Grizzlies, Kings and Bulls Win 2026 NBA Draft Grades as Knicks Draw C-

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 26

29 teams made picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the strongest reviews went to Memphis, Sacramento, Washington and Utah, with the Grizzlies labeled the biggest talent winners.
Memphis turned Nos. 3, 16 and 32 into Cameron Boozer, Karim Lopez and Richie Saunders, plus Isaiah Stewart and two future second-round picks, a haul praised for both value and roster fit.
Sacramento also earned top marks after landing No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr. and adding Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharp for three second-rounders, while Chicago drew praise for Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain and Nic Claxton.
New York landed near the bottom after moving Nos. 24 and 31 for later picks, cash and five future seconds, then selecting Jack Kayil at No. 39 and Tyler Nickel at No. 47.
That criticism sharpened an earlier concern around the Knicks' tax-driven strategy: staying below the second apron may have cost them a chance to add more immediate first-round talent.