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The 2026 NBA Draft had enough talent to make a lot of teams happy. My instant draft grades included eight A’s and only three C’s. Teams made sensible decisions throughout the first-round that went about as we expected. In fact, my final mock draft was determined to be the most accurate one on the internet. A lifetime of having no actual skills led to this moment.
I have to admit there were no actual losers from the first-round of the draft — just a few teams where I would have done something different with the pick. Most of my analysis is informed by my evaluations from my final big board. I always believe the draft is about chasing the best player available, while free agency and trades are where teams should maximize fit.
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Let’s dive into some post-draft analysis for our winners and “losers” from round one. Check back in a few years and feel free to call me out on whatever I got wrong.
If you read this site, you know I love Cameron Boozer by now. I think he’s going to be the best player from this draft, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s one day competing for MVPs. I realize that’s a crazy amount of pressure to put on an 18-year-old, but this is the trajectory Boozer has been on from a young age. The Grizzlies landed a franchise player, and if Zach Edey can stay healthy, I think this front court will be totally dominant.
I didn’t love what the Grizzlies did with the second pick, trading back twice and landing another power forward in Karim Lopez, who I wasn’t super high on. Whatever. The Grizzlies’ front office is way smarter than I am. Memphis walked away with the best player in the draft, and that makes them the biggest winner.
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The rich get richer. The Thunder drafted Michigan center Aday Mara at No. 12 and then traded up for Iowa point guard Bennett Stirtz at No. 16 to address the two small holes that existed within their roster. Mara is a giant at 7’3 with a 9’9 standing reach, and he gives OKC another big body to throw at Victor Wembanyama in future playoff matchups. Mara doesn’t have much coverage versatility defensively, but he’s very good in…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nba-draft-5-biggest-winners-153408646.html
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Publish date : 2026-06-24 15:34:00
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