Key Takeaways:
- The Washington Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa from BYU with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft
- Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer rounded out the top three selections, joining the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies, respectively
- Historic movements and significant trades, including Mexico’s Karim López becoming the first Mexican-born player ever selected in the first round, highlighted this year’s draft night
Headline Selections and Top Prospects
Tuesday’s highly anticipated 2026 NBA Draft concluded its first round with the Washington Wizards making AJ Dybantsa of BYU their top overall selection. Dybantsa had featured amongst a quartet of prospects rated as potential No. 1 picks. The Utah Jazz followed by taking Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at second overall, while Duke’s Cameron Boozer joined the Memphis Grizzlies as the third pick. North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, selected fourth by the Chicago Bulls, stands among a group who, in different years, may well have challenged for the draft’s top honours.
The complete draft board for the First Round of the 2026 NBA Draft!
Which pick is your favorite? 🤔
Second Round: Wednesday, 8pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/2WPdVnjBPu
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2026
Significant activity followed throughout the league, with notable storylines emerging such as the Dallas Mavericks, who reunited new head coach Dusty May with his former player Morez Johnson Jr. from Michigan by picking him ninth. The Milwaukee Bucks, meanwhile, secured Arizona guard Brayden Burries at No. 10 and chose Nate Ament using Miami’s 13th pick—part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
Top 10 Picks – 2026 NBA Draft
| Pick | Team | Player | College/Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Wizards | AJ Dybantsa | BYU |
| 2 | Utah Jazz | Darryn Peterson | Kansas |
| 3 | Memphis Grizzlies | Cameron Boozer | Duke |
| 4 | Chicago Bulls | Caleb Wilson | North Carolina |
| 5 | Los Angeles Clippers (via IND) | Keaton Wagler | Illinois |
| 6 | Brooklyn Nets | Mikel Brown Jr. | Louisville |
| 7 | Sacramento Kings | Darius Acuff Jr. | Arkansas |
| 8 | Atlanta Hawks (via NOP) | Kingston Flemings | Houston |
| 9 | Dallas Mavericks | Morez Johnson Jr. | Michigan |
| 10 | Milwaukee Bucks | Brayden Burries | Arizona |
Noteworthy Trades and Franchise Moves
This year’s first round witnessed a series of high-profile trades reshaping draft boards across the association. The New York Knicks, for instance, traded the No. 25 pick, Sergio De Larrea, to the Mavericks for No. 30 Koa Peat and two second-round picks, immediately flipping Peat to the Phoenix Suns for three second rounders and cash—effectively exiting the first round while gaining future assets.
The Suns then selected Koa Peat at No. 13 via the Mavericks, and in another deal, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded pick No. 29 (Alex Karaban) to the Sacramento Kings for No. 34 and a future second-round selection—the Kings’ focus being UConn’s Karaban at 29, according to sources.
Elsewhere, Brooklyn used the 28th pick received from Minnesota (part of a three-team transaction also involving Julius Randle and Nic Claxton) to select Joshua Jefferson. Other clubs such as San Antonio, Denver, and Memphis were active in dealing picks to reshape their rosters for both present and future impact.
Standout International and Historic Selections
Karim López drew headlines after becoming the first Mexican-born player to be drafted in the opening round. The Detroit Pistons selected López at No. 21, subsequently moving him to the Memphis Grizzlies in a reported trade.
Profiles: Best Remaining Players for Round 2
With the first round concluded, several highly regarded prospects are set to draw attention as the second round unfolds on Wednesday, based on Kevin O’Connor’s pre-draft top 100 rankings. Among these is Meleek Thomas, an Arkansas freshman guard renowned for his shooting range and confidence, though questions remain regarding his physicality and shot selection. Henri Veesaar, a versatile North Carolina junior, offers playmaking and rim protection but is still defining his core NBA skill as he adjusts to the league’s physical standards.
Further First-Round Analysis and Player Insights
An array of prospects filled out the rest of the first round, with teams seeking high-upside talent. For example, San Antonio picked up Tarris Reed Jr. at 26 via trade, and the Celtics opted for Chris Cenac Jr. at 27, a player whose athleticism and defensive range set him apart though he remains a development project. Notable selections included Labaron Philon Jr. (Philadelphia 76ers, 22nd), a dynamic, score-first guard, and Dailyn Swain (Chicago Bulls, 15th), the nation’s most efficient isolation scorer whose outside shot remains a work in progress.
Summary of Draft Day Trades
| Involved Teams | Players/Picks Traded | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks & Phoenix Suns | No. 25 Sergio De Larrea (to DAL); No. 30 Koa Peat and two 2nd-rounders to NYK; Peat to PHX for three 2nd-rounders and cash | Knicks exit first round, gain future picks and cash |
| Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings | No. 29 Alex Karaban (to SAC); No. 34 and a future 2nd-rounder to CLE | Kings secure Karaban; Cavaliers acquire future assets |
| Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder | No. 16 Bennett Stirtz to OKC; two 2nd-round picks to MEM | Thunder add Stirtz, Grizzlies collect picks |
| San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets | No. 26 to SAS; No. 35 and two future 2nd-rounders to DEN | Spurs select Tarris Reed Jr.; Nuggets gain picks |
Looking Ahead to Round 2
The conclusion of the opening round leaves anticipation high for Day 2, with a wealth of talent remaining on the board. Analysts and fans alike will be closely monitoring how the remaining prospects fit into their new professional environments and which franchises will seize the opportunity to unearth future stars.
