2026 NBA Draft Round 1 Live Updates with Latest News, Picks and Grades

That's it for tonight, folks!

Much of the first round went chalk, but that's not what we'll remember about it. This is a class that's absolutely loaded with potential. And plenty of teams just got their piece of it.

Over the next several years, someone from this group (maybe even multiple someones) could be in the mix for "face of the league" status.

You were here to witness those players' first steps toward that possibility.

The first few mocks of this draft process placed Koa Peat near or in the lottery, so the bargain potential is real for the Suns. His stock also slipped for a reason, as it's unclear how much shooting and shot-creation he'll contribute—not just as a rookie, but throughout his NBA career.

Peat puts all the "power" into his power-forward designation. He is physical and ferocious. If he sniffs out a path to the basket, he'll burst through a brick wall Kool-Aid Man-style to get there. His handles and vision impress for his size and play style, while his strength and mobility give him switchable upside on defense.

Will he score on anything other than spoonfed chances, though? His creativity is nonexistent, and unfortunately, the same holds true for his jump shooting. Despite that former lottery buzz, it's fair to wonder whether his ceiling sits pretty low given his offensive limitations and lack of explosion.

It's a fine flier to take at the end of the first round, but that hardly guarantees Phoenix will see a return on the investment.

Grade: C+

-- Zach Buckley

Karaban's physical tests at the next level won't be easily conquered. However, you typically want to bet on someone with this blend of positional size, polished skills, smarts and winning pedigree.

If he's a high-end shooter in the NBA, he could have a decade-long career in front of him. He is a smart mover without the basketball, an instinctive cutter and a right-place, right-time team defender. He might look as functional as his system does, though, because his physical profile won't make it easy to win one-on-one battles on either end of the floor.

Given all of the above, at the cost of a future second-round pick, it's a bit of a reach for Sacramento.

Grade: C-

-- Zach Buckley and Andy Bailey

There were landing spots at which Joshua Jefferson would have seemed worthy of a first-round investment. Brooklyn was not one of them.

He is the kind of support piece who thrives in the kind of "winning plays" that just get lost on a team at this stage of a roster reset. His playmaking ability is one of the strongest skills in his arsenal, and he may not get a chance to utilize it much on a team that spent multiple 2025 first-round picks and the sixth overall pick of this draft on playmakers.

Jefferson is tricky. There's a size-skill blend pointing toward do-everything potential, especially if he keeps improving as a shooter. He rebounds, he creates for others, he scores in a variety of ways and he defends across multiple positions.

But what if he's your prototypical jack of all trades, master of none? That can be a glue guy, but it can also be someone who never finds their NBA niche. And he'll already be racing against the clock with his 23rd birthday arriving in November.

Grade: D+

-- Zach Buckley

The Celtics seemed likely to target a center this offseason. Chris Cenac Jr. can help address that need while meeting their perpetual demand for perimeter shooting.

Cenac is the kind of prospect who could get an executive fired, or maybe help them earn Executive of the Year honors. His tools are tantalizing; he has big-man dimensions with the fluidity and bend of a wing. His talents can tantalize, too, when his three-point shots are falling, and his ball-handling is helping him get where he wants.

He just doesn't always make the most of those tools. He can be invisible at times. His reads are often a step slow, and his defensive engagement can be lacking. He can also get a little too comfortable on the perimeter and doesn't always embrace his big-man duties.

The risk-reward calculation was going to tilt into the positive at some point in this draft, and it probably happened at least a few picks before this. Cenac may never approach his full potential, but if he does, he'll become a much better player than you typically see taken in this range.

Grade: B

-- Zach Buckley

Hmmm. The Spurs are loading up on size almost as if they're among the teams trying to figure out how to combat Victor Wembanyama and not the ones rostering the 7'4" superstar. 

The flier on Jayden Quaintance at No. 20 felt like a fun one, but trading up to get Tarris Reed Jr. six picks later is a puzzler. Especially since Luke Kornet will be on the books for at least two more seasons (with a player option for 2028-29).

Reed is a physical force, and he fully embraces all the grunt-work duties required of an interior big. He plays a power-based game, but he also has soft touch on the interior and enough feel to keep the offensive gears turning with simple, smart passing reads.

All of that said, his perimeter value could be next to nothing at this level. He isn't a shooting threat at all, nor a comfortable, mobile defender in space.

Maybe the Spurs plan on leaning into more double-big looks with a center next to Wembanyama, but they just made an ahead-of-schedule Finals trip with him as a full-time 5, so that would be a strange change of course. If they were set on adding a big here, an inside-out threat like Chris Cenac Jr. would've been a much cleaner fit.

Grade: D+

-- Zach Buckley

After arguably surprising by not taking a guard with the ninth overall pick, the Mavericks moved up to get a pretty intriguing one with Sergio de Larrea at No. 25. The 20-year-old has spent the draft process helping his team compete for the ACB Championship, suggesting he can fill a winning role right now while holding high-end potential for the long haul.

With great size for a point guard and serviceable size for a combo guard, de Larrea's outlook hinges on his ability to tighten his handle to the point that he's a viable primary playmaker. Right now, it's easier to buy him as a connective passer and floor-spacer, which is a helpful support role but not much beyond that.

His basketball IQ is advanced, and that's where his passing could really shine—though, again, the brightness of that shine will depend on how often he's handling on-ball duties. If he's going to spend a lot of time on the ball, he needs tighter handles and more strength to absorb contact.

De Larrea's shotmaking should be an early asset, but if that makes up the bulk of his contributions, he'll have to prove he can hold up defensively. If he fills more of a multi-faceted offensive role, the Mavericks shouldn't mind picking up his defensive slack as much.

Grade: B-

-- Zach Buckley

The Lakers were routinely linked to centers throughout mock draft season, which made sense in that the position was clearly a big need. There probably wasn't enough said about the other needs on this team, though, like defensive playmaking and athleticism on the perimeter, which Cameron Carr will provide in droves.

Carr crushed it during the pre-draft process, which should've surprised no one. He has incredible length (a near 7'1" wingspan jutting out of his 6'4.5" frame), anti-gravity hops and an incendiary three-ball. His game is easy on the eyes, even if there are some questions about his creation chops.

It is entirely easy to envision him in a three-and-D role, although he needs to get stronger and more comfortable playing with physicality to really thrive in it. It also takes a good amount of optimism to picture him growing beyond that label, since his handle lacks wiggle, and his playmaking lacks vision.

Grade: A

-- Zach Buckley

When the Hawks went guard with their first pick, it felt like they might seek out size here. They sort of did that, although the center they added, Zuby Ejiofor, basically provides everything other than size.

Ejiofor is small for a bully-ball big (6'8", 245 lbs), but as a non-creator and limited shooter (at best), that's kind of how he has to function. 

He can fill the role, though. He embraces physicality, has soft hands and soft touch at the basket, and he is a really good passer for this archetype.

He might do his best NBA work on the defensive end. Ejiofor offered defend-anyone versatility in college, and while the speediest players in the NBA will challenge that, he should still be able to shift through assignments pretty seamlessly.

Grade: C-

-- Zach Buckley

The 76ers arguably just landed a lottery-level prospect with the 22nd pick of the draft. So, why doesn't this feel like an automatic A-plus?

Well, the fit is a little funky. Didn't Philadelphia just push out Jared McCain because of its clear (and justified) commitment to the Tyrese Maxey-VJ Edgecombe backcourt? Philon won't be any easier to fit, although he could be awesome in an instant-offense role until the Sixers can find something more substantial for him.

Philon is all talent over tools. That doesn't sound like a compliment—because it isn't. But his skills are pretty sensational. He has the kind of feel that lets him know what his team needs and when, and his versatility usually allows him to provide it. His handles are shifty, his scoring punch stretches to all three levels, and he always has the court properly mapped out.

His frame is rail-thin (6.2.5" tall and only 176 pounds), though, and his lack of strength is a real worry. He can create advantages off the dribble, but he can't always maintain them. 

His defensive film looked good as a freshman, but his effort really tailed off when his offensive role increased as a sophomore.

This is a tremendous value for the talent. That matters. It would just score a little higher if Philadelphia had more of an obvious opening for Philon.

Grade: B+

-- Zach Buckley

There may be some reasonable, harmless explanation for whatever happened between Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., but it sure didn't look great.

At some point in the Warriors' war room, the two appeared to be arguing with each other over the pick they made.

Is it possible Lacob wanted another high-upside swing like the team made on James Wiseman or Jonathan Kuminga? Yaxel Lendeborg (who they took) is certainly the safer pick and something Steve Kerr would likely support.

Lendeborg may have to be pretty good right off the bat to put this to rest.

The Grizzlies twice traded back and came away with five second-round selections to slide down five spots and snag a prospect who would've been a realistic target at their original pick position of No. 16. 

López, the best prospect to come out of Mexico, looks the part of an NBA swingman as a recently turned 19-year-old. He has a solid build, he embraces physicality and he is aggressive attacking downhill. He is most interesting with the ball in his hands, but he's a smart mover away from it.

López isn't much of an athlete by NBA standards, though, so his skills must be razor-sharp. Right now, they're more like a butter knife. His shots can be all over the place, his handle is rigid and rudimentary and his defense is too scatterbrained.

Grade: B-

-- Zach Buckley

Between Victor Wembanyama at center and the backcourt combo of Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, the Spurs already seemed to be in possession of an unfair blend of length, mobility and athleticism. They somehow managed to get even longer, more agile and loads more explosive… as long as Jayden Quaintance can stay healthy.

What's the word on Quaintance's knee? Answer that question, and then you'll know how impactful this selection actually was. An ACL tear brought his freshman campaign to a premature close and limited his sophomore season to just four games.

If he's healthy, Quaintance might emerge as the best defender in this class. He can double as an interior intimidator and an effortless switcher onto perimeter players. His offensive bag isn't much more than a lob-finishing coin purse, but a defensively versatile rim-runner can be a pretty special archetype.

The Spurs can let Quaintance grow at his own pace and then carefully unleash him in full-throttle, hyper-active bursts. It's a pretty sweet setup, even if he might struggle to grow out of a niche role for the foreseeable future.

Grade: B-

-- Zach Buckley

The Raptors had pressing needs at point guard and center. Naturally, they snatched up a power forward in Allen Graves who, despite being an analytics darling, feels like one of the biggest mysteries in this draft.

Graves is…funky. Maybe in a good way, but it's too early to tell. His analytics were great this season, but he posted huge, efficient per-minute marks as a reserve player on a mid-major. Good luck finding the conversion rate for actual NBA impact.

If he hits, he'll have his skill, versatility, feel and positional size to thank. If he doesn't, the steep climb in competition and the Association's athletic demands will likely have done him in.

Grade: C-

-- Zach Buckley

Nothing to get your career started like a little encouragement from the greatest player your country ever produced.

Among the many small (or small-ish) guards in this class, Anderson has two things that stand out: a perimeter shot that's as pure as anyone's in this class, and high-end creation out of pick-and-rolls, especially on pull-ups.

Both traits should fit nicely with the Charlotte Hornets, who could lose Coby White to free agency and might need more of a passer at the reserve guard spot anyway.

Anderson punishes defenders who go under screens, with that dialed-in shot from distance, and he'll keep ones that go over on his back, as he slithers away to paint touches and either finishes or finds an open teammate.

But lack of size is a major worry, especially on defense. He plays hard and competes as best as he can, but he'll be routinely hunted until he can fill out his 180-pound frame. He also isn't the most dazzling dribbler, so it's unclear how often he'll free himself without help from a screener.

Grade: C

-- Zach Buckley and Andy Bailey

After a flurry of moves that bounced this pick from OKC to Memphis to Detroit, the Pistons took one of the more intriguing young guards in this class at No. 17.

Okorie is a blur with the basketball, and the punches on his frequent-visitor card to the paint fill up in a hurry. He is forever in attack mode, whether that means pulling from the perimeter without a second thought or motoring to the basket. His dribble bag seemingly has a counter for whatever the defense tries to punch him with, and when he isn't finishing with baskets, he's getting to the foul line.

His efficiency can be questionable, though, which is a bigger worry than it sounds when so much of his game revolves around getting buckets. While he didn't have a lot of help at Stanford, he still showed more tunnel vision than you'd want to see in a 6'1" guard. That size is also clearly a hindrance on defense.

Grade: B

-- Zach Buckley and Andy Bailey

There was a lot of talk about the Oklahoma City Thunder potentially putting their two first-round picks together and moving up. Instead, they used some of their mountain of future seconds to move up just one spot. And he looks like a near-idea fit in OKC.

Stirtz might be the best thinker in this class. He always seems a step ahead of defenders, which is no small feat considering his actual first step is nothing special. He not only knows where everyone is at all times, but he also has a good feel for where they're going to move, so he can sense openings before they're actually open. He has a real case for being this draft's best shooter.

Stirtz's physical tools are underwhelming, and he'll be 23 before seeing his first NBA action, so there are questions regarding upside. Without great size, strength or speed, isolation plays could be struggles on both ends.

Grade: B-

-- Zach Buckley and Andy Bailey

Chicago's vision for a longer, more athletic and more disruptive roster is coming together. Dailyn Swain is one of the SLAP-pier prospects left on the board, so he certainly fits the preferred model for the Bulls' new front office.

Swain was a regular paint visitor in college and a tremendous finisher around the rim. Both of those traits could translate to the NBA. And his slashing is even more potent than it sounds, too, since he's a slick passer for his size and archetype. He has enough tools to be a sturdy defender and defensive playmaker.

Can he shoot, though? That's his biggest question, and it'll be one of the bigger swing skills in this prospect pool.

Swain's mechanics look funky, and the results aren't great. If he doesn't demand attention on the perimeter, he'll have trouble sniffing out attack lanes he's otherwise ready to exploit.

Had Swain landed elsewhere, maybe his shooting concern wouldn't have loomed quite as large. The spacing already looks tight in Chicago, though, so there will be real urgency for Swain to expand his range sooner than later.

Grade: C+

-- Zach Buckley

The Golden State Warriors clearly still have their eyes on short-term competitiveness, because they took one of the most experienced players in this class at No. 11.

And even if you're big on "draft age," it's hard to argue against the size, versatility and fire that Lendeborg brought to Michigan throughout their title run.

His heady, team-first game should make him an easy fit in Steve Kerr's system and alongside Stephen Curry.

There was some rumblings on lottery night that AJ Dybantsa looked disappointed that Washington had won the first overall pick, but that's all been quieted now.

Dybantsa was clearly thrilled to be the first name called. And he's excited enough to join the team that he's already updating social media profiles.

Morez Johnson, Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara were all taken before the lottery ended.

As if the national championship wasn't enough, what a testament to the dominance of that Michigan Wolverines squad.

This is an interesting pick for the Charlotte Hornets, who already boast Ryan Kalkbrenner (taken last summer) and Moussa Diabate (one of the driving forces of their late-season surge).

But of all the individual skills in this class, Steinbach's rebounding is among the sharpest. He tracks the ball well, boxes out with force and has great hands to inhale the basketball. His post scoring is a top-tier talent, too, as he has skillful footwork, soft touch and the ability to either shake defenders off his back or power through them.

He just isn't a great vertical athlete, and that could make it tricky to find his defensive fit. If he's at the 5, his team will be hurting for rim protection. If he's a jumbo 4, perimeter players could carve him up on switches.

Fortunately, for the Hornets, they have other centers on board who can help Steinbach work through his weaknesses.

Grade: C+

-- Zach Buckley and Andy Bailey

The now-rebuilding Bucks felt like a logical landing spot for Nate Ament back at the No. 10 pick. Getting him three selections later is good value, and it perhaps beefs up the impact of that selection, too, since Milwaukee was able to get a seemingly safe, plug-and-play prospect in Brayden Burries.

Ament was initially supposed to land higher than this, but an up-and-done season with the Volunteers damaged his draft stock. He still looks the part of that previously celebrated prospect: a nimble, big wing with the always helpful dribble-shoot-pass combo. He isn't explosive, but he gets where he wants, and opponents can't keep him off the foul line.

All of that said, his frame and his game both need work. He is skinny and plays like it; paint penetrations could be a grind at this level, since he can't power his way through players or take-off to finish above them. Those dribble, shoot and pass skills are all baseline abilities, too. There's no real wow factor with any of them.

Grade: B+

-- Zach Buckley

Sacramento was in dire need of a lead playmaker. And while there's obviously no guarantee Darius Acuff reverses decades of mismanagement, he has legitimate star upside.

The Kings (the team guilty of that mismanagement) will have to surround him with plenty of grit and defense, but Acuff's passing and tough shotmaking abilities instantly make this team more watchable in the short term and potentially more dangerous in the long one.

Mara is massive, even for someone about to enter this larger-than-life league. He stands 7'3" without shoes and can almost dunk without jumping (9'9" standing reach). He does everything you'd expect of someone with this size: walling off the basket, finishing with force and competing on the glass. He also does things you don't always see from people with this much mass, like processing and passing like a guard.

He isn't scheme-versatile, though, as drop coverage will be a must to limit his exposure against dribble-drivers. He also needs to be pretty heavily involved as a passer, because that's the one area where his offense really stands out.

Fortunately, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a roster that can accommodate both of those potential weaknesses. They have perimeter defenders capable of scrambling out to shooters and finishers who'll take full advantage of Mara's passing and vision.

Grade: A-

-- Zach Buckley and Andy Bailey

There wasn't a great argument to sneak Caleb Wilson into the top three. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer are that good, but Wilson may have every bit as much upside as any of them.

And if he reaches it, he could be the next face of a franchise that has featured Derrick Rose and Michael Jordan.

Should the Warriors have been thinking win-right-now with this pick? Their 45 losses this past season and Jimmy Butler's ongoing ACL recovery might not suggest it, but Stephen Curry's continued presence and head coach Steve Kerr's return do. So, Yaxel Lendeborg it is.

The worries with Lendeborg really aren't basketball-related. His skill set already seems perfectly suited to step into a do-everything support role. His physical tools impress, as he's long, strong and bouncy. And his skill versatility might be an even stronger sales pitch. If his perimeter shooting sustains, then his skill tree should branch out in every direction.

It's a truly fascinating profile; it just happens to be attached to someone who will turn 24 before next season starts. Lendeborg is older than Jonathan Kuminga, who's already five seasons deep into his NBA career. History hasn't been kind to lottery picks who are as seasoned as Lendeborg.

The Warriors don't seem worried about that, and if they feel like he can help Curry right away, they probably shouldn't be. If Golden State just sacrificed upside to chase a couple of Play-In Tournament invitations, though, the Warriors will regret not taking a better long-term flier with this lottery pick.

Grade: B-

-- Zach Buckley

We saw plenty of fireworks in the trade market earlier this week. Julius Randle and Giannis Antetokounmpo have already been dealt.

But we're nearly halfway through the first round now, and there hasn't been a single draft-night trade.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, who own 12 and 17 and already have plenty of talent, seem like an obvious possibility, but the picks they could've moved into have mostly been made.

This could be a uniquely talented draft that makes it hard to coax anyone to move down.

Burries' prospect profile seems scheme-friendly and largely translatable. He can score from every level, he competes hard defensively, he's a great rebounder for his position, and he can make a lot of smart, simple passing reads. He will unquestionably buy into his role and probably ace it, so long as expectations are realistic.

Of course, Burries doesn't have the dribble package, nor the X-ray vision needed to be a full-time playmaker or shot-creator. He also isn't a great athlete or the flashiest ball-handler, so self-sufficient scoring could be a challenge (at least at first).

Stardom feels optimistic, but ending up really good-dom could be right up his alley.

And the Milwaukee Bucks have time for him to develop on either path. After the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, there should be tons of minutes open for the younger players on the roster. He should be able to work through growing pains. And that will help both him (and the team) in the long run.

Grade: B

-- Zach Buckley and Andy Bailey

The first stunner of the night comes from a franchise that just made a stunning hire at head coach. After luring Dusty May away from Michigan, the Mavericks just reunited him with one of the most important players on his national champion Wolverines.

It's hard to say Morez Johnson Jr. lacks potential, especially since he might wind up being the best defender in this draft. He looks like a potential game-breaker on that end, offering both chaos creation as a weak-side helper and tremendous switchability. 

On offense, he plays within his limitations as a hard screener, powerful roller and soft-touch finisher. He's also flashed hints of having an outside shot, though it's still a work in progress.

With all of that said, Johnson's upside doesn't seem enormous, because his offensive bag is limited. He won't create offense for himself or his teammates, and he may not take enough (or at least make enough) outside shots for defenses to pay attention to him on the perimeter.

It's easy to see Johnson stepping into a supporting role next season, and maybe Dallas will be ready to roll with sophomore Cooper Flagg and a healthy Kyrie Irving. Long-term, though, the Mavs may regret not chasing more upside here. 

Flagg and Johnson should wreak havoc together on defense, but Flagg may have benefited more from teaming with one of the shot-creators still on the board.

Grade: C+

-- Zach Buckley

Cam Boozer was the most statistically productive player taken in this draft, and his pedigree suggests he'll more than live up to his selection at No. 3.

The Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz are surely thrilled with their picks, but Boozer has a chance to make both look like misses several years from now.

The Hawks created a void at point guard by trading Trae Young away in January. They just filled it six months later with Flemings. 

And since the Hawks are re-signing CJ McCollum to a one-year deal, they don't necessarily need Flemings to step into that role right away. They'll clear the runway as soon as he signals he's ready, though.

Flemings has blink-and-he's-by-you burst and the kind of pace and direction changes to keep defenses perpetually uncomfortable. He thinks as fast as he plays, too, so he never gets sped up, even as he's full-throttling around the floor. He makes smart decisions, and that has so far manifested into strong shooting rates and low turnover numbers.

Of course, Flemings has been reliant on his mid-range jumper to this point, and it's unclear how he'll respond if Atlanta wants to repurpose his shot diet. His compact, powerful frame is nevertheless undersized for this level, so he'll get hunted on defense until he proves he's up to the NBA challenge.

Flemings is a good get and a strong connection between need and talent here. His three-point volume will have to ramp up to really make this work with Jalen Johnson, but those two could be a force together on both ends of the floor.

Grade: B+

-- Zach Buckley

The Kings were connected to Acuff early in the process, and at times it felt like their interest might be strong enough for them to trade up to get him. Staying put and still getting him at No. 7 is good business, even if there are some questions with his profile.

While all arrows point toward Acuff being a one-way contributor—certainly at the early stages of his career, but possibly for its duration without major improvements—his offensive upside is so towering that those defensive deficiencies are almost forgiven. He can consistently create advantages, then rely on his strength, shotmaking and passing vision to capitalize on them.

His defense is legitimately dreadful, though, both in terms of engagement and execution, so there's a ton of pressure on him to be awesome on offense. 

To his credit, he's been that before, but he still faces a steep climb to make that happen at this level as a smaller guard who isn't a great athlete.

Sacramento has had standing needs for legitimate stardom and dynamic scoring and creation. Acuff has a non-zero chance of scratching both itches.

Grade: A-

-- Zach Buckley

Brown's stock was clearly climbing on the workout circuit, so it's not at all surprising to see the Nets buy in here. His star potential is obvious, as is Brooklyn's need for star-level talent, so this could be a great match if things go according to plan.

As one of the bigger risk-reward prospects in this class, Brown has both fascinating peaks and worrisome valleys. If everything breaks right, he might be a perfect conductor for a modern attack. Deep pull-up threes and full-speed, live-dribble passes are key parts of his arsenal, meaning he can create space and then promptly make the most of it.

But he was often injured in college and pretty inefficient when he stepped inside the lines. Professional gamblers would probably label his decision-making as bold, both with his shot selection and his tiny-window pass attempts. He also has to get stronger, or he could get skewered defensively.

There is risk here, and that has to be reflected in the evaluation. It's easy to see what the Nets were seeing here, though, and credit them for taking the kind of swing that—if it connects—could be a long-term fortune-changer for the franchise.

Grade: B+

-- Zach Buckley

Like Washington, which acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis last season, the Utah Jazz made their own win-now move in February.

And if everyone's healthy, adding Darryn Peterson to Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler (assuming he re-signs), the recently acquired Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George and Ace Bailey gives Utah one of the most interesting two-track builds in the NBA.

There's enough well-developed talent there to be competitive right away. And Peterson and Bailey give Utah a potential superstar combo on the wings.

The draft lottery was interesting for the Clippers. They landed the highest pick they could possibly get from the Indiana Pacers, but they also wound up in a range where their needs didn't really align with the top prospects on the board. Wagler feels like the best fit alongside Darius Garland, but that's an offense-leaning twosome with some pretty serious defensive concerns.

The question with Wagler is whether he has star potential or more likely winds up as a complementary piece who can star in a support role. He has as much off-ball utility as any guard in this class, but his draft stock really soared once he shifted into more on-ball responsibilities. His shot and connective passing are assets in either role, but his impact can only stretch so far as an off-ball puzzle piece.

Will the Clippers entrust him with a lot of on-ball responsibilities, though? At best, he figures to wind up in a timeshare with Garland. Creating a multiplaymaker setup with both could be huge for this offense, but that's a tightrope walk that could leave both creators feel like they aren't being used to their full potential.

Wagler is a fun prospect, and this backcourt should be a handful on offense, but the fit is imperfect, so you'd hope it wasn't the sole reason why L.A. went this direction. 

Grade: B

-- Zach Buckley

The first major move for new Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham should've been a stress-free one. Based on how the three picks went, Chicago doing anything other than taking Wilson here would've been jaw-dropping.

Wilson might be the only player in this draft who has an entire prospect tier to himself. His flaws (while perhaps fixable) were too clear to slot him into the top three, but his strengths were too numerous to bump him down any further. So, it's basically the three blue-chippers, then Wilson, and then everyone else.

He is the best athlete in this draft and might have the best motor, too. That's an awesome combination, and he puts it to use on highlight hammers, how-did-he-get-that?! rebounds and transition finishes. More subtle skills so far elude him, though. He is unproven as a shooter, loose with the ball, can be sped up with his decision-making, and he is a little behind with his defensive awareness.

His growth as a shot-creator and scorer will determine whether he'll wind up leading the next era of Bulls' basketball, but he is certain to play a major part in it regardless.

Grade: A

-- Zach Buckley

We could be in for a big, bounce-back season for Trae Young. He suddenly has two dynamic finishers to set up in AJ Dybantsa and Anthony Davis.

For the first time in a long time, there's reason for real optimism in DC.

Washington has a chance to compete for a playoff spot as early as this season, and that's due in large part to the newest Wizard.

Trae Young and Anthony Davis bring experience and firepower to both ends of the floor, but its AJ Dybantsa's wide-ranging game that could truly tie everything together.

Consistency, across-the-board production and winning pedigree—that's what Grizzlies fans can expect from Boozer, who won't even turn 19 years old for a few more weeks.

He's a tricky-ish evaluation, because you kind of wonder why he isn't universally regarded as the best player in this draft, despite being No. 1 on Jonathan Wasserman's Top 75 Big Board, while also understanding why that's the case.

His offense is special. The only slight hangup is whether he winds up very good or great on that end. It'll be one of the two, because he just has too deep a bag filled with paint-to-perimeter scoring, quick processing, point-forward handling and reliable finishing.

The one real concern is defense, as he doesn't have the length or vertical pop of a paint protector but also isn't quite nimble enough to handle perimeter switches.

The defensive concern is real, but it didn't deny him top-three status in a draft class defined by having three elite prospects. The Grizzlies were always going to walk away with a really good prospect here, and they're getting a centerpiece with an incredible skill level. A core built around Boozer, Zach Edey and Cedric Coward could be really hard for opponents to handle really soon.

Grade: A+

-- Zach Buckley

Utah potentially keeping Dybantsa in the state was always a fun narrative, but Peterson was always the cleaner roster fit. And with the Jazz seemingly taking a massive step toward competitiveness with their deadline acquisition of Jaren Jackson Jr. (plus ongoing commitment to Lauri Markkanen and ascension of Keyonte George), fit mattered more than it would with picks this early.

If not for such a strange season at Kansas, Peterson might've been regarded as the top prospect in this class. Even with spotty availability and inconsistent impact, his appeal managed to rise above the red flags. His shotmaking is next-level, his defense is disruptive and his dribble moves can get him out of the tightest jams.

Of course, his explosion and on-ball creativity looked better in high school, but that doesn't mean they've disappeared from his profile. Perhaps a cleaner bill of health and NBA spacing can summon those strengths again. If they do, he'll probably make annual pushes for All-Star and All-NBA consideration.

Grade: A

-- Zach Buckley

The Wizards either took their decision-making process down to the wire, or they did a tremendous job of masking their intentions. Either way, they wound up doing the right thing and came away with the new central figure of their franchise.

Dybantsa's physical tools are second to none in this draft class. He has a penthouse-high ceiling, as well as a lofty floor that sits a lengthy elevator ride up from ground level. At worst, he's an explosive scoring big-wing who positions himself near the All-Star conversation. At best, he could be a perennial MVP candidate who captures multiple scoring titles, provides high-end secondary playmaking and creates chaos on defense.

His inside-the-arc scoring should be an elite strength right away, and his transition attacks will be appointment viewing. Washington's primary task is buffing up the rest of his skills, as he could use tighter handles, quicker passing reads and better awareness and activity on defense.

The Wizards have immediate support with Trae Young and Anthony Davis, plus long-term running mates like Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George and Bub Carrington. Now, they have a potential superstar dropped right in the middle of the roster and perhaps capable of taking this organization farther than it's been before.

Grade: A

-- Zach Buckley

A change of scenery to Michigan did wonders for Aday Mara. He'd initially been in the one-and-done conversation when he arrived at UCLA three years ago, but limited impact and a diminishing role knocked Mara off the radar.

Mara played a vital role in Michigan's national championship with his enormous size and ability to use it for easy baskets and rim protection.

He'll immediately become one of the league's more unique big men at 7'3" barefoot with excellent passing IQ.

Essential Facts, Stats, Combine Measurements

College: Michigan | Position: C | Age: 21 | Height: 7'3" | Weight: 260 lbs | Wingspan: 7'6" | PPG: 12.1 | RPG: 6.8 | APG: 2.4 | BPG: 2.6 | SPG: 0.4 | FG%: 66.8 | 3PT%: 30.0 | FT%: 56.4

Realistic Pro Comparison: Donovan Clingan

There are differences in body shapes and weights, but Aday Mara will contribute in similar fashion to Donovan Clingan.

They can impact games at both ends with their physical tools, particularly on defense, where their strong instincts come into play.

Neither is a featured scoring option, but they can both still get a bucket playing back to the basket, and each offers some degree of passing value from the 5.

Strengths

Strength 1: Finishing

Mara finished 86.0 percent of his cuts, 76.0 percent of his rolls to the basket and 78.0 percent of his putback chances. He racked up 76 dunks playing just 23.4 minutes per game. Mara barely has to leave the ground to touch the rim with one of the longest 9'9" standing reaches in history.

Strength 2: Rim protection

Mara used his massive size and length to post a 13.0 block percentage over three seasons. His presence and reach help shrink the rim he's protecting. Mara ranked No. 2 in the nation in defensive box plus-minus.

Strength 3: Passing

Passing is the skill that helps differentiate Mara from the few his size. Offense can run through him at the top of the key, where he can see over the top and facilitate. His 19.0 assist percentage is ultra-high for his archetype.

Weaknesses

Weakness 1: Scoring limitations

Unless Mara makes serious improvement to his career 58.5 free-throw percentage, NBA coaches may not want to play him late in games. With no realistic signs of shooting, Mara's scoring opportunities will mostly come during isolated low-postups or catch-and-finishes.

Weakness 2: Turnovers

A player who doesn't handle the ball or command high usage shouldn't have a 17.7 turnover percentage. He can be too careless of clumsy.

Weakness 3: Defensive versatility

Opponents will want to target Mara in pick-and-rolls and bring him away from the basket. Though not completely stiff, he'll still be one of the centers easier to blow by in space if he's switched onto a guard or forward.

-- Jonathan Wasserman

We're just over a half hour away from the first pick being announced.

Brayden Burries didn't look like a one-and-done prospect after the first two weeks of the season. And then it clicked—Burries started to make shots and consistently give Arizona a key source of shooting and rim pressure. He'd soon emerge as the leading scorer for a No. 1 seed in the Final Four.

Scouts feel good about Burries' strong frame, efficient offensive game and maturity for an NBA guard. There's some debate over his ceiling and archetype, being a 6'4" 2-guard who didn't get to showcase a lot of playmaking at Arizona. But Burries has drawn comparisons to some high-end NBA role players. And he's started to earn the reputation for being a safer, "can't go wrong" pick.

Essential Facts and Stats

College: Arizona | Position: SG | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 205 lbs | Age: 20 | PPG: 15.9 | RPG: 4.7 | APG: 2.5 | BPG: 0.2 | SPG: 1.6 | FG%: 49.2 | 3PT%: 36.7

Realistic Pro Comparison: Derrick White

Derrick White is the blueprint for Burries, who shares similar measurements and projected archetypes.

Burries has the chance to similarly thrive as an on/off-ball scorer and secondary playmaker who adds defensive value to the rotation. They aren't the slickest one-on-one scorers or playmakers, but they excel at capitalizing on opportunities, making the right passing reads and defending wings with their tools and IQ.

White is viewed as an elite role player. That will be the idea for Burries, who provides a good balance of scoring versatility, two-way play and efficiency.

Strengths

Strength 1: Downhill scoring

Burries was highly effective at attacking the rim off ball screens and open-floor opportunities. He creates easy finishing angles with his footwork on the move and the ability to drive through contact. Burries shot 60.3 percent at the rim and 67.4 percent on two-pointers in transition, both strong numbers for his position and archetype. Even if his jumper wasn't falling, he was still able to generate offense with rim pressure.

Strength 2: Shotmaking

Having excelled around the basket, shot 41.8 percent on two-point jumpers and made 70 threes at 39.1 percent, Burries defines the label three-level scorer. An 80.5 free-throw percentage and 45.0 percent mark on floaters are also reassuring numbers that indicate touch. Burries was more dangerous pulling up (41.9 percent) than shooting off the catch (38.2 percent), but he was a productive shotmaker in both scenarios, a good sign for his potential to look comfortable creating on the ball and spotting up off of it at the next level.

Strength 3: Efficiency

Burries finished with a 61.6 true shooting percentage (one of the top marks among freshmen guard prospects), 95 assists and 57 turnovers. The majority of his scoring typically came within Arizona's offensive flow. While he did show some promising flashes of self-creation, Burries averaged an efficient 16.1 points without having sets consistently run through him. It should suggest he'll fit in easier than some other ball-dominant guard prospects in the NBA.

Weaknesses

Weakness 1: Positional tools

Burries is more of a pure 2-guard than a point or combo guard. At 6'4" without standout athletic traits, he could have trouble creating advantages against NBA 2s and wings.

Weakness 2: Creating/playmaking

Burries was mostly a line-driver and pull-up shooter when he went into scoring mode at Arizona. He hasn't showcased standout creativity or wiggle handling the ball. Jaden Bradley ran the point, taking away some opportunities from Burries, though a 14.2 assist percentage still reflects limited playmaking for a 6'4" guard. His value will be capped at the next level as a non-playmaking, undersized shooting guard.

Weakness 3: Age/upside

Burries will turn 21 years old before next season, making him significantly older than some of the other freshmen projected in the lottery. Cameron Boozer won't turn 19 until July. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Kingston Flemings, Keaton Wagler and Darius Acuff Jr. will all start their NBA careers at 19. With already questions about his athletic traits and creation, Burries' age gives scouts more reason to be skeptical about his upside.

-- Jonathan Wasserman

Scouts had been anticipating a special 2026 NBA draft for years now. Wilson has made the class look even stronger, despite his season being cut short by injuries.

While AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson have been the catalysts behind the hype—and the top 3 in our Mock Draft—some scouts have referred to a Big Four tier that includes Wilson.

He finished his freshman season shooting 57.8 percent and averaging 19.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Incredible production, tools and athleticism, plus consistent flashes of budding skill, have turned Wilson into a top prospect.

Essential Facts, Stats and Combine Measurements

College: North Carolina | Position: PF | Height: 6'9.25" | Weight: 211 lbs | Age: 18 | PPG: 19.8 | RPG: 9.8 | APG: 2.7 | BPG: 1.4 | SPG: 1.5 | FG%: 57.8 | 3PT%: 25.9

Realistic Pro Comparison: Blake Griffin

Caleb Wilson shares Blake Griffin's advantageous athletic ability and two-point scoring skills.

With similar measurements, they generated highlights with explosive leaping that regularly led to high-percentage finishes. But Griffin became an All-Star forward because of his face-up and post games, rise-and-fire jumper and expanding playmaking. Wilson surprised scouts with his comfort level knocking down fallaways, initiating fast breaks and using footwork off the dribble.

Whether Wilson can burst through Griffin's ceiling will come down to how much his three-point development and defensive awareness improve.

Strengths

Strength 1: Athleticism/physical tools

Wilson was leading the nation in dunks before going down. With long arms and bouncy leaping ability, he plays high above the rim for finishes. And the motor puts him in position more often to get those easy-basket opportunities.

His movement at 6'10" also creates exciting defensive playmaking ability.

Strength 2: Two-point shotmaking

Though not the most creative isolation player, he has good footwork and body control when trying to separate into fallaway or mid-range jumpers. At his age, the fluidity he shows creating and making those shots outweighs the inconsistency.

Strength 3: Passing

Wilson averaged 2.7 assists, a good number for a big who isn't handling the ball often around the perimeter. He can make smart passing reads from within the offensive set and inside the defense.

Weaknesses

Weakness 1: Long-range shooting

Wilson shot 7-of-26 from three and 2-of-9 on long twos. The mid-range shotmaking and confidence taking threes suggests he can improve, but remaining limited from deep will make him easier to guard and reduce his versatility.

Weakness 2: Finishing drives

Though capable of putting the ball down, he struggled to finish off his own creation. Gathering and going up off the dribble in traffic gave Wilson trouble. He converted just 35.4 percent of his drives.

Weakness 3: Half-court ball-handling

NBA teams have recently been drawn to playmaking wings and bigs. That's not Wilson, who isn't a major threat to shake off the dribble in the half court. He received just two pick-and-roll ball-handling possessions all year.

-- Jonathan Wasserman

Darius Acuff just posted one of the best box plus/minuses we've ever seen from a freshman his height (6'3") or shorter, and that was almost entirely on the strength of his offense.

He put up a whopping 23.5 points, 6.4 assists and 2.5 threes, while shooting 44.0 percent from deep.

It could take Acuff a while to figure out how to survive as an NBA defender, but his abilities on the other end could make him a plus player very quickly.

Boozer just put together one of the most productive freshman seasons in college hoops' history. He backed up the counting stats with wins and analytics, leading Duke to a No. 1 overall seed while posting the second-highest box plus-minus (behind Zion Williamson, ahead of Anthony Davis) since the metric has been tracked.

And he still won't turn 19 until July.

Despite his age, 6'9" size, 250-pound frame, 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and winning track record dating back to high school, when he won four state championships and two FIBA gold medals, there is still a section of scouts who question his upside compared to the other top prospects.

He'll wind up being another good case study for measuring pre-draft success and skill against athletic limitations.

Essential Facts, Stats and Combine Measurements

College: Duke | Position: PF | Height: 6'8.25" | Weight: 253 lbs | Wingspan: 7'1.50" | Age: 18 | PPG: 22.5 | RPG: 10.2 | APG: 4.2 | BPG: 0.5 | SPG: 1.5 | FG%: 56.5 | 3PT%: 40.9

Realistic Pro Comparison: Kevin Love

Like Kevin Love did in his prime, Boozer produces with strength below the rim, post skill, three-point shooting and rebounding instincts.

Neither are they the flashiest or shiftiest one-on-one scorers. But Love averaged 26.1 points per game during his best pro season. Boozer has the chance to do the same with his mix of physicality and inside-out offense.

In a perfect world, they're the No. 2 option alongside a guard or wing who could create and fit into the team's style of offense more easily.

Strengths

Strength 1: Post-up scoring/passing

Boozer shot 62.1 percent out of the post with an overwhelming mix of strength and footwork to create high-percentage finishing angles. He converts with both hands and often gets himself close to the basket. He's also an excellent passer from the post with a great understanding of how to capitalize on the gravity he generates.

Strength 2: Shooting

Shooting potential in high school turned into 39.1 percent on 3.6 three-point attempts per game at Duke. It's now a strength of his, given his age and position. Boozer even hit 14 pull-up threes. He now suddenly looks way ahead of the curve compared to other/recent top big-man prospects.

Strength 3: Ball-handling

Offense can run through Boozer in multiple ways, including from the top of the arc as a pick-and-roll ball-handler. Though not an explosive driver, he's very sharp with his dribble changing direction and using his body to shield defenders. He's a driving threat in transition, isolation or ball-screen situations.

Strength 4: Rebounding

Boozer figures to be a double-double machine with his strong frame, fundamentals and willingness to create and take contact. Determined and difficult to move, he uses the offensive glass as another scoring opportunity.

Weaknesses

Weakness 1: Lack of explosion

Boozer was able to bully the majority of college forwards. Against centers, he was vulnerable to getting his shot blocked. He lacks vertical pop to play through and above centers. Though he's a good ball-handler, he's not going to blow by or consistently turn the corner. Scouts' biggest fear about Boozer offensively is his potential to create clean separation against every frontcourt.

Weakness 2: Defensive upside

Though Boozer showed good defensive IQ in certain scenarios, he's going to get targeted by hybrid 4s in space. With just 23 blocks all season, it's difficult to imagine him playing minutes at center or offering much rim protection.

-- Jonathan Wasserman

The likely top pick in tonight's draft is dressed to impress.

A big senior year in high school resulted in Peterson becoming the preseason No. 1 overall favorite for the 2026 NBA draft. But questions started to pop up after his arrival at Kansas.

Peterson missed games due to cramping, which doesn't typically lead to DNPs. There were other games where the best prospect on the floor was sitting out second halves and important late-game stretches.

Eventually, he would return to a regular role. And despite the frustrating lack of availability or transparency regarding it throughout the year, he still averaged 20.2 points per game and shot well from deep.

There are evaluators who believe that even when he did play, he was physically limited relative to what he showed at Prolific Prep. The idea that Peterson is still the draft's top long-term prospect has never fully died, but the competition at the top of this class is at a different level than in most years.

Essential Facts, Stats and Combine Measurements

College: Kansas | Position: SG | Height: 6'4.50" | Weight: 198.8 lbs | Wingspan: 6'9.75" | Age: 18 | PPG: 20.2 | RPG: 4.4 | APG: 1.7 | BPG: 0.5 | SPG: 1.5 | FG%: 44.2 | 3PT%: 38.4

Realistic Pro Comparison: Anthony Edwards

Unless Peterson's playmaking was severely masked by his role at Kansas and injuries, he profiles similarly to Anthony Edwards as a scoring 2-guard.

Both are special shot-makers capable of hitting self-created jumpers and threes. They are used to generating offense out of isolation and ball screens, but they are also efficient off the ball, shooting off spot-ups, movement, and dribble handoffs.

If there was a fear with Edwards out of Georgia, it concerned his shot selection for a high-usage player. Peterson relies on difficult pull-ups and contested threes as well, but they're both capable of creating and converting against tight defense, which allows them to take over games when they're in a zone.

Strengths

Strength 1: Off-ball scoring

Considering how often Peterson was used to initiate offense in high school, it was comforting to see how effective he was scoring off the ball at Kansas. He was one of the most efficient spot-up scorers in the country thanks to a lethal catch-and-shoot game and effective slashing past closeouts. He shot 47.1 percent on dribble handoff threes and 38.2 percent on movement threes.

Strength 2: Creation

Peterson's combination of ball-handling, change of speed and elevation allows him to get to spots and separate easily. He looked more dangerous at Prolific Prep before the cramping; Kansas also lacked shooters to space the floor. But you still draft Peterson high under the assumption that he's going to be a dangerous ball-screen scorer or late-clock isolation threat.

Strength 3: Defensive playmaking

He blocked four shots in his final game at Kansas, and with quick feet, length and springs, he's going to have an opportunity to blow up plays and erase layups consistently.

Weaknesses

Weakness 1: Rim pressure/finishing

The eye test on Peterson's finishing is better than the numbers, but he did only convert 51.9 percent of his layups. Spacing had something to do with his lack of rim attempts and ability to convert. He also settled often around the perimeter and rushed up jumpers. Only 72 field-goal attempts around the basket (24 games) is a low total for a projected No. 1 option scoring guard.

Weakness 2: Playmaking

The margin for error for non-playmaking guards is small, and Peterson averaged just 1.6 assists to 1.6 turnovers. Teams may choose to ignore the numbers, considering he was often double-teamed and Kansas didn't have other high-level self-creators or shot-makers. Still, the tape didn't show Peterson attempting to use his gravity for playmaking, which just adds some extra guesswork for teams when trying to evaluate his passing potential.

Weakness 3: Off-ball defense

Peterson will get steals, blocks and one-on-one stops, but there was a slight pattern of him making the wrong reads off the ball.

-- Jonathan Wasserman

Cam Boozer, understandably, believes he should be the first overall pick.

He just posted the second-highest NCAA box plus/minus on record (only Zion Williamson's freshman season was better) and averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists.

His skills should almost certainly translate to the next level. And whichever team winds up with him is going to have a double-double machine for years to come.

Hype had been building around AJ Dybantsa for years before his arrival at BYU. Viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick preseason, he wound up exceeding expectations to lead the nation in scoring while showing growth in other areas of his game.

A surprising Round 1 exit from the 2026 NCAA Tournament wasn't a deal-breaker. And a strong Combine showing, which included a Combine-best unofficial vertical of 42", only helped his case.

Of the perceived Big Three, which includes Duke's Cameron Boozer and Kansas' Darryn Peterson, Dybantsa seems to have the fewest question marks.

Between the uptick in three-point volume, his mid-range shotmaking skill, improving playmaking and impressive efficiency, concerns over his shooting and shot selection faded as the season went on.

Essential Facts, Stats, Combine Measurements

College: BYU | Position: SF | Age: 19 | Height: 6'8.5" | Weight: 217 lbs | Wingspan: 7'0.5" | PPG: 25.3 | RPG: 6.7 | APG: 3.8 | BPG: 0.4 | SPG: 1.1 | FG%: 51.3 | 3PT%: 34.0

Realistic Pro Comparison: Jaylen Brown

Dybantsa is further along at the same age as Brown, but they share similar physical/athletic traits and shot diets.

These are powerful wings that can explode to the rim, score through contact and draw fouls. They're also advanced shotmakers from all levels, even if their three-point percentages don't jump off the page.

With a similar scoring skill set to Brown that creates No. 1 option featured touches, Dybantsa will pose more of a mismatch at 6'9".

Strengths

Strength 1: Physical tools/athleticism

At 6'9" with broad shoulders, clear length, agility and bounce, Dybantsa has a physical advantage against practically every defender he matches up against. It mostly shows on transition and drives, where he takes long strides, plays through contact, sidesteps into gaps and elevates above the rim for easy baskets.

Strength 2: Self-creation

Dybantsa has advanced footwork with the ball, both getting into go-to moves and counters for creating separation.

Strength 3: Shotmaking

His signature method for scoring is rising up into his mid-range fallaway jumper. With a high release point and unteachable rhythm, he's really a threat to knock down any jumper, specifically those that are self-created.

Strength 4: Playmaking potential

Offenses can fully run through Dybantsa, as he's become a better decision-maker, sees the floor and uses his gravity to set up teammates. He's a willing passer with good feel, particularly throwing lobs in ball-screen situations.

Weaknesses

Weakness 1: Defensive impact

Despite outstanding defensive tools, his off-ball awareness and lateral quickness against smaller guards was exposed at different points. He also finished with some of the lowest steal and block rates among non-center prospects in the draft.

Weakness 2: Three-point range

Dybantsa isn't a high-volume three-point shooter, mostly due to his ability to create inside the arc and preference for rising up around the key.

Weakness 3: Off-ball skill set

Dybantsa had a massive usage at BYU with offense running heavily through him. He doesn't currently offer a lot of off-ball value, as he didn't cut, run off screens or shoot well off the catch.

-- Jonathan Wasserman