2026 NBA Draft Grades and Trades!

 Here are our real time grades for the NBA draft choices and know the trades!

#1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa (Wing, BYU)

The Washington Wizards did not overthink the consensus board, landing a true franchise cornerstone in BYU's freshman superstar AJ Dybantsa. Standing at 6'10" with a 7'0" wingspan, Dybantsa represents the ultimate premium draft archetype: a dynamic, three-level scoring wing with modern point-forward upside. He absolutely dominated college basketball, leading the nation in scoring at 25.5 points per game on a highly efficient 51% from the field, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He is just the fifth Division I player in the last 40 years to eclipse 25 PPG while shooting better than 51%.
Dybantsa possesses an elite blend of fluid coordination, vertical explosion, and isolation shot-making that makes his offensive ceiling arguably the highest in this class. Whether pulling up from mid-range, attacking the rim, or playmaking in transition, his toolset screams future All-Star/MVP candidate.
The Grade: A

#2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson (Guard, Kansas)

Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz front office prioritized elite, premium backcourt shot-making by selecting Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 overall pick. The 6'6" combo guard with a massive 6'10" wingspan is widely considered the most natural, artful scorer in this draft class. Despite a bumpy freshman season at Lawrence where lower-body injuries and cramping issues sidelined him for 11 games, Peterson was an absolute force when on the floor. He led the Jayhawks by averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting a stellar 38.2% from three-point range on high volume (6.9 attempts per game).

Peterson excels as a three-level bucket-getter who plays with immense poise. He handles contact beautifully, possesses a deadly mid-range pull-up game reminiscent of Devin Booker, and flashed elite off-ball gravity and catch-and-shoot mechanics at Kansas. When the game slows down in late-clock situations, Peterson is exactly the type of heavy-usage advantage creator who can manufacture high-quality looks out of nothing.

The Grade: A-

#3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer (Forward, Duke)

The Memphis Grizzlies capitalized beautifully on the draft board fallout, securing Duke’s freshman phenom and reigning Naismith National Player of the Year Cameron Boozer at No. 3 overall. Standing 6'9" and weighing a rock-solid 250 pounds, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer put together one of the most historically dominant freshman seasons in recent college basketball history. He anchored the Blue Devils by averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while flashing highly advanced efficiency: 55.6% from the floor and a blistering 39.1% from beyond the arc.

Boozer plays with a level of poise, functional strength, and fundamental polish that is incredibly rare for an 18-year-old. He is an analytical dream—operating as an inside-out hub who can dominate the low block with mature footwork, face up to hit mid-range pull-ups, pick-and-pop to the three-point line, or grab a defensive board and handle the ball to initiate the break himself.

The Grade: A+
#4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson (Forward, North Carolina)

The Chicago Bulls injected elite length, two-way versatility, and explosive athleticism into their frontcourt by selecting North Carolina's freshman star Caleb Wilson at No. 4 overall. Standing nearly 6'10" with a 7'0" wingspan and a 39.5-inch max vertical, Wilson was an absolute force in his lone season in Chapel Hill. He paced the Tar Heels in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks—putting up 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game on an efficient 57.8% from the floor.

Wilson was on pace to lead the entire nation in dunks (registering 66 in just 24 games) before a fractured left hand in mid-February cut his regular season short. Despite the injury, his unique combination of a high basketball motor, rim-rattling vertical pop, and elite defensive event-creation made him an impossible prospect for Chicago to pass up. He can protect the rim, jump passing lanes, and grab a board to single-handedly push the pace in transition.

The Grade: A

#5. LA Clippers: Keaton Wagler (Guard, Illinois)
The LA Clippers orchestrated the most fascinating and meteoric wildcard selection of the lottery by picking Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler at No. 5 overall. Entering college as a virtually unranked three-star recruit (No. 261 in the country), Wagler authored a legendary, historic freshman rise. He completely took over college basketball, carrying the Fighting Illini to the Final Four by averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting a sparkling 39.7% from three-point range on high volume.The defining masterpiece of his collegiate run was a jaw-dropping 46-point explosion on the road against Purdue—setting the Illinois freshman single-game scoring record and breaking a 58-year-old opponent scoring record at Mackey Arena. Standing at 6'6" with an exceptionally sharp basketball IQ, Wagler plays with an elite sense of pace and craft. He acts as a premium combo guard who can seamlessly dictate a half-court offense or damage defenses off the ball with precise, dynamic movement shooting. 
The Grade: B+

#7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr. (Guard, Arkansas)
The Grade: B+
The Profile: A dynamic, ball-dominant scoring guard who put up massive numbers under John Calipari at Arkansas. Acuff led the SEC in both scoring and assists—averaging a whopping 24 points and 6 assists while carrying the Razorbacks to the Sweet 16.
The Fit: The Kings have been searching for an aggressive, star-upside creator to inject juice into their perimeter offense. Acuff gives them a fearless shot-maker who can execute pick-and-rolls beautifully.
The Verdict: Offensively, getting an SEC Player of the Year with elite 44% three-point volume at No. 7 is a massive win. His defensive engagement is a major project, but his absolute scoring engine floor makes this a great asset ROI.

#8. Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings (Guard, Houston)
The Grade: A
The Profile: An elite, high-motor floor general who spearheaded Kelvin Sampson's Houston squad to a 30-win season. Flemings was a consensus Second-Team All-American, averaging 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 38.7% from deep.
The Fit: Flemings brings defensive toughness, elite structural poise, and low-turnover execution to an Atlanta backcourt that needs point-of-attack resistance and dynamic secondary playmaking.
The Verdict: A consummate winner. Flemings broke Houston freshman scoring records and is an analytical darling due to his high defensive event creation. This is a seamless, high-floor transition into Atlanta's system.

#9. Dallas Mavericks: Morez Johnson Jr. (Forward, Michigan)
The Grade: A-
The Profile: A physical, athletic sophomore forward who anchored the defensive frontline for Dusty May’s national championship-winning Michigan team. Johnson put up 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 62% from the floor.
The Fit: Dallas secures a prototypical high-energy, switchable big man with a 7'3" wingspan. He fits perfectly into a rim-running, screen-setting blueprint next to elite playmakers while providing immediate frontcourt versatility.
The Verdict: While his offensive self-creation and outside jumper remain raw, his high motor, screen assist metrics, and multi-positional defensive versatility ensure he can contribute to a playoff rotation from day one.

#10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries (Guard, Arizona)
The Grade: B
The Profile: A highly polished, well-rounded freshman guard out of Arizona. Burries made an immediate impact for the Wildcats, logging 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on a clean .491/.391/.805 shooting split.
The Fit: With the Bucks officially entering a transitional phase, Burries gives them a high-floor, mature secondary shot-creator. He provides immediate structural stability, perimeter size, and reliable catch-and-shoot depth.
The Verdict: Burries is one of the older freshmen in the class, meaning he has less raw physical runway but possesses a pro-ready basketball IQ. He provides the exact type of robust, low-maintenance efficiency a rebuilding infrastructure needs.

#11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg (Forward, Michigan)
The Grade: A
The Profile: The meteoric senior transfer who won Big Ten Player of the Year and spearheaded Michigan's national title run. Lendeborg stuffed the stat sheet with 15.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game while flashing relentless selflessness.
The Fit: Lendeborg is the quintessential "Warriors Forward." His elite processing speed, short-roll passing capability, and Big Ten All-Defensive traits allow him to step right into Golden State's complex read-and-react system.
The Verdict: He might be 23 years old, but his journey from junior college to March Madness Midwest Region MVP proves his operational floor. Golden State drafted an instant-impact, high-IQ rotation piece who amplifies winning basketball.

#12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara (Center, Michigan)
The Grade: A-
The Profile: The towering 7'3" Spanish center who acted as an interior hub for Michigan's national championship squad. Mara anchored the paint while showcasing tantalizing high-post passing skills, averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds, and a high block rate during the tournament run.
The Fit: OKC capitalizes on its unmatched draft capital by adding true vertical size and interior shot-blocking to their frontline, insulating their rotation against physical matchups.
The Verdict: Mara's combination of elite length (7'6" wingspan) and high-level processing upside aligns cleanly with Sam Presti’s preference for skill and basketball feel. If his conditioning stabilizes, he provides a massive, unique tactical weapon.

#13. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament (Forward, Tennessee)
The Grade: B+ (Via Trade)
The Profile: A fluid, hyper-talented 6'11" freshman wing out of Tennessee. Ament was a Julius Erving Award finalist, flashing premium perimeter fluidity by averaging 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds while setting a Vols freshman record for free throws made.
The Fit: Acquired via the blockbuster Miami Heat trade that reset Milwaukee's timeline, Ament represents an ultimate long-term bet on modern, jumbo wing shot-creation.
The Verdict: Ament’s efficiency and frame were occasionally worn down by collegiate physicality, and his at-rim finishing requires significant work. However, as a project piece with elite face-up upside, he possesses top-five talent potential if given time to develop.
#14. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach (Center, Washington)
The Grade: B
The Profile: A dominant, old-school German interior force who led the NCAA in rebounding with 11.8 boards per game (including 4.2 offensive rebounds) alongside 18.5 points.
The Fit: Charlotte desperately needed elite glass cleaning and functional interior touch. Steinbach gives LaMelo Ball a physical, feathery-touch target who shot an outstanding 69.6% at the rim on high volume.
The Verdict: Steinbach has clear defensive limitations—he lacks vertical rim-protection length and perimeter lateral quickness. However, his elite knack for manufacturing extra possessions through second-chance points provides immense structural floor value.

#15. Chicago Bulls: Dailyn Swain (Guard/Forward, Texas)
The Grade: A
The Profile: A hyper-versatile junior wing who absolutely exploded after transferring to Texas. Swain was the only major conference player in America to lead his team in five major statistical categories, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while being named SEC Newcomer of the Year.
The Fit: Paired with Caleb Wilson (selected at No. 4), the Bulls have completely remade their identity into a hyper-athletic, defensive-event-generating machine.
The Verdict: Swain was a statistical monster, joining Ben Simmons and Grant Williams as the only SEC players in 30 years to average a 17/7/3 baseline. Snagging his two-way playmaking and elite defensive wing upside at No. 15 is an absolute steal for Chicago.

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