The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft delivered plenty of excitement Tuesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, as teams across the league added franchise-changing talent and positioned themselves for the future. The draft was highlighted by the selection of AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick by the Washington Wizards, beginning a new era for the rebuilding franchise.
The Utah Jazz followed by selecting dynamic guard Darryn Peterson at No. 2, while the Memphis Grizzlies chose Duke star Cameron Boozer with the third overall pick. The Chicago Bulls rounded out the top four by drafting North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, giving the Eastern Conference another elite young talent.
The Los Angeles Clippers selected Illinois guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth pick, while several other teams focused on versatile wings and scoring guards as the league continues to emphasize athleticism, playmaking and perimeter shooting. The Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks all added highly regarded prospects expected to contribute quickly at the NBA level.
One of the night’s most active teams was the Memphis Grizzlies. After drafting Boozer third overall, Memphis executed multiple trades later in the first round before eventually selecting international standout Karim Lopez with the 21st pick. The moves allowed the Grizzlies to add future draft assets while still landing one of the draft’s top international prospects.
The Toronto Raptors used the 19th overall selection to draft Allen Graves from Santa Clara University. The 6-foot-9 forward impressed scouts with his defensive versatility, rebounding ability and efficient outside shooting. Graves fits the Raptors’ long-standing preference for athletic, multi-positional players who can impact the game on both ends of the floor.
Other notable first-round selections included Brayden Burries to the Milwaukee Bucks, Christian Anderson to the Charlotte Hornets, Joshua Jefferson to the Brooklyn Nets and Sergio De Larrea to the defending NBA champion New York Knicks. Several teams earned strong reviews from analysts for maximizing value and addressing key roster needs.
The first round showcased one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, featuring elite scorers, versatile forwards and promising international prospects. While it will take years to determine the true winners and losers of the 2026 draft, many franchises left Brooklyn believing they found cornerstone pieces for the future. Round 2 continues on June 24 as teams look to uncover the next hidden gem.
