NBA draft 2026 first-round winners and losers: triumph of the tankers and the Jalen Brunson Effect
Summary
The 2026 NBA draft saw teams that purposely lost games (tanked) in the previous season benefit by getting top new players before new anti-tanking rules start. The success of guard Jalen Brunson, who led the New York Knicks to a title, influenced many teams to select scoring guards early in the draft. Some big men were chosen to support star players on the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.Key Facts
- The Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls, all tanking teams, got top picks in the NBA draft.
- AJ Dybantsa was selected first overall by the Wizards to join stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
- Six guards were picked in the top 10, inspired by Jalen Brunson’s recent NBA championship performance with the Knicks.
- New big men like Aday Mara and Jayden Quaintance were chosen to strengthen the Thunder and Spurs.
- Labaron Philon Jr, a skilled guard, fell to 22nd pick because of the strong guard class and will back up starters on the 76ers.
- Dusty May became the Dallas Mavericks head coach and saw his former player Morez Johnson Jr drafted 9th, which some see as a reach.
- The draft is noted for surprise picks and potential blockbuster trades, though the article cuts off before detailing them fully.
- New rules against tanking will start next season, but did not affect this draft’s outcomes.
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