The 2026 NBA Draft has finally arrived. After months of rumors, speculation and talk about how strong this year’s draft class is, the two-day event from Brooklyn officially began on Tuesday night. All eyes were on the Washington Wizards as they made the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2010, choosing BYU’s AJ Dybantsa over Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, who went No. 2 to the Utah Jazz.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls then had their eyes set on Duke’s Cameron Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson with picks Nos. 3 and 4, respectively.
2026 NBA Draft grades: Live pick-by-pick analysis, updates for Round 1 with AJ Dybantsa picked No. 1
Adam Finkelstein
From there, the run on guards began. At No. 5, the Los Angeles Clippers went with Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler over several of the draft’s other top ball handlers like Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. and Houston’s Kingston Flemings. All four were expected to go in the top 10, and they went off the board in succession with Brown at No. 6 to the Nets, Acuff at No. 7 to the Kings and Flemings at No. 8 to the Hawks.
From pick No. 1 all the way to the final pick on Wednesday night, CBS Sports will be handing out team grades in real time with individual selections graded by Director of Basketball Scouting Adam Finkelstein. Follow along as we break down all of the drama as it unfolds.
2026 NBA Draft essentials
Atlanta Hawks: B
8. Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston | Grade: B+
23. Zuby Ejiofor, C, St. John’s | Grade: C+
After trading away Trae Young last season, the Hawks retooled their roster. And the theme of their draft so far has been defense. By landing Flemings at No. 8, Atlanta is adding one of the quickest guards in the draft who also profiles as a two-way player who is more than capable of running the second unit and has experience playing with more veteran players, as he did with Houston this past season. At No. 23, the Hawks drafted one of the best defenders in the class in Ejiofor, though he feels like a bit of a reach at this spot. Flemings and Ejiofor will both likely start their NBA career as reserves. However, their ability to impact the game defensively will allow both of them to see the floor.
Next pick: 57 (from Boston)
Boston Celtics: B
27. Chris Cenac Jr., PF, Houston | Grade: B
Cenac’s slide finally stops at the end of the first round. The Houston big man is considered one of the more raw prospects of the class, but has the tools to be an impactful two-way player at the next level. He will go to a situation in Boston where he won’t be asked to do much right away and can take advantage of the Celtics’ player development. It’s an ideal fit for both parties.
Next pick: 40 (from Milwaukee)
Brooklyn Nets: B
6. Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville | Grade: B
The Nets had a busy draft night last summer when they made five picks in the first round. Despite drafting three guards then, Brooklyn picked another at No. 6 this year in Mikel Brown Jr. Brown does fit with Egor Dёmin – the No. 8 pick in 2025 – in the backcourt. Brown is considered one of the best shooters in the class, while Dёmin went from almost a non-shooter at BYU to generating a healthy chunk of his scoring from beyond the arc.
Brooklyn needs talent. There was a strong case to be made for Acuff here at No. 6, as he would’ve been more complementary to what the Nets have on the roster, but Brown is still a solid pick who should be given the offensive freedom right away to develop his game.
Next picks: 28 (from Minnesota) and 43 (from LA Clippers)
Charlotte Hornets: B+
14. Hannes Steinbach, PF, Washington | Grade: B
The biggest need for Charlotte this offseason was finding a center of the future that fits with its core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. The 6-foot-10 Steinbach checks a lot of the boxes Charlotte was looking for. He had some of the best hands in college basketball and is a strong rebounder. The Hornets were one team that could’ve looked at the veteran free agent or trade market for a center. Instead, it drafted the best big man on the board.
18. Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech | Grade: B+
Last season, Knueppel broke the rookie record for the most 3-pointers made in a season. Although Anderson might have a hard time breaking that record, he will have a chance to lead all rookies in makes from beyond the arc after shooting 41.5% from 3 on 260 attempts as a sophomore at Texas Tech. He is a dynamic shooter who can provide scoring off the bench when Ball heads to the bench.
Chicago Bulls: A-
4. Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina | Grade: A
The Bulls made a surprising trade on the eve of the draft by plucking Nic Claxton away from Brooklyn. Claxton should presumably be a Day 1 starter at center for new coach Tiago Splitter. His likely frontcourt running mate next season will be Wilson after Chicago selected him at No. 4. Wilson is a jump-out-of-the-gym forward who can be a two-way game wrecker for a Bulls franchise in need of a star. Former lottery pick Matas Buzelis has shown promise as a building block, while Josh Giddey is coming off a breakout season.
15. Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas | Grade: C+
Chicago had the easiest pick of draft night by taking Wilson, who has the upside to be a legitimate superstar if he improves his jumper. Wilson will add rebounding, defense and hustle to the Bulls next season. At pick No. 15, Chicago added another building block in 6-foot-8 wing Dailyn Swain. The former Texas star can be an impactful two-way player off the bench as a rookie with the potential to close games down the stretch because of his defense, but can be viewed as a bit of a reach here. Swain was No. 25 on CBS Sports’ final prospect rankings.
Next picks: 38 (from New Orleans) and 56 (from Denver)
Cleveland Cavaliers
Own pick No. 29 (from San Antonio via Atlanta).
Dallas Mavericks: C+
9. Morez Johnson Jr., PF, Michigan | Grade: C+
The single most important goal for Dallas this offseason was to give reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg a long-term running mate. By selecting Johnson, the Mavs are adding toughness, familiarity and size to the forward position.
And new Mavs coach Dusty May has history with Johnson after coaching him last season at Michigan. There was debate about who would be the first Michigan player off the board, and it ended up being Johnson — who was one of the biggest risers of the draft cycle. Flagg and Johnson will be a terrifying defensive duo to face.
Next picks: 30 (from Oklahoma City via Washington and Philadelphia) and 48 (from Phoenix via Washington)
Denver Nuggets
Own picks Nos. 35 (from San Antonio) and 49 (from Atlanta via Brooklyn and Golden State).
Detroit Pistons: B
17. Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford | Grade: B
The Pistons made a bold move to jump up a few spots — specifically, ahead of the Toronto Raptors at No. 19 — to secure one of the top point guards in the class and provide valuable insurance for Cade Cunningham. Okorie, who averaged 23.6 points per game as a freshman at Stanford, is quick and offers a different dynamic than the Pistons’ star guard. There will be opportunities to play those two together.
Golden State Warriors: B-
11. Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan | Grade: B-
The No. 1 priority for the Warriors this offseason is to add talent next to Steph Curry. With Jimmy Butler out for the foreseeable future after suffering an injury last season, the Warriors, who are in a win-now mode, need help on both ends of the floor. Insert Lendeborg, who is one of the oldest prospects in the class (he turns 24 in September) but also one of the best. His blend of size, athleticism, and two-way ability should offer immediate help for Curry, but we can’t help but wonder if the Warriors will regret passing on a player like 19-year-old Nate Ament as their aging roster turns over.
Next pick: 54 (from Los Angeles Lakers via Toronto, Miami and Cleveland)
Houston Rockets
Own picks Nos. 39 (from Chicago via Washington) and 53.
Indiana Pacers
Own no picks.
Los Angeles Clippers: B+
5. Keaton Wagler, PG, Illinois | Grade: B+
After trading for Darius Garland at last season’s trade deadline and getting lucky at last month’s draft lottery, the Clippers were in a position to take the best player available at No. 5. Although the Clippers could’ve opted for someone like Darius Acuff, picking Wagler signals a vote of confidence for Garland’s immediate future with in Los Angeles.
Wagler is one of the best shooters in the class and can play off the ball. Garland should dominate a majority of the on-ball reps next season, but Wagler should get his fair share of them when Garland is off the floor. Garland and Wagler will be able to co-exist in the backcourt. That probably wouldn’t be the case for someone like Acuff or Kingston Flemings.
Next picks: 36 (from Memphis) and 52 (from Cleveland)
Los Angeles Lakers: B+
24. Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor | Grade: B+
The Lakers moved up one spot in the draft in a deal with the Knicks to fill a clear team need for more athleticism. Carr is one of the best athletes in this class. His slide all the way to pick No. 24 was surprising after a very strong combine. He will add shooting and size to the Lakers in what should be a very important summer for the franchise.
Memphis Grizzlies: A
3. Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke | Grade: A+
21. Karim Lopez, PF, New Zealand Breakers | Grade: B
The Grizzlies are an organization that values college production. It makes sense why the franchise made the no-brainer decision to select Boozer, who was the most productive player in the country last season. However, Memphis’ second pick of the first round — after trading back twice from No. 16 — is the opposite of that. Lopez, a native of Mexico who most recently played in the NBL in Australia, is a raw prospect who will need time to develop at the NBA level. He will likely begin as a rotation piece, while Boozer should immediately slot into Memphis’ lineup as the starting power forward next to Zach Edey in the frontcourt. Boozer is capable of playing in a five-out offense because of his ability to stretch the floor and be a playmaker out of the low or high block.
Next pick: 32 (from Indiana via Milwaukee)
Miami Heat
Own pick 41 (from Golden State via Charlotte, New York, Oklahoma City and Atlanta).
Milwaukee Bucks: B+
10. Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona | Grade: B+
After trading away franchise legend Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are in full rebuild mode. Although Milwaukee acquired Tyler Herro in the trade with the Miami Heat, it’s safe to say every spot in the starting lineup will be up for grabs. By picking Burries at No. 10, the Bucks are adding one of the highest floor players in the draft. Burries is a two-way, off-ball guard who is a plus 3-point shooter.
13. Nate Ament, PG, Tennessee | Grade: B+
Another popular connection throughout the draft process was Ament to the Bucks, who grabbed him at No. 13 — a pick acquired from the Heat in the Giannis deal. There’s a natural connection there, as Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam is a graduate of Tennessee, where Ament played his lone college basketball season. Ament has drawn mixed opinions. By going to the Bucks, there won’t be pressure for him to immediately succeed. Ament will have time to develop after having an inefficient freshman campaign in the SEC.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Own picks Nos. 33 (from Brooklyn) and 59 (from San Antonio via Indiana)
New Orleans Pelicans
Own pick No. 58 (from Detroit via New York, Brooklyn, Phoenix, Orlando and LA Clippers).
New York Knicks: B
25. Sergio De Larrea, SG, Spain | Grade: B
The biggest offseason priority for the reigning NBA champions is finding a backup center if Mitchell Robinson walks in free agency. Instead, New York traded back one spot with the Lakers for cash and selected then De Larrea, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Spain who played important minutes for a Valencia team that was one of the EuroLeague’s best this season. A potential stash?
Next picks: 31 (from Washington via Oklahoma City and Houston) and 55
Oklahoma City Thunder: A-
12. Aday Mara, C, Michigan | Grade: A-
One of the most popular connections throughout the pre-draft process was Mara to Oklahoma City. Not only did OKC land Mara to fill one of its biggest needs, but it didn’t have to trade up to do so. We saw in the Western Conference Finals how much defense can swing a game.
With the 7-foot-3 Mara, OKC is getting one of the best shot blockers in the class. You can call him the “Wemby stopper.” Oklahoma City doesn’t have many weaknesses on its deep roster, but this is definitely one that has been filled.
16. Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa | Grade: B+
The Thunder traded up with Memphis to secure their second player of the night in Stirtz. Per ESPN, OKC traded the 17th pick and two second-rounders to move up one spot and draft one of the most productive guards in the country. Stirtz had quite the journey from Division II to being the starting point guard on an Elite Eight team. Drafting cost-controlled players has been part of the Sam Presti blueprint for years.
Next pick: 37 (from Dallas)
Orlando Magic
Own pick No. 46.
Philadelphia 76ers: B+
22. Labaron Philon, PG, Alabama | Grade: B+
There are always prospects who slide a little further down the board than projected. It happened a few years ago when the 76ers drafted Tyrese Maxey at No. 21. It happened this year with the 76ers selecting the best player on the board in Philon, who should add shooting and playmaking to the second unit behind Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Phoenix Suns
Own pick No. 47 (from Philadelphia via Houston and Oklahoma City).
Portland Trail Blazers
Own no picks.
Sacramento Kings: A-
7. Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas | Grade: A-
The biggest need for Sacramento heading into draft night was finding its point guard of the future. After the Clippers and Nets passed on Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento didn’t hesitate to make him the pick. Acuff had been linked to Sacramento throughout the draft process and he will slot in immediately as the Kings’ starter at the point.
Acuff is an offensive engine who will add scoring and playmaking to a Kings roster in need of a serious facelift this offseason. Sacramento has one of the oldest and most expensive rosters in the league, which includes Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, so adding a cost-controlled asset like Acuff is a massive win for the franchise.
Next picks: 34 and 45 (from Charlotte via San Antonio, Atlanta and New York)
San Antonio Spurs: B+
20. Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky | Grade: A-
26. Tarris Reed Jr., C, UConn | Grade: B
The Spurs have a loaded roster that just went to the NBA Finals, but you can never have enough defense and size — even if you employ Victor Wembanyama. The defensive duo of Wemby and Quaintance has the potential to cause havoc. But Quaintance was limited to just four games at Kentucky because of a knee injury. If he’s healthy, this might be the steal of the draft. Reed is a traditional back-to-the-basket big man who will provide insurance for Wembanyama and be ready to contribute if Quaintance’s health holds him back.
Next picks: 42 (from Portland via New Orleans) and 44 (from Miami via Indiana)
Toronto Raptors: B-
19. Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara | Grade: B-
The Raptors’ needs this offseason are at point guard and center. Despite that, they chose Graves, who is considered the analytic darling of the class after his freshman season at Santa Clara. The Raptors are very deep at forward, especially after drafting Collin Murray-Boyles last season in the lottery. On paper, this pick doesn’t make a ton of sense.
Next pick: 50
Utah Jazz: A
2. Darryn Peterson, PG, Kansas | Grade: A
While there was speculation Utah could select Cameron Boozer at No. 2, the fit with Peterson is much cleaner. Peterson should slot immediately into Utah’s lineup as the starting shooting guard next to Keyonte George and offer versatility because of his ability to play on or off the ball.
Although the Jazz have star power in their starting lineup — which includes George, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., — Peterson is the kind of player who can elevate a franchise to new heights. Peterson primarily played off the ball at Kansas after an up-and-down freshman season that was dominated by headlines about missing 11 games due to cramping. Still, Peterson has the ceiling to be the best player and scorer in the class and should give Utah a potential 1A option down the line.
Washington Wizards: A
1. AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU | Grade: A
After winning the NBA Draft Lottery for the first time since 2010, Washington took the next step toward getting out of the rebuilding stage by drafting Dybantsa. The Wizards had an interesting choice to make between Dybantsa and Peterson at No. 1. In the end, Washington went with the BYU product, who had been mocked at the top spot for several weeks.
Dybantsa is set to join a core in Washington that includes Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Will Riley. After Young signed a four-year, $212 million extension with Washington earlier this week, it made the pick more likely in Dybantsa’s favor.
While Peterson might be a better fit on paper for Washington, Dybantsa offers a completely different skill set. Dybantsa has the upside to be a 1A in the NBA. He is an alpha scorer who will elevate the floor and ceiling of this Washington roster.
Next picks: 51 (from Minnesota via Detroit and New York) and 60 (from Oklahoma City via San Antonio and Miami)
