After months of speculation, the first round of the NBA Draft has finally come to a close, with AJ Dybantsa ending up as the first pick to the Washington Wizards. After a tumultuous evening featuring many trades, let’s hand out grades for each first-round selection.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
Grade: A
After finally landing some lottery luck, the Wizards get their next franchise player in AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa has the potential to be one of the best scorers in the NBA with his blend of size, athleticism, and touch. From day one, he will be able to contribute for the Wizards with his shot-creating ability, which will be helped by the playmaking of Trae Young. The Wizards now have an exciting core of young players alongside Young and Anthony Davis, as they look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, SG/PG, Kansas
Grade: A+
While Utah would have loved to keep Dybantsa in Utah after a successful stint at BYU, Peterson is an ideal fit. After trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. at the deadline, Will Hardy has an array of frontcourt options, which will be complemented perfectly by the knockdown shooting ability of Peterson. At Kansas, Peterson displayed the ability to thrive off the ball as a movement shooter, which is extremely promising for a backcourt fit with Keyonte George. If he can avoid the health issues that plagued his freshman year of college, Peterson has a chance to be the best player from this class.
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
Grade: A
Memphis had the easiest choice of the night, as they were always going to take whoever fell into their hands out of Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer. With Boozer, they land a player with an extremely polished offensive skillset for someone his size. Boozer impressed with his consistency at Duke, where his ability to space the floor and create for his teammates stood out. He also has a very polished bag of post moves, although there are questions as to how that will translate against bigger, stronger, and more athletic NBA bigs. The defense is a slight concern given his lack of explosiveness, but this will surely be helped when paired next to a giant center in Zach Edey.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF, UNC
Grade: A+
After trading for Nic Claxton, the Chicago Bulls begin a new era under Bryson Graham by selecting Caleb Wilson. Graham has an elite record for identifying talent, evaluating players using the SLAP acronym (Size, Length, Athleticism, and Physicality). Wilson fits this mold perfectly as a 6’10” hyper-athletic forward with the highest defensive ceiling in this draft class. He has drawn comparisons to Kevin Garnett due to his defensive prowess, especially given his ability to switch 1 through 5. Offensively, he must improve as a shot creator and a deep-ball shooter if he wants to turn into a franchise cornerstone, but the Bulls will be delighted to kickstart their new era with such an incredible athlete.
5. LA Clippers: Keaton Wagler, SG/PG, Illinois
Grade: B
There was a lot of speculation around the Clippers trading this pick, but in the end, they land one of the biggest risers from College Basketball last season. Wagler has a terrific IQ and feel for the game, and shot nearly 40% from deep at Illinois. He could provide the shooting and secondary playmaking next to Darius Garland that forms a formidable backcourt, albeit one that would immensely struggle on defense. The Clippers will hope that Wagler’s skillset will outweigh his lack of athleticism in making him a successful NBA player.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., PG/SG, Louisville
Grade: A-
This is a high-upside swing from Brooklyn, who are desperate for talent after a lackluster 2025 draft. Brown showed flashes of star potential with his speed, limitless range, and finishing ability with both hands. His decision-making can be questionable, and he shot the ball inconsistently at Louisville, but the Nets are gambling on the fact that he will mature on the ball in an NBA environment.
7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas
Grade: A+
Sacramento leaves the draft as one of the biggest winners, drafting Darius Acuff at 7 after there were reports that they’d had to trade up to get him. Acuff has the potential to be one of the best scoring guards in the NBA, with an incredible offensive arsenal of deep-ball shooting, playmaking, and finishing around the rim. The defense is extremely lackluster, but the Kings have their new franchise guard to build around after trading away Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox in recent years.
8. Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
Grade: B+
After re-signing CJ McCollum to a one-year deal, the Hawks drafted his long-term replacement at 8. Kingston Flemings adds playmaking, midrange shooting, and grit on defense to an already talented Hawks team. His small frame and reliance on the midrange present concerns about how his game will translate to the NBA, but the Hawks will likely ease him into NBA life with a bench role.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Morez Johnson, PF, Michigan
Grade: B-
Just a day after hiring Michigan coach Dusty May, the Mavericks shocked everyone by selecting one of May’s former players. At 6’9″ and 251 pounds, Johnson is an athletic freak who also has the defensive maturity to guard all five positions. His defense, screen setting, and rim rolling will immediately help Cooper Flagg and the Mavs. His lack of a jumper and status as an undersized center are cause for concern, and the Mavs likely could have traded down a few spots to get him.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona
Grade: A-
The Bucks begin the post-Giannis era by selecting Brayden Burries. Burries is a versatile guard who can defend, pass, and score from all three levels, although he will need to prove his 3-point shot is NBA-level. His frame and rebounding ability also mean he could play alongside both Ryan Rollins and Tyler Herro.
11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
Grade: B+
Golden State goes for the win-now pick in national champion Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg adds size and physicality to an extremely small and thin frontcourt rotation. While he may not have the ceiling of other prospects in this range, he fits the Warriors’ timeline with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, and is ready to help them win games next season.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara, C, Spain
Grade: A
Aday Mara became the third Michigan player to be selected in the lottery. The Spaniard boasts a ridiculous frame at 7’3″, and could help OKC with containing Victor Wembanyama in the future. Mara is one of the best passers in the class and can finish with both hands. His lack of offensive game and low free-throw percentage are a cause for concern, but the Thunder can afford to be patient with his development.
13. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee
Grade: C+
Nate Ament is a high-risk project pick for the Bucks. Despite his awful shooting splits in college, 6’10” forwards who can handle and shoot are rare, and the Bucks can afford to take a swing on his upside. He will need to improve his efficiency and put on muscle to be a productive NBA player.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington
Grade: B+
Hannes Steinbach offers the young, up-and-coming Hornets team a completely different dynamic at center than Moussa Diabaté. After gaining 28 pounds during his freshman year, it’s hard to imagine his rebounding and interior scoring prowess won’t translate to the next level. He may lack some athleticism defensively, but Steinbach gives the Hornets’ center rotation some much-needed offense.
15. Chicago Bulls: Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas
Grade: B
Bryson Graham doubled down on his love for SLAP by selecting Dailyn Swain, perhaps the most relentless downhill driver in the draft (bar AJ Dybantsa). He has a variety of finishing moves in his arsenal and has the size and athleticism to be a switchable NBA defender. His jumper is extremely clunky and ineffective, but he improved his mark this season at Texas, and shoots a promising 81.5% from the free-throw line.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder: Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
Grade: B+
OKC moved up a spot to take one of the highest-IQ point guards in the draft. Bennett Stirtz impressed in his senior year with his ability to shoot off the dribble or catch, while also creating for others. And while he may not be a prolific athlete, the Thunder have more than enough defense to cover for him.
17. Detroit Pistons: Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford
Grade: A
Ebuka Okorie is an offensive juggernaut who can attack, shoot, create, and handle the ball with exceptional pace and finesse. This pick also meets Detroit’s needs in finding more creation and outside shooting next to Cade Cunningham.
18. Charlotte Hornets: Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech
Grade: B-
Christian Anderson has a case for being both the best shooter and pick-and-roll ball handler in this class. Due to his size, however, he struggles defensively and in attacking the rim, making it hard to see how he could share the floor with LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel.
19. Toronto Raptors: Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
Grade: D
The Raptors puzzled everyone by ignoring their pressing needs at both point guard and center in favour of another wing. Graves has promise as a shooter, but he lacks athleticism and struggled against more elite competition this past season. Labaron Philon seemed like the obvious choice here, especially with Immanuel Quickley’s injury history.
20. San Antonio Spurs: Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky
Grade: B+
The San Antonio Spurs take a big swing in Quaintance, as they search for Victor Wembanyama’s long-term backup. Quaintance showed how he could rule the paint on defense during his freshman year, but an ACL tear has meant he has played limited minutes since. If he can stay healthy, San Antonio will have an athletic, defensively versatile rim runner, with shades of Robert Williams to his game.
21. Memphis Grizzlies: Karim Lopez, PF/SF, New Zealand Breakers
Grade: A-
After spending the past two seasons in the NBL, Karim Lopez became the first Mexican-born player to be selected in the first round. He is a Swiss Army knife-type forward with good size, and plays with excellent physicality. While his handle and jump shot remain inconsistent, they are improving; he will need to continue developing both skills, alongside his off-ball defense, to become a productive NBA player.
22. Philadelphia 76ers: Labaron Philon, PG, Alabama
Grade: A+
Philadelphia gets blessed with the steal of the draft in Labaron Philon, a stroke of luck after trading away Jared McCain last season. Philon was one of the best players in college last season, with his dynamic three-level scoring, tight handle, and playmaking ability. He needs to fill out his skinny frame, but Philly can afford to be patient as he deputises behind Tyrese Maxey.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Zuby Ejiofor, PF/C, St. John’s
Grade: D+
After Flemings, the Hawks needed to address size and rebounding behind Onyeka Okongwu. Ejiofor is a high-motor big, but at just 6’8″ with a limited offensive skillset, they may have had better options here.
24. Los Angeles Lakers: Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
Grade: A+
The Lakers get a steal in Cameron Carr, who has the potential to be the perfect 3-and-D wing next to Luka Doncic. Carr shot 37.4% from three on a high volume of threes at Baylor, and has a 7’1″ wingspan with supreme defensive instincts. His physicality must improve, but this could be a home run pick for the Lakers.
25. Dallas Mavericks: Sergio De Larrea, SG/PG, Valencia
Grade: B+
The Mavericks take another swing in this draft, going for the oversized point guard in De Larrea. Currently playing in the Spanish top-flight finals, De Larrea is a smart passer and efficient deep-ball shooter. His handle needs improvement to be an NBA-level primary playmaker, but his improved play in Spain this season gives the Mavericks promise.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Tarris Reed, C, UConn
Grade: C-
The Spurs double down on Wembanyama backups with UConn center Tarris Reed, an old-school paint bruiser. Spending two extra second-round picks to move up to this spot when they just drafted Quaintance is puzzling, and Chris Cenac may have been a better selection.
27. Boston Celtics: Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston
Grade: A-
Chris Cenac is a 6’11″ center who moves fluidly like a much shorter wing would. Combining that with his improved outside shot and rim protection makes him a valuable addition to a Celtics team in need of center help.
28. Brooklyn Nets: Joshua Jefferson, PF, Iowa State
Grade: D
Jefferson would have been a much cleaner fit on a playoff team in need of a versatile do-it-all-style forward, rather than a Brooklyn team in desperate need of more talent. He will need to improve his shot and handle for this pick to be worth it.
29. Sacramento Kings: Alex Karaban, SF, UConn
Grade: B-
Karaban is a high-motor wing whose biggest strength is his ability to shoot off the catch. But at 23 years old, and without amazing physical tools, he may have a lower ceiling than expected.
30. Phoenix Suns: Koa Peat, PF, Arizona
Grade: B+
Koa Peat stays in Arizona, as the Suns bring in a powerful bruiser inside, who is still quite mobile and able to slide his feet on defense. But as a power forward, he will need to show some improved shooting touch.
