NBA Draft First Round Reaction by Picks
Thoughts on the first 30 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The first round of the NBA Draft concluded last night. Instead of flying off my takes on each pick through separate tweets, I decided to give a quick reaction to each pick. I’m not a believer in doing grades until we actually see things transpire, and even if I meet a pick with skepticism, I tend to have an open mind on what these players can become in these landing spots.
Anyways, here are my thoughts on each pick and move in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
1 - Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa
The fit here is magnetic. The Wizards have built together a nice young core — Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Will Riley, Tre Johnson — but they needed a star to build around. They got one with AJ Dybantsa that has all the tools to be a star worth building: the prototypical wing size, the athleticism, the handle, the passing upside, and three-level scoring. He automatically slots in as their go-to scorer, and does so in a premium big-wing archetype.
I also like his fit with Trae Young, as the All-Star veteran guard will alleviate pressure off him by getting him the ball in his spots and by shouldering strong responsibility.
The Wizards can be a surprise team next year.
2 - Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson
The fit was perfectly there with the Jazz lineup of Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Keyonte George. Peterson gives them another perimeter playmaker that can also defend. In Will Hardy’s system predicated around off-ball movement, Peterson is arguably the best off-ball scorer in the class. He easily slots in at the 2. If he shows that his Kansas season was a fluke, and that his skillset (specifically the playmaking) from Prolific Prep is his game, then the Jazz have a star-level shooting guard that can help charge up their contention hopes over the next few years.
3 - Memphis Grizzlies — Cam Boozer
A home run for Memphis. Wrote more about it in the initial post that also includes his scouting report. I had him as the #1 prospect in this class.
The Boozer and Zach Edey frontcourt will dominate the interior with their play-finishing and rebounding. Add Cedric Coward in there, and it’s going to be a massive possessions advantage.
Boozer’s frontcourt playmaking unlocks a dimension of the offense the franchise hasn’t had since Marc Gasol.
He’s far from a POST-UP specialist. He’s a basketball chameleon.
His weaknesses are mitigated from Edey’s rim protection and the perimeter defense of Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells.
His competitiveness and winning pedigree fits with the résumés of recent Grizzlies targets.
4 - Chicago Bulls — Caleb Wilson
who i’d pick: Wilson
who their GM track record suggests: Wilson
Nobody embodies SLAP more than Caleb Wilson. I’m really fascinated to see how they build around Wilson as a non-shooting forward with some playmaking upside and with high variance as a defender. However, he has an interesting group around him with Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Noa Essengue — positionally big players that can run the floor.
5 - Los Angeles Clippers — Keaton Wagler
Undoubtedly the best guard in this class. I had him in the second tier with Caleb Wilson. He possesses an intriguing blend of size, skill, outside shooting, passing, and deceleration. I like that he can grow accustomed to the NBA game alongside Darius Garland.
6 - Brooklyn Nets — Mikel Brown Jr.
I wasn’t the highest on Brown due to the skepticism about his decision-making, defense, and efficiency. However, the Nets needed to take a swing. The last two years, they didn’t jump in the lottery. While Brown has a wide-band on outcomes, he has a high-level outcome that could yield dividends as a star-level creator due to his size as a lead guard, shooting pop, passing, and improved finishing.
7 - Sacramento Kings — Darius Acuff
The Kings dropped in the lottery, and they needed a jolt to the franchise. Acuff provides it with his special offensive skillset — shooting, pull-up scoring, playmaking, and transition offense. He has the best case to become a perennial All-Star. However, if the defense doesn’t improve, the Kings have to put the right pieces around him to alleviate those woes and to proceed as a winner.
8 - Atlanta Hawks — Kingston Flemings
I love the Flemings pick. He’ll get to learn from CJ McCollum. His speed and playmaking should fit in Snyder’s system. He’s a formidable defender who — at the very least — could be a strong third defender next to Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels. Nonetheless, the Hawks found their point guard of the future, who could help Atlanta become a sustainable contender.
9 - Dallas Mavericks — Morez Johnson
Dusty May gets one of his guys. I’m interested in the Mavs pick, as he’s likely locked into the 4th at this point, as Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford play the 5th. Cooper Flagg, Johnson, and Lively are a devastating frontcourt that will put a lot of pressure on opposing teams. Flagg and Johnson could be a lethal, versatile defensive forward combination. Johnson was a big riser for me in the post-season portion of the cycle, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that Dallas’ new front office, led by Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz, targets a forward that plays with the versatility and physicality coveted today.
10 - Milwaukee Bucks — Brayden Burries
I like how Milwaukee targeted the final guard of this tier break. Burries is a big combo guard that can function on and off the ball. He’s a physical guard that can rebound and defend multiple positions. He may have a hidden gear of upside with his pull-up shooting equity and secondary playmaking. I can’t wait to see what Taylor Jenkins does with Burries’ development.
11 - Golden State Warriors — Yaxel Lendeborg
I’ve loved this pairing for … lightyears.
I outlined it in a recent post about favorite prospect and team fits.
When I think about classic Golden State basketball — the motion, the ball popping, the screening, short-rolling playmaking, the avalanche hoops — no prospect in their range embodies that style of play like Yaxel Lendeborg.
He’s the perfect guy to carry the torch from Draymond Green. He’s a smart processor on both sides of the floor with his passing, reads in passing lanes, and rotations. He can defend 1-4 due to his size, lateral speed, and length. At Michigan, he showed he can scale his game to be a cog in the offense rather than a guy the offense orbits around.
12 - Oklahoma City Thunder — Aday Mara
Mara addresses the size component, if the Thunder have issues keeping Isaiah Hartenstein. If they keep Hartenstein, then they have a combination of size, rim protection, and passing skill for a heavy bulk of the 5 minutes. People will associate him with being a “Wemby stopper,” but he needs to add more to his frame to be a formidable stopper. Nonetheless, this is a good depth place for Mara, and a guy that can be a future starter for them.
13 - Milwaukee Bucks — Nate Ament
The Bucks tend to go for upside swings based on tools and pre-NCAA (grassroots) production. Ament has ties to owner Jimmy Haslem, a big Tennessee booster. I’m not the highest on Ament due to his limited burst, bad half-court scoring, and unclear defensive outlook. However, he relishes physicality, and he has good shooting priors. I’m glad Milwaukee took a guard first, so the Ament swing is justified as they turn the page on a new era after trading Giannis.
14 - Charlotte Hornets — Hannes Steinbach
I identified Steinbach as a consensus pick, who I’d pick, and a GM track record pick.
The Hornets have emphasized the possessions game, signaled by seeking Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner to be more of a platoon center rotation. Steinbach is one of the better rebounders in this class and has a level of offensive skill that the others don’t possess. He can develop into a nice screening and playmaking hub around LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel.
15 - Chicago Bulls — Dailyn Swain
New front office, so it was tough to track. Again, back to SLAP. Dailyn Swain plays with the physicality and speed the Bulls want to play with. They can go for upside with his rim pressure giving them a creation bet with some perimeter defensive chops. I’m worried about the lack of shooting with Wilson, Swain, Giddey, Buzelis, and Essengue. This Bulls team is a fresh slate, and this is a good swing on talent.
16 — (reportedly traded from Memphis) Oklahoma City: Bennett Stirtz
Bennett Stirtz may have some questions when it comes to how he translates to physicality and defensively. However, he’s going to be a sensational release valve for the Thunder’s playmakers — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell. He can also run the offense as well. His shooting, playmaking, and basketball IQ will pop in Oklahoma City.
17 - (reportedly traded from Oklahoma City, then Memphis) Detroit Pistons: Ebuka Okorie
The Pistons needed playmaking relief from Cade Cunningham, whose turnover problems were quite loud in the postseason. It emphasized the need for secondary playmaking. Okorie soared up as a one-and-done player due to his rim pressure and shot creation. He needs to show more as a playmaker and as an active off-ball player. However, this is a good bet on age-based production on a position of need for Detroit.
18 - Charlotte Hornets — Christian Anderson
I’m surprised the Hornets went guard here, especially given Anderson’s unclear defensive outlook. However, LaMelo’s size and Anderson’s shooting enable optionality. LaMelo’s health has always been shaky, so Anderson is a pick-and-roll creator that can create looks for his teammates and peel it from three on high volume.
19 - Toronto Raptors — Allen Graves
We should’ve known the Raptors would draft Graves a year after Collin Murray-Boyles — two forwards with an impeccable blend of two-way processing and physicality. Graves’ shooting is a cleaner fit next to Murray-Boyles and Scottie Barnes. I’m intrigued with how Darko Rajakovic plays him, as he may be too small for the 5 and too slow for the 4. He has to shore up the defense with his fouling. Nonetheless, Rajakovic can get very creative with his versatile forwards.
20 - San Antonio Spurs — Jayden Quaintance
The thing with Quaintance is health. IF HEALTHY — ALL CAPS BECAUSE HE’S DEALT WITH KNEE ISSUES SINCE FEBRUARY 2025 — this is a monster upside swing for the Spurs. They can let him heal up, but swooping up Quaintance — a youthful big with Defensive Player of the Year upside — can be a massive hit for Wembanyama’s Spurs …
again…
IF HEALTHY
21 - (reportedly traded to Memphis) Detroit Pistons: Karim Lopez
I already wrote about it and will break more down about his fit. It’s a good value play. On the player front, he has size, physicality, and can play either the 3 or 4. On the asset front, they moved down for a good upside swing and five second-round picks.
Grizzlies select Karim Lopez by reportedly trading back 5 spots and acquiring 5 second-round picks.
22 — Philadelphia 76ers: Labaron Philon
The 76ers went for a talent play, ignoring fit, as Philon kept falling down the board. Concerns over his weight and how it affects his translation could be valid. He has real three-level scoring chops and craft, while also possessing the ability to play off the ball — as shown in his freshman year. His defensive fortitude will be tested more in this fit, given the core is a smaller backcourt. I’d be interested in his fit alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
23 — Atlanta Hawks: Zuby Ejiofor
I’ve been a fan of Ejiofor since the last cycle. In Atlanta’s scheme, he amplifies their value in positional playmaking. He’s a versatile defender that can cover in different coverages, create events, and pick up players at a high point. Can he be a formidable undersized big? That’s something to monitor, especially as a finisher. Nonetheless, it’s a good depth play, even though it doesn’t fully address the lack of size from the 5 spot.
24 — (reportedly traded from New York Knicks) Los Angeles Lakers: Cam Carr
The Lakers swoop on a faller and find a wing that fits well with Luka Doncic. Carr is a high-flying wing that can run the floor, fly in motion, and let it rip from downtown. The Lakers are low on point-of-attack defenders, and they shouldn’t rely on him to become one because of his frame. He can still thrive in a team construct, as he’s an elite shot-blocker for a wing.
25 — (reportedly traded from Los Angeles Lakers, then from the New York Knicks) Dallas Mavericks: Sergio De Larrea
De Larrea was a late riser for me with his combination of size, shooting, and playmaking. He needs to add more value inside the arc in the half-court and defensively. However, he should be a good release valve for Cooper Flagg — a shooter to space the floor, attack closeouts, and make the right reads. The Mavericks definitely need more playmaking around Flagg and Irving.
26 — (reportedly traded from Denver Nuggets) San Antonio Spurs: Tarris Reed
The Spurs grab another center — what’s going on in San Antonio? (Windhorst meme)
Reed was the player I was highest on related to the consensus with his combination of rebounding, sheer size, screening, passing, finishing, and anchoring a defense. I’m curious what this means going forward for the Spurs. Quaintance may be more of a redshirt rookie this year. What does it mean for Luke Kornet? Early on, Reed may be more of a 5th big man. Nonetheless, another bet on sheer size and defensive tools for the Spurs.
27 — Boston Celtics: Chris Cenac
The Celtics take a massive upside swing on the rebounding, physical tools, athleticism, and play-finishing. He has a long way to go to sharpen his game on both sides of the floor with how he processes the game — team defense and shot selection. His rebounding is already an elite skill. It shouldn’t be shocking if Joe Mazzulla finds a way to maximize his game and make him a steal.
28 — Brooklyn Nets: Josh Jefferson
I wrote about this in the “GM track record part” for the Nets at 6:
While people are tongue-in-cheek about Brooklyn’s draft last season — five first-round picks with four of them being guys whose effectiveness was tied to having the ball in their hands — a theme emerged out of it. Positional size with playmaking. Even though Sean Marks has been the Nets’ general manager for about a decade, this theme signals a slight shift in philosophy.
I’m interested to see how this works. He offers more defensive fortitude and playmaking than the other guys they’ve drafted. The shooting has to work to really maximize this fit. Nonetheless, he’s an elite basketball mind whose athleticism is underwhelming.
29 — (reportedly traded from Cleveland Cavaliers) Sacramento Kings: Alex Karaban
Karaban is a nice fit for Sacramento, who will be a connector on both sides of the ball, although the athleticism will be a bit skeptical. Between Acuff and Karaban, these two guys have good intangibles that will help foster a strong culture. His highest outcome is likely a rotation player, but it shouldn’t diminish his impact on winning.
Good asset play for the Cleveland Cavaliers to move 5 spots down and acquire more assets. They could take someone they may have liked at 29, but because of the second-round exception, that player wouldn’t have a cap hit next season. Big implications for the luxury tax.
30 — (reportedly traded from Dallas Mavericks in 3-team trade) Phoenix Suns: Koa Peat
Peat is going to have a fascinating translation to the NBA. The shooting is worrisome, and it may hinder him as a positionless player in a rough context — no floor spacing but too small for the 5. However, he’s a high-feel forward with good athleticism. The playmaking can pop in an NBA system, as can his finishing. The defense feels underrated as well, as I buy his physical tools and IQ to become a plus defender. As the Suns navigate the rest of the decade without much control of their first-round picks, they could use a swing on hometown frosh Koa Peat.
Let’s see how the second round pans out. Here are the 10 best available players left, based off my board.
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