The long build-up of rumors and reports has passed. Draft day has arrived, and each team will make its selection for the player they hope changes their franchise direction for the better. This is a loaded draft class with plenty of high-profile names, and there is sure to be plenty of madness as the NBA offseason hits its full gear.
This article will break down each selection with a live grade and analysis as all 30 picks of the first round occur.
Stay tuned for results when the draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET.
Keep in mind that all odds offered on DraftKings Sportsbook are subject to change.
2026 NBA Draft Selections:
- Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa
- Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson
- Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer
- Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson
- Los Angeles Clippers – Keaton Wagler
- Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr.
- Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff Jr.
- Atlanta Hawks – Kingston Flemings
- Dallas Mavericks – Morez Johnson Jr.
- Milwaukee Bucks – Brayden Burries
- Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg
- Oklahoma City Thunder – Aday Mara
- Milwaukee Bucks (via Miami Heat) – Nate Ament
- Charlotte Hornets – Hannes Steinbach
- Chicago Bulls – Dailyn Swain
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via Memphis Grizzlies) – Bennett Stirtz
- Detroit Pistons (via Oklahoma City Thunder)- Ebuka Okorie
- Charlotte Hornets – Christian Anderson
- Toronto Raptors – Allen Graves
- San Antonio Spurs – Jayden Quaintance
- Memphis Grizzlies via Detroit Pistons – Karim Lopez
- Philadelphia 76ers – Labaron Philon Jr.
- Atlanta Hawks – Zuby Ejiofor
- Los Angeles Lakers (via New York Knicks) – Cameron Carr
- Dallas Mavericks (via New York Knicks & Los Angeles Lakers) – Sergio De Larrea
- San Antonio Spurs (via Denver Nuggets) – Tarris Reed Jr.
- Boston Celtics – Chris Cenac Jr.
- Brooklyn Nets (via Minnesota Timberwolves) – Joshua Jefferson
- Sacramento Kings (via Cleveland Cavaliers) – Alex Karaban
- Phoenix Suns (via New York Knicks & Dallas Mavericks) – Koa Peat
2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
With the first round in the books, here are the 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
2026 NBA Draft Live Grades & Analysis:
1. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa
Grade: A
While there was not as clear a consensus for the number one overall pick as has been the case the past few seasons, AJ Dybantsa has largely been viewed as the top option. Sometimes, the best thing you can do at the top of the draft is avoid disaster, and Dybantsa arrives with an extremely high floor for what he will be at the NBA level. The 6-foot-8 forward is coming off a one-and-done season at BYU in which he averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He is a high-level athlete who plays with a chip on his shoulder. If it all clicks for Dybantsa, he will be an NBA superstar and in the conversation for top player in the league. Even if the shot never fully develops, as he shot 33.1% from beyond the three-point arc, he is a sure bet to be a high-level contributor for the next decade and beyond. The Washington Wizards have done a nice job establishing a young core and taking some big swings on Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Dybantsa has a chance to emerge as the clear face of the franchise moving forward, and things are starting to look up in Washington.
Dybantsa closed as a -2000 favorite to be the number one pick in the draft on DraftKings Sportsbook.
2. Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson
Grade: B-
The cramping issues that led to 11 missed games and caused him to demand out of several more left a bit of a sour taste in everyone’s mouths regarding the one-and-done season for Darryn Peterson. But it should not be mistaken that he is as polished as an NBA prospect can be when it comes to scoring the basketball. The 6-foot-5 guard posted averages of 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, while shooting 38.2% from beyond the three-point arc during his one-and-done season. Peterson masterfully comes off pin-downs and has advanced footwork in catch-and-shoot opportunities. While he was almost exclusively asked to play with a score-first mindset with the Jayhawks, his high school tape shows some encouraging flashes as a playmaker. There is a wider range of outcomes for Peterson when compared to Dybantsa. But if everything clicks, he will be the best player in this draft and one of the most dynamic scorers in the league.
Peterson closed as a -475 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook to be selected with the second overall pick.
3. Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer
Grade: A+
You could make a case that the third selection was the best place to be drafting in this year’s draft. While the Peterson vs. Dybantsa debates dominated the conversation, there is a real chance that Cameron Boozer will walk away as the best player in the draft, and he himself is the first person who will tell you that. Son of Carlos Boozer, the 6-foot-8 forward posted averages of 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 39.1% from beyond the three-point arc during his lone season at Duke. He earned AP Player of the Year, Consensus All-American, Wooden Award, Naismith Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, and ACC Player of the Year, among a laundry list of other accolades. At just 18-years-old, Boozer is mature beyond his years and a culture-setter from an organizational standpoint. His biggest critiques are centered around him being a bit limited athletically and a bit of a tweener positionally. But the Duke product is one of the highest processors of the game in this entire class and a basketball IQ that shouldn’t be bet against. The Memphis Grizzlies elected to move on from Jaren Jackson Jr. midseason and Ja Morant’s future is more uncertain than ever. Boozer is the exact type of culture-setter that Memphis needs as they begin to transition to the next era of Grizzlies basketball.
Boozer closed as a -475 favorite to be the fourth pick in the draft on DraftKings Sportsbook.
4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson
Grade: B+
If it were not a season-ending injury to Caleb Wilson, there likely would have been a real push for him to crack the top three selections. The North Carolina product was just days away from returning from a fractured wrist on his non-shooting hand when he broke his right thumb while dunking a basketball. This second injury required season-ending surgery, when it felt he was fully hitting his stride on the court. Across his 24 games played, Wilson posted averages of 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. A 6-foot-9 forward, he is one of the best functional athletes in this draft with excellent instincts as a weak-side defender and is extremely disruptive on this side of the ball. If his handle and shot creation can improve, Wilson could take the leap from high-level impact player to legitimate star. But what he brings to the table defensively will always keep him as a clear positive on the floor, and he does an excellent job leveraging his athleticism to create offensive chances in the flow of offense. Wilson is a tone-setter, the way he approaches the game, and has a chance to emerge as the true face of this guard-heavy Chicago roster.
Wilson finished as a -900 favorite to be the fourth overall pick on DraftKings Sportsbook.
5. Los Angeles Clippers – Keaton Wagler
Grade: B-
The draft truly opened up with the fifth pick in this year’s draft. The top four were pretty set in stone, even if there were differing opinions on the order. But the Clippers elected to select Keaton Wagler. A surprise one-and-done freshman at Illinois, Wagler burst onto the scene and posted averages of 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 39.7% from beyond the three-point arc. A 6-foot-5 guard who can play on and off ball, he does an excellent job playing both on and off ball, which is extremely encouraging for his fit next to Darius Garland moving forward. Still 19 years old, his best basketball is likely a few years away. But Wagler has proven more ready for the moment than anyone expected coming into the year as a high-level processor with some high-caliber perimeter shooting. The biggest critique is that he is a bit limited athletically and plays almost exclusively below the rim. This was a spot where the Clippers had a chance to overthink things and get creative. Standing still at the fifth pick and taking a player that can be a key part of their future was the right call, and Wagler will fit right in across this new-look Clippers roster.
Wagler closed as a -210 favorite to be selected with the fifth pick on DraftKings Sportsbook.
6. Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr.
Grade: C-
The Brooklyn Nets spent first-round picks on Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf last year. The early results were not necessarily promising for any of these individual players, and Brooklyn returned to the table to select Mikel Brown Jr. with the sixth pick. The Louisville guard was limited to 21 games this season due to back injuries. He missed over a month of the season due to back injuries, and then re-injured it when he returned. When he was on the floor, Brown Jr. posted averages of 18.2 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 34.4% from beyond the three-point arc on 7.6 perimeter attempts per game. His shot form looks better than the raw numbers suggest, and he is more smooth than he is explosive athletically. Turnovers were a major concern, as he turned the ball over 3.1 times per game, but some of this will be cleaned up with NBA spacing. Brooklyn still largely has a blank slate for how they will build forward. Time will tell, but it still feels like they are a few years away and missing their true foundational pieces.
Mikel Brown Jr. closed as a -125 favorite to be selected with the sixth overall pick on DraftKings Sportsbook.
7. Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff Jr.
Grade: A-
There has been plenty of smoke connecting the Sacramento Kings to Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh pick in this draft. This proved to be the case as they officially selected him with the hopes that he can be the next face of the franchise. Sacramento is missing an identity, and Acuff Jr. brings a pugnacious attitude that is infectious to his teammates. He posted averages of 23.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 44% from beyond the three-point arc on 5.8 attempts per game. The Arkansas product further opened some eyes by raising his level when the lights got brightest, posting averages of 29.8 points per game across the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. On the other side of things, the defensive tape is concerning from both a technical and effort standpoint for the 6-foot-2 guard. NBA opponents will hunt him on this side of the floor until he can prove to provide some level of resistance. Even with this in mind, Acuff Jr. is a special enough offensive talent that he will remain a net positive and is a tone-setter in the way that Sacramento needs. You don’t get rich betting against John Calipari guards, and the Kings will hope he is next on the list of star guards he has coached.
Acuff Jr. closed as a -175 favorite to be selected with the seventh pick on DratKings Sportsbook.
8. Atlanta Hawks – Kingston Flemings
Grade: B+
The Atlanta Hawks closed the page on the Trae Young era midseason last year and did a nice job building out a new defensive-minded identity. Kingston Flemings fits this identity perfectly, coming from a one-and-done season at Houston. The scrappy 6-foot-2 guard posted averages of 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game across his lone season in college. While there are some critiques about his set form, Flemings knocked down 38.7% of his three-point looks this season and made it clear he has complete confidence in it. He has a thin frame at just 183 pounds, but competes extremely hard defensively. It should mean something that Kelvin Sampson handed the keys to the offense to the freshman, and Flemings delivered in just about every opportunity. Atlanta will still have the ability to play their jumbo lineups with more size and athleticism when they desire, but Flemings now provides them an opportunity with a different look, with a more reliable ball-handler. He is just 19 years old, but carries himself with confidence and is mature beyond his years. The Hawks have their next point guard of the future.
Flemings closed as the favorite to be the eighth pick in the draft at +145 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Morez Johnson Jr.
Grade: C
Morez Johnson Jr. becomes the first member of the National Championship Michigan roster to come off the board in the NBA Draft. There has been plenty of connection to this pick, especially following the news that Michigan head coach Dusty May has officially been hired as the Dallas Mavericks’ head coach. Johnson Jr. was looked at as the third-best option out of the Michigan prospects, but has climbed the ranks during the pre-draft process. A 6-foot-9 forward, he started his career at Illinois, where he posted averages of 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks across his 17.6 minutes per game. Johnson Jr. transferred to Michigan this season and improved his output to 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in 25.1 minutes of action. He was asked to play as more of a wing, which should only help him with his NBA transition. The ceiling is not particularly high regarding Johnson Jr, but he checks the box of a player that will be a high-level complementary player who will contribute to winning on contending teams for a long time. The fit next to Cooper Flagg is a bit questionable, and there are players that made a bit more sense given the current context of the Mavericks roster. But May will be reunited with one of his main guys and look to find the same magic at the NBA level down in Dallas.
Johnson Jr. closed with the fifth-best odds of being the ninth pick at +650 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Brayden Burries
Grade: B+
A competitive two-way guard who is ready to make a Day-1 NBA impact, Brayden Burries will be a nice starting point to the rebuild in Milwaukee. The Arizona product suited up for 39 games this season and posted averages of 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 39.1% from beyond the three-point arc. Standing 6-foot-4, Burries has excellent footwork in traffic and is physical in his attack on the basket with impressive strength for his frame. His ball-handling needs to be cleaned up a bit, and he is a bit more mid-range dependent than is ideal, but Burries has the defensive chops to guard multiple positions. There are still plenty of questions about the future of the Bucks. But building out from the post Giannis Antetokounmpo era starts with collecting as many good players as possible and figuring out the fit down the line. Burries checks this box, and it is to be determined how significant a part of their future he will become.
Burries closed as the third-favorite to be selected with the 10th overall pick at +425 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
11. Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg
Grade: A-
While Father Time has caught up to this Warriors franchise, they keep a slight hope that they can still contend with Steph Curry. Few rookies will walk into the NBA with as clear of a vision for what they will be and ready to make a win-now impact as Yaxel Lendeborg. A late-bloomer who headlined the National Championship run at Michigan, Lendeborg posted averages of 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 37.2% from beyond the three-point arc. He started his collegiate career at the JUCO level before playing two seasons at UAB, and finished his career at Michigan last year. Lendeborg played more of a big man role at UAB, posting averages of 10.6 and 11.4 rebounds per game in the two seasons, and was asked to be more of a wing last year. Standing 6-foot-9, he is a versatile defender with better vision than you would expect for his size. You can nitpick that he can be a bit slower of foot than you would prefer, but the 23-year-old will be ready to play a day one rotational role in the NBA and is a great fit for Golden State’s unique system.
Lendeborg closed as the favorite to be the 11th pick in the draft at +275 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Aday Mara
Grade: A
The rich continue to get richer. Aday Mara is the biggest faller at this stage of the draft after holding -235 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook to be drafted over his Michigan teammates Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg. A 7-foot-3 center with a monstrous 7-foot-6 wingspan and 9-foot-9 standing reach, Mara is a monster in the middle. He posted averages of 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game en route to the National Championship. Mara possesses better playmaking instincts than the numbers even show, which is a rare trait for his size. The 21-year-old will never be a player able to be switched out to the perimeter, and he shot just 56.4% at the free-throw line. But his touch around the rim is encouraging, and there is a clear path to him having an impactful NBA career. The Thunder were knocked out of the playoffs by the Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama announcing his full presence to the rest of the NBA. Mara is another option to throw at him, especially following the way Chet Holmgren struggled in the series. This is a great value based on where he fell in the draft, and fits a need for last year’s champion.
Mara closed as the third-favorite to be selected with the 12th pick at +425 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
13. Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament
Grade: C-
Given that his draft position over/under was 10.5 with the under favored at -250 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, it is tough to have a gripe with the value of this selection. But there are legitimate gripes about Nate Ament’s production during his one-and-done season at Tennessee. A 6-foot-10 forward who moves well on the perimeter, Ament was the fourth-ranked prospect in this freshman class coming out of high school a season ago. He posted averages of 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while connecting on 33.3% of his three-point attempts. Finding players at his size that can be reliable shooters is a rarity, and the 19-year-old has a chance to grow into one of the more versatile players in this draft. But Ament needs to play in attack mode at a much more consistent rate, and has a tendency to disappear at far too regular a rate. Milwaukee is just kicking off the rebuild and is in a position to be able to take this swing. But expect it to be a few years before Ament finds his true footing at the NBA level and for there to be some major growing pains along the way.
Ament closed as the co-favorite at +400 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook to be selected with the 13th pick.
14. Charlotte Hornets – Hannes Steinbach
Grade: B
A major riser throughout the pre-draft process, Hannes Steinbach went from a fringe first-round prospect to officially going off the board with the 14th pick. A 6-foot-10 big man, the Washington product averaged 18.5 points, a college basketball-best 11.8 rebounds per game, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game during his lone season in college. There are some encouraging signs with his shooting touch, with Steinbach shooting 18-for-53 (34%) from beyond the three-point arc, and he knocked down 75.9% of his free-throw attempts. The biggest concern with the 20-year-old is him being a bit limited athletically, and he can be taken advantage of on the perimeter at times. But the Hornets have the infrastructure to limit these concerns, with plenty of athletes on the roster. Steinbach is capable of getting a rebound himself and going coast-to-coast and can play as the lone big man or alongside another center. Charlotte took a massive step forward this season with their young core, and this is another intriguing weapon they add to their arsenal.
Steinbach closed as the co-favorite to be selected with the 14th pick at +310 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
15. Chicago Bulls- Dailyn Swain
Grade: C+
An intriguing prospect who changed his reputation in a major way this season, there are plenty of questions about who exactly Dailyn Swain is as a basketball player. The 20-year-old spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Xavier, where he largely played a defensive role and was not a major scoring threat. He transferred to Texas this season, where he was handed the offensive keys and posted averages of 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 34.4.% from beyond the three-point arc. Standing 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Swain is a bit of a tweener as either a guard or a forward. He is a fluid mover with plenty of athleticism . The concern with Swain is what his NBA role will be if things don’t fully click for him. If all goes well, he can be a leading scoring option and is a great rebounder for his size. But there is not a true “NBA skill” that will force his way onto the court in the early stages of his career. Chicago can afford to take this type of swing, but his skillset is a bit repetitive with players like Josh Giddey and Noa Essengue.
Swain closed as the sixth-best odds to be selected with the 15th pick at +800 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder via Memphis Grizzlies – Bennett Stirtz
Grade: B+
After trading up a draft slot to ensure they got their guy, the Oklahoma City Thunder added a win-now rookie who can make an immediate impact in their rotation in Bennett Stirtz. There are some defensive concerns in his game, but the Thunder have the infrastructure to ensure this is not a problem. Stirtz was largely a one-man show this year at Iowa, leading the Big Ten with 37.7 minutes per game and averaging 19.8 points and 4.4 assists per game. Standing 6-foot-3, Stirtz processes the game at a rapid rate and would have more impressive assets totals had his teammates around him been more talented. The 22-year-old was a late bloomer who started his collegiate career at Northwest Missouri State before transferring to Drake University and finally Iowa this year. He is one of the older prospects in this draft, but Oklahoma City will view this positively based on their need to plug him immediately into the rotation and replace some of their currently guys that are being priced out of their salary cap sheet as they hit their athletic prime.
Stirtz was the favorite to be selected with the 16th pick at +360 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
17. Detroit Pistons via Oklahoma City Thunder – Ebuka Okorie
Grade: A-
Dropping back a slot and adding some draft capital in the process, the Detroit Pistons added Ebuka Okorie, a pick later than they were scheduled to. The Stanford guard is an absolute bucket-getter who can break the game open with a streak of points at any moment. A shifty guard with some serious offensive upside, he posted averages of 23.2 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds during his one-and-done season at Stanford. The 19-year-old shot 35.4% from beyond the three-point arc on 5.7 perimeter attempts per game. His 6-foot-1 frame limits his ceiling, but his change of pace ability is nearly impossible to stick with. The Pistons drastically lacked offensive creators outside of Cade Cunningham, and Okorie will be an offensive engine they can lean on for stretches. His frame and shooting inconsistency may limit the ceiling a bit, but even if he is just a microwave scorer off the bench, this is a major addition for this current defensive-minded Pistons team.
Ebuka Okorie was tied for the 11th-best odds to be selected at the 17th pick at +1200 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
18. Charlotte Hornets – Christian Anderson
Grade: B+
Christian Anderson Jr. is a calming influence on the floor in a way that will be beneficial to this Hornets team. A two-year standout at Texas Tech, he is coming off a season in which he posted averages of 18.5 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 41.5% from beyond the three-point arc on 7.9 perimeter attempts per game. Anderson Jr. does an excellent job reading pick-and-roll coverages and has an impressive touch from all over the floor. His 6-foot-1 size leads to some limitations defensively, but he is at his best with the ball in his hands and playing at his own pace. While LaMelo Ball’s erratic style has become a part of the Hornets’ identity, having a player like Anderson to provide contrast should be viewed as a positive. He is a good enough shooter to be effective off the ball, and there will be stretches where he will be called on to be the lead decision-maker. Mature beyond his years, this is another positive addition to the exciting Charlotte core.
Christian Anderson Jr. was tied for the 11th-best odds of being selected with the 18th pick at +1200 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
19. Toronto Raptors – Allen Graves
Grade: B+
A polarizing player who primarily came off the bench during his one-and-done season at Santa Clara, Allen Graves is a defensive weapon who fits the Raptors’ system. Across his 22.6 minutes of action this season, he posted averages of 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals while shooting 41.3% from beyond the three-point arc. Standing just under 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan, Graves profiles as a three-and-D role player who seems to especially embrace the defensive side of the ball. The biggest concerns are his lack of experience against top competition and him struggling in a few of these opportunities. But Graves is a high-IQ player who contributes to winning and is not disruptive to the flow of play. The Toronto Raptors have embraced a defensive identity and took some major steps forward this season. Graves will be a seamless fit into their system and could see a larger role if Toronto takes a big swing at some point this offseason in a trade to take away some of their depth.
Graves held the fifth-best odds of being selected with the 19th pick at +550 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
20. San Antonio Spurs – Jayden Quaintance
Grade: A
It is tough to truly place a grade on this selection without having a look at the medicals of Jayden Quaintance. The 18-year-old was widely expected to be one of the top picks in this draft dating back a few years. He reclassified up to play last season at Arizona State at just 17 years old. Quaintance posted averages of 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks across 29.5 minutes per game, before his season was forced to end due to a torn ACL. The 6-foot-9 big man transferred to Kentucky this season, but was forced to be shut down after just four games after dealing with more issues in the knee. Quaintance was the eighth-ranked recruit when first going to college and will be one of the best players in this draft if he can get physically right. There is legitimate Defensive Player of the Year potential that is driven by his mobility and shot-blocking instincts, as well as a wide catch radius as a lob threat offensively. This is a high risk pick, but the Spurs are in a position to make this type of move. Their young core is already in place and the potential of pairing a healthy Quaintance with Victor Wembanyama on the floor makes this worth taking the swing at this stage of the first round.
Quaintance was tied for the second-favorite to be selected with the 20th pick at +450 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
21. Memphis Grizzlies via Detroit Pistons – Karim Lopez
Grade: C-
One of the bigger mysteries in this draft class and the first international prospect off the floor, the Memphis Grizzlies land Karim Lopez with the 21st pick. A 6-foot-8 wing that moves fluidly, he spent the last two seasons playing with the New Zealand Breakers. Lopez posted averages of 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in just 25.8 minutes per game. He is capable of guarding multiple positions and is a good finisher around the rim. The 19-year-old shot 30-93 (32.6%) from beyond the three-point arc, leaving a bit to be desired from both a volume and efficiency standpoint. While he is an overall solid prospect, with his off-ball cutting especially encouraging, it is difficult to find the “NBA skill” that will command early minutes for Lopez. He is a well-rounded young talent that the Grizzlies should be overall happy with, but it is going to take him a bit of time to figure out his exact identity as a basketball player.
Karim Lopez had a draft position over/under of 15.5 with the over favored by -120 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
22. Philadelphia 76ers- Labaron Philon Jr.
Grade: B-
The Philadelphia 76ers straddle two timelines of the win-now aging max players in Joel Embiid and Paul George, and the exciting future of young guards Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe. Ultimately, they elected to allow the board to play out around them and take the best player available, with Labaron Philon Jr. a caliber of talent that should have been off the board several picks ago. A two-year standout at Alabama, the 6-foot-2 guard posted averages of 22.0 points and 5.0 assists last season while shooting 50.1% from the field and 39.9% from beyond the three-point arc. He is more smooth than he is explosive athletically, and plays a below the rim style of game. The improvements he made from his freshman to sophomore year was really encouraging, and there are some really positive flashes of Philon Jr. playing both on and off the ball. From a value standpoint this is a great selection. But it is also difficult to see the thin guard sharing the floor with both Maxey and Edgecombe for any extended stretches.
Labaron Philon Jr.’s draft position over under was set at 17.5 with the under favored at -140 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
23. Atlanta Hawks – Zuby Ejiofor
Grade: C-
A 6-foot-8 bruising forward with an accomplished collegiate resume, Zuby Ejiofor posted averages of 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.1 blocks this past season at St. John’s. While he is a bit smaller than is ideal by NBA standards, the Big East Player of the Year moves fluidly and offers a 7-foot-2 wingspan. Ejiofor showed some encouraging growth in his shooting touch, knocking down 18 of his 59 (30.5%) three-point attempts and connecting on 71.8% of his free-throw attempts. His 3.3 combined blocks and steals per game are impressive, and there is a clear path for him to be an impactful energy big man at the NBA level. While Ejiofor largely fits Atlanta’s new-look identity, there were players in this spot that felt like they fit more of a need, and this felt a bit early in the draft for him to come off the board.
Ejiofor held the seventh-best odds of being selected with the 23rd pick at +900 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
24. Los Angeles Lakers via. New York Knicks – Cameron Carr
Grade: A
Seeming like a surefire lottery pick coming into the day, Cameron Carr will make a clear case for steal of this draft. After spending a pair of seasons at Tennessee, in which he left under some questionable circumstances, Carr found his footing at Baylor this year. The 6-foot-5 guard posted averages of 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this season while shooting 37.4% from beyond the three-point arc. With a wingspan of over 7 feet, the 21-year-old is capable of guarding up positions and will be an elite athlete even by NBA standards. There are some notable ups and downs in the box score and with his overall impact. But when things are clicking for the high-flying guard, he looks like a potential NBA star hiding in plain sight. The Los Angeles Lakers do not have much future draft capital, and landing a high-impact player at this stage of the draft is an impressive result.
Carr was not one of the 17 players with odds to be selected with the 25th pick, but was the co-favorite to be selected with the 15th pick at +360 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
25. Dallas Mavericks via New York Knicks & Los Angeles Lakers – Sergio De Larrea
Grade: C+
A highly skilled point guard with a 6-foot-6 frame and 6-foot-9 wingspan, Sergio De Larrea is an intriguing late-round pick who plays with maturity well beyond his years. The 20-year-old has played the last four years professionally for Valencia, and posted averages of 9.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds across just 18.3 minutes per game in his most recent season. De Larrea connected on 40.7% of his three-point looks, with some eye-popping creativity and playmaking ability. He will not be a great athlete by NBA standards, but he plays at his own pace and will provide a nice flare to the offense. De Larrea is the type of player who can settle down an offense and provide a different look throughout the flow of a game, and expect him to carve out a role on this youthful Mavericks team.
Sergio De Larrea held the 12th-best odds of being selected with the 25th pick at +1400 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
26. San Antonio Spurs via Denver Nuggets – Tarris Reed Jr.
Grade: C+
The first of two UConn forwards comes off the board at pick 26. Tarris Reed Jr. joins a busy front court in San Antonio led by Victor Wembanyama. He’s not as tall as Wembanyama, but his 260-pound frame helps make him an elite rebounder at 6-foot-10. Reed averaged 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game during his senior year and shined during the NCAA Tournament, posting 31 points and 27 rebounds in the first round. Because he turns 23 in August, there’s some worry about his ceiling. This also should be viewed as a bit of an insurance pick for the 20th pick that was used on Jayden Quaintance. If injuries derail the young career of the 20th-pick, Reed Jr. is the type of player who will be eager to take on these opportunities and make his case why he can be the long-term backup center to Wembanyama regardless.
Reed Jr. was the co-favorite to be selected with the 26th pick at +380 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
27. Boston Celtics – Chris Cenac Jr.
Grade: A+
A 6-foot-10 forward with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and arguably the best motor in the draft, Joe Mazzulla is going to get the most out of Chris Cenac Jr. A one-and-done standout at Houston, the 19-year-old posted averages of 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds across 24.8 minutes per game. There are fair critiques about his shot selection and lack of aggressiveness attacking the rim at his size. But Cenac Jr. was the sixth-ranked recruit in his class a year ago, and there are more encouraging flashes in his high school offensive tape than he was able to show in the defensive-oriented Houston system. He will be a freak athlete, even by NBA standards, and has incredible instincts as a rebounder. In the short term, he will immediately carve out a role doing the dirty work and rebounding at a high level. But don’t be shocked if his ceiling as a player is a whole lot higher than many are giving it a chance.
Chris Cenac Jr. was not one of the 16 players with odds for being the 27th pick, but was the co-favorite to be selected with the 22nd pick at +500 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
28. Brooklyn Nets via Minnesota Timberwolves- Joshua Jefferson
Grade: B-
A 6-foot-8 forward with an advanced handle and playmaking skills for his size, Joshua Jefferson fits the identity the Brooklyn Nets are attempting to build. The organization has made it a priority to collect players who can all make decisions with the ball in their hands, and Jefferson has an advanced feel for this, with some impressive defensive ability. The Iowa State product produced 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game this season, while shooting 34.5% from beyond the three-point arc. There is a high level of toughness and basketball IQ that Jefferson possesses, which is infectious within a team. The 22-year-old has a somewhat limited ceiling due to his age and limited athleticism, but he is the type of connective fabric that every winning team needs and will fit into this youthful Brooklyn core.
Jefferson held -220 odds of being selected in the first round on DraftKings Sportsbook.
29. Sacramento Kings via Cleveland Cavaliers- Alex Karaban
Grade: B
Alex Karaban had a decorated collegiate career, winning two national championships and coming close to a third this past season with UConn. Now he joins a Kings’ team that’s been desperate for playoff success. Karaban isn’t going to be the savior at pick 29, but he should make a name for himself as a quality role player in the NBA. He’s an excellent shooter at 6-foot-8 and doesn’t need the ball to make an impact. Being a winner doesn’t show up in counting stats, but it’s arguably the most important trait a player can have. Sacramento is in desperate need of a cultural reset as they attempt to get back in the postseason mix. Expect Karaban to make his impact felt as much in this as he does on the floor.
Karaban held +155 odds of being selected in the first round on DraftKings Sportsbook.
30. Phoenix Suns via Dallas Mavericks – Koa Peat
Grade: B+
Koa Peat made his fair share of critics in NBA Draft circles leading up to tonight, but getting the Arizona product with the 30th overall pick is terrific value. If the 6-foot-7 forward had any semblance of a jump shot, he would have a case for one of the top players in this class. But he shot just 7-for-20 (35%) from beyond the three-point arc this season, and then revealed a concerning-looking reworked jump shot during the combine and his Pro Day. Even still, Peat bullied his way to 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists during his lone season in college. He is a hard-nosed player with an NBA-ready body and a solid decision-maker with the ball. If the jump shot clicks, you can talk yourself into some serious potential for the 19-year-old. But even without, he is the type of tough, competitive player that the Phoenix Suns are attempting to build an identity around.
Peat was not one of the 22 players with odds offered for the 30th pick, but was the co-favorite at +475 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook to be selected with the 23rd pick
