The 2026 NBA Draft delivered a brutal grade sheet from The Washington Post’s Ben Golliver, who sliced through every franchise’s decision-making with surgical precision. Golliver’s post-draft audit graded all 30 teams on their selections, spotlighting front-office acumen—or the lack thereof—after a night of calculated gambles and outright head-scratchers. From franchise-altering steals to baffling reaches, the draft board exposed which teams maximized value and which ones left millions in unrealized potential on the table.
At the top of the class, the Oklahoma City Thunder landed Golliver’s highest praise for a night of surgical value extraction. The Thunder moved down smartly to secure a future first-rounder while adding a defensive anchor in Florida State’s Kyle Filipowski, a player whose two-way profile and NCAA Tournament surge justified the calculated risk. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers earned high marks for swapping into the late lottery to land Arkansas’ Makur Maker, a high-upside big who fits their timeline and fills a roster gap without overpaying.
The Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs also drew acclaim for aggressive but measured swings. Dallas traded down from the 13th spot, absorbing a late first for a pair of second-rounders and landing a developmental wing in Colorado’s Ethan Wright, a player whose shooting and motor profile aligns with the Mavs’ rebuild. The Spurs, meanwhile, outmaneuvered the market to snag Michigan’s Trayce Jackson-Davis at 25, a move that checks the athleticism and rim pressure boxes while staying within their financial comfort zone.
But not every team navigated the night with such clarity. 4 raised eyebrows, with Golliver questioning the logic behind a reach for a player whose fit and upside didn’t align with Orlando’s roster construction. The Phoenix Suns’ decision to move up for Purdue’s Mason Gillis at 21 drew similar scrutiny, with critics arguing the Suns overpaid to address a need that could have been filled later in the draft.
The Sacramento Kings’ selection of Duke’s Jeremy Roach at 27 was another head-scratcher, with Golliver noting the Kings passed on more polished guards to chase upside that didn’t justify the selection’s position. Reactions poured in from around the league, with executives and analysts dissecting the night’s moves. ” Draft-night grades often obscure the long-term stakes.
The Thunder’s Filipowski selection wasn’t just about immediate defense; it was about plugging a 2026-27 roster hole while preserving cap space for a potential superstar pursuit. The Pacers’ Maker move signaled a willingness to bet on positional versatility, a trait that could accelerate Indiana’s timeline if the big man’s shooting touch develops. Meanwhile, the Mavericks’ Wright pick reflected a bet on athleticism over polish, a gamble that could pay off if Dallas’ culture shift fosters player development.
The Spurs’ Jackson-Davis selection underscored a broader league trend: teams are prioritizing athleticism and switchability over traditional post skills. 06 wingspan and 7’4” standing reach allow San Antonio to deploy him as a small-ball five, a necessity in today’s switching-heavy defenses. The Magic’s Miller pick, however, highlighted the risks of drafting for potential without clear positional fit.
Miller’s lack of a defined role—neither a true wing nor a stretch four—could force Orlando into a rebuild they’re not ready to commit to. The 2026 draft also exposed the widening gap between teams that treat the draft as a chess match and those that treat it like a lottery ticket. Teams like Oklahoma City and Indiana operated with a clear hierarchy of needs, drafting players who addressed specific deficiencies while maintaining flexibility.
The Mavericks and Spurs, meanwhile, leveraged their financial prudence to absorb risk in the second round, where the cost of failure is lower but the upside remains significant. Contrast that with teams like Phoenix and Sacramento, where the urgency to address perceived needs led to overpaying for players who may not move the needle. The league’s analytics revolution continues to reshape draft strategy, with teams increasingly prioritizing metrics like wingspan-to-height ratios and defensive versatility over traditional scouting metrics.
Jackson-Davis’ selection epitomizes this shift, as his physical profile aligns with the modern NBA’s demand for multi-positional defenders who can space the floor. Meanwhile, the Thunder’s Filipowski fits the mold of a “positionless” defender, a player who can guard multiple positions while providing rim protection and switchability. What’s next: The draft’s true verdict won’t come for years, but the early returns suggest Oklahoma City and Indiana set the gold standard for front-office discipline.
The Mavericks and Spurs proved that calculated aggression can pay off, while Orlando, Phoenix, and Sacramento face the unenviable task of justifying their decisions to fan bases that expect better. The 2026 class’s development will dictate whether this draft becomes a cautionary tale or a masterclass in asset management. Read at ESPN
Why this matters
Draft grades aren’t just report cards—they’re the first domino in a player’s career valuation. A franchise’s ability to separate signal from noise in a single night can determine whether a roster ascends or stagnates. For fans, these grades offer a rare glimpse into whether their team’s front office is building for the future or chasing headlines. The 2026 class will test every pick, and the early winners may not be the ones who made the loudest moves. The Spurs’ Jackson-Davis selection exemplifies how modern front offices are redefining positional value, while Orlando’s Miller pick serves as a cautionary tale about drafting for upside without a clear role. The analytics-driven shift toward switchable, athletic bigs is reshaping draft boards, and teams that adapt fastest will reap the rewards.
Frequently asked
Who received the highest grade in Ben Golliver’s 2026 NBA Draft audit?
The Oklahoma City Thunder earned the top grade for their night of disciplined value extraction, including landing Florida State’s Kyle Filipowski while moving down to add a future first-rounder.
Which teams were criticized for reaching in the draft?
The Orlando Magic’s selection of Alabama’s Brandon Miller at No. 4 and the Sacramento Kings’ pick of Duke’s Jeremy Roach at 27 drew scrutiny for overvaluing upside relative to draft position.
Did any teams improve their draft position without losing assets?
The Indiana Pacers swapped into the late lottery to land Arkansas’ Makur Maker without surrendering a first-round pick, earning praise for their timeline-aware maneuver.
Which teams were praised for their draft-day trades?
The Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs were commended for moving down to add assets while securing players who fit their rebuild timelines, such as Colorado’s Ethan Wright and Michigan’s Trayce Jackson-Davis.
How did the Phoenix Suns’ draft strategy draw criticism?
The Suns moved up to select Purdue’s Mason Gillis at 21, a move critics argued overpaid for a need that could have been addressed later in the draft with less risk.
Why did the Spurs’ Trayce Jackson-Davis selection stand out beyond the grade?
Jackson-Davis’ 2.06 wingspan and 7’4” standing reach allow San Antonio to deploy him as a small-ball five, aligning with the league’s shift toward switchable, athletic bigs.
