NBA-гийн шилдэг залуу тоглогчдыг сонгох драфтын загварчилсан сонгон шалгаруулалт явагдлаа

In the age of the dreaded second apron, having useful players on rookie-scale salaries has never been more important.

Look at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offseason. They traded Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe in an effort to avoid the harshest penalties. They could do that because they have backfilled those slots with Cason Wallace, who is going into his fourth year, and Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain, both entering their third season. Those three will make a combined $14.7 million in 2026-27. The three traded players will make about $38 million.

That’s why, instead of repeating our 2024 exercise ofdrafting the best 21-and-under playersin the league,The Athletic’s Will Guillory, James L. Edwards III and Jared Weiss took part in a 30-player draft to select the best players still on rookie-scale contracts. You need to consistently hit in the draft to build a sustainable contender.

For the sake of this draft, no extra value was given to a rookie, who can be on their first deal for four more seasons, over a fourth-year player, who is heading for a new deal next offseason. (Victor Wembanyama and Amen Thompson, for instance, have already signed their next deals but are eligible for this draft because they will play 2026-27 on their initial contracts.) The three writers attempted to balance overall talent with building a sensible basketball team. They conducted a 10-round draft, snaking back at the end of each round.

Without further ado …

Round 1

1. Team Guillory: Victor Wembanyama, center, San Antonio Spurs, fourth year

If we did a draft of the entire NBA, there’s a good chance Wemby would go No. 1. He’s already the most dominant two-way player in the league. As we learned from his first trip to the NBA Finals, there’s still so much room for him to grow. The French phenom has received criticism for his performance on and off the court against the New York Knicks, but it’s still wild to think he’s accomplished so much at 22 years old. In case you’re wondering, no player has won league MVP while still on his rookie contract since Derrick Rose in 2011.

2. Team Edwards: Cooper Flagg, forward, Dallas Mavericks, second year

Averaging 21 points isn’t easy for anyone, and Flagg did it while shooting 51.3 percent on 2-pointers. For comparison, other than Wembanyama, a big man, Flagg is the only No. 1 pick since 2020 to shoot better than 50 percent on 2s with a usage rate above 25 percent. That includes Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero. Flagg came into the league able to handle physicality and pressure. I believe his 3 will improve. Combine all of that with his defense, and Flagg was a no-brainer here.

3. Team Weiss: Dylan Harper, guard, San Antonio Spurs, second year

Few players in recent years have evolved over the course of their rookie seasons as Harper did. He blossomed into a two-way menace with improved shooting ability late in the regular season, then was able to keep up his play for the postseason run. Though young players can sometimes become overrated by maintaining their quality of play during a playoff run, Harper showed that his comfort on the biggest stage wouldn’t waver. That’s the biggest factor when selecting a franchise cornerstone. Harper showed enough development as a rookie to project out to be one of the best two-way players in the game.

Round 2

4. Team Weiss: AJ Dybantsa, forward, Washington Wizards, rookie

The first rookie off the board, Dybantsa has all the makings of an elite slashing wing and is big enough to play the defensive four in the right context. His offensive repertoire has a lot of similarities to Harper, but playing next to a strong point guard will allow for a good playmaking balance over the course of the game. There’s a gamble here that both of my picks don’t turn into good deep shooters and spacing becomes an issue, but the talent is too good to pass up.

5. Team Edwards: Brandon Miller, wing, Charlotte Hornets, fourth year

I’m trying to build a team with length, versatility and athleticism. Miller would slot perfectly alongside Flagg. To me, Miller is as talented a scorer as any player on this list, and he’s both an easy and tough shotmaker. He’ll be a top-15 player in the NBA one day soon if his playmaking off the dribble goes up a notch or two.

6. Team Guillory: Caleb Wilson, forward, Chicago Bulls, rookie

This might be the first controversial pick, but I’m delighted to get Wilson. The biggest star of the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League has already shown he has the confidence and leadership traits of a future face of a franchise. He’s also displayed a jumper that may have changed evaluators’ thoughts on him if he had shown it at North Carolina. Some folks might say I’m crazy for taking him over fellow rookies Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer just seven weeks after those guys went ahead of him in the NBA Draft, but I’m that much of a believer in who Wilson will become.

Round 3

7. Team Guillory: Amen Thompson, guard, Houston Rockets, fourth year

There were a lot of ups and downs during Amen Thompson’s first season operating as a full-time point guard in Houston. The absence of Fred VanVleet forced him to iron out some of the biggest weaknesses in his game that aren’t related to his jumper. While he struggled at times, he averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists on a 52-win team. His defensive impact slipped a bit because he had so much on his plate, but I was still shocked when he didn’t make an All-Defensive team this past season. Once he goes back to playing his natural role, people will remember how spectacular Thompson is on both ends of the court.

8. Team Edwards: Ausar Thompson, wing, Detroit Pistons, fourth year

For my money, Ausar Thompson is the best non-big defender in the NBA. He can annoy small guards or big wings. His shooting is still a big question mark. While I believe he can be a consistent secondary playmaker on a good team, he has to prove it. Yet, despite his perceived limitations offensively, the 60-win Detroit Pistons were nearly seven points better per 100 possessions when Thompson was on the floor than when he was off last season.

9. Team Weiss: Cameron Boozer, forward/center, Memphis Grizzlies, rookie

I’m betting that Boozer is such an outstanding communicator on defense that he can work most nights at the five if he’s surrounded by good athletes. It’s also a hunch that, on my team, he can bring the best out of Dybantsa defensively, who can make an impact if fully engaged. But Boozer’s rebounding, floor spacing and vision will shape the offense we are building. His size concerns at the rim on offense won’t matter much when Harper and Dybantsa are drawing all the attention, so this is really a question of whether Boozer can run a tight defense. He’s sharp enough to make it work, though I’m going to need more solutions to guard Wemby to make this a true championship team.

Round 4

10. Team Weiss: Kon Knueppel, wing, Charlotte Hornets, second year

In a vacuum, I’d take Stephon Castle, but my team needs a dynamic shooter to play off all the playmaking and interior scoring talent. Knueppel looks like he’s going to be elite in this role, which nudges him ahead of Peterson for me. That may prove to be a mistake long-term, but Knueppel seems perfectly designed to live off the ball and slot into the roster I’ve got going so far. Between him and Boozer, the non-primary creator spots have players who can accentuate the offense while holding their own on defense.

11. Team Edwards: Stephon Castle, guard, San Antonio Spurs, third year

A 21-year-old bulldog who was a starting guard on an NBA Finals team? In the fourth round?! Thank you. Castle needs to grow offensively, specifically as a shooter and when creating for himself, but very few defend like he does at the point of attack. His offense is clearly good enough as is for him to be a key piece on a team competing for a championship.

12. Team Guillory: Darryn Peterson, guard, Utah Jazz, rookie

After his rocky freshman season at Kansas, there are a lot of skeptics wondering if Peterson can live up to being the No. 2 pick of June’s draft. It’s never a good thing when fans are calling you “DNP” before you step onto an NBA floor. But let’s be clear: When Peterson is healthy, he has the skills to be a star. He’s excellent in pick-and-roll situations, and his passing vision really impressed me during the short glimpses we saw of him at summer league. It’ll be fascinating to see how he finds his way on a Utah team that already has a ton of talent on the perimeter.

Round 5

13. Team Guillory: VJ Edgecombe, guard, Philadelphia 76ers, second year

It’s really easy to fall for Edgecombe, with his passion and abandon in transition. He’s got incredible athleticism for a player his size, and he showed during last year’s playoffs that he’s already a fearless catch-and-shoot option on the perimeter. It’ll be a huge test for him this year going from the fun rookie everybody’s learning about to the guy every team will test on the suddenly star-studded 76ers. We’ve seen how the scrutiny attached to being LeBron James’ teammate has affected other role players. It’s Edgecombe’s turn now to get placed under the microscope.

14. Team Edwards, Ace Bailey, wing, Utah Jazz, second year

Bailey was fairly efficient for a rookie on a really weird, bad team. He shot better than 50 percent on 2s and 34 percent on 3s while taking more than five per game. He’s got the mentality I look for in a player when trying to project how much they’ll improve — he gets after it defensively and never appears rattled. I’m a fan. My team is super athletic so far.

15. Team Weiss: Keyonte George, guard, Utah Jazz, fourth year

George has too much talent to pass up, plus I like the idea of him and Harper sharing primary creation duties and always being able to have a dangerous guard on the floor. George frequently played off the ball in Utah’s system and showed he can both be a movement shooter/cutter and a threat from deep in the pick-and-roll. Especially on nights when Harper has a big defensive assignment, George is going to have the ball in his hands a ton.

Round 6

16. Team Weiss: Cason Wallace, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder, fourth year

To contrast the George pick, Wallace provides a defensive spark off the bench and can be the star stopper most nights. This team is very much about defensive IQ and speed on both ends rather than size and vertical athleticism, so he’s an ideal fit after shooting 48.4 percent from deep in the postseason.

17. Team Edwards: Kel’el Ware, forward/center, Milwaukee Bucks, third year

Hear me out: I have Ausar Thompson and Castle, two non-shooters at guard. I don’t have anyone over 6-foot-10 on my team. I’ll take the 7-footer who shot 39 percent from 3 last season. While not a great shot blocker, maybe he grows into a better one. We’re building a team, and I’ve neglected shooting. Ware addresses that.

18. Team Guillory: Alex Sarr, forward/center, Washington Wizards, third year

After taking Wemby with my first pick, I feel like I had no choice but to corner the market on French centers. As much intrigue as has surrounded the new-look Wizards with Dybantsa, Anthony Davis and Trae Young, I feel like Sarr’s development hasn’t been talked about enough. He was averaging 17.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks last season in his first 36 appearances. He’s also made 155 3-pointers in his first two seasons as a pro. The Sarr-Davis combo could be really dangerous.

Round 7

19. Team Guillory: Jeremiah Fears, guard, New Orleans Pelicans, second year

I feel like I got a steal with Fears being my change-of-pace guy off the bench behind Peterson and Thompson. Despite the Pelicans guard having a full season under his belt, he still won’t turn 20 until October. Last season, Fears was one of the rare rookies who managed to play his best basketball during the latter stages of the year. Fears appeared in all 82 games, but he averaged 16.5 points and 4.2 assists after the All-Star break, despite coming off the bench most of those games.

20. Team Edwards: Collin Murray-Boyles, forward/center, Toronto Raptors, second year

He came into the NBA as a good defender and surely will grow into an even better one. I like his passing in the short roll. I like his touch. Murray-Boyles gives me even more lineup versatility, as he can play either frontcourt spot, depending on if I want to go small or big.

21. Team Weiss: Donovan Clingan, center, Portland Trail Blazers, third year

Our Wemby answer — who ironically got whooped by Wemby in the playoffs … but you fail early to grow. Clingan has all the makings of a rim monster who could improve his technique guarding on the perimeter enough to make his drop coverage work in the postseason. But if you look at the teams so far, there aren’t many guards who project to be deadly pull-up shooters and can really take advantage of Clingan in a drop.

Round 8

22. Team Weiss: Ajay Mitchell, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder, third year

We’re continuing to build in the Thunder model with another dynamic creator who can defend well and switch across the perimeter. We need players who can live without the ball in their hands some nights, then run the offense the next, while handling a half-dozen defensive assignments a game. I want guys who will hit the floor and value each possession. Mitchell fits the bill.

23. Team Edwards: Darius Acuff Jr., guard, Sacramento Kings, rookie

My usual rule of thumb is to stay away from players whom the Kings draft, but Acuff feels like someone who, at the very least, will be an elite scorer off the bench. He’s a small guard, which goes against my drafting philosophy in this exercise, but getting buckets is still the most valuable skill in this sport. I think Acuff has the upside to get a lot of them.

24. Team Guillory: Anthony Black, wing, Orlando Magic, fourth year

I need some more size and defensive versatility off the bench, and Black is the perfect guy to fill that role. He’s coming off a career season in Orlando despite starting only 40 games. He’s got great feel for the game, and his outside shot keeps improving. There is skepticism about his long-term fit with Jalen Suggs in Orlando, but Black’s skills play on my team.

Round 9

25. Team Guillory: Cedric Coward, wing, Memphis Grizzlies, second year

Coward has the physical build and toughness every team is looking for in defensive wings. His offensive game still has a lot of room to grow, but he showed enough during his rookie season to be excited about what he’ll look like in his second season with more stability around him. As Memphis begins its next phase of “Grit & Grind” with Boozer and Zach Edey at the forefront, Coward is a really good role player who will fit with the identity of the team.

26. Team Edwards: Derik Queen, forward/center, New Orleans Pelicans, second year

Queen isn’t the most athletic, and both his defense and shot have a way to go, but I’m a sucker for players who are crafty and can pass, particularly in the frontcourt. I’m not sure if Queen’s lack of athleticism and him being only 6-9 will end up limiting him in the NBA, but his feel for the game is worth me finding out.

27. Team Weiss: Matas Buzelis, forward, Chicago Bulls, third year

There’s just so much potential here, whether it’s his downhill scoring or his weakside rim protection. Buzelis can plug into a lot of lineups, and he provides a presence above the rim this team is still lacking. His rim protection and defensive rebounding improved a bit in his second season, though he needs to get stronger at the point of attack.

Round 10

28. Team Weiss: Keaton Wagler, guard, LA Clippers, rookie

This team needs more wing defense, but I prioritized another knockdown shooter. Wagler looks like he can get a shot off from deep in any scenario, which allows for solid floor spacing when Knueppel is on the bench.

29. Team Edwards: Kyshawn George, wing, Washington Wizards, third year

George reminds me of a young Shaun Livingston. No, it’s not just the afro. He’s a big, ballhandling guard with a smooth game. He can shoot, rebound and pass. I know he’s played no meaningful basketball in his NBA career, but you can tell when a guy is good — even in bad circumstances. George shot 38 percent from 3 on good volume. He can play multiple positions. He competes defensively.

30. Team Guillory: Reed Sheppard, guard, Houston Rockets, third year

I’m more than happy buying low on Sheppard since everyone seems to be out on him after his disastrous run in last season’s playoffs. To be fair, he was pretty awful. His turnover at the end of Game 3 against the Lakers was about as bad as it gets. But Sheppard made 227 3s last season despite starting in only 21 games. Here’s a list of players who made 220-plus 3-pointers in a season before turning 22: Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Sheppard.

Notable omissions: Scoot Henderson (Blazers), Dereck Lively II (Mavericks), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Bucks), Zach Edey (Grizzlies), Jared McCain (Thunder), Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies), Jamal Shead (Raptors), Egor Dёmin (Nets), Carter Bryant (Spurs), Will Riley (Wizards), Nique Clifford (Kings), Hugo González (Celtics), Maxime Raynaud (Kings), Mikel Brown Jr. (Nets), Kingston Flemings (Hawks), Yaxel Lendeborg (Warriors)

Teams with three players drafted: San Antonio, Washington, Utah
Teams with two players drafted: Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Memphis, Oklahoma City, New Orleans
Teams with one player drafted: Dallas, Detroit, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Toronto, Portland, Sacramento, Orlando, LA Clippers
Teams with zero players drafted: Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Cleveland, Indiana, Atlanta, Miami, Denver, Minnesota, Golden State, L.A. Lakers, Phoenix

Conclusions

Guillory: With Wemby, Amen Thompson, Sarr and Black, my team has some ridiculous defenders and elite athleticism at just about every position. I think Wilson and Fears are the two picks I made that may raise some eyebrows, but I’m willing to bet big on the potential of both.

When we went through this exercise a few years ago, my biggest observation was how many talented, young bigs were at the top of our boards. This year, there are a ton of guards. By my count, half of the 30 picks we made can be classified as guards, and there were eight more listed in the honorable mentions.

Edwards: Defensively, my team is going to be in great shape. Three years from now, I’m hoping the shooting catches up. There’s a lot of versatility and size on the wings, and I wanted to make sure to lean into that. In doing this exercise, though, what stood out to me is that there aren’t many centers who I feel will be All-NBA talents one day — at least not right now. Clingan will be good defensively, but will his offense be good enough to make him a franchise cornerstone? Ware can shoot it at his size, but he’s got a lot to prove. The list goes on.

Weiss: Built for versatility and speed, my team is designed to morph to the game plan and always keep the defense guessing. Since I’m going small with Boozer at the five, I put the pieces in place to make it hard for Wemby to find a comfort zone, which may be the biggest factor in winning a title right now. But my team will play an aggressive defense, and the offense can be run through anyone on the floor. The style will be something akin to the Indiana Pacers in their finals run, which at least guarantees some beautiful basketball.