The Post’s Zach Braziller grades the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
1. Washington Wizards — AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
The best player in his class since the eighth grade, the 6-foot-9 wing is wired to score. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him lead the league in scoring one day. Perhaps most importantly for the chronically rebuilding Wizards, Dybantsa is an intense competitor. He won’t just sit back and accept more losing.
Grade: A
2. Utah Jazz — Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
There is some risk involved, despite Peterson’s prodigious talent. He was unreliable in his lone year at Kansas, missing 11 games and good chunks of several second halves due to an assortment of mysterious injuries. Nobody is questioning his talent — he has the highest upside of anyone in this draft.
Grade: A-
3. Memphis Grizzlies — Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
Boozer will enter the league with a chip on his shoulder. Ahead of the draft, the do-it-all forward said, “down the line, people are gonna look back and say that I should’ve been” in conversations to go No. 1. He has a point, as the fifth freshman ever to be the consensus National Player of the Year. Three of the other four — Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Cooper Flagg — all went No. 1. Only Kevin Durant went No. 2. Pretty good company for Boozer to keep.
Grade: A
4. Chicago Bulls — Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina
In a regular year, Wilson is a No. 1 pick contender. That’s how loaded this class is. There isn’t a better athlete in this draft than this 6-foot-9 jumping jack of a prospect who averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists as a freshman for the Tar Heels.
Grade: A
5. Los Angeles Clippers — Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
Give me Mikel Brown Jr., Darius Acuff Jr. or Kingston Flemings over Wagler. This pick will age poorly. The Clippers passed on three better players — now and in the future.
Grade: D
6. Brooklyn Nets — Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
At least the Nets didn’t reach for Wagler, thanks to the Clippers. I would’ve gone with Acuff from Arkansas, but as long as Brown’s back isn’t an issue — and the Nets met with him several times, so one would think they aren’t concerned about it — the shot-making guard out of Louisville has the potential to be a difference-maker in the backcourt.
Grade: B
7. Sacramenton Kings — Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
The Kings get a steal at No. 7, the second-best guard in this draft after Peterson. Acuff makes difficult shots and can run a team. The Clippers and Nets are going to regret passing on the 6-foot-2 playmaker.
Grade: A
8. Atlanta Hawks — Kingston Flemings, G, Houston
The young Hawks core adds a potential two-way dynamo in the Houston guard. If his 3-point shot comes along — while he made 38.7 percent as a freshman, he attempted only 2.9 per game — Flemings has All-Star capabilities. A tandem of Flemings and Dyson Daniels is a flat-out scary defensive duo on the perimeter.
Grade: A-
9. Dallas Mavericks — Morez Johnson Jr., F, Michigan
The Michigan Mavericks. New coach Dusty May is bringing one of his Wolverines with him to Dallas. Somewhat of a surprise considering where he was projected, but the 6-foot-9 Johnson profiles as an impact defender, a dogged rebounder, and there is offensive potential beyond what he has shown in two years of college.
Grade: B+
10. Milwaukee Bucks — Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
He is ready to contribute immediately and will get plenty of minutes for the rebuilding Bucks. Surprised Milwaukee didn’t take a bigger swing here, but it’s hard to argue against a well-coached, two-way player who shot better than expected — 39.1 percent from deep on 4.9 attempts — in his lone year of college.
Grade: B
11. Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan
The Warriors believe they can contend, and the 24-year-old Lendeborg will provide immediate help as a versatile defender, shotmaker and slasher. What a journey for the Pennsauken, N.J., native, who was working at a warehouse, thinking he was done with the sport. Now, he’s teammates with Stephen Curry.
Grade: B+
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Aday Mara, C, Michigan
Welcome to the NBA, Aday. Now, go defend Victor Wembanyama, the Thunder’s nemesis. The 7-foot-3 center was one of the biggest risers over the past two months and winds up in the back end of the lottery after helping Michigan win its first national championship in 37 years.
Grade: B
13. Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
This is the swing I was talking about. The 6-foot-10 Ament needs to get stronger and be more efficient, but he has the length and shotmaking prowess teams covet on…
