2026 NBA Draft: Round One Grades
1. Washington Wizards — AJ Divanza, F, BYU
Considered the best player since middle school, this 6-foot-9 forward is a performer. He could very well become the league’s top scorer in the future. Importantly for the Wizards, who are always in rebuilding mode, Divanza is a fighter. He’s not the type to sit back and accept losses without a fight.
Grade: A
2. Utah Jazz — Darrin Peterson, G, Kansas State
Peterson is immensely talented, but there are concerns. He had a rocky season with Kansas, missing 11 games due to a variety of injuries. Still, nobody questions his potential—he’s got as much upside as anyone in this draft class.
Grade: A-
3. Memphis Grizzlies — Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
Boozer enters the NBA with a shoulder issue. Before the draft, he commented about being a potential No. 1 pick, saying that later, people would realize he should have been. It’s a solid argument. He’s the fifth freshman ever to be named the consensus National Player of the Year, joining elite company like Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson.
Grade: A
4. Chicago Bulls — Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina State
In a typical year, Wilson would have been the top pick. He’s the standout of this draft, boasting impressive averages of 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds as a freshman.
Grade: A
5. Los Angeles Clippers — Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
I’d prefer to see someone like Mikel Brown Jr. or Darius Acuff Jr. over Wagler here. This pick seems a bit weak. The Clippers have some solid players on their roster now and for the future.
Grade: D
6. Brooklyn Nets — Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
Thanks to the Clippers, the Nets avoided a reach for Wagler. Although I would have gone with Acuff from Arkansas, unless Brown’s health is a concern, he could be an impactful player for the Nets.
Grade: B
7. Sacramento Kings — Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
The Kings certainly got a steal at No. 7 with Acuff, who’s ranked just behind Peterson among guards. He can take tough shots and energize his team. The Clippers and Nets might regret passing on him.
Grade: A
8. Atlanta Hawks — Kingston Flemings, G, Houston
The Hawks add a young two-way player to their core. If Flemings can improve his three-point shooting—he shot 38.7 percent as a freshman—he could have All-Star potential. The duo of Flemings and Dyson Daniels on defense could be quite intimidating.
Grade: A-
9. Dallas Mavericks — Mores Johnson Jr., F, Michigan State
Looks like the Mavericks are adding some Michigan flavor with new coach Dusty May. Johnson’s selection is a bit surprising, considering his previous projections, but he’s a solid defender and has offensive potential that he didn’t fully tap into in college.
Grade: B+
10. Milwaukee Bucks — Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
Burries is ready to contribute immediately for the rebuilding Bucks. A bit surprising that the Bucks didn’t take a big swing here, but it’s hard to argue against picking a well-rounded player who had a better-than-expected shooting percentage in his freshman year.
Grade: B
11. Golden State Warriors – Jaksel Lendeborg, Michigan
The Warriors are looking to remain competitive, and the versatile Lendeborg will step in right away as a defender and scorer. His journey is remarkable; he once thought he was done with sports while working in a warehouse. Now, he’s alongside Stephen Curry.
Grade: B+
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Aday Mara, C, Michigan State
Welcome to the NBA, Aday. Time to protect against the Thunder’s rival, Victor Wembanyama. Measuring in at 7-foot-3, Mara has made significant strides recently, contributing to Michigan’s first national championship in 37 years.
Grade: B
13. Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
This is a wise pick. At 6-foot-10, Ament has the size and shot-making skills the team needs. He’ll need to get stronger and refine his play, but he’s had experience under stringent coaching at Tennessee.
Grade: A
14. Charlotte Hornets – Hannes Steinbach, F, Washington
Charlotte addresses a critical need here by selecting one of the top rebounders in the nation. Given potential departures in free agency, acquiring this German forward could prove beneficial for the team.
Grade: B
15. Chicago Bulls – Daylene Swain, F, Texas
While I’m fond of Wilson, this choice seems less appealing. Swain is a slasher who needs to tighten up his shooting. His defensive effort will need to be top-notch if he aims to make a mark on a good team.
Grade: C+
16. Oklahoma City Thunder — Bennett Starrs, G, Iowa State
The Thunder traded two second-round picks along with the No. 17 pick to grab Starrs, a combo guard who can spread the floor effectively.
Grade: B
17. Detroit Pistons – Ebuka Okolie, G, Stanford
The Pistons are in search of offensive help for Cade Cunningham. Although Okolie is a bit short for a guard, his 3-point shooting needs improvement if he wants to make an impact.
Grade: C+
18. Charlotte Hornets – Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech
This should have been Detroit’s choice. Anderson has emerged as a reliable shooter and improved his playmaking. Years from now, we might be asking why he slipped out of the lottery.
Grade: A
19. Toronto Raptors – Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara
Graves has potential as a stretch 4 and could serve as an offensive hub. His skills complement Scottie Barnes well.
Grade: B+
20. San Antonio Spurs – Jaden Quintans, C, Kentucky
The Spurs are taking a chance here. If Quintans’ knee holds up, this could turn out to be a steal. He’s a rebounding talent who can back up Wembanyama.
Grade: B+
21. Memphis Grizzlies — Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers
With Boozer and Lopez, Memphis has a compelling forward group. Lopez is a relentless player, showing defensive promise, but he needs to refine his shooting.
Grade: B
22. Philadelphia 76ers — LaBaron Fillon Jr., G, Alabama
A solid choice—Fillon joins a promising young backcourt with VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey, making for a dynamic trio.
Grade: A
23. Atlanta Hawks — Zuby Ejiofor, F, St. John’s
The Hawks have won over many fans in Queens with this pick. Ejiofor is a gritty player, marking St. John’s first first-round selection in 14 years.
Grade: B+
24. Los Angeles Lakers — Cameron Carr, G, Baylor
A determined player with a good shooting range, Carr still needs to hone his defense and build strength. The Lakers made a savvy choice with him; he’s got lottery talent.
Grade: A-
25. Dallas Mavericks — Sergio De Larrea, G, Valencia Basket
Grade: B
De Larrea stands at 6 feet 6 inches and presents draft-and-stash potential. He’s considered highly rated in Europe and is only 20, demonstrating promise ahead.
26. San Antonio Spurs — Taris Reed Jr., C, Connecticut
Adding Reed addresses the Spurs’ frontcourt concerns, bringing a different style than Quintans. He’s developed into a solid defender and rebounder.
Grade: B
27. Boston Celtics — Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston
This 6-foot-10 player didn’t quite meet expectations as a freshman, dropping in the draft. Nevertheless, he has the wingspan that teams look for.
Grade: C
28. Brooklyn Nets — Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State
One of the top prospects for me, Jefferson is a versatile forward who has a winning mentality. He could positively influence the Nets’ culture.
Grade: A
29. Sacramento Kings — Alex Karaban, F, Connecticut
Karaban can shoot, but his athleticism may struggle in defending on the wings in the NBA.
Grade: D
30. Phoenix Suns — Core Pete, Arizona
Did the Suns trade a first-round pick for a forward who needs to improve his defense and shooting? Seems that way.
Grade: F
