CHICAGO (AP) — Before a single name gets called at next month’s NBA draft, AJ Dybantsa is already making a bold declaration: The 2026 draft class will go down as one of the greatest in league history.
The draft hasn’t even happened yet, but the confidence level among the top prospects is unmistakable.
What unites the players projected to go early in next month’s selection process is their unwavering self-belief. These athletes know their abilities and aren’t shy about expressing their talent level. For the franchises positioned to select these elite players — Washington holding the No. 1 spot, Utah at No. 2, Memphis at No. 3 and Chicago at No. 4 — the coming weeks are filled with excitement and potential.
“Since I’m in this draft class, I’m going to say we’re one of the best draft classes,” said Dybantsa, who topped Division I men’s college basketball in scoring this past season. “We’ll see how that pans out and how our careers pan out, but if you ask me right now, I think we’re one of the best draft classes.”
That’s a reasonable assessment.
While an unexpected trade or medical examination results in the coming weeks could shake things up, current projections suggest Commissioner Adam Silver will announce these four names on June 23: BYU’s Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson.
These aren’t the only talented players available in this draft — not even close. However, there appears to be exceptional star quality among the top-tier prospects, which made Sunday’s draft lottery feel more significant than usual.
“I feel like it can be the best ever,” Wilson said when asked about the Class of 2026’s potential. “We have a deep draft and I feel like everybody wants to play hard and prove themselves. And it’s just a matter of time before we can do that.”
Indiana experienced disappointment after missing out on a selection despite posting the league’s second-worst record this season. The Pacers — who reached the NBA Finals last year — gave up the No. 5 pick to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the trade compensation for center Ivica Zubac, who will certainly benefit Indiana when Tyrese Haliburton returns from his torn Achilles.
Missing the opportunity to acquire some of this year’s available talent was painful for Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard.
“Today, it stings,” Pritchard said. “But wait ’til next season. Let’s give this group an opportunity to go compete for a championship, because they’ve proven they can do it.”
Wizards President Michael Winger appreciates the mathematics involved, understanding that a 14% probability wasn’t particularly favorable. However, it matched everyone else’s odds in the lottery, and ultimately proved sufficient to secure Washington’s No. 1 selection.
What made the difference?
“I don’t have a compelling answer for that. I think that ultimately it was just our time. I think it was time to get that pick,” Winger said. “Whether it’s because there’s a special athlete at the top of the draft that we want or organizationally we’re ready for a player like that, whatever the case may be … the basketball gods decided that this was our year.”
Washington emerged as the primary beneficiary, though they weren’t alone in celebrating.
Oklahoma City secured a lottery selection in this draft thanks to general manager Sam Presti’s years of accumulating both talented players and draft assets. This means the current champions — potentially repeat champions by draft time — will only strengthen their roster further.
The Clippers obtained a top-five selection, Memphis landed the No. 3 choice, Chicago’s rebuilding effort will see the Bulls add an exceptional talent, and Utah — which received a $500,000 fine this year for resting players during fourth quarters — sits at No. 2.
“Agree to disagree,” was Jazz owner Ryan Smith’s famous response when the NBA imposed that half-million-dollar penalty. The philosophy now might be patience; the Jazz possess considerable young talent and will add even more depth in that area.
Jazz guard Keyonte George attended Sunday’s lottery and mentioned that the Jazz are remembering everything — his way of indicating that Utah has noticed all the tanking criticism that followed the team this season.
“We’re going to make sure we go at our own pace, understand we’re a new group and we’re on our journey to something special,” George said. “But yeah, as a group, we’ll have a chip on our shoulder for sure.”
Plenty of basketball remains in the current season. New York has already advanced to the NBA’s final four, waiting for either Cleveland or Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals. Oklahoma City can return to the Western Conference finals on Monday, where they would face either San Antonio or Minnesota.
Nevertheless, draft discussions are gaining momentum. Considering the abundance of talent available, that enthusiasm makes perfect sense.
“A lot of people are saying we’re the best class in the last 10 years,” Peterson said. “So, we’re going to try our best to be that.”
