Writers Pick Their Choices for Every Team in the 2026 NBA Draft First Round

The 2026 NBA Draft is here, and sports writers have made their predictions for every pick in the first round. Thirty teams will each choose one player they hope will help them win games for years to come. Writers studied interviews, measurements, and practice drills to decide who they think each team will select. From college stars to international players, this draft class has a wide mix of talented young athletes ready for the NBA.

The Washington Wizards hold the first overall pick and are predicted to choose AJ Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing from BYU. Dybantsa is a gifted scorer who is very good at drawing fouls from defenders. Writers say he has the physical tools to become a strong defender too, though his three-point shooting still needs work. Playing alongside veterans like Trae Young and Anthony Davis should help take pressure off the young star.

With the second pick, the Utah Jazz are expected to take Darryn Peterson, a guard from Kansas. Peterson is called the best shooting guard in the draft, and Utah does not currently have a strong starter at that spot. He will get lots of playing time right away and will benefit from teammates like Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. Writers say this is one of the best fits in the entire draft.

The Memphis Grizzlies pick third and are predicted to select Cameron Boozer, a 6-foot-8 forward from Duke. Boozer can score near the basket or from the three-point line, making him a versatile threat. He won't bring flashy highlights, but scouts expect him to be steady and reliable for many years. Memphis is going through big changes and needs a stable player to build around.

The Chicago Bulls pick fourth and are expected to choose Caleb Wilson, a 6-foot-9 forward from North Carolina. Wilson is one of the most explosive athletes in this draft and can jump incredibly high. His jump shot is still developing, but the Bulls say they are not worried about it. He would be a great young partner for 21-year-old teammate Matas Buzelis.

From picks five through ten, the Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks each make big decisions. The Clippers take Arkansas guard Darius Acuff at five, while Brooklyn grabs sharpshooting guard Keaton Wagler from Illinois at six. Sacramento uses pick seven on Kingston Flemings from Houston to replace traded star De'Aaron Fox. Atlanta then shocks some with the eighth pick by taking 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara from Michigan, a towering rim protector the Hawks simply could not pass up.

Dallas takes skilled scorer Brayden Burries from Arizona at nine, a guard who shot nearly 40 percent from three-point range last season. He fits perfectly as a role player next to stars Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. Milwaukee closes out the top ten by taking Mikel Brown Jr. from Louisville, a high-upside shooting guard. Brown is a risky pick because of his size, but writers call him the clear best choice at that spot.

Picks 11 through 20 bring in a new wave of talent from around the country and the world. Golden State takes 6-foot-9 forward Yaxel Lendeborg from Michigan at 11, a player who can shoot and defend and is eager to play alongside Stephen Curry. Oklahoma City selects Michigan big man Morez Johnson at 12, a tough winner who fits the Thunder's defensive identity. Miami lands Hannes Steinbach at 13, who may be the best rebounder in the entire draft.

Charlotte picks twice in this range, grabbing shooter Christian Anderson from Texas Tech at 14 and playmaker Labaron Philon from Alabama at 18. Chicago also picks again at 15, adding 6-foot-7 guard Dailyn Swain from Texas, who is praised for his creativity and ability to score without help from teammates. Memphis uses its second pick at 16 on Nate Ament, a long 6-foot-10 forward from Tennessee who was once thought to be a top-ten talent. Toronto takes Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz at 19, and San Antonio closes out the top 20 with power forward Karim Lopez, who spent last season playing professionally in New Zealand.

The final ten picks of the first round mix college standouts with international talent. Detroit takes Duke wing Isaiah Evans at 21 for his three-point shooting, while Philadelphia grabs big, skilled forward Allen Graves from Santa Clara at 22. The champion New York Knicks add versatile forward Koa Peat from Arizona at 24, a physical player with good instincts. Los Angeles uses pick 25 on UConn center Tarris Reed, who is seen as an ideal backup big man for Luka Dončić's roster.

Denver grabs Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea at 26 to add a creative ball-handler off the bench. Boston takes high-upside big man Jayden Quaintance from Kentucky at 27, even though a knee injury raises some concern. The final three picks go to Brooklyn's trade asset Meleek Thomas from Arkansas at 28, Cleveland's European shooter Henri Veesaar from North Carolina at 29, and Dallas closing the first round with UConn's Alex Karaban at 30. Karaban is a sharp-shooting wing who started 150 college games and rarely makes mistakes.