prayed. She prayed to whatever divine power was watching over them. She prayed with every bit of devotion she could summon.

She prayed that this wonderful young man would get an opportunity to play in the NBA.

*

The NBA Commissioner arrived at the podium with a card. The logo of the Houston Spacewalkers flashed on every screen, turning the entire arena red.

He was about to declare the first pick, as both Lokesh Kumar and Keon Jordan Jr held their breath.

“With the first pick in the 2026 NBA draft, the Houston Spacewalkers select-“he read the card. “Keon Jordan Junior, from the University of Manhattan, New York!”

A loud cheer erupted from the crowd as Keon got up from his table and hugged his family. It was after Lokesh's interaction with Keon Jordan Jr that he realized he had just spoken to the son of Keon Jordan Sr, one of the best centers in NBA history. Keon’s mother was Rochelle Lara, now Rochelle Jordan, a great former center in the WNBA.

Keon Jordan Jr walked to the stage, wore his Houston Spacewalkers draft cap, shook hands with the NBA Commissioner, and walked away to be interviewed by the countless reporters waiting for him.

“That’s amazing!” thought Lokesh. “He wasn’t kidding when he said he was the consensus number one overall pick!”

After about five minutes, the commissioner appeared again with another card in his hand. He was going to declare the second overall pick. The logo of the Los Angeles Stars now illuminated every screen.

“With the second pick in the 2026 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Stars select-“he read the card. “DeShaun Oboki, from Michigan University!”

DeShaun Oboki cheered loudly and repeated exactly what Keon Jordan Jr had done.

After a few more picks, Lokesh noticed that the Los Angeles Stars had another lottery pick (1).

“With the eighth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Stars select-“he read the card. “Kent Hyland, from Tennessee Tech!”

Lokesh remembered Kent Hyland. He was the point guard on the Keon Jordan Jr’s team at the draft combine. “Wow, he was a lottery pick!” thought Lokesh.

But, as the draft went on, a sense of dread started to settle into Lokesh. Many picks had gone by. But he wasn’t drafted by any team.

No team had wanted him so far.

“With the 30th pick…” began the NBA commissioner, but Lokesh zoned out. He wasn’t interested.

The first round was over, and he wasn’t drafted yet.

*

“Why?” thought Lokesh, as the NBA Deputy Commissioner announced the 45th pick of the draft. “Am I not good enough?”

Lokesh’s thoughts drifted back to the draft combine, where he had 2 points, 1 assist, and 2 blocks.

“That showing was pathetic! It was shameful! It was unacceptable! No wonder I’m not getting drafted!” thought Lokesh, on the verge of tears.

Suddenly, his thoughts diverted to his basketball history.

“I’ve never played professional organized basketball in my life!” he cursed. “No wonder nobody wants me!”

But then, another thought hit him. A thought that made more sense than the other two.

He started at his injured ankle.

“Why would any team want a walking wheelchair like me?” he pondered sadly. “I should have played on with the injury! I left the court like a coward! That’s why no team wants to draft me!”

“With the 59th pick in the 2026 NBA draft, the Colorado Boulders select, Terrence Clark, from Georgia Methodist College!”

Lokesh hung his head and wiped a tear. It now struck him.

He was going undrafted.

Lokesh got off his bed to wash his face, which was now drenched with a weird mixture of sweat and tears. He began to question his life’s choices. He began to question if all his hard work was really worth it.

It was exactly like the day of his 10th grade results.

He started to question if he was really worth anything.

But even as Lokesh questioned himself, the heavens had no question in their mind as to what would transpire.

With the 60th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Houston Spacewalkers select, Lokesh Kumar, from Bangalore, India!

Lokesh wasn’t aware of it, but the Spacewalkers had one second-round pick left, and Lokesh had been drafted, with the very last pick of the NBA draft.

The instant he heard the NBA Deputy Commissioner, Lokesh collapsed to the ground. The nurse saw this and ran to help him.

She helped him up as Lokesh cried in sheer joy, unable to hold it in any longer.

Marcello Rodriguez had kept his promise.

Endnotes

1. Lottery Pick: Any pick that falls within the top fourteen picks of the NBA draft is termed as a lottery pick.

Author’s Note

Well, it finally happened.

Our cast has finally been assembled. They’re finally in the NBA, and they’re all teammates! The stage is set! Now, let’s hope that they adapt to the NBA, and go on to achieve great things in their careers!

Cheers

~srj5