2026 NBA Draft First Round Grades

Casual fan take after a fun night

The first round was entertaining — lots of upside, some reaches, and a couple teams that straight-up stole the show. I graded every pick based on the player, the fit, and value at that spot.

Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls both get straight A+ for their nights. Jazz landed a potential superstar at 2, Bulls grabbed two really nice pieces early.

1. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa (BYU, SF)

Draft Grade: A+
No-brainer. Dybantsa was the clear top prospect — explosive, skilled scorer with size. Wizards finally get their franchise piece.

2. Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson (Kansas, G)

Draft Grade: A+
Peterson is smooth as hell, elite shooter with great size and feel. Some had him as the best player in the class. Massive win for Utah.

3. Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer (Duke, PF)

Draft Grade: A-
Polished, skilled big who can stretch the floor and defend. Exactly the type of high-floor guy Memphis needed.

4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson (North Carolina, PF)

Draft Grade: A+
Athletic, versatile forward with real upside. Fits perfectly with what Chicago is building. Bulls killed this.

5. LA Clippers (from Indiana) – Keaton Wagler (Illinois, G)

Draft Grade: B+
Trade Grade: B+
Wagler brings size and playmaking. Nice get with that Indiana asset.

6. Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville, PG)

Draft Grade: B
Explosive scorer who can create. Nets needed backcourt juice — this has boom potential.

7. Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas, PG)

Draft Grade: B-
Scoring guard with pop, but the fit raised some eyebrows. Kings took a swing.

8. Atlanta Hawks (from New Orleans) – Kingston Flemings (Houston, PG)

Draft Grade: B+
Trade Grade: B
Speedy playmaker. Hawks added nice perimeter talent through the trade.

9. Dallas Mavericks – Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan, PF/C)

Draft Grade: B+
Strong big who rebounds and scores inside. Good fit for their frontcourt.

10. Milwaukee Bucks – Brayden Burries (Arizona, G)

Draft Grade: B
Shifty scorer who can create off the dribble. Bucks added some guard depth.

11. Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan, PF)

Draft Grade: A-
Athletic forward who runs the floor and defends. Great developmental piece for Golden State.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LA Clippers) – Aday Mara (Michigan, C)

Draft Grade: A-
Trade Grade: A-
Skilled big with size. Thunder just keep stacking talent.

13. Milwaukee Bucks (from Miami) – Nate Ament (Tennessee, SF)

Draft Grade: B+
Trade Grade: B+
Versatile wing with length and shooting. Solid addition.

14. Charlotte Hornets – Hannes Steinbach (Washington, PF)

Draft Grade: B
International big with upside. Hornets swung for a project.

15. Chicago Bulls (from Portland) – Dailyn Swain (Texas, SG/SF)

Draft Grade: A-
Trade Grade: A-
Wing depth and shooting. Another really good piece for the Bulls.

16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Memphis/Phoenix) – Bennett Stirtz (Iowa, PG)

Draft Grade: B+
Trade Grade: B
Smart, veteran guard who shoots and plays. Depth addition.

17. Memphis Grizzlies (via OKC/Philadelphia) – Ebuka Okorie (Stanford, PG)

Draft Grade: B
Trade Grade: B
Young guard with tools. More backcourt help.

18. Charlotte Hornets (from Orlando via Phoenix) – Christian Anderson (Texas Tech, PG)

Draft Grade: C+
Trade Grade: C
Toolsy but felt like a slight reach at this spot.

19. Toronto Raptors – Allen Graves (Santa Clara, PF)

Draft Grade: B
Solid forward with size and skill. Good frontcourt depth.

20. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta) – Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky, PF/C)

Draft Grade: B+
Trade Grade: B+
Athletic, high-upside big. Spurs love these swings.

21. Memphis Grizzlies (from Minnesota) – Karim López (New Zealand Breakers, SF)

Draft Grade: B-
Trade Grade: B-
Developmental international wing.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Houston via OKC) – Labaron Philon Jr. (Alabama, PG)

Draft Grade: B
Trade Grade: B
Scoring creator for the backcourt.

23. Atlanta Hawks (from Cleveland) – Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s, PF)

Draft Grade: B+
Trade Grade: B
Physical rebounder and defender.

24. New York Knicks – Cameron Carr (Baylor, SG)

Draft Grade: B-
Perimeter shooter who can score. Needed help on the wing.

25. Los Angeles Lakers – Sergio de Larrea (Valencia, PG/SG)

Draft Grade: B
Skilled international guard with size. Nice late flyer.

26. San Antonio Spurs (from Denver) – Tarris Reed Jr. (UConn, C)

Draft Grade: B+
Trade Grade: B+
Physical center who can anchor the paint.

27. Boston Celtics – Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston, PF/C)

Draft Grade: B
Young big with potential. Added frontcourt depth.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit) – Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State, PF/SF)

Draft Grade: B-
Trade Grade: B-
Versatile forward hybrid.

29. Sacramento Kings (from San Antonio via Atlanta) – Alex Karaban (UConn, SF/PF)

Draft Grade: B+
Trade Grade: B
Shooter and high-IQ winner. Great value late.

30. Dallas Mavericks (from OKC/WAS/PHI chain) – Koa Peat (Arizona, PF)

Draft Grade: B
Trade Grade: B
Athletic forward who brings energy.

Quick Wrap-Up

Jazz and Bulls were the clear winners with those A+ drafts. Thunder and Spurs quietly had strong nights too. A few reaches in the 15-20 range, but overall a talented class.

What stood out to you from the draft? Any pick you loved or hated?