Round 1 of the 2026 NBA draft took place last night in the Barclays Center, and there were plenty of draft night trades and surprise picks.
Not every team made a first-round selection, and not all who did walked away with a potential star.
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We take a look at every first round pick, and give each team a grade for their selections.
1. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa – A
AJ Dybantsa was destined for No. 1 Aaron Baker — IMAGN IMAGES
There was a lot of talk surrounding this pick as soon as the draft lottery ended. They had Trae Young and Anthony Davis, both midseason acquisitions. Would they stick and pick or trade it for win-now talent? Would it be Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson? In the end, they stayed at one and selected AJ Dybantsa, who was the best fit for what the Wizards are building. There is an argument to be made for Peterson, but Dybantsa is the better fit.
2. Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson – A
Darryn Peterson heads to Utah with the franchise on his shoulders Mark J. Rebilas — IMAGN IMAGES
With Dybantsa off the board, the Jazz took who some believe to be the best overall player in the class in Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson. He will team up with another young, budding star in Keyonte George in Utah’s backcourt. With Jaren Jackson Jr. Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler in the frontcourt, the Jazz have essentially completed their rebuild and hope to now make the jump to competitiveness.
3. Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer – A
Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick, heads to Memphis to team up with Ja Morant and Cedric Coward Jim Dedmon — IMAGN IMAGES
The third pick was no surprise either. AP Player of the Year Cameron Boozer goes to Memphis to form an underrated frontcourt with Zach Edey and Cedric Coward. After the trade of Jaren Jackson Jr. last season and Ja Morant likely next, the Grizzlies will not have to worry about their frontcourt after the addition of Boozer.
4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson – A
Caleb Wilson goes to Chicago to be the face of the rebuild Darren Yamashita — IMAGN IMAGES
As the Bulls undergo front office changes, bringing in new head coach Tiago Splitter and Executive Vice President of Basketball Ops Bryson Graham, Caleb Wilson fell in their laps as their first selection. Wilson is an explosive forward with offensive talent and defensive potential. Despite not having played since February after suffering two hand injuries, he was still a highly touted prospect who was projected to be drafted here since the lottery finished. On the heels of a Nic Claxton trade, Chicago has sorted out their frontcourt.
5. Los Angeles Clippers – Keaton Wagler – A
Keaton Wagler will join Darius Garland in the new LA Clippers backcourt Jacob Musselman — IMAGN IMAGES
This was also expected, as most mocks had Wagler going here. He was viewed as the best fit for Darius Garland in the Clippers’ backcourt, and fills the need for perimeter shooting. His size and shooting ability allow for positional versatility, and he operates well on and off ball. Kawhi Leonard is 34, and despite playing in 80% of the games last season, has not played in 70+ games since the 2016-17 season. Wagler played in every game last season, and is only 19 years old.
6. Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr. – B
I think this was a little high for Mikel Brown Jr., who’s strength and physicality is a little bit lacking. He is a dynamic pick-and-roll creator, and operates well with the ball in his hands. He does a little bit of an injury history, but projects to pair well alongside newly acquired Julius Randle, and fit in well with the young core that the Nets have after the draft last year. If I’m Jordi Fernandez, I start Brown Jr. at the point guard and run Egor Demin at the two next to Michael Porter Jr. on the wing.
7. Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff Jr. – A-
I love this pick. Darius Acuff Jr. will come in and immediately be the starter and offensive alpha that the Kings do not have. He was the only NCAA basketball player last season to average more than 23 points, 6 assists, and shoot higher than 44% from three. The Kings need help, with their veteran stars plus Domantas Sabonis, and Acuff gives them exactly what they need — a young star who will electrify their offense and light the beam. Sacramento is in a flux state — there aren’t a lot of guaranteed contracts on their roster, but Acuff gives them a starting point.
8. Atlanta Hawks – Kingston Flemings – B+
The only reason this isn’t an A is because the Hawks needed size more than a point guard. However, that is not a knock on Kingston Flemings. Flemings adds to a young Atlanta offense that left the play-in behind and made the playoffs in the first half-season after the Trae Young era. The Hawks needed more offensive firepower, as demonstrated by the first-round loss to the New York Knicks, and Flemings will provide that for this team. He’ll get to sit behind Nickeil Alexander-Walker and CJ McCollum, and lead a bench unit that desperately needed a player like him. Plus, his letter was great.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Morez Johnson Jr. – C
I don’t love this pick. Dallas does not need another big man to add to their already crowded frontcourt with Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. This was also high for Johnson Jr., who was the 14th best player in this class per ESPN’s Big Board, behind both of his Michigan teammates Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara. However, after the hiring Dusty May, this was not surprising. Johnson Jr. brings a high motor and above-the-rim finishing, and gets to play for his college coach again.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Brayden Burries – B+
After trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat late Wednesday night, the Bucks will try to find their new identity as a team without the Greek Freak. Drafting Brayden Burries gives somewhat of an indication to what they’re going to try to do. Burries is a tough two-way guard who finishes well and has defensive versatility. He joins a backcourt of Tyler Herro and Ryan Rollins, both high-volume shooters with offensive creativity.
11. Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg – B-
I like Yaxel Lendeborg, but I don’t love the fit in Golden State. He’ll be 24 before the season starts, which does make an aging roster any younger. The Warriors still have Stephen Curry, and Lendeborg will have the opportunity to learn from Draymond Green, which may be a good or bad thing depending on your opinions of Green. Lendeborg is a versatile player who can defend one through five, is developing his three-point shot and can run the floor with the ball. The Warriors seem to be comfortable with allowing Lendeborg to sit behind Green and learn, but he’s not getting any younger.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Aday Mara – A
Mara’s selection here can be viewed as the Thunder drafting a Victor Wenbanyama-stopper, and that would probably be a correct assumption. Mara is a freak, standing at 7’3 with a 9’9 standing reach. This was a great pick at this spot; the rich get richer. He’s expected to play this season behind Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, but Hartenstein’s contract is up after next season, where Mara may take over the reins at center.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (via Miami) – Nate Ament – B
Nate Ament is still very raw, but has tremendous potential and upside with the possibility that he may still be growing. He needs to add strength and physicality, as he got sometimes got bullied in the SEC at Tennessee last season. He was inconsistent, but the potential is there. If he can put it together, the Bucks may have found Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s successor in Ament.
14. Charlotte Hornets – Hannes Steinbach – B+
Hannes Steinbach led the NCAA in rebounding last season, and the Hornets were 5th in the NBA in total rebounds per game. This selection only adds to Charlotte’s high-octane offense, giving them a guy who will get them extra possessions during the game by grabbing both offensive and defensive rebounds. He’s not very athletic, but his tenacity on the glass will be invaluable for the Hornets.
15. Chicago Bulls – Dailyn Swain – B-
Kenny Beecham, noted Chicago Bulls fan, was very excited about this pick, and for good reason. Swain transferred from Xavier to Texas with his coach Sean Miller and proved why he belonged in the SEC. He carves up defenses with his size and finishes well at the rim. He does have a high turnover rate, but in Chicago he won’t be the primary ball-handler. The Bulls had a good draft, addressing their needs with Wilson and Swain and potentially fast-tracking the rebuild.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Memphis) – Bennett Stirtz – A-
I love this pick. I had Stirtz mocked to the Thunder at 17, and they traded up one spot with Memphis to get him. He is a high-IQ player with a great feel for the game. Adding him to what the Thunder have already built will only make him better.
17. Detroit Pistons (via Memphis through OKC) – Ebuka Okorie – C+
I love Ebuka Okorie as a player, but I don’t know where he fits in to the Pistons roster. He’s electric with the ball in his hands, averaging over 23 ppg in his freshman season at Stanford. He’s not a terrific shooter though, so the spacing with him and Cade Cunningham will be something Detroit will need to work on. If Okorie can add bulk to his 185 pound frame and maintain his burst and explosivity, this could turn out to be a great pick.
18. Charlotte Hornets – Christian Anderson Jr. – B+
Christian Anderson fits well with what the Hornets have been quietly building for the past few seasons. He’s the self-proclaimed best shooter in this draft, and the stats back it up. He shot 42% from 3 last season, making on average three a game. Anderson brings this shot-making ability to Charlotte, where he’ll pair with LaMelo Ball and Hannes Steinbach, who was drafted at pick 14. Anderson and Steinbach were teammates on the 2025 FIBA U19 Germany team. He’ll add even more electricity to the young and fun Hornets offense.
19. Toronto Raptors – Allen Graves – B-
This was a safe pick by Toronto, taking a guy who the analytics love. He is a versatile two-way forward who will provide immediate impact on defense, pairing well with Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes. He’s a good, albeit not high-volume shooter who doesn’t create well. His NBA comparison was Robert Covington, and he’ll slide in to the Raptors roster and be able to facilitate and be an offensive supporter rather than a sparkplug.
20. San Antonio Spurs – Jayden Quaintance – A-
Jayden Quaintance had a breakout freshman year at Arizona State, then transferred to Kentucky where he tore his ACL and only played in four games. Despite the injury, Quaintance is still a highly intriguing prospect with an over 9 foot wingspan who joins the long line of Spurs first round picks who can make an immediate impact. He’s a defensive savant who will be able to cover for Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs’ lack of size outside of the French big man.
21. Memphis Grizzlies (via Detroit) – Karim Lopez – B
The Memphis Grizzlies finally landed at 21, moving back twice from 16 before finally landing at 21, collecting five second-round picks in the process. Karim Lopez became the first Mexican-born player to ever be drafted in the first round, bringing professional experience, toughness and elite athleticism to a Memphis team needing talent, joining Cameron Boozer. Lopez will play the entire rookie season at age 19, not turning 20 until after the season. If they do trade Ja Morant as expected, their backcourt will be lacking talent, but Lopez was lottery-projected who slid to 21, and the Grizzlies stopped that slide.
22. Philadelphia 76ers – Labaron Philon Jr. – B+
Labaron Philon had a dramatic leap in year two, averaging 22 ppg and 5 apg. He went through the NBA draft process last year before returning to Alabama and improving his game. Philon is an elite scorer who will get to learn from Tyrese Maxey, who he studied when working on his game. He’ll replace Jared McCain and has the potential to be elite off the bench for Philly, if his defensive potential can be realized.
23. Atlanta Hawks – Zuby Ejiofor – D
I don’t like this pick at all. It feels harsh, as Zuby Ejiofor is a physical, high-motor forward who has high-level finishing above the rim. I just don’t see how this helps the Hawks. After going with a point guard with their first pick, they take yet another undersized big to play with Onyeka Okongwu in the frontcourt.
24. Los Angeles Lakers (via NYK) – Cameron Carr – B+
The Lakers addressed a need for more scoring with the selection of Cameron Carr at 24. His draft stock shot up during his junior season at Baylor, averaging almost 19 ppg. His 42-inch max vertical was the highest among all guards, and he put up 30 points in the Combine scrimmage, improving his stock even more. With the expected departure of Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart never having been a score-first guard, Carr will bring a different energy to the Lakers’ second unit. Announced today was the max extension of Austin Reaves, and Carr will be able to come in behind him.
25. Dallas Mavericks (via NYK through LAL) – Sergio de Larrea – B-
A developmental prospect who was riginally drafted by the Knicks, de Larrea’s draft rights were sent to Dallas, where he joins Morez Johnson Jr. and new head coach Dusty May in Dallas. de Larrea projects as a high-IQ playmaker to pair alongside Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, as Dallas finds a direction under new president Masai Ujiri. He’s a big guard who struggled with the physicality of the EuroLeague, which may not translate well to the NBA. If he can put it together, he has a high ceiling.
26. San Antonio Spurs (via Denver) – Tarris Reed Jr. – A-
The Spurs added another big to their roster after the selection of Jayden Quaintance, taking UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. at 26. San Antonio had a clear mission entering the draft, and they walked out with two of the best defensive bigs in this class. I might have taken a guard here, but when your backup bigs are Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo and neither play significant minutes during the playoffs, this was needed.
27. Boston Celtics – Chris Cenac Jr. – A-
Boston needed frontcourt help with Nikola Vucevic expected to depart in free agency, leaving them with Neemias Queta. Cenac Jr. is a raw defensive prospect with offensive upside, who will provide immediate impact in Boston amidst their Jaylen Brown turmoil. After missing out on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, they settle their frontcourt elsewhere.
28. Brooklyn Nets (via Minnesota) – Joshua Jefferson – C-
This is no shade on Joshua Jefferson, but I don’t know where he fits in Brooklyn. He’s not big enough to play the five after the trading of Nic Claxton, and Brooklyn just traded for Julius Randle. Jefferson has an NBA-ready frame and skillset, but the Nets don’t need a guy with his talent and skillset at this point.
29. Sacramento Kings (via Cleveland) – Alex Karaban – B
This was a bit of a surprise, but Alex Karaban is a proven winner. A 4-year player at UConn, he won two national championships. He is a good passer who processes the game at a high level. Karaban joins Darius Acuff Jr. in Sacramento, bringing elite shooting and a winning pedigree to a team lacking both.
30. Phoenix Suns – Koa Peat – A-
Originally drafted by Dallas, Peat’s draft rights were traded to the Knicks, who then sent him to Phoenix. His stock slid a bit after questions arose about both his shooting and his combine workouts. Despite that, he is a physical player who has all the intangibles to be an NBA talent. Peat will now have an opportunity to make an immediate impact as the starting small forward alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green. His rebounding and defensive abilities project well at the next level.
With Round 1 in the books and Round 2 still to come, the NBA Draft is an exciting time in the league.
The next generation of stars join the NBA brotherhood, and we never know what any guy will become. It’s always fun to predict though.
Zack Busbee is a sportswriter for Ball Exclusives
