NBA Draft grades: 8 'A' picks from 2026 first-round

NBA Draft grades spotlights the 2026 first round and assigns evaluations to selections, emphasizing that eight teams received A-grade or better marks from SB Nation draft expert Ricky O’Donnell. The grading balances where players sat on the NBA big board before the draft and how well they fit their teams. O’Donnell frames last year as a benchmark for “elite fit,” citing Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Kon Knueppel’s A-grades. Among the top tier, he awards an A+ for the No. 3 pick, Cameron Boozer, calling him the clear best player in the class with skills spanning shooting, rebounding, isolation scoring, and passing. Memphis is praised for a potential culture-shaping addition. He gives an A to Caleb Wilson at No. 4, noting 67 slams in 24 games at North Carolina and encouraging offensive upside if he improves as a shooter and ball handler, while tracking defensive development. Another A-grade mentioned is for prospect Flemings, despite concerns about size for an NBA point guard, citing athleticism and game intelligence.