The 2026 NBA Draft has a chance to go down as an all-timer. The top of the class is what makes this group special, with A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson all looking like potential franchise players with the first four picks. The talent continues to run deep throughout the lottery, including Michigan’s trio of national championship-winning giants, a deep point guard class full of diverse skill sets, plus some intriguing international forwards with Hannes Steinbach and Karim Lopez.
Check out my big board for complete player rankings, and read my final mock draft to see how we expect things to go. Every draft is full of surprises, and this one will be no different. This year’s order was already thrown for a loop when the Milwaukee Bucks acquired a second lottery pick in their blockbuster deal that Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat.
Now it’s time to grade every pick in the first-round. Grades will be based off the evaluations on my big board combined with team fit. Refresh this page often to see updated grades as the picks come in.
1. Washington Wizards – A.J. Dybantsa
Grade: B+
Dybantsa’s advanced shot-creation ability is pretty special for a supersized wing. He gets to the rim at will, has a deadly mid-range game, and can make an open three even if his release is a little slow. I think it’s fair to wonder how he will impact the game outside of bucket-getting. His physical tools are way too good to be as ineffective defensively as he was at BYU. I had him third on my final board, but he’s still a worthy No. 1 overall talent.
2. Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Grade: B+
I named Peterson to the Jazz is one of my favorite potential fits in the draft class. He looked like the second coming of Kobe Bryant in his high school tape, and when he lost his burst at Kansas because of some bizarre injury issues, Peterson remade himself as a high volume and highly accurate three point shooter. If he can stay healthy, watch out. Peterson doesn’t just have takeover scoring ability, he’s also one of the better guard defenders you will see for such a high-level offensive player. The only reason this grade isn’t higher is because I had him ranked a tier below Cameron Boozer. He can easily make this grade look too low if he regains the peak physical form he showed in his prep days.
3. Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
Grade: A+
Best player in the draft. Boozer lacks vertical explosiveness and some shake in the middle of the floor, but he’s excellent at just about every aspect of basketball. He was unanimously considered the best player in college hoops, despite also being one of the youngest, which is the ultimate sign of star potential. This is reminiscent of Luka Dončić slipping to the third pick in 2018, though in this case, Dybantsa and Peterson are much better than DeAndre Ayton and Marvin Bagley. I still think Boozer was in a class of his own at this draft because of his special processing, knockdown three-point shooting, monster rebounding, powerful isolation driving, and ability to find open teammates as a passer all over the floor.
from SB Nation https://ift.tt/j617fBC
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