Best Picks of The 2026 NBA Draft
One of the most anticipated NBA drafts in recent memory did not disappoint or lack compelling storylines. There are some people that enjoy the offseason more than the season itself. While I find that opinion laughable, there is no shortage of entertainment during the NBA offseason. The initial debate revolved around the trio of stars, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Each player had a valid claim to be selected number one overall. Outside of those three, there was a lengthy run on Freshmen (the first 8 selections) and several valuable selections made outside of the lottery. With all these storylines, stars, and potential steals, it’s time to stop all this yapping and get to my favorite picks from the 2026 NBA Draft.
Round 1
Darryn Peterson
1.02 to Utah Jazz
The top tier talent in this draft was among the best we’ve seen in the 21st century. Each team within the top four should walk away feeling like they changed the trajectory of their franchise with their new potential star. AJ Dybantsa is a tremendous talent, had the superior freshman season, and I believe he’ll have an incredible NBA career. With that being said, I think the Utah Jazz got the best player in the draft with the second pick. Darryn Peterson is a pure, three-level scorer that had a tumultuous season at Kansas. As a scorer, Peterson is deadly in the midrange and shot 38% from 3 during his lone collegiate season. He is a natural scorer that consistently took over games at Kansas. His shooting prowess garnered a lot of attention, but his ability to get to the rim is also elite. Peterson’s body control and strength allow him to score through contact. Simply put, Peterson was the best guard scorer I’ve seen in recent college basketball. He also is a cold-blooded killer. Anyone who questions that please watch his first half performance against AJ Dybantsa and BYU or his second half performance on the road against Texas Tech. The Jayhawks’ lineup didn’t do Peterson any favors and I think it really hindered his ability to showcase his playmaking. Thankfully, Utah has a fun, young nucleus for Peterson to develop with. Players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, and Keyontae George will allow him to develop without the weight of the world on his shoulders as a rookie. I expect Darryn to become a 20+ PPG scorer almost immediately and I’m excited to see his playmaking and defensive progress.
Caleb Wilson
1.04 to Chicago Bulls
Early in the draft process it became clear front offices viewed AJ, Peterson, and Boozer as the top three and Caleb Wilson was just below that tier. That gap was smaller than many people thought and being treated like an after thought only put a chip on Wilson’s shoulder. At North Carolina, he excelled as an efficient offensive scorer and defensive disruptor that utilizes world class athleticism to dominate on both ends of the court. He averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals on 57.8% shooting. The questions surrounding Wilson revolve around consistency on the defensive end and the development of a reliable outside jump shot. The flashes on defense were incredible, including chase-down blocks and steals resulting in fast break points. He will need to prove himself as a reliable on ball defender against higher level players in the NBA. After only shooting 26% from 3 on just over one attempt per game, the outside shot development will be important. Still the athleticism Wilson possesses does not come around often. He can jump out of the gym but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He can contort his body to get the right angles in the paint and has the body control to absorb contact and still finish. In my opinion, this is a home run pick for the Bulls and the direction of their franchise. At the minimum, I’m confident Wilson can be a key-piece for Chicago to build a contender. If he upgrades his defense and becomes a threat from deep, he could be the savior of the post-Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls.
Darius Acuff Jr.
1.07 to Sacramento Kings
If you took a time machine back to Mid-late March of this year, people were talking about Acuff sneaking into the Top 3-4 pick discussion. This is after he became a national phenomena late in the season for Arkansas. He averaged a whopping 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game and shot 44% from three. Acuff has a tremendous feel for the game and showcased that this past season at original. He was one of the most prolific scorers in the country as a freshman and excels at getting teammates as a floor general. Some scout will say he’s a blend of the modern scoring point guard and classic “coach on the floor” point guard. While his 44% mark from beyond the arc rightfully gets a lot of attention, his finishing at the rim is arguably just as impressive. The former Arkansas star understands what opposing defenses are trying to take away from him and utilizes his strength to finish through weaker opponents. This understanding, vision, and strength are also what makes Acuff a world class playmaker. The knock on Acuff comes on the defensive end of the floor. He is not a world-class athlete and seems to lack attention on defense. This resulted in him getting routinely picked on by Razorback opponents on that end of the floor. Despite the defensive question marks, the offensive prowess of Acuff is undeniable. He will immediately be an offensive threat for a Sacramento team that is desperate for a star.
Yaxel Lendenborg
1.11 to Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are clearly looking to keep the Steph Curry title window open for another year or two. With franchise legends like Curry and Draymond aging, they will need to make cost effective signings in free agency and immediate impact from players on rookie contracts. The selection of Yaxel Lendenborg fulfills that second necessity perfectly. He is an older, more matured prospect that is not a long-term player. Yaxel still has room for growth, but he is ready to make an immediate impact. During his senior season at Michigan, he was a Swiss army knife. He can handle the ball, facilitate, shoot, and defend. He has all those impressive qualities and then you realize he’s 6’9 and 240 pounds. Yaxel is a locomotive going downhill and excels at leading fast breaks. On the topic of development, Lendenborg has improved greatly as a three-point shooter over the past few seasons. Last year, he shot a career high 37.2% while doubling his attempts from the previous season. Teams will still look to sag off him early in his career, he’ll need to prove that shooting prowess can translate to the pro level. As he joins a proven team in Golden State, he’ll be able to fill in gaps on the roster and be a fantastic role player early in his career. An ideal career path for Yaxel would start with being a switchable defender, reliable shooter, and intelligent player. That ideal career arc would then transition into a starring role when Curry and Draymond retire. For now, Yaxel is a do-it-all player that is ready to play for a team looking for a little bit of magic. The fit here might be the best of the entire draft.
Labaron Philon Jr.
1.22 to Philadelphia 76ers
Philon falling to the 22nd pick is highway robbery in my opinion. He could have left college after last season and been a late first or second round pick. He went back to Alabama for his Sophomore season and it paid off. He improved in just about every aspect of his game, which is backed up by both stats and the eye test. Philon is a skilled scorer that can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end of the court. We knew he was a crafty prospect last season, but his shooting and playmaking ability greatly improved during his Sophomore campaign. The hope for Philadelphia is that he can ignite instant offense coming off the bench early in his career. Philon was a dynamo on the offensive end of the court, but really earned his minutes on the defensive end as a Freshman. That defense wasn’t as apparent as a Sophomore, but I’m choosing to believe it’s still there. Labaron had to carry significantly more of the offense this past season, which often means the defense gets put on the back burner. In a reserve role, I’m confident he’ll be impactful at both ends. The knock on Philon is his slight frame and lack of elite athleticism. The 76ers are getting some slack here because they just traded an offensive-minded guard lacking elite athleticism and size, Jared McCain, at the trade deadline. While that still has me scratching my head, I think Philon will provide that spark off the bench on a Philly team that looks destined to make a splash in the playoffs.
Cameron Carr
1.24 to Los Angeles Lakers
Cameron Carr had one of the biggest breakout seasons in the country. After struggling to find consistent minutes across two seasons at Tennessee, Carr transferred to Baylor where he exploded. He averaged 18.9 points (nearly quadrupling his Sophomore year total) and 5.8 rebounds on efficient shooting percentages (49.4/37.4/80.1). Baylor was not a great team and a lot of attention went to Carr’s teammate and 5-star recruit Tounde Yessoufou. However, when you tuned in to watch Yessoufou, you were routinely distracted by #43 for the Bears. This attention grabber was a lengthy wing with explosive athleticism and a streaky jump shot. NBA front offices instantly loved the 7’1 wingspan that Carr was blessed with. That measurement, his breakout season at Baylor, and an incredible pre-draft process, led Carr to soar up draft boards. Many people had him going significantly earlier that the 24th pick. I think Carr can immediately come into this Lakers roster and put up points as an off ball option besides Luka and Reaves. Scouts love the 3 and D potential from the Baylor standout. While I do see it, I think he’ll need to show progress on the defensive end and more consistency as a 3-point marksman. Even with question marks with that development, this is a great value pick by LA with lots of upsides.
Round 2
Isaiah Evans
2.03 to Minnesota Timberwolves
Here’s my first, “Why wasn’t this guy picked in the first round?” players of the 2026 NBA Draft. In an era where 3-point shooting is a necessity, you need flame throwers like Evans. I’m not saying he should have been a lottery pick, but Evans lasting until the second day was a shocker. Don’t be tricked by the 36% percentage from 3 either, that percentage dipped as a Sophomore but he was also taking over 7 attempts per game. At the very least, Evans will help Minnesota space the floor. He was much improved on the drive this season, but his main value will be in his shooting. With Donte DiVincenzo likely to miss the entire 2026/2027 season, that shooting prowess will be valued for the Timberwolves. Outside of his shooting and length, my favorite part of Evans’ game is the constant movement off-ball. Evans is constantly moving and trying to get open when he doesn’t have the ball. As we’ve seen with Steph Curry — no I’m not comparing him to the greatest shooter of all time — off-ball movement tires out opposing defenses and increases the likelihood of mental mistakes. I’d like to see Evans put on some muscle and weight to increase his frame, but some shooters never do that so we’ll see. Let’s get Evans to Minnesota, feed him some burgers, and watch him stretch the court.
Meleek Thomas
2.04 to Cleveland Cavaliers
Meleek Thomas thinks he’s the best player in the draft. He’s obviously not happy with the fall to the second round, but I expect him to make the most of this opportunity. You can see the previously mentioned confidence oozing out of Thomas while he’s on the court. In full honestly, it does lead to some questionable shot selection at times. However, with a player as offensively dynamic as Thomas, you take the good with the bad. He fell into the shadow of fellow standout Freshman Darius Acuff, but Thomas was still one of the best Freshmen in the country. His competitiveness and ability to score were on full display every time he laced them up. He averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in his lone collegiate season. If you’ve ever read one of my draft recaps in the past, you know I value elite scoring in the second round. The Cavaliers could potentially have found the scoring spark off their bench. The big question is, can Thomas fill into a supporting role alongside Harden and Mitchell in Cleveland. His 41.6% clip from beyond the arc gave the Cavaliers’ front office some confidence that he can. Thomas will need to earn his minutes off the bench, but he strikes me as the kind of player that can swing a series with his energy and scoring. If he can improve some of that efficiency, primarily with his shot selection, I think he can carve a long career for himself in the association.
Dillon Mitchell
2.10 to Boston Celtics
Mitchell is a collegiate journeyman and played for 3 teams across his 4 years in college. His NBA upside is in his defensive versatility, athleticism, and tenacity. The vision here is that he’ll be able to switch onto guards defensively and hold his own. At 6’8 210 lbs., Mitchells is elite at creating extra possessions through his defense (averaged 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks for his career) and offensive rebounds (averaged 2.0 offensive boards per game). One interesting aspect of his game showed itself during his final, and only, season at St. John’s. Mitchell averaged a career high 3 assists with only 1 turnover (3:1 assist/turnover ratio), showcasing an ability to facilitate out of his forward spot. The downside to Mitchell is his truly abysmal shooting ability. I hate talking about something so negatively, but the stats speak for themselves as he was a 19% 3 point shooter and 49% free throw shooter for his career. That is a major red flag for any NBA prospect that isn’t a center. Part of the reason I overlooked this is that the Boston Celtics have no shortage of 3 point shooting. They are actually in need of improved scoring on the interior. Boston will not be running the offense through Mitchell or having him play in crunch time due to his abysmal shooting. However, he can easily play a spark plug-esque role off the bench and swing momentums during pivotal points of the game. His steals, offensive rebounds, put-back dunks, and energy will help him find roles on winning teams. In a city that celebrates hard working players, I expect Mitchell to become a fan-favorite. That is as long as he doesn’t get thrust into a role that doesn’t support his skillset.
Tyler Nickel
2.17 to New York Knicks
Tyler Nickel is another prospect that is a pure shooter. He shot 40% during each of his seasons at Vanderbilt on a high volume of attempts. He excels at finding openings, moving consistently, and can shoot on the move. At 6’7 220 lbs., Nickel also isn’t a guy that will get bullied by opposing defenses. His size also allows him to get shots off cleanly without those shots potentially being blocked. Unfortunately, the Vanderbilt sharpshooter fails to provide much else outside of his shooting ability. He doesn’t create much offensively and didn’t do anything spectacular on defense at the collegiate level. I don’t want to speak incorrectly, but I don’t think the Knicks took Nickel with the expectation that he was going to be an All-NBA level performer. They know what they’re drafting and that’s a big wing that can space the floor. In today’s NBA there is no lack of demand for players that meet those requirements. If Nickel can continue to be a shooting specialist and be an average defender, he can truly carve a career out for himself in the league.
Henri Veesaar
2.22 to Atlanta Hawks
I am admittedly a fan of the center position. So going this deep into the draft without listing a big-guy was truly heart wrenching. Henri Veesaar is another prospect that was expected to go towards the backend of the first round. The Hawks finding him here at pick 52 is a shock to say the least. Veesaar is a true 7-footer with touch, the ability to facilitate, and a respectable 3- point jump shot. The Estonian big man showed flashes in 2025 at Arizona, but really came into his own after transferring to North Carolina. He averaged 17 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks with the Tarheels. Veesaar’s skilled offensive abilities are admirable, but his 42.6% shooting from beyond the arc on 3 attempts per game is really what got some scouts interested. The downside for Veesaar is his lack of mobility. He’s not going to run the floor on offense and can get taken advantage of by quicker players on defense. Despite this limitation, the value of this selection for the Hawks is incredible. Getting a first round talent in the second round is always something that should have fans excited. Veesaar could immediately fit into the Hawks rotation as a backup center that can stretch the floor.
Ugonna Onyenso
2.23 to Detroit Pistons
Before we get into anything else, Ugonna Onyenso had the best draft reaction of anyone in the 2026 class. He was present in the green room for Day 2 and looked absolutely shocked when his name was announced. After the shock, he was full of joy with a hint of comedy during his interviews. Simply put you could say Onyenso showed a lot of self awareness which is exactly how I’d describe his game on the court. He is an athletic rim protector. He knows his role and doesn’t provide much else outside of that. Onyenso was a journeyman throughout his college career. He played his first two seasons at Kentucky, then one at Kansas State, before finally ending up at Virginia. As a Cavalier, he led the nation in blocks (2.9 per game) while playing only 18.6 minutes per game. I don’t have all the data, but I’m assuming that has to be among the lowest minutes per game of a player drafted in the modern era. He doesn’t provide much offensively and isn’t an outstanding rebounder. However, he has impeccable timing and feel as a rim protector. His limited skillset and role in college are definitely some cause for concern. However, Onyenso will likely look to play a very similar role in the NBA. His role for the Pistons would be an active big that anchors their defensive, which is exactly what he did in college.
Well there you have it. Those are my 12 favorite picks of the 2026 NBA Draft. As always, give me some leniency and let’s wait a few years before truly judging these players too harshly. There was a lot of excitement in this draft and I’m confident these prospects will live up to the billing. With that being said, I have a bone to pick with the NBA. Why are we making it so hard to figure out where these players are going? These young men are fulfilling their life-long dream and the NBA gives them a hat for a team that they’ll never play for. This is the happiest moment of their lives, let’s make sure the players and their families know exactly what’s going on. I know there’s a reason behind the madness, but surely there’s a better way to do it. Like seriously it isn’t that complicated. Thank you for listening to that brief rant. Now let’s count down the days until we get to see these young stars make their NBA debuts.