Nick Boyd has been listed as a G-League or dominant overseas player for a while. Many think that after college, his NBA dream isn't there, not because he couldn't play at the NBA level, but because some pundits think he's hit his ceiling. He's one of the older players in the NBA draft, and so he will truly need to prove he's more NBA-ready than his peers. NBA GMs don't love using draft picks on older players unless they are ready to go.
Boyd has the NBA Combine to prove just that, but his tape at Wisconsin is also elevating his draft status. Now, one writer has even included him in their latest NBA Mock Draft after the lottery completion. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has projected Boyd to be the final pick of the NBA Draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With the NBA Draft Lottery complete, loved seeing The Athletic’s @Sam_Vecenie with Nick Boyd getting selected as the final pick of the draft pic.twitter.com/GNwNaWQEmY
— Patrick Herb (@PatrickHerb) May 11, 2026
Nick Boyd is projected to be the final pick of the NBA Draft by The Athletic
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If Boyd is the final pick of the NBA Draft, he would officially become the 2026 version of Mr. Irrelevant. While in the NFL and other leagues, that's often a fun badge of honor. It's usually an uphill battle for the NBA. There are very few success stories of Mr. Irrelevant becoming an NBA star.
The best example and a similar one may be Isaiah Thomas from Washington back in the 2011 NBA Draft. He was overlooked because of his height and age. Yet he ended up with a great NBA career as a 2-time All-Star. Boyd has a similar makeup. Thomas was an absolute gamer and knew how to rise to the occasion; he also carried a massive chip on his shoulder to prove the doubters wrong. That's Boyd's energy, too.
Boyd already has a "prove-em" wrong energy, and whether he gets drafted or not, he will be chasing success and finding his own path. He's always done that, and he will continue to do it.
For Wisconsin fans, it would be a blast to see a Badger selected in the NBA Draft two years in a row. John Tonje made Badger Nation proud last year; now, maybe it's Nick Boyd.
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