2026 NBA Draft Awards
Following the first round of the draft, one word defined this draft: conservative. Leaving the first round, I could only think of one pick I would say I disagreed with, but even that pick I still understand the idea behind it. This might be the first draft in years where off-rip there is no draft pick that gets clowned on.
I think the potential reasoning behind it might just be the depth in this draft. With so many good players in this class, most players rarely felt like a reach.
The Bill Simmons ‘WOAH!?” Award: Morez Johnson at #9 Overall TO Dallas
The award named after one of the most iconic blunders in this century of the NBA Draft.
While there were no picks that I would say were bad picks, so the worst pick in this draft might be the only one I would say is the most underwhelming. Morez Johnson will obviously be linked to Dusty May, but this feels way more like a Masai Ujiri pick than a Dusty May pick.
Over his time in Toronto, Ujiri valued versatile wing prospects who rarely have true weaknesses. On paper, Morez fits pretty well given his defensive versatility and him next to Cooper Flagg creates a nasty potential defensive duo.
The hope with Johnson is that he grows into a stretch four who is a defensive anchor. His defense is incredibly valuable in a league where slow-footed bigs are constantly attacked, Morez is able to stay on practically 1-5, but mainly on forwards and bigs but won’t get fried by an opposing guard.
While the pick can be confusing, unlike a lot of confusing and bad picks and prior drafts, there is a true understanding and motivation behind it.
The Facebook Marketplace Award For Best Value: LaBaron Philon Jr To Philadelphia
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While Philon fell far past where I expected, it ended up potentially helping him in his long term development. After years of being seen as a defensive minded guard, Philon showed an ability as a hyper-efficient scorer who has just an innate skill with the ball in his hands.
In Philadelphia, he already fills a need that the 76ers lacked throughout the season: A backup guard. During the season, while not becoming a big issue, the heavy minutes load of VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey shouldn’t be something they try to keep going into next season.
Philon joining Philly also helps a bench that once the playoffs began, it became clear that they didn’t have a lot of players they could rely on in a series. Philon might not become the lead guard for Philly, but his role will be an immediate help.
The Underrated Pick Award: Cameron Carr to the Lakers
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Going into the draft, Cameron Carr was seen as a top 15 pick and ended up like Philon falling into the mid 20s. After transferring from Tennessee to Baylor, Carr showed the ability as a high-flying tweener with the upside as a 3&D player in the league. Tim Legler brought up a good idea of what his role in LA could be with Luka, with Doncic’s former teammate Derrick Jones Jr.
Next to Luka, Carr adds more wing depth and another guy Luka could trust to give the ball to and what sounds more fun to Luka: more lobs. For the Lakers, trading up without any other picks to get a guy that fills a need at wing, which outside of Rui Hachimura-who’s a free agent-was severely lacking.
While not the usual flashy guy LA usually takes, Carr comes in as a guy who can impact the Lakers chances at winning immediately.
Best Overall First Round: Memphis Grizzlies
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Going into the draft, Memphis while having the most first-round picks behind OKC for the next five years, lacked second-round picks. By the end of the first round by trading selections Bennett Stirtz and Ebuka Okorie to OKC and Detroit respectively, they acquired seven second-round picks while still getting a great pick at 21.
Obviously Cam Boozer is the big name within all of this, as he should. Memphis got a #1 overall pick level talent at three who can be a great fit next their core of Cedric Coward and Zach Edey. Boozer’s ability as a playmaker and post player have already been said ad nauseam but their’s a reason why: he is just so good at it.
Adding Karim Lopez at 21 was another good addition. While not likely becoming Franz Wager like many comps suggested. Lopez adds value as a connector with the upside as wing with great downhill ability at an early age.
After a turbulent last few years, through no fault of their own, Zach Kleiman and co. might be building another good era of Grizzlies basketball. Hopefully unlike the previous, this one sticks.
Best Draft Pick: Darryn Peterson to Utah
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Undoubtedly the best pick in the draft.
Peterson going to Utah brings immediate help and upside for a team looking to ascend from the trenches of the past few seasons.
Peterson in high school and at Kansas, proved even in limited minutes at Kansas to be the most talented player in this class. His change of speed, size, and shooting ability feels otherworldly compared to other guards in this class.
The best example was against #1 pick Aj Dybantsa and BYU. While only playing the first half, Peterson looked like a four-year college player getting everything he wanted and the signature dunk that became an immediate highlight.
Peterson feels like the perfect definition of this class in general. Players who while most were freshman’s and just young in general, in their schools and clubs looked like seasoned veterans immediately.