Follow along for every pick of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
NEW YORK — The common thread for the first round of this draft is that it really begins after pick No. 4.
And while, yes, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson are widely viewed as the top four players in the 2026 NBA Draft, this nonetheless projects to be one of the deeper classes we have seen over the past decade – especially at the guard position.
All of which means that there are plenty of ramifications to sort through as the first round unfolds Tuesday, Jan. 23.
Here are the live winners and losers from the 2026 NBA Draft.
WINNERS
AJ Dybantsa and the Wizards
Washington got its man and – suddenly – the Wizards have a mix of young and dynamic talent with veteran leadership. Granted, Washington will likely need some time for Trae Young and Anthony Davis to assimilate into the program, given that they combined to play just five games for Washington, even though both were acquired in January and February.
Either way, Dybantsa is built for the modern NBA; he’s long, athletic and can create his own shot. As long as coach Brian Keefe can get all these pieces to cohere, the Wizards might be a sneaky tough out for the first time in a long time.
The tank pays off for the Jazz
It turns out all that losing paid off. After the Jazz subbed out their best players late in games in an overt attempt to self-sabotage, Utah suddenly looks like the team most likely to make a massive leap next season.
Rookie guard Darryn Peterson now joins Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and last year’s No. 5 overall selection Ace Bailey. Peterson is the most naturally gifted scorer in this class, and the Jazz, who tied for the worst record in the West at 22-60, should contend for a playoff spot next season.
LOSERS
Surprises atop the draft
Picks Nos. 1 through 4 essentially went the way everyone was expecting. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but fans of the draft who were looking for drama simply didn’t get it.
More than anything, that’s a testament to the quality of Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Wilson as players – and how they separated themselves from the rest of the field.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA Draft winners, losers: Why the real intrigue began at No. 5
