The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft concluded Tuesday with 30 picks and a flurry of trades, headlined by the league-shaking Giannis Antetokounmpo deal that reshaped multiple team strategies. The San Antonio Spurs used their selections to target size and athleticism, directly addressing shortcomings exposed during their Finals run, according to team insiders.
Notable picks included Bennett Stirtz going No. 17 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder via a trade with Memphis, and Cameron Carr landing with the Los Angeles Lakers after a draft-day deal with the New York Knicks. The Golden State Warriors selected Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg, while Arizona's Koa Peat — dubbed 'Mr. Arizona' — was the final first-round pick at No. 30, drafted by Dallas but traded to the Phoenix Suns. The Memphis Grizzlies were active, sliding back five spots in two separate deals and netting five future second-round picks in the process.
The Antetokounmpo trade — sending the two-time MVP from Milwaukee to Miami — set off a chain reaction starting at pick No. 13, according to a person familiar with the terms who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The impact of that blockbuster deal will ripple through the Eastern Conference playoff picture, strengthening Miami as a contender while leaving Milwaukee to recalibrate its roster.
Round 2 begins Wednesday, with several notable prospects still available. North Carolina's Henri Veesaar, an Estonian big man once projected as a first-rounder, slid out of the opening round and is expected to be a headliner on Day 2. Teams like the Spurs and Suns — who already addressed needs — may look to mine value from the remaining pool.
"We felt we got bigger and more athletic, which was a priority for us," a Spurs source said after the draft, though no additional quotes were available from other teams at press time. The 2026 draft class will now scatter to summer league rosters as evaluations begin in earnest.