2026 NBA Draft: First Round Overview

The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft has come to a conclusion, with Ricky O’Donnell from SB Nation offering grades for every selection. According to his analysis, eight teams impressed him enough to earn A grades or better.

O’Donnell’s evaluations consider two main aspects: a player’s pre-draft ranking on the NBA big board and how well they fit with their new team. The ideal scenario is when both of these factors align perfectly, leading to exceptional fits. Last year, players like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Con Knuppel received A grades and became significant assets for their teams. Let’s dive into this year’s standout picks to see if they might similarly elevate their teams.

Cameron Boozer Selected 3rd by Memphis Grizzlies

Grade: A+

Boozer is widely regarded as the top player in the draft. While he might struggle with explosiveness at times and can be inconsistent in certain areas, he’s skilled in nearly every facet of basketball. Given his youth, he’s considered a prominent star potential. This situation draws parallels to Luka Doncic’s selection at No. 3 in 2018, though it seems Memphis has made a much better choice compared to the selections of DeAndre Ayton or Marvin Bagley. Boozer’s exceptional ball-handling, shooting, rebounding, strong drives, and passing ability set him apart from the rest.

It’s somewhat unexpected that such a multifaceted talent from a prestigious Duke program fell to third overall. The Grizzlies have hit the jackpot here with Boozer, a player who could become a cornerstone for their culture in Memphis.

Caleb Wilson Chosen 4th by Chicago Bulls

Grade: A

This was arguably the simplest pick. During an explosive freshman season at North Carolina, Wilson transformed a Big 3 into a Big 4, showcasing his athletic prowess by dunking a stunning 67 times in just 24 games. His playmaking abilities also seem superior to those of other athletes in his category. If he develops his shooting and ball-handling, he could elevate his offensive game significantly. However, his defensive play remains a point of interest, especially after a freshman year filled with impressive highlights but some moments of inattentiveness.

What continues to be praised about Caleb Wilson is his work ethic. He’s clearly dedicated to improvement, and that passion could propel his game to new heights. It would certainly be exciting to see him team up with Matas Bouzelis on the court.

Kingston Flemings Picked 8th by Atlanta Hawks

Grade: A

While Flemings may not have the perfect measurements for an NBA point guard, he compensates with remarkable athleticism and intelligence, making impactful plays on both ends. He excels in driving to the basket, quickly changing direction, and making accurate passes. He also stands out as one of the best defenders among his peers, despite his height disadvantage, thanks to his quick hands and instincts.

This selection is particularly intriguing as the Hawks transition beyond the Trae Young era. Flemings offers a promising distribution skill set to complement Atlanta’s top scorers, and with a seasoned player like CJ McCollum available, he has the opportunity to refine his game. It’s hard to find fault with this pick for Atlanta.

Jaxel Lendeborg Picked 11th by Golden State Warriors

Grade: A

Lendeborg was arguably the second-best player in college basketball last season, especially considering he’s older than many of the other prospects. Typically, I’m not inclined to favor older players, but I make an exception here. He possesses enough size to hold his own in the NBA and is versatile enough to compete effectively on both ends. While he could have racked up huge scoring numbers at another institution, he chose to be an unselfish contributor, which ultimately led to a national championship.

The Warriors are clearly focused on maximizing their competitive window, and Lendeborg seems to be the right person to help. Regardless of what happens with Draymond Green, Lendeborg could become a more dynamic offensive player while providing support on defense. If they stay healthy, this might just bring Golden State back to prominence.

Aday Mara Selected 12th by Oklahoma City Thunder

Grade: A-

Very few individuals reach 7 feet 3 inches and have a standing reach of 9 feet 9 inches. Mara notably increased his draft stock during March Madness with his exceptional passing and shot-blocking in drop coverage while helping the University of Michigan reach the national championship. Although he lacks shooting ability at this point and his lateral quickness is a question mark, I find his size and skills to be highly promising. For the Thunder, this provides a substantial player to take on Victor Wembanyama in future matchups.

It might seem a stretch that teams in the West are already strategizing against the “Anti-Wemby,” but it is logical. The Thunder appear to be in a phase where they’re not in desperate need of another star, but rather looking to enhance their arsenal with specialized tools, making this pick in 12th overall extremely fitting.

Hannes Steinbach Chosen 14th by Charlotte Hornets

Grade: A

Steinbach stands out as the best rebounder among his peers. His offensive rebounding may be his most valuable asset, and he poses a serious threat in transition. I’m optimistic about his shooting potential. However, he isn’t particularly noted for his defense, which might limit his effectiveness in certain situations.

The Hornets were in dire need of adding size and consistent rebounding to complement Moussa Diabaté, and they successfully addressed that. This could signify the end for Miles Bridges in Charlotte, trading his high-flying dunks for a more solid presence that can help reduce the impact of LaMelo Ball’s shooting tendencies.

Ebuka Okolie Picked 18th by Detroit Pistons

Grade: A

I genuinely like this pick. Okolie has immense potential and boasts an impressive first step coupled with exceptional acceleration when driving toward the basket. He demonstrated solid shooting skills from long range this year. Yes, he may be undersized for a guard and not the top playmaker, but perhaps circumstances at Stanford limited his options. I see value in allowing Cade Cunningham to operate off the ball more frequently. Okolie can provide necessary scoring in a half-court offense that sometimes struggles.

Cade Cunningham had a standout season that truly solidified his position as an MVP contender. Anything that further enhances his development will be enjoyable to watch, especially considering the Pistons’ current need for credible outside shooting options beyond Duncan Robinson.

Jaden Quaitens Selected 20th by San Antonio Spurs

Grade: A-

While this may seem like a risky choice, I think it has great potential. Coming off an outstanding freshman year at Arizona State, Quaintance looked poised to be a top pick before an ACL injury held him back last season and hindered his time at Kentucky. His offensive ability remains a concern, but his physical attributes and movement skills position him well defensively. Will the Spurs consider him to complement their already strong big man? if Quaintance reaches his potential, he could add a significant dimension to the team.

Selecting a player of this caliber to partner with an already elite big man could be seen as bold. However, the defensive skills he offers can alleviate some responsibility from Wemby, granting him greater freedom to exploit his game. It opens exciting creative possibilities for San Antonio’s play.