AJ Dybantsa to Washington, Darryn Peterson Falls to Utah: The 2026 NBA Draft Order Is Finally Here

The lottery balls have fallen, and the 2026 NBA draft board is locked in. After a brutal race to the bottom, we finally know who gets the first crack at the league's top talent when the draft goes down June 23-24 in New York. Here's how the first round is shaping up.

Washington Gets Its Keystone Piece

The Washington Wizards are rolling the dice on AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 overall. The 19-year-old BYU freshman is a 6-foot-9 swingman with serious upside as a dribble penetrator and mid-post operator. What makes Dybantsa such a perfect fit in D.C.? Washington bought low on Trae Young and Anthony Davis midseason, signaling they're sprinting through their rebuild. Dybantsa slots in beautifully between those star acquisitions and the young guys already there, capable of attacking closeouts and slashing into openings while commanding defensive attention from the middle of the floor. Best part? He can develop at his own pace without getting buried in the action.

Utah Takes Consolation Prize, Rest of Top Five Takes Shape

Utah Jazz miss out on the top spot but land a superb consolation prize in Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson at No. 2. The 6-foot-5 guard can play either backcourt spot thanks to his off-ball movement and ability to coexist with other playmakers. The Jazz pushed chips in for Jaren Jackson Jr. and have a massive frontline to free Peterson up on screens, plus Keyonte George running the point and Ace Bailey developing as a wing defender.

Memphis grizzlies grab Duke's Cameron Boozer at No. 3, a 6-foot-9 freshman with high floor and offensive punch that should fill the void if they move on from Ja Morant. Chicago Bulls address their interior void by taking North Carolina's Caleb Wilson at No. 4, a 6-foot-10 physical specimen with all-defense potential. The Los Angeles Clippers land Illinois' Keaton Wagler at No. 5, a late-blooming 6-foot-6 guard with elite 3-point shooting to pair with Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland. Brooklyn Nets round out the top six with Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr., a potent scorer and on-ball initiator who checks the boxes on their wish list.

The draft is June 23-24 in New York. Let's see how these prospects transform their respective franchises.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.