The 2026 NBA Draft class has arrived in the league with AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 to the Washington Wizards, Darryn Peterson No. 2 to the Utah Jazz, and Cameron Boozer No. 3 to the Memphis Grizzlies. While Dybantsa took the top spot, oddsmakers have positioned Boozer as the favorite for Rookie of the Year.
The 2026 draft class has been billed as one of the deepest in years, and early Summer League showings suggest the top end is legitimate. Every first-round selection appeared in multiple Las Vegas games, with the exception of No. 20 pick Jayden Quaintance and No. 21 pick Karim Lopez, who remained sidelined due to injury, according to ESPN.
Cameron Boozer and the Rookie of the Year Odds
Despite being selected third overall, Cameron Boozer is the current favorite to win the 2026-27 Rookie of the Year award. FanDuel lists Boozer at +240, leading both AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, who are tied at +400.
Analysis from CBS Sports suggests this positioning is a result of opportunity. Boozer joins a Memphis Grizzlies team. With the status of Ja Morant unclear, Boozer is expected to be a go-to player in Memphis.
Boozer arrives in Memphis after a season at Duke. Experts at CBS Sports believe he has the pathway to being the most impactful of these rookies in the shortest period of time and possesses 20-and-10 potential.
AJ Dybantsa’s Summer League Debut in Washington
AJ Dybantsa entered the league as the No. 1 pick for the Washington Wizards and lived up to the hype in two Las Vegas games.
In Washington, Dybantsa will share the court with established stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. While CBS Sports notes that this may prevent him from being the primary focal point of opposing scouting reports, it could also limit his usage compared to Boozer’s situation in Memphis.
Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz Fit
Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick, joins a Utah Jazz roster that already features lead options like Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George. Despite these established players, Peterson is viewed as a fluid scorer who can impact the game immediately.
Peterson is viewed as one of the highest-upside prospects in the class. He is known as a scorer from Kansas.
“an admitted introvert who just wants to go about his business, play ball and work hard on his game — should fit in well in Utah.”
For more on this story, see 2026 NBA Draft Grades: Pick-by-Pick Analysis and Rankings.
Sam Vecenie, via The Athletic
Lottery Standouts and Statistical Outliers
Beyond the top three, several other lottery picks are drawing attention for their specific skill sets and potential fantasy value.
- Caleb Wilson (No. 4, Bulls): A high-motor forward from UNC known for shot-blocking and athleticism. He is viewed as a potential defensive anchor for a retooling Chicago team.
- Despite defensive concerns, he is listed at +450 for Rookie of the Year.
- Aday Mara (Thunder): A shot-blocking center from Michigan, though ESPN notes he has a long way to go before contributing to a championship contender.
The impact of Summer League stats is often debated. The Athletic pointed out that since 2018, Tyrese Maxey is the only player to finish in the top five of summer league scoring and eventually become an All-Star. However, Dybantsa, Peterson, and Caleb Wilson all finished in the top six in scoring this year, suggesting this class might break that trend.
Rookie of the Year Betting Landscape
The betting market reflects a divide between draft position and projected counting stats. While the No. 1 pick usually opens as a favorite, the 2026-27 cycle is different.
| Player | Draft Pick | Team | FanDuel Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Boozer | 3 | Memphis Grizzlies | +240 |
| Darryn Peterson | 2 | Utah Jazz | +400 |
| AJ Dybantsa | 1 | Washington Wizards | +400 |
| Darius Acuff Jr. | 7 | Sacramento Kings | +450 |
| Caleb Wilson | 4 | Chicago Bulls | +950 |
The outlier in this group is Darius Acuff Jr. Despite being drafted seventh, he is priced ahead of Caleb Wilson and Mikel Brown Jr.
As the regular season approaches, the primary uncertainty remains the depth charts in Washington and Utah. Whether Trae Young and the Jazz veterans yield enough space for Dybantsa and Peterson to put up the counting stats that typically win the award will determine if the odds shift back toward the top two picks.
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