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Round one of the NBA Draft took place last night, with teams hoping to get their franchise superstars. Several teams entered the night with multiple first-round picks. Some made the most of those opportunities, while others left fans wondering what the plan was.
With multiple trades taking place throughout the night, teams either missed out on players they wanted or traded up to secure someone they knew wouldn’t last. Regardless, it raises one question: who really won the draft? Three teams stood out as the biggest winners.
MORE: Miami Heat linked to another former NBA Champion following the Giannis trade
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the tenth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Arizona guard Brayden Burries after he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Milwaukee selected Brayden Burries with its first pick, landing one of the best players from one of the top teams in the country. The 6’4 guard was a consistent scorer at Arizona and made an impact on both ends of the floor. He’s a defensive pest, reliable scorer, strong playmaker, and, at just 19 years old, still has room to grow.
The Bucks also selected forward Nate Ament from Tennessee. Ament is viewed as more of a project player after his stock dropped last season, but the upside is still there. He has the tools to become a high-level two-way player, and Milwaukee can afford to take its time developing him during its rebuild.
The Bulls may have landed the face of their franchise and then some. Chicago drafted Caleb Wilson at No. 4, an athletic monster on both sides of the ball. The 6’10 forward attacks the rim with ease and protects it just as well. He fits the team’s S.L.A.P. (Size, Length, Athleticism, and Physicality) identity perfectly.
The Bulls also grabbed Dailyn Swain at No. 15. The 6’7 guard fits the same mold as Wilson with his athleticism and defensive ability. His three-point shot still needs development, but if he finds consistency offensively, there’s no reason he can’t become a starter.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the twelfth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Michigan center Aday Mara after he was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Yes, the team that won the NBA championship two years ago was also a shared winner on draft night. OKC selected Aday Mara, the 7’3 center from Michigan, in a move that could help match up with Wembanyama in the future. Mara had a strong season and surprisingly slipped into the Thunder’s hands.
The Thunder also traded for pick No. 16 and landed Bennett Stirtz, one of the best scorers in the draft. OKC once again showed its ability to identify talent and strengthen an already loaded roster.
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With multiple trades taking place throughout the night, teams either missed out on players they wanted or traded up to secure someone they knew wouldn’t last. Regardless, it raises one question: who really won the draft? Three teams stood out as the biggest winners.
MORE: Miami Heat linked to another former NBA Champion following the Giannis trade
Milwaukee Bucks
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Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the tenth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Arizona guard Brayden Burries after he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Milwaukee selected Brayden Burries with its first pick, landing one of the best players from one of the top teams in the country. The 6’4 guard was a consistent scorer at Arizona and made an impact on both ends of the floor. He’s a defensive pest, reliable scorer, strong playmaker, and, at just 19 years old, still has room to grow.
The Bucks also selected forward Nate Ament from Tennessee. Ament is viewed as more of a project player after his stock dropped last season, but the upside is still there. He has the tools to become a high-level two-way player, and Milwaukee can afford to take its time developing him during its rebuild.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls may have landed the face of their franchise and then some. Chicago drafted Caleb Wilson at No. 4, an athletic monster on both sides of the ball. The 6’10 forward attacks the rim with ease and protects it just as well. He fits the team’s S.L.A.P. (Size, Length, Athleticism, and Physicality) identity perfectly.
The Bulls also grabbed Dailyn Swain at No. 15. The 6’7 guard fits the same mold as Wilson with his athleticism and defensive ability. His three-point shot still needs development, but if he finds consistency offensively, there’s no reason he can’t become a starter.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the twelfth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Michigan center Aday Mara after he was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Yes, the team that won the NBA championship two years ago was also a shared winner on draft night. OKC selected Aday Mara, the 7’3 center from Michigan, in a move that could help match up with Wembanyama in the future. Mara had a strong season and surprisingly slipped into the Thunder’s hands.
The Thunder also traded for pick No. 16 and landed Bennett Stirtz, one of the best scorers in the draft. OKC once again showed its ability to identify talent and strengthen an already loaded roster.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
Continue reading...
