The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is underway on Tuesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. In a deep draft class, there's sure to be plenty of relevant rookies for fantasy basketball managers going into 2026-27. Yahoo analyst Dan Titus will be sharing his live grades for each pick in the top-14 during the first round, updated after each pick.
No. 1 Pick: Washington Wizards — AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
Dybantsa joins a Washington team where he can contribute immediately. At 6'9" with a 7'0.5" wingspan, Dybantsa’s size and athleticism will translate well at the next level. He averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game in his only collegiate season. His 3-ball needs work (33.1%), but otherwise, he’s one of the best offensive talents in his class. Teaming up with a playmaker like Trae Young will be good for him, and he’ll complete what’s becoming a formidable frontcourt with Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr and (potentially) Anthony Davis. I like Dybantsa’s ability to get to the rim and he should be a draftable fantasy asset from jump. Nice pick, Wiz.
Grade: A
No. 2 Pick: Utah Jazz — Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Peterson enters the league with some concerns over his availability after his lone season at Kansas was derailed by cramping, ankle and hamstring issues. It’s funny that he ended up with the Jazz after not working out for them —similar to Ace Bailey last season. I like the fit, though, as he slots in as their shooting guard of the future, with Keyonte George running point with a large, rangy frontcourt. Peterson played off-ball primarily in Kansas’ system, but has some playmaking chops. Still, he’s a pure scorer at heart. Standing at nearly 6-foot-6, the two-way guard averaged 20.2 points and shot 38.2% from 3. There are a lot of mouths to feed, so it’s not a slam dunk from a fantasy perspective, but getting a starting role is a good start.
Grade: B
No. 3 Pick: Memphis Grizzlies — Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
Boozer could have easily been a No. 1 pick if you’re evaluating strictly on the numbers — regular or advanced, he’s top of the class. Efficiency. Production. Eye test. He checks every box. Posting 23-10-4 with 55/39/79 shooting splits is a strong profile for any player, let alone a forward who can also play center. The son of former Jazz All-Star Carlos Boozer, he lands in a spot where he can thrive next to or spell Zach Edey and GG Jackson II. With a team in the midst of a rebuild, bringing in a player of Boozer’s profile and stature is massive. He’ll make an impact right away and this is a far better landing spot than Washington or Utah.
