The Washington Wizards won the NBA Draft Lottery, which means they will make the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls round out the top four, while the LA Clippers will pick fifth thanks to the trade they made with the Indiana Pacers back in February. Now that the draft order has been finalized, let's take a look at the first round and predict where the top prospects will go.
1. Washington Wizards: Forward, AJ Dybantsa. BYU.
If he isn't the best prospect in the Class of 2026, he's in the top two. Dybantsa led the nation in scoring, averaging 25.5 points per game while sinking 51% of his shots. In his lone NCAA Tournament game, he was the star of the show with a 35-point, ten-rebound double-double. The Wizards are set at guard and center with Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Dybantsa is the final piece necessary to get Washington out of the gutter.
2. Utah Jazz: Guard, Darryn Peterson. Kansas.
Peterson is the only other person who could give Dybantsa a run for his money as the top pick in this draft. But since the Wizards don't need a guard, he falls to the number-two spot. They're set down low with Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler. They also used a top-five pick last year on Ace Bailey. All they need is a star guard to bring it all together, and Peterson is that guy. He's an elite scorer who can find the bottom of the basket from almost anywhere on the court. He will be the most talented player the Jazz have had in YEARS!
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Forward/Center, Cameron Boozer. Duke.
Personally, this isn't the pick I would make. I would go with Caleb Wilson because he has a higher upside than Boozer. However, Boozer definitely feels like a safer pick, and since GM Zack Kleinman's future is up in the air with the Grizzlies' recent fall-off, he needs to make a pick that will yield immediate results. Boozer could step in right away and be a double-double guy for Memphis. He'll be the team's starting power forward on opening night.
4. Chicago Bulls: Forward/Center, Caleb Wilson. UNC.
This will be the easiest pick of the night because the Bulls will just take whoever the fourth-best remaining prospect is, whether that's Wilson, Boozer, Peterson, or Dybantsa. In all likelihood, though, it’ll be Wilson. He’s a very gifted athlete who also fills a need in Chicago's frontcourt. He ranked in the top 40 in the country in rebounds per game (21st) and points per game (38th). Had we seen what he could do in the NCAA Tournament, he might’ve gone even higher than fourth.
5. LA Clippers (from IND): Guard, Keaton Wagler. Illinois.
Many people consider the start of the 2026 NBA Draft to be the fifth pick because the top four players are set in stone. Whatever LA decides to do determines how the rest of the first round will shake out. The 6'6" freshman led Illinois to the Final Four after leading the team in points. He also stepped up his game in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 18 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He'll pair nicely with Kawhi Leonard and can be a good point guard, allowing Darius Garland to move over to the shooting guard spot.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Guard, Darius Acuff Jr. Arkansas.
Even though they won't land a top-four prospect, the Nets will still get one of the most exciting college basketball players in the country with Acuff falling into their lap. The 6'3" freshman averaged the seventh-most points per game in the country last year (23.5). He was also phenomenal during March Madness, averaging 29.3 points per game. The Nets desperately need a young star to help their offense. Acuff fits the mold.
7. Sacramento Kings: Guard, Mikel Brown Jr. Louisville
The Kings have some solid pieces, like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, but they need a young point guard. They cannot expect Russell Westbrook to go out there and perform every night. Enter Brown, who could've been picked higher if he hadn’t missed the NCAA Tournament due to injury. He has a lot of upside but still needs to polish his game. Learning behind a future Hall of Famer like Westbrook will do wonders for the 20-year-old's development.
8. Atlanta Hawks (from NOP): Guard, Kingston Flemings. Houston.
Starting point guard CJ McCollum is no spring chicken. He's going to be turning 35 before next season begins. He still has some gas left in the tank, but the Hawks need to start planning for the future. Flemings' combine measurements caused his draft stock to slip a little bit, but he still has strong playmaking abilities and a knack for defense, which fits the mold of Atlanta's starters. He can be a good backup or sixth man before eventually becoming the starting point guard in a year or two.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Guard, Brayden Burries. Arizona.
They already have their superstar of the future in Cooper Flagg. More importantly, Kyrie Irving should return to the court for the Mavs this season. They need another scoring threat, which Burries can be. He was the best offensive player on a stacked Arizona Wildcats team. Burries is also a good three-point shooter (39.1%), which was an area of weakness for Dallas last season (26th).
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Forward, Yaxel Lendeborg. Michigan.
Until the Bucks agree to a trade with another team, we have to assume that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be in Milwaukee for the long haul. In that case, the Bucks need to take the most NBA-ready player available, which happens to be the 24-year-old Wolverine. Lendeborg is a proven winner who played through injuries and had his best performances when the lights were the brightest. The Bucks cannot continue to rely on Kyle Kuzma, who has been a net negative since arriving in Milwaukee.
11. Golden State Warriors: Guard, Labaron Philon Jr. Alabama.
It's no secret that the Warriors' championship window is quickly closing with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green all on the back end of their careers. Golden State needs a player who can help the team win right away, and Philon can do that after averaging 22 points per game last season, good for 12th in the nation. He can come in and give Curry some rest or even split minutes with Brandin Podziemski. Also, learning behind Curry will help him polish his game and become a better floor general at the point guard spot.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC): Forward, Nate Ament. Tennessee.
As the most well-rounded team in the NBA, the Thunder don’t have to use this pick to address any needs because they don't have any holes on their roster. They can use this selection to take a raw and unpolished prospect like Ament, who will not have to start right away or play a huge part on the team. He has a ridiculous amount of athletic upside, but needs to spend more time polishing his game. He'll be able to do that in OKC. If this pick works out, he could develop into an All-Star caliber wing. If not, then no harm, no foul.
13. Miami Heat: Forward, Karim Lopez. Mexico.
As the highest-rated international player in the Class of 2026, this could end up being a steal for the Heat. They need to make sure Lopez continues to develop his offensive skills. The good news is that he has shown an ability to guard multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball, which will be important considering Miami was 22nd in points per game allowed (118.5). He can be a solid contributor as a defensive role player early on, with the potential to maybe even become a starter down the road.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Center, Aday Mara. Michigan.
The Hornets are not all that impressive down low. Miles Bridges and Grant Williams are a solid one-two punch, but they lack a true starting center. After all, Williams is the only frontcourt player on the team to average at least ten points per game last season. Mara would immediately become Charlotte's number-one center option. He is a great defensive player and has demonstrated flashes offensively. His presence on the Hornets' roster will also give guys like Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and LaMelo Ball more second-chance scoring opportunities since Mara is a reliable rebounder.
15. Chicago Bulls (from POR): Guard, Cameron Carr. Baylor.
After addressing its frontcourt with the fourth-overall pick, Chicago turns its attention to the backcourt. With Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton both scheduled to become free agents, the Bulls will probably need to add another guard for depth because it wouldn't make sense to keep both those guys when Carr costs you much less money. He averaged 18.9 points per game on 49.4% shooting last year. He'll be able to serve as a rotational piece that makes an impact on offense.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (from PHX): Guard, Christian Anderson. Texas Tech.
It feels like Ja Morant's future with Memphis is murky to say the least. If he's not traded over the next two years, then there's a strong possibility he tests free agency in 2028. Anderson can be a contingency plan if the Grizzlies can’t keep Morant in Memphis. Anderson is a true point guard who also excelled beyond the arc. He'll be a good backup for the time being, but could eventually evolve into a decent starter.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHI): Center, Jayden Quaintance. Kentucky.
Once again, the Thunder have nothing to lose with a pick like this. Quaintance was a lottery prospect before tearing his ACL. He's only 18 years old but was a Big-12 All-Freshman and All-Defensive player in 2025. He is physical and shows promise as a defender. More importantly, he can take as much time as necessary to recover from his knee injury with no rush to get him into the starting lineup. Quaintance could emerge as a really good rotational defender who gives Oklahoma City more frontcourt depth. Especially with Isaiah Hartenstein's contract expiring at the end of next season.
18. Charlotte Hornets (from ORL): Forward/Center Hannes Steinbach. Washington.
There's no harm in doubling up on big men, especially in a draft that lacks a lot of high-end center depth. Steinbach was a double-double machine for Huskies, leading the nation in rebounds with 11.8 per game. Since the Hornets attempt the second-most three-pointers per game in the NBA (43.3), they need all the second-chance opportunities they can get. Steinbach can be an instant difference-maker on the glass as a backup power forward and center.
19. Toronto Raptors: Forward/Center, Chris Cenac Jr. Houston.
The consensus seems to be that the Raptors need more help down-low, and the stats back that up. Toronto was tied for 24th in rebounds per game (42.1). Cenac is young and still developing his game, but he has the potential to become a double-double guy. He has a lot of upside, but probably won’t be a starter right away. If the Raps can slowly integrate Cenac into the lineup while allowing him to expand his game, then he could become a valuable role player or maybe even a number-one center in a few years.
20. San Antonio Spurs (from ATL): Forward/Center, Morez Johnson Jr. Michigan.
The Spurs are loaded with talent at the guard spot, so it wouldn't make sense for them to go that route with this pick. They need more frontcourt depth, considering Kelly Olynyk, Mason Plumlee, Luke Kornet, and Harrison Barnes have an average age of 33.5. Johnson is undersized for a center, but his frame and physical playstyle will allow him to contribute as a power forward and occasionally at the five-spot. Also, getting the chance to play with Victor Wembanyama should allow him to get more open looks and easy drives to the basket.
21. Detroit Pistons (from MIN): Guard, Bennett Stirtz. Iowa.
The Pistons need to find another big man since Jalen Duren was a huge disappointment in the playoffs, and Tobias Harris turns 34 in a couple of months. But they can address that need in free agency. For now, they take Stirtz, who averaged almost 20 points per game last season. He can be a good offensive producer off the bench when Cade Cunningham isn't on the floor. Benntt Stirtz can clearly play and should be good for a few three-pointers every night at the very least.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (from HOU via OKC): Forward, Allen Graves. Santa Clara.
Graves is one of the most interesting prospects in this draft class because his statistics weren't great. However, it's worth noting that he was a bench player who was awesome when given playing time. He’s a long-term project who possesses versatility and a high basketball IQ. Paul George will not play forever, and we cannot rely on Joel Embiid to be available nightly, so Philly takes Graves as a low-risk, high-reward player. He won't be asked to play much right away, but there's a realistic possibility that he becomes a key contributor in the Sixers' long-term plans.
23. Atlanta Hawks (from CLE): Forward, Koa Peat. Arizona.
Their starting frontcourt is solid with Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. The problem is that the Hawks lack depth after those three guys. Peat has the hard-nosed playstyle that Atlanta was known for in the second-half of the season. Peat could be a respectable backup small forward or power forward. He might even be able to provide minutes as a small-ball center. If he can improve his offensive skills, then he'll definitely get on the court for the Hawks next season.
24. New York Knicks: Center, Tarris Reed Jr. UConn.
The Knicks are probably going to let center Mitchell Robinson test out free agency, so they need to find a new backup for Karl-Anthony Towns. Considering Robinson's best qualities are his defense and rebounding abilities, then Tarris Reed Jr. would be an excellent replacement. The senior center took his game to the next level in the NCAA tournament, averaging 19.5 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. He should provide valuable minutes off the bench almost immediately.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Center, Zuby Ejiofor. St. John's.
Towards the end of their playoff run, Lakers center Deandre Ayton wound up being more of a detriment than a positive for LA. If the Lakers don't move on from him this off-season, then they definitely will next year. They'll need to find a new center, or - at the very least - more front-court depth. Ejiofor might be undersized for a center, but his tenacity as a defender and rebounder will allow him to have some level of success in the NBA.
26. Denver Nuggets: Guard, Meleek Thomas. Arkansas.
Darius Acuff Jr. was the star of the show for the Razorbacks, but Thomas was also impressive with 19 points per game on 51.2% shooting during March Madness. The Nuggets need to continue to surround Nikola Jokic with talent as the window for the team to win another championship looks to be quickly closing. Thomas can provide good three-point shooting off the bench for a squad that struggled to put up points in the playoffs, with the exception of Jokic and Jamal Murray.
27. Boston Celtics: Center, Luigi Suigo. Italy.
Nikola Vucevic failed to meet expectations in the playoffs after the C's traded for him in February. The team's inability to find a replacement for Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis caused their downfall this year. They need a starting caliber center immediately, but taking a gamble on Suigo could pay off in a big way down the line. He's a 7'3" highly-skilled center who has a long way to go in his development. But if Boston takes its time with him, Suigo could be the next Porzingis.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from DET): Guard, Tyler Tanner. Vanderbilt.
The reason the Timberwolves lost to the Spurs is that they simply ran out of bodies in the backcourt. Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu were battling injuries, Donte DiVincenzo will probably miss most of next season, and Mike Conley is bound to retire soon. Minnesota needs another guard who can help run the offense, and Tanner has the skills to do that. He averaged almost 20 points per game and over five assists last season. Plus, he's only 20 years old, so he’ll likely continue to progress his game.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (from SAS via ATL): Guard, Braden Smith. Purdue.
With a win-now window, the Cavs need to use this selection to address their roster holes. One of their areas of need is guard depth, namely at the point guard spot. James Harden is 36, and Dennis Schröder will soon be turning 33. They need to get a younger point guard who can dictate the offensive flow of the game. Who is better than Braden Smith, the NCAA's all-time leader in assists? It doesn't hurt that he is a 38.5% career three-point shooter.
30. Dallas Mavericks (from OKC via WAS and PHI): Forward, Amari Allen. Alabama.
The Mavs need to find another rotational player to serve as a reliable long-term backup for Cooper Flagg. Klay Thompson and Khris Middleton are good options, but they’re both old and on contracts that will be running out soon enough. Allen has excellent length and can provide a spark off the bench as a defender. Plus, Allen will have more time to develop his game and evolve into an NBA-caliber role player behind Thompson and Middleton.
