Round 1 of the 2026 NBA draft closed Tuesday with the Washington Wizards grabbing top prospect AJ Dybantsa at No. 1, while the Utah Jazz slid into No. 2 to select guard‑forward Darryn Peterson. Seven trades shuffled picks, the Phoenix Suns landing Koa Peat at No. 30 after the Knicks moved their No. 25 slot to Dallas, which passed it on. The lottery outcome ends frenzy among fans and offices.

Memphis capitalized on the talent drop, taking Duke freshman Cameron Boozer third overall and later maneuvering from No. 16 to No. 21 to snag guard Karim Lopez. The Grizzlies also extracted five future second‑round picks, a move praised by GM Zach Kleiman for loading the franchise with both a potential cornerstone and draft capital in the coming years.

Surprises peppered the night: Dallas reached for Morez Johnson Jr. at No. 9, favoring his rebounding and defensive versatility over higher‑rated peers, while Chicago opted for Dailyn Swain at No. 15 to inject size and athleticism into a rebuilding roster. With Round 2 slated for Wednesday, analysts agree the first round set the tone for a class rich in upside and trade value.