2026 NBA DRAFT | POTENTIAL SUPERSTARS?

The 2024 NBA Draft and the 2025 NBA Draft are viewed in contrasting ways. On one hand, the 2024 NBA Draft is seen as one of the least favorable because, except for Stephon Castle and, in some ways, Alex Sarr, Donovan Clingan, and Matas Buzelis, the most the draft class can produce are either fringe starters or noteworthy second-string players.

I mean, Zaccharie Risacher averaged less than four points in just eight minutes per game and played only three of Atlanta's six playoff games.

Also, what the hell is happening with Ron Holland, Tidjane Salaun, Rob Dillingham, and Cody Williams?

Meanwhile, the 2025 NBA Draft's Top 5 is viewed as special, with Cooper Flagg leading the way for Dallas' future, Kon Knueppel doing the same in Charlotte, and VJ Edgecombe and Ace Bailey also expected to break out in their sophomore seasons.

Also, did you see how mature Dylan Harper's game looked when he played out of his mind for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Playoffs? I mean, that's just the top tier of the class.

Next season, we might also see an increase in workload for the likes of Jeremiah Fears, Collin Murray-Boyles, Derik Queen, and Cedric Coward.

Again, the difference between these rookie classes is night and day.

And the thing about the 2026 NBA Draft is that I feel it's a mix of both classes.

There are future superstars in the draft, much like the 2025 class, but at the same time, there are helpful cogs similar to those found in the 2024 class. I know it's hard to replicate the legendary 1996 NBA Draft, in which players like Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Peja Stojakovic, and Jermaine O'Neal were selected outside the Top 10, but the 2026 draft class has a lot of promising prospects.

And now, let me share some insights on the top five players in the draft.

Also, I binged a lot of anime around the time of the draft, which is why the images here resemble anime characters.

Game starts now.

5 | KEATON WAGLER | LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

The only way to push the Indiana Pacers further into trouble with this trade is if Keaton Wagler makes beautiful music alongside Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland, and Bennedict Mathurin. Obviously, the Los Angeles Clippers saw the need to select the best option available to them. But while this is all well and good, Wagler's rise could depend on what the Clippers do in the offseason.

Mathurin's contract is up this year, and he will likely explore options that could raise his current $9 million annual salary. If Mathurin re-signs, what does that mean for Wagler's playing time? I know the NBA still embraces small-ball and positionless basketball, but having Leonard, Garland, Mathurin, and Wagler as the core alongside their best rebounding big man (John Collins or Brook Lopez) could create some challenges.

And what about Kawhi? Either The Claw leaves the Clippers rather than spend the remainder of his prime in uncertainty, or he stays and fulfills the rest of his contract. For Wagler, Kawhi leaving would be ideal because it would create an opportunity for a new star to emerge in Los Angeles. That said, he also needs Kawhi around to mentor him and perhaps anoint him as the franchise's next star, rather than having Garland, Wagler, and possibly Mathurin figure out the pecking order among themselves.

4 | CALEB WILSON | CHICAGO BULLS

Of all the names on the list, Caleb Wilson is my best bet to win Rookie of the Year. Chicago just tore down its lineup and is now firmly in rebuilding mode, which means the team will likely lean on its young players to deliver. Again, they already have Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis leading the way, and adding a third piece in Wilson would be huge.

And yes, I know Wilson is the consolation prize after missing out on the Dybantsa-Peterson-Boozer sweepstakes, but we all know how well Chicago has treated players from the North Carolina Tar Heels. I'm not saying he's their forward and 2026 version of Michael Jordan, but if he somehow turns into one, what a story that would be.

I also think this could mean the Bulls will start trimming some of their unwanted contracts. Guys like Collin Sexton, Zach Collins, and Anfernee Simons will likely test free agency when the opportunity arises. If that happens, Chicago could pursue players who fit better alongside Wilson.

Also, can the Bulls just find a way to trade Patrick Williams? It's like he's their version of Marvin Williams or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He's been with the Bulls since 2020 and has little to show for it. Then again, maybe he could become the Scottie Pippen to Caleb Wilson's Michael Jordan.

Am I crazy for thinking that?

3 | CAMERON BOOZER | MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

I was hoping Cameron Boozer would either go second or fourth. I liked Carlos Boozer's game back when he was playing, and I thought his stints with Utah and Chicago were excellent. That said, Cameron landed in Memphis, which is a wasteland at this point.

The team is in such rough shape right now that its top scorers last season were Ty Jerome, who played only 15 games, Ja Morant, who appeared in just 20 games, and Jaren Jackson Jr., who has since been traded to the Utah Jazz. Basically, all Cameron Boozer needs to do is adjust to the coach's system, play the way he did at Duke, and stay healthy.

Maybe a one-two punch with Morant will help elevate his stock, but Ja also needs to turn his career around. Morant is under contract through 2028, and he needs to figure out how to play at his best under the guidance of Tuomas Iisalo.

Boozer is certainly an attractive bet to win Rookie of the Year, but he also needs to understand that Ja Morant wants his superstar status back. On top of that, there's the challenge of going from a contender like Duke to a directionless situation in Memphis.

2 | DARRYN PETERSON | UTAH JAZZ

If the Utah Jazz decide to keep Lauri Markkanen, I think they might have a credible starting five that can compete in the league next season. That's the feeling I get after they acquired Darryn Peterson.

And let me just say this: they owe it to Salt Lake City after the debacle they put their fans through last season.

I mean, what's worse than load management than benching your starters in the fourth quarter, anyway? They have Markkanen, Peterson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ace Bailey, and Keyonte George now. It's a mix of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming stars. I don't know if they can keep Walker Kessler from leaving for another team, but we might see a Detroit-like situation developing in Utah when you think about it.

And I have to say, I think they need to keep Kevin Love as the veteran former champion who knows how to win, even in a Udonis Haslem-type role. Of their players, Kessler and Jusuf Nurkic are the most likely to explore other options during the offseason. Perhaps they can keep Kessler by moving on from Nurkic, who was making $19 million this season.

I know George and Peterson have very similar playing styles, but as a former 16th overall pick, George could easily be exchanged for a stronger player if they can't play well together. And sure, Darryn Peterson might end up competing with Bailey for the title of the team's top young star, but if the Jazz play their cards right, they could contend for the league's most improved team next season.

1 | AJ DYBANTSA | WASHINGTON WIZARDS

So now we're down to the top pick. And I must say, maybe the Washington Wizards really have something in AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa can flat-out ball, and he's ready to become the face of the Washington franchise. But let's not get carried away by the hype. The situation matters just as much as the talent.

AJ is entering the league in a situation somewhat similar to Cooper Flagg's in Dallas. Yes, AJ is a projected superstar, but he's also joining a team with established players. Flagg's rise happened because Kyrie Irving was out for the season, Anthony Davis got injured and was eventually traded, and while Klay Thompson understands how to thrive within a system, he's also a veteran who is nearing the end of his career.

Remember that Jason Kidd even tested Flagg at point guard because he felt it wouldn't disrupt team chemistry.

Ugh.

In Washington, Dybantsa has to contend with a healthy Trae Young and Anthony Davis (hopefully), plus Alex Sarr, who was arguably the Wizards' best player last season. I also think we're sleeping on Tre Johnson, who had a respectable rookie campaign.

And what about their bench? Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, and Will Riley all averaged double figures last season. All three will be in the 20-to-25 age range by the time next season rolls around, and I doubt they're eager to give up what they've worked for just because a highly touted newcomer has arrived.

Yes, we can expect their numbers to dip with a fully healthy lineup, but I doubt they'll be content to sit back and let things happen without putting up a fight.

I get it. Dybantsa is the best player in the 2026 NBA Draft. But he's also entering a program filled with players trying to either reclaim their superstar status or survive the NBA's constant roster turnover.

Dybantsa could be the missing piece that pulls the Wizards out of the gutter, but he could also end up in an Andrew Wiggins-type role. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but when you have three alpha personalities on one team along with a group of scrappy supporting players, there are only two outcomes. Either the team implodes from within, or it creates a new dynamic in the Eastern Conference where the Washington Wizards suddenly become legitimate contenders.

PICK	PLAYER	TEAM	NOTES
1	AJ DYBANTSA | F BYU COUGARS	WAS
2	DARRYN PETERSON | G KANSAS JAYHAWKS	UTA
3	CAMERON BOOZER | F DUKE BLUE DEVILS	MEM
4	CALEB WILSON | F N. CAROLINA TAR HEELS	CHI
5	KEATON WAGLER | G ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILINI	LAC	2026 - MATHURIN / ZUBAC TRADE
6	MIKEL BROWN, JR. | G LOUISVILLE CARDINALS	BRO
7	DARIUS ACUFF, JR. | G  ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS	SAC
8	KINGSTON FLEMINGS | G HOUSTON COUGARS	ATL	2025 - RIGHTS TO DERIK QUEEN
9	MOREZ JOHNSON, JR. | C MICHIGAN WOLVERINES	DAL
10	BRAYDEN BURRIES | G ARIZONA WILDCATS	MIL
11	YAXEL LENDEBORG | F MICHIGAN WOLVERINES	GSW
12	ADAY MARA | C MICHIGAN WOLVERINES	OKC	2019 - SHAI / GEORGE TRADE
13	NATE AMENT | F   TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS	MIL	2026 - GIANNIS / HERRO TRADE
14	HANNES STEINBACH | F   WASHINGTON HUSKIES	CHA
15	DAILYN SWAIN | F   TEXAS LONGHORNS	CHI	2021 - MARKKANEN TRADE
16	BENNETT STIRTZ | G   IOWA HAWKEYES	MEM	2025 - DESMOND BANE TRADE
17	EBUKA OKORIE | G   STANFORD CARDINAL	OKC	2020 - AL HORFORD TRADE
18	CHRISTIAN ANDERSON | G  TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS	CHA	2025 - DESMOND BANE TRADE 2025 - NURKIC / MICIC TRADE
19	ALLEN GRAVES | F  SANTA CLARA BRONCOS	TOR
20	JAYDEN QUAINTANCE | C   KENTUCKY WILDCATS	SAS	2022 - DEJOUNTE / GALLINARI TRADE
21	KARIM LOPEZ | F  NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS	DET	2026 - JADEN IVEY TRADE
22	LABARON PHILON, JR. | G  ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE	PHI	2019 - WESTBROOK TRADE 2026 - MCCAIN TRADE
23	ZUBY EJIOFOR | C ST. JOHN'S RED STORM	ATL	2025 - DE'ANDRE HUNTER TRADE
24	CAMERON CARR | G  BAYLOR BEARS	NYK
25	SERGIO DE LARREA | F  VALENCIA (SPAIN)	LAL
26	TARRIS REED | C  UCONN HUSKIES	DEN
27	CHRIS CENAC, JR. | F  HOUSTON COUGARS	BOS
28	JOSHUA JEFFERSON | F  IOWA STATE CYCLONES	MIN	2026 - JADEN IVEY TRADE
29	ALEX KARABAN | F  UCONN HUSKIES	CLE	2022 - DEJOUNTE / GALLINARI TRADE 2025 - DE'ANDRE HUNTER TRADE
30	KOA PEAT | F  ARIZONA WILDCATS	PHO	2026 - MIDDLETON / DAVIS TRADE

Anyway, those are my takes. As for the best landing spots, Milwaukee just lost Giannis Antetokounmpo, which means Brayden Burries and Nate Ament have a real opportunity to develop into stars.

And maybe you can decide for yourself which first-round picks you think will make the biggest impact next season.

Get Sydrified.