NBA Draft Round 1 Reactions: Breaking Down Every First-Round Pick

The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is in the books. Before the second round hits tonight, let's quickly offer up some thoughts on the first-round selections.

I will break things down by team. Let's dive right in!

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Washington - AJ Dybantsa

Washington selected Dybantsa with the first pick in the draft. 

He is a highly-regarded prospect (of course) and is projected to start right away. Dybantsa won't have to be the No. 1 option with Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Alexandre Sarr around, but I see Dybantsa faring very well as a rookie.

It was a great pick after the team locked up Young a couple days ago. A couple more solid offseason moves, and a healthy run during the season, could mean the Wizards contend in the Eastern Conference during the 2026-27 season.

Utah - Darryn Peterson

The Jazz made the most of their one pick, taking Peterson second overall.

Utah has a sneaky-good starting lineup, but Peterson could lead the charge if he finds his footing quickly as a rookie. If he needs to be eased in, then the likes of Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler can carry the load until Peterson settles in.

Utah is still building, but is starting to look like a competent team, and could start pushing for a playoff spot as early as this coming year.

Memphis - Cameron Boozer and Karim Lopez

The Grizzlies took Boozer third overall and then made some trades before getting Lopez at No. 21 overall.

Boozer is projected to start at power forward, while Lopez is slated as a backup at the forward spots for now. Boozer has a chance to shine right away, and be the second option behind only Ja Morant. Lopez has a chance to carve out a nice role as a backup forward, or even start depending on what else the Grizzlies do this offseason.

Memphis is still a few players away from competing for a playoff spot, but there's some talent on the roster, and the Grizzlies could surprise in 2026-27.

Chicago - Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain

The Bulls also made two picks in the first round, getting Wilson fourth overall, then Swain at No. 15.

Wilson is tabbed as the team's starting power forward, while Swain is a backup forward option for now. Chicago has some talent, but Wilson will have the chance to shine, especially if he's starting and logging big minutes as a rookie. Swain should be able to carve out a role, but he's a better dynasty asset right now.

Depending on what else the Bulls do this offseason, this roster could push for a playoff spot if everything comes together, and the team avoids a ton of injuries.

LA Clippers - Keaton Wagler 

Wagler was the No. 5 pick in the first round.

He's not projected to start, with Darius Garland and Kris Dunn in the 1 and 2 spots for now. Being drafted fifth overall though, I think there's a good chance Wagler starts in the upcoming season.

Even if he's coming off the bench, Wagler should have some good fantasy value. He's a better dynasty asset, but should factor into redraft leagues as well.

Brooklyn - Mikel Brown Jr. and Joshua Jefferson

Brown was the No. 6 pick in the draft. The Nets then made some trades and got Jefferson at pick 28.

I like the landing spot for Brown, who could start right away for Brooklyn. Even coming off the bench, I see him holding a big enough role to deliver good fantasy numbers right away.

As for Jefferson, he will be a depth forward option. Brooklyn has veteran options starting at both forward spots, so if Jefferson shows flashes of promise as a rookie, the team could move its veterans to open a spot for Jefferson in the long run. He's a better dynasty asset for now.

Sacramento - Darius Acuff Jr. and Alex Karaban

Acuff was the No. 7 pick in the draft, and then the Kings traded later on to get Karaban at pick No. 29.

Acuff was one of my favorite prospects in the draft, and I think he could be one of the better rookies this coming season. There's veteran guards in place in Sacramento, but I expect Acuff to be given a chance to shine right away.

As for Karaban, he has a chance to be a solid reserve as a rookie. If he shows out, he could force the team's hand and earn a larger role in the long run.

Atlanta - Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor

Flemings went eighth overall, while Ejiofor was the 23rd pick.

Flemings is projected to be the top backup at point guard to CJ McCollum, who is on a one-year deal. That opens the door for Flemings to be the starter in his second year, and I think he could carve out a decent role as a rookie.

Ejiofor could be a solid depth forward/center in time. There's not a ton of playing time available right now, but more offseason moves could help his cause. He's a better dynasty asset for now.

Dallas - Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio de Larrea

Johnson went ninth overall, just a day after the Mavericks hired Dusty May, Johnson's coach at Michigan. de Larrea was the 25th pick in the draft.

Johnson could have a decent role as a reserve forward as a rookie, and the path to a starting job is there in a couple years if he shows promise early on.

de Larrea is more of a project player, but could be a reserve guard in Dallas. Dallas is pretty set with guards, so it could be tough sledding for de Larrea early on.

Milwaukee - Brayden Burries and Nate Ament

Burries was the team's pick at No. 10, then Ament was the pick at No. 13, the pick from the trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Right now, there's a ton of players on the Milwaukee roster, and there's a lot of offseason moves to come. Buries and Ament are projected backups at guard and forward, respectively.

I really like Burries and think he could play enough as a rookie to be a solid fantasy asset. Ament is a bit more of a project, but could also play enough as a rookie to deliver. Both have pretty good dynasty outlooks.

Golden State - Yaxel Lendeborg 

In one of the most logical picks in the first round, Lendeborg went 11th overall to Golden State.

The Warriors needed a prospect who was NBA-ready, and Lendeborg is that. He's a projected backup option at forward, but should play enough to be a fantasy asset right away.

I really like his long-term outlook.

Oklahoma City - Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz

OKC did well to address some needs, getting Mara at pick 12 and trading around to land Stirtz at No. 16.

Mara will be a backup center option, and could land a starting role if he shines early in his career. Stirtz has a chance to earn some guard minutes, and carve out a decent role right away.

Both are better dynasty options, but could play big enough roles as rookies, especially if OKC adjusts its roster a bit more before the season.

Charlotte - Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson

Steinbach went 14th overall, while Anderson was the No. 18 pick.

Steinbach is a forward/center depth option, while Anderson is a guard reserve option. Both might need injuries ahead of them to play big roles as rookies. They are better dynasty assets for the time being.

Detroit - Ebuka Okorie 

Okorie was the No. 17 overall pick.

He is a backup guard option for the time being, but if he shows some promise, there's hope he develops into a starter over time. Roster movement could thrust him into a better role as a rookie, but for now, I like his long-term outlook more.

Toronto - Allen Graves 

Graves was the 19th overall pick.

He's a backup forward option. Those spots are set with good players, but Graves could still play enough to be a decent fantasy asset as a rookie. His long-term outlook is better right now though.

San Antonio - Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr.

Quaintance was the No. 20 pick, while Reed was acquired in a trade at No. 26.

Quaintance will be a backup center option behind Victor Wembanyama. He could earn the starting spot at power forward in time. Reed is another big man, but more likely a center option.

Both are better dynasty assets, but could contribute as rookies, although injuries might be needed to really help them out.

Philadelphia - Labaron Philon Jr. 

Philon was the 22nd overall pick last night.

The guard landed in a tough spot, but over time, could be given a clearer path to playing time. He's a good player, and I think he eventually gets a chance to start, or play enough minutes to be a good fantasy asset.

LA Lakers - Cameron Carr 

Carr was the No. 24 pick, going to the Lakers after the team made some trades.

Carr is another guard who is buried behind some good guards right away. He could force veterans off the roster if he shows promise early on, so he's one to stash in dynasty leagues and keep tabs on.

Boston - Chris Cenac Jr.

Cenac was the No. 27 overall pick.

The forward/center could play a decent role as a rookie, especially if the Celtics move off Jaylen Brown this offseason. Cenac is a better dynasty asset for now, but don't count him out as being a good contributor as a rookie.

Phoenix - Koa Peat

Phoenix traded into the first round, getting Peat with the final pick in the first round.

The forward is buried on the depth chart, but offseason moves could move him into a decent role as a rookie. He's a better long-term option, but could surprise if given some decent playing time as a rookie.