The Sports Page: Final Draft

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the 2026 NBA Draft

The World Cup group stage has captivated our attention with scintillating action and dramatic results. Cape Verde just tied Uruguay 2-2, becoming my new favorite team besides the ones to which I am bound by blood (Korea) or by oath (USA), plus England and the Netherlands, who I like for random reasons for which I am consistently punished. Also, the name of the Verdean goalkeeper, Vozinha, is really fun to hear the commentators try to navigate without triggering FCC violations. I suspect some glitches in the broadcast audio during their games were a result of over-zealous censorship software.

But tonight, we remember that we are Americans, and turn our attention to the actual most important event in world sport. I speak, of course, of the NBA Draft. Remember, this is the last draft before the new rules attempting to curb tanking kick in. As the picks unfold, I will be evaluating the teams’ decisions in real time and pouring scorn upon some usual suspects, while praising others. For player evaluations, I will be using an updated version of my triangulated comp, as playing 82-0 has rekindled my memory of old-time players and expanded my palette. Most noticeably, for some players, I am using more than 3 comps, so “triangulation” may not be the right term.

It must be noted that the biggest news of the day, to many, has already transpired. Giannis Antetokoumpo, the much coveted but oft-injured Greek Freak, has been traded by the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat, for a Pu Pu Platter¹ of players and picks. He will have barely any good teammates save Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell – the former positionally and the latter actuarially redundant with him, but he is likely not bothered by this. He made it to South Beach (and avoided Boston), which seemed to be his objective from the beginning. Lake-effect snow will do that to a person, so I will not judge. I just don’t want to hear him claim that he forced the move because he “wanted to win championships”.²

Losing out on Giannis puts the Boston Celtics in a difficult position, as the asset most likely offered in return during negotiations was Jaylen Brown, NBA Finals MVP in 2024 and the Celtics’ longest-tenured player. Nice to know your contributions are valued. Brown has always been moody and his default mode is to operate with a gigantic chip on his shoulder. If he is not sufficiently placated, or swiftly moved to another team, he will spend the upcoming season making things awkward and possibly ugly for the Celtics.

Well, let’s get to it. The 2026 NBA Draft is underway!

• Oh, wow, this is interesting. They are doing a full gametime starting lineup intro for all the prospects in attendance, with the same kind of ominously dramatic theme music playing as they walk out onto stage. They are being introduced in alphabetical order, with their schools/clubs, positions, heights, and sometimes a blurb about their accomplishments or attributes. “He was the SEC Freshman of the Year!”

• Just found out AJ Dybantsa’s full first name is “Anicet” - pronounced “Uh-knee-say”. Something I think I should have been warned about earlier.

• Darryn Peterson actually does look a little bit like Kobe. Both he and Dybantsa have what I call, “The Good Face” - borrowing a phrase baseball scouts use to justify their favorable judgement about a prospect. They are simply handsome guys who have the look of a leader and successful superstar. I have heard someone wax poetically about Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen having faces “like African kings”³, and how that made them champions. Facial profiling is a pseudo-science that has been practiced for ages across many cultures. Korean companies would often have a “face-reader” in the panel at hiring interviews. I am not above predicting success based on the facial features of NBA prospects, because for whatever reason, I believe there is something to it. The last seriously ugly top NBA star I can recall is Russell Westbrook, but his is a “fierce ugly”. You could say Clyde Drexler got ugly with age. Joakim Noah, I guess, but he falls a bit short of superstardom. Derrick Rose had major acne, but generally was a handsome man. Derrick White is ugly, if you ask my kids. Jalen Brunson is pretty ugly, too, but his face grows on you.

1. AJ Dybantsa (Power Forward, BYU) - Washington Wizards

   Triangulated Comp: Antawn Jamison, Short Kevin Garnett, Pascal Siakam, Tracy McGrady

   As expected, Anicet goes first to my hometown Wiz! The TMac comparison has been thrown around in the blogosphere, and I don’t buy it, but I include it here because the other comps are not quite accurate either. I actually will go with “short Kevin Garnett”, which is not as great as it sounds. By all accounts, a high-character individual with leadership attributes, and this may have boosted him above Peterson to the top spot. He is a long and lean 3 (small forward) in a 4 (power forward)’s body who is just beginning to discover his potential as a high-volume scorer. Washington will be forced to move some forwards to make room for him. I am excited for the team’s future, though. The Wizards were basically the San Antonio Spurs without Wemby - including both having a Champagnie brother. Adding a top talent to Washington narrows that gap.

2. Darryn Peterson (Shooting Guard, Kansas) - Utah Jazz

   Triangulated Comp: George Gervin, Bradley Beal, Latrell Sprewell, Devin Booker

   A smooth shooting guard with ideal size and superb balance, Peterson is generally considered the best talent on the board. However, he comes with a number of question marks concerning his durability and makeup as a result of missing multiple games due to injury, but also some others without a clear reason. However, scouts are claiming that he has more upside and has consistently outplayed AJ Dybantsa head to head. Therefore, the best-case scenario comp has been upgraded to George “Ice Man” Gervin, although Booker is closer to his playing style. Hey, at least I’m not saying “Kobe”, which some are daring to say. The concerns are now encapsulated in the comp to Sprewell, as I dropped the worst case scenario of Ron Mercer.

3. Cameron Boozer (Power Forward, Duke) - Memphis Grizzlies

   Triangulated Comps: Charles Oakley, Paul Millsap, Al Horford, short Carlos Boozer - and short Tim Duncan (!!!)

   Fundamentally sound and polished big who isn’t that big. His acumen and high floor comes partly from being the son of former long-time NBA player and former Duke star Carlos. The projected ceiling for him is a bit low, however, as he lacks extreme length (the 6’9” height attributed to him is extremely generous) and he mostly plays below the rim. He can increase his versatility by developing an outside shot, but so far, he has done without. The Tim Duncan quasi-comp is not outrageous - Boozer Jr. will get every contestable rebound and make all sorts of angled layups.

4. Caleb Wilson (Power Forward, UNC) - Chicago Bulls

   Triangulated Comp: Marcus Camby, Chris Bosh, Bobby Portis

   The consensus pick predictions continue to hold. Great pick for Chicago, from North Carolina, no less. A shot-blocking and rebounding force inside with extreme switch-ability outside, he fills a defined role in the NBA immediately but probably will have a limited ceiling unless he develops an outside shot.

5. Keaton Wagler (shooting guard, Illinois) - LA Clippers

   Triangulated Comp: Allan Houston, Klay Thompson, Austin Reaves

   My dark-horse candidate to eventually have the best career out of anyone from this draft. An unconscious long-range scorer with prototypical size who seemingly learned to play good defense right as the postseason started, Wagler has the tools to make us all look foolish. Capable of huge scoring games. I replaced Mitch Richmond with Austin Reaves as a comp, given Wagler’s boyish looks and demeanor. He may allow the Clippers to let go of Kawhi Leonard, or he may fit in alongside the Claw.

6. Mikel Brown Jr. (Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Louisville) - Brooklyn Nets

   Triangulated Comp: Jamal Crawford, Nate McMillan, John Starks

   Brown missed more than a month and the NCAA Tournament due to injury, and his team missed him dearly in their loss against Michigan State. I have very little file on Brown except for the descriptions given on the draft sites, which paint a picture of a tweener guard who can fill multiple roles but who is physically slight of frame. His listed height is shown as being under 6’4”, which makes him more of a regular guard, changes his comps, and diminishes his upside for me.

   So far, all of the draftees are good-looking young men.

7. Darius Acuff Jr. (Point Guard, Arkansas) - Sacramento Kings

   Triangulated Comp: Steve Francis, Derrick Rose, Dame Lilliard

   Acuff has leapt up the mock draft charts to draw comparisons to none other than Allen Iverson⁴ and at one point generated talk of going in the top 4. He is a high volume scorer who thinks defense is optional. Can’t quite figure out if he’s ugly or not because of his huge sunglasses. Maybe he is hiding something.

8. Kingston Flemings (Point Guard, Houston) - Atlanta Hawks

   Triangulated Comp: Chauncey Billups, Stephon Marbury, John Wall, also Derrick Rose

   Ugly Alert! Ugly Alert! A crafty point guard, his production will likely be strongly dependent on having teammates who can catch his passes and score off of them. On the Hawks, that would be Jalen Johnson. Atlanta traded Trae Young away thinking they can replace him in this draft, and Flemings fits the bill. Oh, and I remember now how ugly Trae Young is.

9. Morez Johnson Jr. (power forward, Michigan) - Dallas Mavericks

   Triangulated Comp: Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman, Dale Davis, Myles Turner

   The first clear surprise selection, as Johnson Jr. was expected to go later in the 1st round, around #20-25. Newly hired Dallas coach Dusty May takes the first step towards re-constituting his Michigan lineup in North Texas. Powerful, relentless athlete and versatile defender. Likely drafted with defending against Victor Wembanyama in mind. Pushes Cooper Flagg to the outside.

10. Brayden Burries (point/shooting guard, Arizona) - Milwaukee Bucks

    Triangulated Comp: Joe Dumars, Malcolm Brogdon, Eric Gordon, Malik Monk

    I have no file on Burries, either, but the picture painted by draft experts tells of a well-rounded big guard who can bring instant offense while being respectable on defense. Another possible steal and long-time NBA star to be had in the lower half of the lottery.

11. Yaxel Lendeborg (Power Forward, Michigan) - Golden State Warriors

    Triangulated Comp: Anthony Mason, Shawn Marion on defense (but not on offense), Ron Artest, longer Draymond Green

    The Warriors get their Draymond Green replacement-in-training. Versatile, hard-nosed defensive force that alters the game plans of opponents. Slightly old for a prospect, but maturity and competitiveness are off the charts.

12. Aday Mara (Center, Michigan) - OKC Thunder

    Triangulated Comp: Rik Smits, Kristaps Porzingis, Zach Edey

    Wemby insurance. 7-3 big man who alters shots around the rim. Shooting, passing, and ball-handling make him extremely useful as a pivot on offense. Slow foot-speed limits his defensive upside, but he will make his presence felt inside on both ends. Wolverines keep rolling.

13. Nate Ament (Power Forward, Tennessee) - Miami Heat (traded to Milwaukee)

    Triangulated Comp: Joe Smith, Michael Beasley, Clinton Portis

    The pick traded to Milwaukee for Giannis. Talented, tall, but slight forward who has tremendous upside potential, both offensively and defensively. A new-generation stretch 4 who has range extending to the NBA 3-point line while still doing the usual big-man activities. Doesn’t come close to replacing Giannis or even Clinton Portis - yet.

14. Hannes Steinbach (Center-Forward, Washington) - Charlotte Hornets

    Triangulated Comp: Greg Kite, Mason Plumlee, Isaiah Hartenstein

    Led the nation in rebounding as a freshman. They are playing a video greeting of Dirk Nowitzki, who played with his father for Germany, sending congratulations, but no sound was coming through, which is probably just as well.

15. Dailyn Swain (Guard, Texas) - Chicago Bulls

    Now we’re getting into unknown territory, with totally unexpected picks. I have no file on this guy, and won’t make up comps just yet.

16. Bennett Stirtz (guard, Iowa) - Memphis Grizzlies (traded to OKC)

    Triangulated Comp: Steve Kerr, JJ Redick, Payton Pritchard

    Took his team to the Elite Eight. This year’s representative of the traditional “Midwestern white guy shooting out of his mind” stereotype, his game is more all-around than the stereotype may belie. Defenses have keyed in on him during the tournament, depressing his stats somewhat, but this only proves the effect of his shooting gravity. I think OKC could have done better with this pick to fill in more glaring holes.

17. Ebuka Okorie (Guard, Stanford) - OKC (traded to Memphis Detroit)

    Good Lord, this is getting out of hand. Big surprise here, and a big reach. A shorty point guard who is a microwave scorer. The comps come easily here: Damon Stoudamire, Steve Francis, Isaiah Thomas, Trae Young. Re-traded to Detroit in a follow-up trade.

18. Christian Anderson (Point Guard, Texas Tech) - Charlotte Hornets

    Able facilitator who also scores and defends well. The ESPN crew is saying he is the best pick-and-roll playmaker in this draft. Plays for the German National Team. Not much to distinguish him from Acuff Jr., Flemings, or Okorie, so Charlotte gets good value.

19. Allen Graves (Guard, Santa Clara) - Toronto Raptors

    Another versatile forward who defends well and shoots the three. Also, first utterance of “6-7” I caught so far.

20. Jayden Quaintance (Forward, Kentucky) - San Antonio Spurs

    Oft-injured but tantalizingly talented big man with skillz. Upside play but injury risk is still real, making comps to the likes of Chris Boucher fairly straightforward.

21. Karim Lopez (Forward, Mexico) - Detroit Pistons (traded to Memphis)

    Lopez was projected as high as Top 10 in some early mocks, but the unfamiliarity factor drops him as other prospects showed their stuff in college and other venues. I have no idea what he could be.

22. Labaron Phillon (Point Guard, Alabama) - Philly.

    Triangulated Comp: Mark Price, Hubert Davis, Sam Cassell

    Phillon had ‘Bama leading favorite Michigan at the half with hot 3-point shooting (35 points) and tenacious defense in their matchup Friday, but ultimately went out on his shield against the superior team. His stock has fluctuated over his multiple college stops, but now has settled into a consensus high first rounder who offers maturity and stability at the point. More of a best-player choice than filling a positional need, because Tyrese Maxey ain’t going anywhere.

23. Zuby Ejiofor (Forward, St. John’s) - Atlanta Hawks

    Defensive specialist. Thicc and powerful. I had him going in the second round, but big men are the going commodity this draft, as everyone is looking for someone to defend themselves against Wemby.

24. Cameron Carr (Shooting Guard, Baylor) - New York Knicks (traded to LA Lakers)

    For the first time in living memory, we are faced with the prospect of the Knicks’ pick not getting booed - until it was reported that the pick will be swapped with the Lakers’ pick at #25. Explosive shooter and leaper with large wingspan. Son of former NBA player Chris Carr, who profiled similarly.

25. Sergio De Larrea (Forward, Spain - LA Lakers (traded to New York Knicks)

    First mystery foreign player selection! Never heard of this guy! The Knicks have the luxury of doing this now, but under any other circumstance this would have brought back bad memories of Frederick Weis and would have been booed mercilessly. Not sure why teams trade to move up or down just one place in the draft order, especially at this stage of the draft, and give up assets to get the exact same level of player with your new pick. This kind of pointless maneuvering makes me wonder if there is a gambling prop involved.

26. Tarris Reed Jr. (Center, UConn) - Denver Nuggets (trade to San Antonio)

    Physical and athletic big man who doesn’t shoot from outside. Good if you only care about the rebounding and interior defense.

27. Chris Cenac Jr. (Forward, Houston) - Boston Celtics

    Comps: Nic Claxton, Daniel Gafford, Acie Earl, Alaa Abdelnaby

    After getting manhandled inside by Joel Embiid, Boston takes a big man who isn’t that special, from what I saw during the NCAA Tournament. One of the guys whose performance and stats I thought were inflated by playing with Kingston Flemings Frontcourt depth who probably doesn’t move the needle much for challenging for the title, but if he lives up to the first two comps given, he will have a long career. If he resembles the latter two comps, who I recalled from the Celtics’ extremely bad mid-’90s teams, oh well.

28. Joshua Jefferson (Forward, Iowa State) - Minnesota Timberwolves (traded to Brooklyn Nets)

    Comps: Shawn Livingston, Kyle Anderson, Jalen Johnson

    Jefferson is a skilled point forward, with great court vision and passing ability. Why wouldn’t the Celtics take this guy? This pick was sent to the Nets in the Julius Randle trade, as the ‘Wolves moved to shed salary and won’t be competitive for at least two years. Watch out for an ANT trade demand in three, two,….

29. Alex Karaban (Forward, UConn) - Cleveland Cavaliers (traded to Sacramento Kings)

    Comps: Ed O’Bannon, Shane Battier, Grayson Allen

    Nice college player who college commentators love for “always making the right play”, but the lowest upside pick I can imagine.

30. Koa Peat (Forward, Arizona) - Dallas Mavericks

    Triangulated Comps: Anthony Mason, Corliss Williamson, Boris Diaw

    Yet another short “big” at 6’8”, Peat is a physical specimen and at one point was considered a top-7 prospect. His height and limited role in a juggernaut Arizona team has diminished his stock, but he contributes on both sides of the court.

Well, that’s it for the First Round. 2nd Round coming up later tonight! Also coming up, Korea - South Africa, with advancement to the knockout rounds at stake.

1. A term I first read in a Boston Globe column by Bob Ryan, which is only truly appreciated by Boston-area folks who have eaten at Aku Aku near the Alewife T Station.

2. The list of fake reasons players claim for engineering a move to another team, either in free agency or by demanding a trade, is long and illustrious. My favorite is Mike Hampton (previously of the Mets) claiming he signed with the Colorado Rockies because his wife “liked the school system”. The real reasons always have to do with money, either via a big contract or through the opportunities to be gained in a big media market. Also, no State income tax in Florida and Texas. Climate and nightlife are also an attraction. All three factors are relevant in the Giannis trade.

3. The guy who said this was African American, so I will just assume that this is ok to say.

4. We are not going there and doing crazy talk.