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2026 NBA Draft grades: The teams that nailed Round 1, and the ones that didn’t
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- 2026 NBA Draft grades: The teams that nailed Round 1, and the ones that didn’t
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is over, which means players such as AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson finally heard their names called to begin their professional careers.
After months of anticipation, we finally got answers about the future of the top prospects in basketball.
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We gave our predictions about where each player will land, we read all of the experts . We even interviewed some of the biggest names like Caleb Wilson , Keaton Wagler , and Mikel Brown Jr. as part of the pre-draft process.
Then, it was time to offer up our best attempt at analyzing how each player would fit with their new teams. Below are grades for every pick of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft:
Best players available in 2026 NBA Draft : Who is worth watching in Round 2?
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa
The Washington Wizards did their due diligence and reportedly considered AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson as well as Cameron Boozer before deciding on Dybantsa . Ultimately, the front office opted for a player with a 6-foot-9 frame and 7-foot-1 wingspan who is one of the best self-creating scorers we have evaluated in a long time. In the modern NBA, size matters considerably, so Washington will have someone capable of putting the ball on the ground and getting a bucket when his team needs it most. Expect the Wizards to play through Dybantsa, who should benefit from playing alongside veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis .
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GRADE: A
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson
While the Jazz reportedly seriously considered national collegiate player of the year winner Cameron Boozer at No. 2 overall, they ultimately chose Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson to join rising star Keyonte George in the backcourt. He needs to show more of the playmaking we saw in high school than he did in college, but he was not playing at 100 percent during his freshman campaign. Peterson is an especially gifted scorer and has a chance to become a superstar in the NBA for years to come if he realizes his full potential.
GRADE: A-
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer
The Grizzlies found a perfect fit for their franchise with Duke freshman Cameron Boozer , who is one of the most versatile and skilled players in this class. After one of the most statistically dominant seasons for a freshman in recent memory, the 18-year-old has an analytical profile that should scale perfectly at the next level no matter his role. His shooting, playmaking and rebounding are all well above average for his position and he should excel at the opportunity to define this next chapter of the Grizzlies.
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GRADE: A+
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson
With his first pick running the front office for the Bulls, executive Bryson Graham had a simple task: Pick whichever player of the "big four" was still remaining on the board once on the clock. However, based on what he said the team is looking for, Caleb Wilson is actually a perfect fit . The Bulls now value size, physicality and athleticism. Each of those traits are intrinsic to Wilson, who led the nation in dunks before he suffered a season-ending injury during his one-and-done campaign. A potential All-Defense candidate in the NBA, Wilson is also a capable leader who still has room to showcase new skills outside of the post in the pros.
GRADE:A+
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5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler
The Clippers received this pick from the Indiana Pacers after trading longtime big man Ivica Zubac and added a valuable young player with Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler . Among all the guards available, Wagler was the best positional fit next to new Los Angeles guard Darius Garland . While this was an unexpected position for him just one year ago, Wagler exceeded all expectations during his sole collegiate season and earned this spot with excellent shooting and added value as a good rebounder and playmaker as well.
GRADE: A
6. Brooklyn Nets : Mikel Brown Jr.
The Nets have a potential star on their hands with former Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., who looked like the best player on the court during the FIBA U-19 World Cup before the season began. While his season ended early due to injury, he received a clean bill of health during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine and told USA TODAY Sports that he feels more like himself once again. A confident version of Brown Jr. is one of the best creators in this class and with a deep shooting range and maturity beyond his years, he should make a difference helping the Nets become as fun as possible.
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GRADE: A-
7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr.
The Kings got exactly the player they wanted at No. 7 overall when former Arkansas star Darius Acuff Jr. fell into their laps. Acuff, whose father played for Kings executive Scott Perry at Eastern Kentucky in college, has long-standing ties to the franchise. But he also projects with arguably the best offensive profile in the class as an elite scorer and playmaker. The biggest knock on Acuff is that his defensive profile does not project well in the NBA based on what we saw in college, but with more effort on that side of the ball once in the pros, he can easily make this grade look like it should have been higher.
GRADE: B+
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8. Atlanta Hawks : Kingston Flemings
Despite rumors that the Hawks were also considering a big man, the Hawks made a wise choice to select former Houston star Kingston Flemings. The consensus second-team All-American had remarkably high highs while in college, scoring as many as 42 points and recording as many as 8 steals in single game appearances. One of the fastest guards we have seen since De'Aaron Fox, the floor general is more than capable of running an offense. But with underwhelming physical measurements at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, evaluators were potentially concerned about his size. Perhaps that is a problem for him at the next level, though he should continue his strong development playing alongside Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels .
GRADE: B+
9. Dallas Mavericks: Morez Johnson Jr.
Who can fault the Mavericks for going against the grain by selecting Morez Johnson Jr. , who played an integral role for Michigan en route to a national championship, with his collegiate head coach Dusty May. Last season, while he wasn't the star on Michigan, he was essential to help his team win the NCAA championship. For a new front office led by Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz, this is a very strong showing of confidence in their coaching hire. Johnson is a tremendous athlete and was a late riser during the pre-draft process. Dallas deserves credit for bucking the consensus and showing faith in a prospect who they ultimately decided was their guy.
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GRADE: A
10. Milwaukee Bucks : Brayden Burries
The Bucks will begin their youth movement after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo with Brayden Burries, who was one of the best recruits in California before committing to Arizona. He helped lead their program to the Final Four during his freshman season and played with versatility during college. Burries shot 39.1 percent on 3-pointers and is built like a linebacker at nearly 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. He should fit well no matter who else the Bucks decide to keep in their rebuild even if he doesn't necessarily project with star potential.
GRADE: A-
11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg
The Warriors were hoping one of the high-ranking prospects would fall to them at No. 11, but with none still available on the clock, they chose to select 23-year-old forward Yaxel Lendeborg rather than make a trade. This is a strong buck away from the "two timelines" draft model we have seen Golden State try in the past when they went with young players who needed development such as James Wiseman , Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody . But this time around, they chose experience to help Stephen Curry win while the two-time MVP is still in the Bay Area. Perhaps the most NBA-ready prospect, the NCAA champion can make a positive impact. Unfortunately, though, the history of older rookies in recent league history is a big risk for the front office with this lottery pick.
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GRADE: B
12. Oklahoma City Thunder : Aday Mara
The Thunder got someone who should fit perfectly with their franchise identity with big man Aday Mara, offering a low usage rate but significant upside with a higher assist percentage. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year has deterred opponents from even attempting anything near the basket when he is on the court. While he might only play short spurts for Oklahoma City , every team could use more frontcourt depth, and he should provide valuable minutes whenever he is on the floor for the Thunder.
GRADE: A
13. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament
Nate Ament was a solid gamble by the Bucks, who are looking for home run swings after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat . While he is not quite as ready to make a strong impact as other prospects in this range, he can blossom into something special under the right development in the pros. Ament is regarded as a promising shooter, connecting on nearly 80 percent of his attempts from the free-throw line. He will need to work on finishing through contact at the rim to play the forward in the NBA, but as he grows into his body, this could be a player who exceeds his draft position as well.
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GRADE: B
14. Charlotte Hornets : Hannes Steinbach
The Hornets were always planning to select the top big man still left on the board when they were on the clock at No. 14 overall. And, in this scenario, that player was German-born big man Hannes Steinbach. At worst, the former Washington center has an elite skill as the rebounder in the class and can earn minutes just by coming in and grabbing boards for Charlotte. That should translate and help him get on the court in the NBA. But if he can continue scoring out of the pick and roll or in the post, he is a likely double-double threat at the next level as well.
GRADE: B
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15. Chicago Bulls : Dailyn Swain
Dailyn Swain went a bit higher than most experts projected when he heard his name called at No. 15 overall, though he absolutely earned this placement. The SEC Newcomer of the Year is a do-it-all player who can contribute well on both sides of the ball. Something unique about Swain is that despite three years of NCAA experience, he is just 20 years old, the same age as some freshmen in the class. Swain improved his shooting each year in college, though he was still worse than positional average from beyond the arc. If that keeps getting better, this is a great pick. Otherwise, it was still a worthy gamble.
GRADE: B
16. Oklahoma City Thunder: Bennett Stirtz
Bennett Stirtz is reportedly heading to the Thunder after the Memphis Grizzlies selected him at No. 16 overall, per ESPN's Shams Charania. Stirtz is a great value and should fit well with OKC on a rookie scale contract, and he should feel ready to contribute for a contender compared to other prospects who were available in this range. Stirtz has long held one of the better analytical profiles, so it's no surprise that Oklahoma City was infatuated with this impressive floor general and pick-and-roll ball handler.
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GRADE: A
17. Detroit Pistons : Ebuka Okorie
After multiple trades, the Pistons will reportedly receive Ebuka Okorie from Stanford. Okorie was a day-one starter, earning ACC All-Rookie and All-ACC first team honors during his one-and-done campaign. The guard, whose wingspan is nearly 6-foot-8, had a 40-point performance and eight games during which he notched at least 30 points. While he reportedly considered going back to college for another year, this was clearly the smart decision as he was a worthwhile top-20 pick who can provide some scoring help alongside Cade Cunningham in the backcourt for the reigning Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons.
GRADE: A-
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18. Charlotte Hornets : Christian Anderson Jr.
Christian Anderson projected as one of the best shooters in the 2026 NBA Draft but also improved his playmaking considerably during his sophomore campaign, too. With excellent range from beyond the arc, the Big 12 Most Improved Player was a standout performer last season. Even if he is just a backup for the Hornets, he should help with reliable minutes when LaMelo Ball is not on the floor. The threat of Anderson with Kon Knueppel is going to feel difficult for opponents to slow on the perimeter.
GRADE: A
19. Toronto Raptors : Allen Graves
Allen Graves, like Toronto rookie Collin Murray-Boyles did pre-draft last season, had an unbelievable analytical profile that made him stand out on spreadsheets by front offices that value those types of metrics. That made him a smart pick by the Raptors, even though he didn't face particularly tough competition in the WCC. That's how a player who started only four games as a freshman in a non-major conference heard his name called in the top 20 of the 2026 NBA Draft, and while fans might feel curious how he went so early, his versatility helps explain why.
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GRADE: B
20. San Antonio Spurs : Jayden Quaintance
Fans didn't get to see Jayden Quaintance due to several injuries last season, but as the Spurs look to improve their frontcourt depth alongside Victor Wembanyama , this could become a home run pick if he is able to stay healthy and get back on the court for San Antonio . When he is active, the big man is arguably the most talented defender in the class, which could make it even more difficult to play against the Spurs for years to come. He is a monster with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, which should give him value at the next level.
GRADE: A-
21. Memphis Grizzlies: Karim Lopez
Karim López would have certainly gone considerably higher in the 2026 NBA Draft if he were not playing overseas last season. While playing international basketball, however, López showed that he is fully able to compete well against grown men in Australia's physical and intense National Basketball League. With a strong build and frame, López should provide some grit on the defensive end of the floor to the Grizzlies. Meanwhile, he managed as many as 32 points in a game earlier this year, missing just two shots in the match.
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GRADE: A
22. Philadelphia 76ers : Labaron Philon Jr.
The Sixers had some magic happen when Tyrese Maxey slipped to No. 21 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft and got lucky when Jared McCain fell outside of the lottery in the 2024 NBA Draft. They might have struck gold with another guard falling to them in the 20s with Alabama guard Labaron Philon available to their new front office at No. 22 overall. Based on his talent and productivity across his two collegiate seasons, there are plenty of reasons to believe this was a pick that could make them look smart in a few years.
GRADE: A-
23. Atlanta Hawks: Zuby Ejiofor
Zuby Ejiofor was a bit of a surprise pick by the Hawks, drafting an upperclassman we projected in the second round who did not receive a green room invitation to attend the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. He was highly accomplished and won the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, Big East Player and Defensive Player of the Year, and Big East Tournament MVP. While he measured at less than 6-foot-8 at the NBA Draft Combine, he had a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a 38-inch max vertical with elite speed for his position. He may be a bit too small to play the five in the NBA, but he can stick around if he is able to shoot a bit more often in the pros.
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GRADE: B-
24. Los Angeles Lakers: Cameron Carr
Cameron Carr was surprisingly still available this late in the first round despite having arguably the best performance of anyone at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. Arguably the best athlete of anyone, especially among prospects in this range, Carr also provides value as someone who can stretch the floor as a shooter as well. With a wingspan nearly 7-foot-1, he should make a defensive impact breaking up passing lanes and blocking shots as well.
GRADE: A
25. Dallas Mavericks : Sergio De Larrea
Sergio De Larrea could serve as a draft-and-stash prospect for the Mavericks, who traded for this pick from the New York Knicks . The Spanish wing, who is still playing in the postseason in Spain, is a very strong shooter who is currently playing well overseas. It's unclear when he would actually come to play in the United States but this is still a very good player to have the rights to for the Mavericks.
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GRADE: B
26. San Antonio Spurs : Tarris Reed Jr.
The Spurs hedged their bet on a young, injured big man they selected earlier in the first round when they selected Jayden Quaintance by snagging a different NBA-ready upperclassman big man in former UConn standout Tarris Reed Jr. Expect him to find immediate minutes and a role in the frontcourt for the Spurs based on how productive he was for the Huskies last season as a potential double-double machine in the NBA.
GRADE: A
27. Boston Celtics : Chris Cenac Jr.
Houston freshman Chris Cenac Jr. was a savvy gamble by Boston's front office. Cenac has remarkable size and athleticism and potential and while he did not have as productive of a season last year as many hoped, a lot of that was simply because he played into his role on a remarkably strong collegiate roster. Cenac was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school for a reason and should show his talent with little immediate pressure for the Celtics.
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GRADE: A
28. Brooklyn Nets : Joshua Jefferson
Joshua Jefferson was a do-it-all forward for Iowa State who could have had an even higher profile if he had not gotten hurt during March Madness. He was able to find ways to contribute with or without the ball in his hands and should fit well with Brooklyn's growing affinity for oversized playmakers. This isn't the flashiest pick, but Jefferson is a winning basketball player.
GRADE: A-
29. Sacramento Kings: Alex Karaban
Alex Karaban had continued success during his time playing for Dan Hurley at UConn, shooting 37.4 percent while winning two (and playing in three) national championships in college. Karaban can help bring that winning mentality to a team that desperately needs it in Sacramento , and his floor spacing should help Darius Acuff Jr. get adjusted to the pros.
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GRADE: B+
30. Phoenix Suns: Koa Peat
Koa Peat slipped from a projected lottery pick all the way to the last pick of the first round, but he eventually ended up in a great situation in the same market where he went to college. The Suns got a winning-caliber player in Peat who is a valuable young asset, and while he will desperately need to improve his jumper to carve out a consistent role at the next level, this is a worthy pick this late in the first round.
GRADE: A
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA Draft grades: Ranking the best and worst from Round 1
