Summer league form dictates early 2026 draft hierarchy
AJ Dybantsa retains the top spot despite shot selection concerns, while Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson emerge as key physical threats in the early assessment.
NBA analyst Zach Kram has released an early assessment of the top 11 picks in the 2026 draft, basing the hierarchy on performances at the Las Vegas and Salt Lake City summer leagues. The evaluation, published by ESPN, explicitly prioritises current form and immediate NBA readiness over long-term projections, acknowledging the inherent limitations of a small sample size.
AJ Dybantsa, selected by the Washington Wizards, retains the number one position despite noted concerns regarding inefficient shot selection. While Dybantsa demonstrated superstar potential with high-efficiency drives and creative playmaking, the report highlights that he attempted a disproportionate number of low-efficiency midrange jumpers. His ability to get to the paint and draw fouls was evident, though defensive stance issues were observed.
Cameron Boozer of the Sacramento Kings and Darryn Peterson of the Utah Jazz are highlighted for their physical attributes and scoring potential. Boozer, described as massive at 6-foot-8 and 253 pounds, averaged 18.7 points and 7.0 rebounds, displaying agility on defence and a clean jump shot. Peterson showed flashes of incredible explosiveness and shooting range, particularly in Salt Lake City, suggesting he is an NBA-ready scorer despite earlier issues with ballhandling and turnovers in Las Vegas.
The rankings also account for players who missed the evaluations due to injury, specifically Jayden Quaintance and Karim Lopez. Conversely, Aday Mara of the Oklahoma City Thunder, selected 12th, is noted as requiring significant development before he can contribute to a championship-contending team. The assessment stops at the top 11, reflecting the view that Mara has a long way to go to reach the level of his peers.
Other notable performances included Meleek Thomas of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who led summer league scoring, and Labaron Philon Jr. of the Philadelphia 76ers. The report also scrutinised players like Jalen Wilson and Jacob Wagler, cautioning against overreacting to summer league statistics such as three-point percentages, which often lack correlation with regular-season performance.
