NBA Draft instant grades for every 2026 first-round pick

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.

4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson

Grade: A

This was the easiest pick in the draft. Wilson turn the big three into a big four during an electric freshman year at North Carolina, where he established himself as the draft’s most explosive athlete. Wilson dunked the hell out of the ball at every opportunity this past season with 67 slams in 24 games. His playmaking also looked far better than other freak athletes in his mold. If he can make any sort of leap as an outside shooter or ball handler, it could take his offense to the next level. It will also be fascinating to monitor his defense after a freshman year full of highlight reel takeaways that also included some ugly lapses of ball watching. Read my in-depth feature on his past, present, and future.

5. Los Angeles Clippers – Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

Grade: B+

Wagler’s rise from the No. 150 recruit to a top five overall pick is a single best story in this draft class. His stock exploded after the Illini moved him to point guard and unleashed his off the dribble shooting on their way to the Final Four. Wagler had an outstanding set up playing in a 5-out system at Illinois, and I will be interested to see if he remains effective inside the arc without ideal spacing in the NBA. The biggest knock on Wagner is his lack of athleticism. He finished the season with zero dunks, a historic rarity for a 6’6 one-and-done lottery pick. He probably has to continue shooting the ball at a high level to return this type of draft value, but it’s hard to discount his fantastic production at such a young age.

6. Brooklyn Nets –