NBA Draft Winners: Wizards, Warriors, Bulls, OKC and Grizzlies

The NBA Draft is always part projection, part gamble, and part organizational philosophy test. Some teams draft for upside, others for fit, and a few manage to do both. The 2026 NBA Draft felt deeper than most, with elite wings, dynamic guards, and several high-upside big men available throughout the first round. When the dust settled, a handful of franchises clearly positioned themselves better for the future.

The teams that did the best in this draft were the Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Chicago Bulls. Each walked away with talent that addressed major needs while also raising their long-term ceiling.

Washington Wizards

The biggest winner of all may have been the Washington Wizards. After another brutal season, Washington landed the No. 1 overall pick and selected AJ Dybantsa, widely viewed as the best player in the class. Dybantsa brings the kind of franchise-altering upside that teams spend years searching for. At 6-foot-9 with elite shot creation, athleticism, and defensive versatility, he projects as the modern NBA superstar every front office covets.

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins emphasized the significance of the pick.

“We believe AJ has the mentality and work ethic to become a franchise cornerstone,” Dawkins said after the selection. “He impacts winning on both ends.”

That sentiment matches what scouts have said for months. Dybantsa isn’t simply a scorer—he creates offense for teammates, defends multiple positions, and has the competitive edge rebuilding teams desperately need. For Washington, this draft wasn’t just about adding talent; it was about establishing identity.

Dybantsa sounded ready for the challenge.

“I want to help change the culture,” he said. “I know what this city expects, and I’m ready to work.”

That quote matters. Rebuilding franchises need stars who embrace pressure rather than avoid it. Washington finally has one.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies also had a tremendous draft, selecting Cameron Boozer at No. 3. Boozer may end up being the most NBA-ready player in the class. He combines strength, polished footwork, rebounding, and basketball IQ in a way that feels unusually advanced for a young forward.

For Memphis, Boozer represents a perfect fit next to their core. He adds frontcourt scoring and toughness while complementing the team’s existing stars.

Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo praised Boozer’s maturity.

“What stands out is his feel for the game,” Iisalo said. “He processes the floor like a veteran.”

That is exactly what makes Memphis dangerous. They did not just draft talent—they drafted reliability. Boozer’s floor is high, and his ceiling is All-Star caliber.

Boozer also carries championship pedigree. His father, Carlos Boozer, played at a high level in the NBA, and Cameron has clearly absorbed professional habits early.

“I’ve been around this league my whole life,” Boozer said. “I understand what it takes.”

Memphis added a player who should contribute immediately while still having room to grow into a franchise centerpiece. That is draft gold.

Golden State

The Golden State Warriors may have made the most fascinating selection of the night. At No. 11, they landed Yaxel Lendeborg, a player many analysts considered one of the steals of the draft. Golden State has built its dynasty around intelligence, versatility, and ball movement. Lendeborg checks every box.

He rebounds, defends multiple positions, passes well, and thrives in transition. More importantly, he fits the Warriors’ system immediately.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made the philosophy clear.

“We look for players who understand winning basketball,” Dunleavy said. “Yaxel plays the game the right way.”

That statement perfectly summarizes why Golden State had such a strong draft. They did not chase flash. They chased functionality.

Coach Steve Kerr has long valued players who think quickly and move without the ball. Lendeborg could thrive under that system.

“This is the perfect place to learn,” Lendeborg said. “I want to earn everything.”

For a Warriors team balancing contention with transition, this pick felt ideal.

Chicago Bulls

Then there are the Chicago Bulls, a team that quietly had one of the best draft nights in basketball. Chicago selected Caleb Wilson at No. 4 and added more depth later in the round.

Wilson’s value lies in his two-way versatility. He can defend multiple positions, finish above the rim, and stretch the floor. In today’s NBA, those players are enormously valuable.

One league executive reportedly told media, “Wilson might end up outperforming where he was drafted because of how scalable his skill set is.”

That term—scalable—is key. Some players need the offense built around them. Wilson enhances whatever system he joins.

Chicago needed athleticism and upside, and they found both.

Bulls coach (interim) praised Wilson’s defensive tools.

“He has elite instincts,” he said. “Those are hard to teach.”

That should excite Bulls fans. Chicago has spent years trying to establish consistency. Wilson could help stabilize both ends of the floor.

Oklahoma City

An underrated winner was the Oklahoma City Thunder. Already one of the league’s smartest organizations, Oklahoma City selected Aday Mara, adding size and skill to an already loaded roster.

The scary part? They didn’t need immediate production.

That freedom allows the Thunder to develop Mara patiently. His combination of size, passing, and rim protection gives Oklahoma City another unique weapon.

Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti has built a reputation for seeing value before everyone else.

“We stay disciplined to our process,” Presti has often said.

That process continues to pay off.

Ultimately, the best draft classes are judged years later. Some players will exceed expectations; others will disappoint. But if we are grading the 2026 NBA Draft today, the Wizards, Grizzlies, Warriors, and Bulls clearly separated themselves.

Washington may have found a superstar in AJ Dybantsa. Memphis landed a polished future star in Cameron Boozer. Golden State found a perfect system fit in Yaxel Lendeborg. Chicago added a modern two-way forward in Caleb Wilson.

The best drafts are not always about making the splashiest move. They are about aligning talent with vision.

These teams did exactly that.

And because of it, they may have changed their futures in one night.

Michael J. Wilson-The Daily Waiver

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