Some would say the NBA Draft is the best part of the NBA — especially for college basketball fans. There is nothing quite like watching where your favorite players land and debating how they will fare at the next level. At the end of the day, it is all speculation until the games are played, but that is half the fun. A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer headlined this draft as the top three picks. Now let’s explore the teams that had the best nights in the war room.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are the first clear winner of the 2026 NBA Draft. Atlanta selected Kingston Flemings at eight, Zuby Ejiofor at 23, and Henri Veesaar at 52 — and this crew can flat out play. Flemings is a pure point guard with elite athleticism and an NBA-ready mid-range game. Ejiofor is a high-motor big man who has steadily developed a three-point shot over his college career, and it is worth noting he was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. Veesaar rounds out the class as another capable big man who was projected as a late first-rounder by several draft analysts. Atlanta got three players who can contribute, and they did it across the entire draft board.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings are another clear winner. Sacramento selected Darius Acuff Jr. at pick seven, and there are not six players in this draft class who are better than him — full stop. The SEC Player of the Year is going to be an immediate contributor. The Kings also added Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharp, both of whom bring impressive collegiate résumés and a winning pedigree. This is a draft class built for immediate impact, and Sacramento should be very excited.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets put together a draft class that is going to fly completely under the radar — and that might be exactly how Charlotte wants it. Hannes Steinbach at 14 is a versatile big who had a standout freshman campaign at Washington despite playing on a team that struggled all season, which limited his national exposure. Christian Anderson at 18 is a pure talent — an elite combo guard who averaged over 18 points and 7 assists per game while shooting over 40% from three. Anderson can do it all. The Charlotte Hornets quietly have one of the most promising young cores in the entire league.
Oklahoma City Thunder
At some point, it should be illegal for the Oklahoma City Thunder to keep accumulating young talent — but here we are. Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz, and Otega Oweh make up their 2026 draft class, and it is another excellent haul. Mara is one of the highest-upside big men in this draft, with an elite ability to pass out of the post at his size and a developing jump shot that will make him an absolute weapon at the next level. Stirtz simply knows how to play — he will be one of the more versatile and instinctive guards in the league from day one. Oweh is the cherry on top: a phenomenal athlete with a strong collegiate résumé who fits perfectly into what OKC is building.
Milwaukee Bucks
After trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks needed a reason for optimism — and they found it on draft night. Milwaukee selected Brayden Burries at ten and Nate Ament at 13, giving the franchise two young, highly talented players who will have every opportunity to develop into cornerstones. Both will be stepping into a situation where minutes are available and the pressure to win immediately is low. That is a rare and valuable combination for young prospects, and the Bucks deserve credit for positioning themselves well for the future.
Philadelphia 76ers
Finally, the Philadelphia 76ers deserve recognition for selecting Labaron Philon Jr. at 22. Philon Jr. appears to have slipped due to size concerns, but the Alabama product is a pure bucket getter who will make someone look very smart for taking him where they did. He figures to come off the bench early in his career and carve out a productive role with steady minutes. It would not be the least bit surprising to see Philon Jr. earn a Sixth Man of the Year award at some point in his career. Philadelphia got a steal.
