The 2026 NBA Draft has finally arrived. After months of rumors, speculation and talk about how strong this year’s draft class is, the two-day event from Brooklyn officially began on Tuesday night. All eyes were on the Washington Wizards as they made the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2010, choosing BYU’s AJ Dybantsa over Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, who went No. 2 to the Utah Jazz.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls — owners of the third and fourth picks — will likely have their eyes set on Duke’s Cameron Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson.
2026 NBA Mock Draft: Gary Parrish’s final projections following Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster trade
Gary Parrish
The drama of Day 1 is expected to begin at No. 5 with the Los Angeles Clippers. The strength of this class is at the point guard position, with Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. all expected to be taken in the top 10.
From pick No. 1 all the way to the final pick on Wednesday night, CBS Sports will be handing out team grades in real time with individual selections graded by Director of Basketball Scouting Adam Finkelstein. Follow along as we break down all of the drama as it unfolds.
2026 NBA Draft essentials
Atlanta Hawks
Own picks Nos. 8 (from New Orleans), 23 (from Cleveland) and 57 (from Boston).
Boston Celtics
Own picks Nos. 27 and 40 (from Milwaukee).
Brooklyn Nets
Own picks Nos. 6, 28 (from Minnesota) and 43 (from LA Clippers).
Charlotte Hornets
Own picks Nos. 14 and 18 (from Orlando via Phoenix).
Chicago Bulls
Own picks Nos. 4, 15 (from Portland), 38 (from New Orleans) and 56 (from Denver).
Cleveland Cavaliers
Own pick No. 29 (from San Antonio via Atlanta).
Dallas Mavericks
Own picks Nos. 9, 30 (from Oklahoma City via Washington and Philadelphia) and 48 (from Phoenix via Washington).
Denver Nuggets
Own picks Nos. 26 and 49 (from Atlanta via Brooklyn and Golden State).
Detroit Pistons
Own pick No. 21 (from Minnesota).
Golden State Warriors
Own picks Nos. 11 and 54 (from Los Angeles Lakers via Toronto, Miami and Cleveland).
Houston Rockets
Own picks Nos. 39 (from Chicago via Washington) and 53.
Indiana Pacers
Own no picks.
Los Angeles Clippers
Own picks Nos. 5 (from Indiana), 36 (from Memphis) and 52 (from Cleveland).
Los Angeles Lakers
Own pick No. 25.
Memphis Grizzlies
Own picks Nos. 3, 16 (from Phoenix via Orlando) and 32 (from Indiana via Milwaukee).
Miami Heat
Own pick 41 (from Golden State via Charlotte, New York, Oklahoma City and Atlanta).
Milwaukee Bucks
Own picks No. 10 and No. 13 (from Miami).
Minnesota Timberwolves
Own picks Nos. 33 (from Brooklyn) and 59 (from San Antonio via Indiana)
New Orleans Pelicans
Own pick No. 58 (from Detroit via New York, Brooklyn, Phoenix, Orlando and LA Clippers).
New York Knicks
Own picks Nos. 24, 31 (from Washington via Oklahoma City and Houston) and 55.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Own picks Nos. 12 (from LA Clippers), 17 (from Philadelphia) and 37 (from Dallas).
Orlando Magic
Own pick No. 46.
Philadelphia 76ers
Own pick No. 22 (from Houston via Oklahoma City).
Phoenix Suns
Own pick No. 47 (from Philadelphia via Houston and Oklahoma City).
Portland Trail Blazers
Own no picks.
Sacramento Kings
Own picks Nos. 7, 34 and 45 (from Charlotte via San Antonio, Atlanta and New York).
San Antonio Spurs
Own picks Nos. 20 (from Atlanta), 35 (from Utah via Minnesota), 42 (from Portland via New Orleans) and 44 (from Miami via Indiana).
Toronto Raptors
Own picks Nos. 19 and 50.
Utah Jazz: A
2. Darryn Peterson, PG, Kansas | Grade: A
While there was speculation Utah could select Cameron Boozer at No. 2, the fit with Peterson is much cleaner. Peterson should slot immediately into Utah’s lineup as the starting shooting guard next to Keyonte George and offer versatility because of his ability to play on or off the ball.
Although the Jazz have star power in their starting lineup — which includes George, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., — Peterson is the kind of player who can elevate a franchise to new heights. Peterson primarily played off the ball at Kansas after an up-and-down freshman season that was dominated by headlines about missing 11 games due to cramping. Still, Peterson has the ceiling to be the best player and scorer in the class and should give Utah a potential 1A option down the line.
Washington Wizards: A
1. AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU | Grade: A
After winning the NBA Draft Lottery for the first time since 2010, Washington took the next step toward getting out of the rebuilding stage by drafting Dybantsa. The Wizards had an interesting choice to make between Dybantsa and Peterson at No. 1. In the end, Washington went with the BYU product, who had been mocked at the top spot for several weeks.
Dybantsa is set to join a core in Washington that includes Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Will Riley. After Young signed a four-year, $212 million extension with Washington earlier this week, it made the pick more likely in Dybantsa’s favor.
While Peterson might be a better fit on paper for Washington, Dybantsa offers a completely different skill set. Dybantsa has the upside to be a 1A in the NBA. He is an alpha scorer who will elevate the floor and ceiling of this Washington roster.
Next picks: 51 (from Minnesota via Detroit and New York) and 60 (from Oklahoma City via San Antonio and Miami)
