By Law Murray | The Athletic, 2026-06-22 10:00:08
《The Athletic》正在为您带来2026年NBA选秀的实时报道，其中包括扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 交易。
随着NBA进入休赛期，焦点转向了选秀。在这项为期两天的活动中，各支球队可以在短期内获得性价比极高（薪资受控）的天赋球员。
每一个参加选秀的球员都渴望在联盟中打拼出长远的未来。但在如今这个建队时代，球队往往只考虑更短的窗口期。当球队在对即将到来的选秀届做出决定时，他们必须考虑现役年轻球员的发展。有时，球队甚至决定根本不保留年轻球员。
在闯入2026年NBA总决赛的过程中，圣安东尼奥马刺队终结了长达六年的季后赛荒，在他们的10人轮换阵容中，有6名球员是他们自己选中的，其中4名是在过去三年内选中的。
本篇分析涵盖了2023届、2024届和2025届选秀中，在2025-26赛季结束时仍在球队大名单上的所有球员，包括落选秀和双向合同球员。因困难特例在赛季结束时留队的球员不予考虑，除非他们后来签下了标准合同。本文还将注明哪些球员可能在2026年成为自由球员（FA）。
三年的窗口期至关重要，因为这是一支球队在必须对首轮新秀合同提前续约做出决定之前所拥有的时间。到那时，球队希望能得到明确的答案。他们不仅仅是为了填补需求而选秀，更是为了契合度、位置深度，以及替换那些成长不够迅速的年轻球员。
以下是西部联盟各支球队培养梯队的逐队分析，以及这可能会如何塑造每支球队的选秀策略。（回顾2024和2025版本。）
西北赛区
丹佛掘金
2023年选秀： 小前锋 朱利安·斯特劳瑟 (Julian Strawther)、得分后卫 杰伦·皮克特 (Jalen Pickett) (FA)
2024年选秀： 大前锋 达龙·霍姆斯二世 (DaRon Holmes II)、控球后卫 KJ·辛普森 (KJ Simpson) (2W)
2025年选秀： 无
2023年以来的落选秀： 小前锋 斯宾塞·琼斯 (Spencer Jones) (FA)、得分后卫 柯蒂斯·琼斯 (Curtis Jones) (2W, FA)
**分析：**自夺得2023年NBA总冠军以来，掘金队在充实培养梯队方面表现平平。斯宾塞·琼斯是一个亮点，他是一名合格的3D前锋，不过他奇特的出手姿势限制了他的出手产量；他在2月份从双向合同转正。皮克特的出场时间一到季后赛就会被彻底压缩。斯特劳瑟有投射能力，但防守漏洞百出。霍姆斯所有7场出场时间达到15分钟的比赛，都是在尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić) 因膝伤缺阵期间完成的；他展现了一定的传球和投篮能力，但显而易见的是，在因跟腱断裂缺席新秀赛季后，他还没有恢复到最佳状态。
2026年选秀权： 第26顺位、第49顺位
**选秀需求：**掘金队是所有季后赛球队中防守最差的，而且全联盟没有哪支球队在制造对手失误方面比他们做得更差。掘金队需要一名领防型后卫，并且应该考虑在第二轮选择一名有发展潜力的中锋——这在这支球队的历史上曾有过成功的先例。
明尼苏达森林狼
2023年选秀： 大前锋 朱利安·菲利普斯 (Julian Phillips) (FA)、小前锋 杰伦·克拉克 (Jaylen Clark) (FA)
2024年选秀： 得分后卫 特伦斯·香农 (Terrence Shannon Jr.)、大前锋 恩里克·弗里曼 (Enrique Freeman) (2W, FA)
2025年选秀： 中锋 乔安·贝林格 (Joan Beringer)、中锋 罗科·齐卡尔斯基 (Rocco Zikarsky) (2W)
2023年以来的落选秀： 控球后卫 扎恩·普林 (Zyon Pullin)
**分析：**明尼苏达是联盟中阵容头重脚轻的球队之一，这使得他们的大部分培养梯队成员都被排除在轮换之外，只有一个例外。香农因为伤病和犯错在常规赛中出场不多，但在唐特·迪温琴佐 (Donte DiVincenzo) 和阿约·多苏姆 (Ayo Dosunmu) 受伤后，他最终在首轮帮助森林狼队淘汰了掘金队。克拉克是一名强悍的防守者，但他的进攻局限性使他很难在季后赛中留在场上。贝林格是未来的中锋人选，但他只有7次出场时间超过15分钟。菲利普斯从芝加哥被交易过来后总共打了94分钟，其中53分钟是在赛季的最后一周。
2026年选秀权： 第28顺位、第59顺位
**选秀需求：**森林狼队为了在完全自由球员市场上签下多苏姆，放弃了2024年的乐透秀罗布·迪林厄姆 (Rob Dillingham)。虽然多苏姆是首要目标，但森林狼也因跟腱断裂失去了迪温琴佐，而自由球员迈克·康利 (Mike Conley) 已处于职业生涯的暮年。邦斯·海兰德 (Bones Hyland) 也是自由球员。森林狼应该将目标锁定在另一名真正的控球后卫上，同时引进一名有发展潜力的前锋。
俄克拉荷马城雷霆
2023年选秀： 得分后卫 凯森·华莱士 (Cason Wallace)
2024年选秀： 控球后卫 尼古拉·托皮奇 (Nikola Topić)、控球后卫 贾里德·麦凯恩 (Jared McCain)、控球后卫 阿杰·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell)
2025年选秀： 中锋 托马斯·索伯 (Thomas Sorber)、小前锋 布鲁克斯·巴恩海泽 (Brooks Barnhizer) (2W, FA)
2023年以来的落选秀： 中锋 布兰登·卡尔森 (Branden Carlson) (2W, FA)、小前锋 佩顿·桑德福特 (Payton Sandfort) (2W)
**分析：**雷霆队是常规赛中全联盟最好的球队，虽然他们是赢得季后赛系列赛最年轻的球队，但他们现在已经没那么年轻了。华莱士在以150次抢断领跑全联盟后，入选了最佳防守阵容第二阵。他即将获得大合同，并可能很快成为固定首发。米切尔脱颖而出，成为俄克拉荷马城最顶尖的替补得分手，并在季后赛中击溃了湖人队。在截止日被费城交易后，麦凯恩作为一名自信的射手完美融入了球队。不幸的是，托皮奇由于前交叉韧带（ACL）手术和癌症，职业生涯一直未能步入正轨。现在，背部手术将使他缺席今年夏天的比赛。索伯也因为前交叉韧带撕裂缺席了他的新秀赛季。
2026年选秀权： 第12顺位、第17顺位、第37顺位
**选秀需求：**由于2019年谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 的交易，在快船队附加赛折戟后，俄克拉荷马城获得了一个乐透签。在2020年阿尔·霍福德 (Al Horford) 的交易后，他们还得到了费城的首轮签。雷霆队需要另一名大前锋——这并不是因为他们要放弃切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)，而是因为他们的阵容中缺乏一名强壮型前锋，更不用说培养梯队了。
波特兰开拓者
2023年选秀： 控球后卫 斯库特·亨德森 (Scoot Henderson)、大前锋 克里斯·默里 (Kris Murray)、小前锋 茜迪·西索科 (Sidy Cissoko)、大前锋 图马尼·卡马拉 (Toumani Camara)
2024年选秀： 中锋 多诺万·克林根 (Donovan Clingan)
2025年选秀： 中锋 杨瀚森 (Yang Hansen)
2023年以来的落选秀： 控球后卫 凯莱布·洛夫 (Caleb Love) (2W, FA)、得分后卫 克里斯·扬布拉德 (Chris Youngblood) (2W)、小前锋 杰森·肯特 (Jayson Kent) (2W)
**分析：**波特兰经历了一个怪异的赛季，但对于一支季后赛球队而言，其培养梯队做出了极大的贡献。卡马拉是仅有的四名打满82场首发的球员之一，也是22名命中超过200记三分球的球员之一；他已经签下了一份持续到2030年的提前续约合同。克林根在进攻篮板上领跑全联盟，同时送出了130次盖帽，场均贡献两双。默里在常规赛中作为轮换防守者消耗了大量时间，但他的进攻导致他在季后赛中失去了出场时间。亨德森因腿筋撕裂直到2月份才迎来首秀，但在赛季结束前他成为了首发，随后在对阵马刺队的季后赛系列赛中表现起伏不定。波特兰交易了塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward) 的选秀权以退出明年的乐透，换来了奥兰多2028年的首轮签和杨瀚森，后者的首秀赛季表现挣扎（投篮命中率仅为31%）。和默里一样，西索科在常规赛中打了很多时间，但在进攻端伤害太大，无法在季后赛中出场。延续开拓者队使用低效常规赛球员的基调，洛夫是本赛季唯一一位凭借双向合同出场时间突破1000分钟的新秀。亨德森伤愈复出后，在赛季后半段限制了洛夫的角色。
2026年选秀权： 无
**选秀需求：**在2021年劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen) 的交易后，波特兰终于向公牛队送出了一个首轮签；开拓者在那笔交易中得到的全部回报，只是摆脱小德里克·琼斯 (Derrick Jones Jr.) 合同的权利，以及在小拉里·南斯 (Larry Nance Jr.) 被纳入CJ·麦科勒姆 (CJ McCollum) 的交易之前，获得了他37场的效力。达米安·利拉德 (Damian Lillard) 在因跟腱断裂缺席整个赛季后即将回归。考虑到利拉德和霍勒迪 (Holiday) 的年龄，以及亨德森起伏不定的表现，如果看到波特兰再引进一名有发展潜力的控球后卫来挑战洛夫，我不会感到惊讶。
犹他爵士
2023年选秀： 控球后卫 基扬特·乔治 (Keyonte George)、大前锋 布赖斯·森萨博 (Brice Sensabaugh)
2024年选秀： 小前锋 科迪·威廉姆斯 (Cody Williams)、控球后卫 伊赛亚·科利尔 (Isaiah Collier)、中锋 凯尔·菲利波夫斯基 (Kyle Filipowski)
2025年选秀： 得分后卫 埃斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey)
2023年以来的落选秀： 控球后卫 伊莱贾·哈克利斯 (Elijah Harkless) (2W, FA)、中锋 奥斯卡·希布韦 (Oscar Tshiebwe) (2W, FA)、大前锋 布莱克·欣森 (Blake Hinson) (2W)、得分后卫 贝兹·姆本格 (Bez Mbeng) (FA)、控球后卫 海登·格雷 (Hayden Gray) (FA)
**分析：**本赛季爵士队只有六名球员的出场时间突破了1500分钟。这六人全都是爵士队用新秀合同选中的球员。乔治作为首发控球后卫迎来了第三年的爆发，随后因伤缺席了最后一个月的比赛。贝利入选了最佳新秀阵容第二阵；他有一半的单场20+得分比赛是在赛季最后的46天里拿下的。森萨博展现了更强的爆发力，同时作为射手的全面性也在不断提升。菲利波夫斯基是一名技术娴熟、能改变节奏的大个子。科利尔单场助攻上双的场次（10场）比乔治（4场）还要多，其中包括2月份在印第安纳客场送出的单场22次助攻。他只是还没有找到三分线外的准星（命中率27%）。与新秀赛季令人担忧的低谷相比，威廉姆斯在终结能力上有所提升，但他的三分球投射变得更差了。爵士队在常规赛收官阶段签下了姆本格和格雷；姆本格至少在对阵灰熊队的比赛中砍下了27分的三双。
2026年选秀权： 第2顺位
**选秀需求：**本赛季犹下的摆烂表现堪称壮观，而爵士队也终于因他们的努力获得了一个前四顺位的选秀权。如果能留住受限制自由球员沃克·凯斯勒 (Walker Kessler)，并与赛季中期通过交易/摆烂得到的小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.) 搭档，球队的防守应该会有很大改善。从位置角度来看，达林·彼得森 (Darryn Peterson) 将会是培养梯队的极佳补充。
太平洋赛区
金州勇士
2023年选秀： 控球后卫 布兰登·波杰姆斯基 (Brandin Podziemski)
2024年选秀： 中锋 昆汀·波斯特 (Quinten Post) (FA)
2025年选秀： 小前锋 威尔·理查德 (Will Richard)
2023年以来的落选秀： 大前锋 马莱维·利昂斯 (Malevy Leons) (2W)、得分后卫 LJ·克莱尔 (LJ Cryer) (2W)
**分析：**勇士队是NBA中常规赛胜率低于50%的球队里年龄最大的。但勇士队中唯一出场时间突破2000分钟的球员是波杰姆斯基，他打满了全部82场比赛，在攻防两端、两个后卫位置以及主力与替补阵容中都提供了不错的产出。理查德作为一名尺寸偏小的3D侧翼表现合格。波斯特是一名挡拆外拆型空间五号位，但他效力的这支球队对禁区有些“过敏”。
2026年选秀权： 第11顺位、第54顺位
**选秀需求：**本赛季金州勇士是全联盟在限制对手失误方面最差的五支球队之一。吉米·巴特勒三世 (Jimmy Butler III) 和摩西·穆迪 (Moses Moody) 毁灭性的膝伤，加上斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 的年龄，以及德雷蒙德·格林 (Draymond Green)、德安东尼·梅尔顿 (De’Anthony Melton)、帕特·斯宾塞 (Pat Spencer)、加里·佩顿二世 (Gary Payton II) 和塞斯·库里 (Seth Curry) 的自由球员身份，应该会促使勇士队考虑引进一名真正的控球后卫。勇士队曾在选秀极靠后的顺位淘到过好手，因此考虑到克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porziņģis)、阿尔·霍福德 (Al Horford) 和查尔斯·巴锡 (Charles Bassey) 都将成为自由球员，这可能是他们寻求前场深度的一个顺位。
洛杉矶快船
2023年选秀： 小前锋 乔丹·米勒 (Jordan Miller) (FA)
2024年选秀： 小前锋 卡姆·克里斯蒂 (Cam Christie)
2025年选秀： 中锋 雅尼克·科南·尼德豪泽 (Yanic Konan Niederhäuser)、控球后卫 科比·桑德斯 (Kobe Sanders) (FA)
2023年以来的落选秀： 控球后卫 肖恩·佩杜拉 (Sean Pedulla) (2W)、大前锋 诺查德·奥米尔 (Norchad Omier) (2W, FA)
**分析：**即使在通过交易显著降低了平均年龄之后，快船队依然是NBA中年龄最大的球队。米勒在快船阵容中过山车般的经历在连续第二个赛季从双向合同转正后再次迎来上升期。这一次，米勒留在了轮换阵容中，交出了出色的投篮命中率，同时展现出了作为持球者的自信。桑德斯从内华达大学的首发控卫，一路拼到获得双向合同转正，期间除了中锋外他打过所有位置，三分球命中率达到40.8%。尼德豪泽此前正成长为一名出色的空中威胁和护筐手，但他右脚遭遇了里斯弗兰克（Lisfranc）关节损伤，需要接受赛季报销的手术。预计他无法在下赛季开始前复出。克里斯蒂打得很卖力，但投篮命中率仅为38.1%，三分命中率仅为24.5%。
2026年选秀权： 第5顺位、第36顺位、第52顺位
**选秀需求：**快船队在附加赛的失利送给了雷霆队一个乐透签，但印第安纳步行者队的不幸遭遇足以弥补这一损失。这是快船队自连续15个赛季保持胜率超过50%的纪录开始以来的最高选秀权。在经历了一个篮板球排名联盟倒数前十的赛季后，快船队需要在大前锋位置上获得帮助，但他们的选秀权可能比用顶级新秀解决这一需求所需的顺位低了一位。如果快船队保留这个乐透签，那么即使达里厄斯·加兰 (Darius Garland) 已经稳坐新首发之位，提升持球能力仍应是首要任务。
洛杉矶湖人
2023年选秀： 得分后卫 尼克·史密斯 (Nick Smith Jr.) (FA)
2024年选秀： 小前锋 达尔顿·克内克特 (Dalton Knecht)、控球后卫 布朗尼·詹姆斯 (Bronny James)
2025年选秀： 大前锋 阿杜·蒂耶罗 (Adou Thiero)
2023年以来的落选秀： 大前锋 德鲁·蒂米 (Drew Timme) (2W, FA)、小前锋 克里斯·马农 (Chris Mañon) (2W, FA)
**分析：**湖人队拥有全联盟影响力最弱的培养梯队之一。在完全健康的情况下，没有一个年轻的湖人球员能进入轮换。史密斯曾是黄蜂队的首轮秀，在训练营前被裁掉，之后整个赛季都以双向合同留在湖人队，直到赛季最后一天。克内克特在1月初曾有过连续7场进入轮换的经历，这本是为了提升他的交易价值。但在23投仅4中（投丢了19个三分球）、通过31次出手仅得22分，并交出1比7的助攻失误比后，克内克特在赛季余下的时间里仅有两场比赛出场时间达到15分钟。詹姆斯的三分球命中率提高到了38.6%，罚球命中率达到85.7%，同时在防守端表现尚可，但他在进攻端过于胆怯。蒂耶罗的膝盖问题导致他缺席了夏季联赛、季前赛和大部分常规赛。他是一名爆发力惊人的运动员，但在投篮和非扣篮终结方面还需要做大量工作。
2026年选秀权： 第25顺位
**选秀需求：**洛杉矶需要防守者和持球深度。很多球队都可以这么说，但湖人队相当严重地缺乏攻防兼备的球员。他们的护筐表现也是全联盟最差的之一。他们所有的中锋都可能成为自由球员，而且梯队中也没有可培养的中锋。在首轮末段，湖人队将有一些选择。
菲尼克斯太阳
2023年选秀： 无
2024年选秀： 大前锋 瑞安·邓恩 (Ryan Dunn)、中锋 奥索·伊戈达罗 (Oso Ighodaro)
2025年选秀： 中锋 贾曼·马鲁阿奇 (Khaman Maluach)、大前锋 拉希尔·弗莱明 (Rasheer Fleming)、得分后卫 科比·布雷亚 (Koby Brea) (2W, FA)
2023年以来的落选秀： 大前锋 CJ·亨特利 (CJ Huntley) (2W)
**分析：**特别是在外线，这是联盟中最空虚的培养梯队之一。伊戈达罗打满了82场比赛，并由于马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams) 的脚伤，在对阵俄克拉荷马城的系列赛中首发出场。作为替补中锋，你当然找不到比他差太多的选择了，尽管伊戈达罗是联盟中罚球最差的球员之一。邓恩也是一名罚球命中率低于50%的球员。他没有像在弗吉尼亚大学时那样刷出那么多的抢断和盖帽。弗莱明在终结方面表现挣扎，投篮命中率仅为40.5%。马鲁阿奇被埋没在威廉姆斯和伊戈达罗之后，尽管他能够展现出盖帽的闪光点，并且在他出场时间达到15分钟的9场比赛中，大部分时间都表现不错。
2026年选秀权： 第47顺位
**选秀需求：**太阳队既没有首轮签，也没有布拉德利·比尔 (Bradley Beal)。他们的梯队中没有任何可培养的侧翼，尤其是那种擅长突破的侧翼。这可能是太阳队在第二轮的目标。
萨克拉门托国王
2023年选秀： 无
2024年选秀： 得分后卫 德文·卡特 (Devin Carter)
2025年选秀： 得分后卫 尼克·克利福德 (Nique Clifford)、中锋 马克西姆·雷诺 (Maxime Raynaud)
2023年以来的落选秀： 控球后卫 伊赛亚·史蒂文斯 (Isaiah Stevens) (2W, FA)、中锋 迪伦·卡德威尔 (Dylan Cardwell)
**分析：**在输掉60场比赛的国王队中，只有勇士队和快船队的阵容比他们更老。不过，国王队从他们的新秀身上得到了很多回报。雷诺是唯一入选最佳新秀阵容的第二轮秀，贡献了13场单场20+得分的比赛。克利福德在攻防两端都表现挣扎，但在国王队中，只有雷诺和德马尔·德罗赞 (DeMar DeRozan) 的总出场时间比克利福德多。卡德威尔与雷诺正好相反——他是一名平庸的进攻球员，但防守强硬，并获得了双向合同转正。卡特是一名三分命中率低于30%的射手，他还没有克服作为双能卫尺寸不足的劣势。
2026年选秀权： 第7顺位、第34顺位、第45顺位
**选秀需求：**国王队在赛季最后的18场比赛中赢了8场，最终获得了第7顺位选秀权。萨克拉门托需要解决其中锋位置的问题，但这取决于多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis) 的价值，而不是国王队需要在选秀中解决的问题。在交易走丹尼斯·施罗德 (Dennis Schröder) 且拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克 (Russell Westbrook) 进入自由球员市场后，国王队在选秀中寻找一位未来的真正控球后卫是合情合理的。第二轮应该是一个补充前锋位置的机会，重点是防守。国王队在防守端的效率排名联盟第28位。
西南赛区
达拉斯独行侠
2023年选秀： 中锋 德里克·莱夫利二世 (Dereck Lively II)
2024年选秀： 得分后卫 AJ·约翰逊 (AJ Johnson)、大前锋 泰勒·史密斯 (Tyler Smith) (2W)
2025年选秀： 小前锋 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)
2023年以来的落选秀： 控球后卫 莱恩·内姆哈德 (Ryan Nembhard) (FA)、中锋 穆萨·西塞 (Moussa Cisse) (2W, FA)、得分后卫 约翰·普拉基达斯 (John Poulakidas) (2W)
**分析：**八年前，独行侠队选中了2026年的得分王和2026年的总决赛MVP。至少他们现在拥有2026年的年度最佳新秀。弗拉格以11场单场30+得分的比赛领跑所有新秀，创下了自1997年阿伦·艾弗森 (Allen Iverson) 以来新秀单场40+得分场次最多（4场）的纪录，并创下了历史上单场砍下50分最年轻球员的纪录。内姆哈德是弗拉格在控卫位置上能得到的最近似的帮手。内姆哈德以6场单场助攻上双的比赛领跑所有新秀，并在2月底从双向合同转正。约翰逊（投篮命中率32.4%，三分命中率21.1%）在他的两个赛季中都被卷入了交易截止日的交易中。莱夫利在12月接受赛季报销的脚部手术之前，仅在7场比赛中打了115分钟。在赛季报销前，他的犯规数（21次）几乎是投篮命中数（11次）的两倍。
2026年选秀权： 第9顺位、第30顺位、第48顺位
**选秀需求：**独行侠队拥有他们自己的乐透签，以及来自安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis) 交易的首轮最后一个选秀权。在三分球命中数排名联盟第29位之后，他们需要一名射手，而布雷登·伯里斯 (Brayden Burries) 可能就在那个顺位。对于独行侠队单薄的培养梯队来说，另一名控球后卫和一些前锋深度也应该在考虑范围内。
休斯敦火箭
2023年选秀： 控球后卫 阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson)
2024年选秀： 得分后卫 里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard)、控球后卫 特里斯坦·牛顿 (Tristen Newton) (2W)
2025年选秀： 无
2023年以来的落选秀： 小前锋 伊赛亚·克劳福德 (Isaiah Crawford) (2W, FA)
**分析：**在凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 的交易之后，休斯敦已经不再是一支年轻的球队了。汤普森的总出场时间领跑全联盟，本赛季只有全明星球员杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren) 和阿尔佩伦·申京 (Alperen Şengün) 在内线得分比他更多。谢泼德在经历了一个糟糕的新秀赛季后，面临的门槛很低，但他通过打满82场比赛跨过了这一门槛，贡献了全队最高的122次抢断，并以227记三分球（命中率39.4%）排名全联盟第九。
2026年选秀权： 第39顺位、第53顺位
**选秀需求：**火箭队没有首轮签，因为他们交易来了一年的拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克和一年的约翰·沃尔 (John Wall)。汤普森和谢泼德在替代弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet) 担任控球后卫时面临的挑战，清楚地表明了休斯敦的需求，但即使他们使用第二轮选秀权，也可能无法在下赛季给休斯敦带来帮助。火箭队的阵容中也完全没有可培养的大个子。
孟菲斯灰熊
2023年选秀： 大前锋 泰勒·亨德里克斯 (Taylor Hendricks)、大前锋 奥利维耶-马克桑斯·普罗斯珀 (Olivier-Maxence Prosper) (FA)、小前锋 雷安·吕佩尔 (Rayan Rupert) (2W, FA)、大前锋 GG·杰克逊二世 (GG Jackson II) (FA)
2024年选秀： 中锋 扎克·伊迪 (Zach Edey)、小前锋 杰伦·威尔斯 (Jaylen Wells)、得分后卫 卡姆·斯宾塞 (Cam Spencer)
2025年选秀： 得分后卫 塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward)、控球后卫 沃尔特·克莱顿 (Walter Clayton Jr.)、控球后卫 贾冯·斯莫尔 (Javon Small) (2W)、得分后卫 贾迈·马沙克 (Jahmai Mashack) (2W)
2023年以来的落选秀： 无
**分析：**到赛季结束时，孟菲斯的大部分阵容都由过去三届选秀的球员组成。孟菲斯是仅有的两支（与圣安东尼奥并列）在过去三年中每年都有球员入选最佳新秀阵容的球队之一。考沃德入选了新秀第一阵，并以7次两双在所有新秀中并列第四。威尔斯是2025年年度最佳新秀的候选人之一，他与同为华盛顿州立大学出品的考沃德在侧翼搭档首发。杰克逊在2024年入选了最佳新秀阵容，他的终结能力比前两个赛季有了很大提升。伊迪是目前阵容中孟菲斯第四位入选最佳新秀阵容的球员，他的第二个赛季被多次脚踝手术摧毁，这可能也会影响他下赛季的备战。斯宾塞以94%的罚球命中率领跑全联盟，同时三分命中率达到44.9%。普罗斯珀在3月份从双向合同转正，并交出了亮眼的命中率数据（54.9%/40.5%/75.4%），尽管他的篮板和防守没那么出色。克莱顿和亨德里克斯是通过小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.) 的交易从犹他加盟的。克莱顿在孟菲斯场均送出5.7次助攻，但投篮挣扎，而亨德里克斯在右腿遭遇严重伤势之前，展现出了一些让他成为前十顺位秀的3D特质。
2026年选秀权： 第3顺位、第16顺位、第32顺位
**选秀需求：**在过去十年中，灰熊队唯一一次赢得季后赛系列赛的阵容里，如今只剩下一名球员留队，那就是贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant)。灰熊队应该能在乐透区选中替代小贾伦·杰克逊的人选。无论是布泽尔 (Boozer) 还是威尔逊 (Wilson)，都应该能帮助这支全联盟防守篮板最差的球队提升大前锋位置的实力。考虑到伊迪的耐用性隐患，灰熊队也可能需要一名中锋。孟菲斯在选侧翼球员方面的成功，可能会促使他们将另一个选秀权用在侧翼位置。
新奥尔良鹈鹕
2023年选秀： 得分后卫 乔丹·霍金斯 (Jordan Hawkins)
2024年选秀： 中锋 伊夫·米西 (Yves Missi)
2025年选秀： 控球后卫 杰里迈亚·菲尔斯 (Jeremiah Fears)、大前锋 德里克·奎因 (Derik Queen)、小前锋 迈卡·皮维 (Micah Peavy)
2023年以来的落选秀： 得分后卫 特雷·亚历山大 (Trey Alexander) (2W, FA)、大前锋 乔什·奥杜罗 (Josh Oduro) (2W, FA)、中锋 亨特·迪金森 (Hunter Dickinson) (2W, FA)
**分析：**在新管理层上任后，鹈鹕队在主教练前途未卜的情况下，做出了罕见的“赢在当下”举动，交易走了2026年的乐透签。威利·格林 (Willie Green) 在11月被解雇，鹈鹕队输掉了56场比赛。现在老鹰队拥有了一个前十顺位的选秀权。但他们有两名球员入选了最佳新秀阵容！菲尔斯打满了82场比赛，是仅有的四名得分突破1000分的新秀之一。奎因打了81场比赛，在所有新秀中篮板数领跑，并贡献了两次三双，展现了他的持球能力。菲尔斯和奎因要成为可靠的防守者还有很长的路要走。米西曾是新秀首发，但随着蔡恩·威廉森 (Zion Williamson) 更加健康，以及队中拥有奎因、凯文·卢尼 (Kevon Looney) 和德安德烈·乔丹 (DeAndre Jordan)，他退居次席。皮维有潜力成为一名强硬的防守者，但他无法得分（投篮命中率38.5%，三分命中率25.9%）。霍金斯只是一名平庸的射手，这并不是个好消息，因为他还没有证明自己能在其他方面做出足够贡献以留在场上。
2026年选秀权： 第58顺位
**选秀需求：**尽管在年轻大个子身上投入了大量的选秀资产，新奥尔良的防守篮板率依然排名联盟第28位。在新任主教练贾马尔·莫斯利 (Jamahl Mosley) 手下，这是无法容忍的。任何加入阵容的新成员都需要成为一名扎实的位置篮板手。
圣安东尼奥马刺
2023年选秀： 中锋 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)
2024年选秀： 控球后卫 斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle)、大前锋 哈里森·英格拉姆 (Harrison Ingram) (2W)
2025年选秀： 控球后卫 迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)、小前锋 卡特·布莱恩特 (Carter Bryant)
2023年以来的落选秀： 得分后卫 大卫·琼斯·加西亚 (David Jones Garcia) (2W)、小前锋 埃马努埃尔·米勒 (Emanuel Miller) (2W)
**分析：**这是NBA中最好的培养梯队，尽管不一定是最深厚的。文班亚马是过去三届选秀中唯一入选全明星的球员。他还是年度最佳防守球员、最佳阵容第一阵成员以及常规赛MVP的候选人。卡斯尔在他的年度最佳新秀赛季基础上再接再厉，在符合排名资格的球员中场均助攻数排名第六（7.4次），同时也将自己打造成了一名令人畏惧的领防防守者。哈珀成为联盟历史上第八位在季后赛中得分超过300分的新秀，而且他除了两场季后赛外全部是替补登场。布莱恩特在季后赛中偶尔会进入米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 的“冷宫”，但他整个赛季都是防守端能量的稳定来源。
2026年选秀权： 第20顺位、第35顺位、第42顺位、第44顺位
**选秀需求：**尽管赢了62场比赛，马刺队依然拥有来自德章泰·默里 (Dejounte Murray) 交易的第20顺位选秀权。除非发生达龙·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 的交易，否则圣安东尼奥不一定需要另一名后卫，但在对手失误率排名联盟第28位之后，他们可以再引进一名防守组织者。圣安东尼奥已经放弃了杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan)，因此再选一名大前锋也是合情合理的，尤其是考虑到哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes) 和凯利·奥利尼克 (Kelly Olynyk) 都将进入自由球员市场。
由生成式 AI 翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：What are the biggest NBA Draft needs for all West teams? Assessing their young cores
What are the biggest NBA Draft needs for all West teams? Assessing their young cores
The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NBA Draft, including the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
The NBA offseason now turns to the draft, a two-day event where teams get cost-controlled talent for the short-term future.
Every player entering the draft hopes to carve out a long-term future in the league. But in this era of team-building, teams often think in shorter windows. When teams are deciding on their upcoming draft classes, they have to consider the development of the incumbent young players. Sometimes, teams decide against having young players at all.
In reaching the 2026 NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs ended a six-year postseason drought with six players they drafted in their 10-man rotation, including four drafted in the last three years.
This analysis looks at every player from the 2023, 2024 and 2025 draft classes who finished the 2025-26 season on a roster, including undrafted players and two-way contracts. Players who finished the season on hardship exceptions are excluded unless they were later signed to standard contracts. This will also denote which players could be 2026 free agents (FA).
The three-year window is key because that’s how long a team has until it has to make decisions on rookie-scale contract extensions. By then, teams expect answers. They don’t just draft for need. They draft for fit, for positional depth and to replace young players who have not developed quickly enough.
Here’s a team-by-team look at the Western Conference’s developmental corps and how it may shape each team’s draft strategy. (Look back at the 2024 and 2025 versions.)
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets
2023 draft: SF Julian Strawther, SG Jalen Pickett (FA)
2024 draft: PF DaRon Holmes II, PG KJ Simpson (2W)
2025 draft: N/A
Undrafted since 2023: SF Spencer Jones (FA), SG Curtis Jones (2W, FA)
**Analysis:**The Nuggets have had an uninspiring run of adding to the developmental corps since winning the 2023 NBA championship. Spencer Jones was the bright spot as an adequate 3-and-D forward whose funky release limits his volume; he was promoted from a two-way contract in February. Pickett always gets his minutes canceled by the postseason. Strawther can shoot but his defense is porous. All seven of Holmes’ 15-minute games came while Nikola Jokić was out with a knee injury; he showed some ability to pass and shoot, but it’s clear that he hasn’t returned to form after missing his rookie year due to a torn Achilles.
2026 draft picks: 26, 49
**Draft need:**Denver had the worst defense of any playoff team, and no team was worse at forcing turnovers in the entire league. The Nuggets could use a point-of-attack defender guard, and should also consider a developmental center in the second round — that has worked out for this franchise before.
Minnesota Timberwolves
2023 draft: PF Julian Phillips (FA), SF Jaylen Clark (FA)
2024 draft: SG Terrence Shannon Jr., PF Enrique Freeman (2W, FA)
2025 draft: C Joan Beringer, C Rocco Zikarsky (2W)
Undrafted since 2023: PG Zyon Pullin
**Analysis:**Minnesota was one of the more top-heavy teams in the league, which left most of its developmental corps shut out, save for one exception. Shannon didn’t play much in the regular season due to injuries and mistakes, but he wound up helping the Timberwolves close out the Nuggets in the first round after Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu suffered injuries. Clark is a rugged defender but his offensive limitations make it hard for him to stay on the floor in the playoffs. Beringer is the center of the future, but he cleared 15 minutes just seven times. Fifty-three of the 94 minutes Phillips played after being traded from Chicago came in the final week of the season.
2026 draft picks: 28, 59
**Draft need:**The Timberwolves punted on 2024 lottery pick Rob Dillingham for Dosunmu’s unrestricted free agency. While Dosunmu is a priority, Minnesota also lost DiVincenzo to an Achilles tear, while free agent Mike Conley is in the twilight of his career. Bones Hyland is also a free agent. Minnesota should target another true point guard while adding a developmental forward.
Oklahoma City Thunder
2023 draft: SG Cason Wallace
2024 draft: PG Nikola Topić, PG Jared McCain, PG Ajay Mitchell
2025 draft: C Thomas Sorber, SF Brooks Barnhizer (2W, FA)
Undrafted since 2023: C Branden Carlson (2W, FA), SF Payton Sandfort (2W)
**Analysis:**The Thunder were the league’s best team in the regular season, and while they were the youngest team to win a playoff series, they aren’t that young anymore. Wallace earned a spot on the All-Defense Second Team after leading the NBA with 150 steals. He’s about to get paid and likely be a permanent starter soon. Mitchell emerged as Oklahoma City’s top bench scorer, and he destroyed the Lakers in the playoffs. McCain fit marvelously as a confident shooter after Philadelphia traded him at the deadline. Topić has unfortunately been unable to get his career off the ground due to ACL surgery and cancer. Now back surgery will sideline him for the summer. Sorber also missed his rookie season due to an ACL tear.
2026 draft picks: 12, 17, 37
**Draft need:**Oklahoma City got a lottery pick after the Clippers flunked the Play-In Tournament due to the 2019 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade. They also got Philadelphia’s first-round pick after the 2020 Al Horford trade. The Thunder need another power forward — not because they should quit Chet Holmgren, but because they don’t have a physical forward on their roster, let alone the developmental corps.
Portland Trail Blazers
2023 draft: PG Scoot Henderson, PF Kris Murray, SF Sidy Cissoko, PF Toumani Camara
2024 draft: C Donovan Clingan
2025 draft: C Yang Hansen
Undrafted since 2023: PG Caleb Love (2W, FA), SG Chris Youngblood (2W), SF Jayson Kent (2W)
Analysis: It was a weird season in Portland, but one that saw some of the most contributions from a developmental corps for a playoff team. Camara was one of four players to start all 82 games and was one of 22 players to make more than 200 3s; he’s already on a contract extension that goes through 2030. Clingan led the NBA in offensive rebounds while blocking 130 shots and averaging a double-double. Murray soaks up minutes in the regular season as a rotational defender, but his offense got his minutes canceled in the playoffs. Henderson didn’t debut until February due to a torn hamstring, but he became a starter by the end of the season before an up-and-down playoff series against the Spurs. Portland traded the Cedric Coward pick to move out of last year’s lottery, acquiring Orlando’s 2028 first-round pick and Yang, who had a messy rookie season (31 percent from the field). Like Murray, Cissoko played a lot during the regular season but was too harmful offensively to play in the playoffs. Keeping with the theme of the Trail Blazers employing ineffective regular-season options, Love was the only rookie who cleared 1,000 minutes this season on a two-way contract. Henderson’s return from injury limited his role later in the year.
2026 draft picks: N/A
**Draft need:**Portland finally sent the Bulls a first-round pick after the 2021 Lauri Markkanen trade; all the Blazers got out of that deal was the right to get off of Derrick Jones Jr.’s contract and acquire 37 games of service from Larry Nance Jr. before Nance was included in the CJ McCollum trade. Damian Lillard is coming back after missing the season due to an Achilles tear. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Portland add another developmental point guard to challenge Love, given the ages of Lillard and Holiday and the uneven Henderson experience.
Utah Jazz
2023 draft: PG Keyonte George, PF Brice Sensabaugh
2024 draft: SF Cody Williams, PG Isaiah Collier, C Kyle Filipowski
2025 draft: SG Ace Bailey
Undrafted since 2023: PG Elijah Harkless (2W, FA), C Oscar Tshiebwe (2W, FA), PF Blake Hinson (2W), SG Bez Mbeng (FA), PG Hayden Gray (FA)
**Analysis:**Only six players cleared 1,500 minutes for the Jazz this season. All six were on Jazz draft picks on rookie contracts. George enjoyed a third-year breakout as the starting point guard before missing the final month of the season. Bailey was an All-Rookie Second Team selection; half of his 20-point games came in the last 46 days of the season. Sensabaugh showed more explosiveness to go with growing versatility as a shooter. Filipowski is a skilled change-of-pace big. Collier had more 10-assist games (10) than George (4), including a 22-assist game in February at Indiana. He just hasn’t figured out the 3-point line yet (27 percent). Williams was an improved finisher compared to the troubling depths of his rookie season, but he got worse as a 3-point shooter. The Jazz signed Mbeng and Gray for silly season; Mbeng at least got a 27-point triple-double out of it against the Grizzlies.
2026 draft picks: 2
**Draft need:**The tank was spectacular in Utah this season, but the Jazz finally got a top-four pick for their troubles. The defense should be much improved if restricted free agent Walker Kessler is retained to team up with midseason trade/tank acquisition Jaren Jackson Jr. Darryn Peterson would round out the developmental corps nicely from a positional standpoint.
Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors
2023 draft: PG Brandin Podziemski
2024 draft: C Quinten Post (FA)
2025 draft: SF Will Richard
Undrafted since 2023: PF Malevy Leons (2W), SG LJ Cryer (2W)
**Analysis:**The Warriors were the oldest team in the NBA that finished the regular season with a losing record. But the only player to clear 2,000 minutes for the Warriors was Podziemski, who appeared in all 82 games while providing decent production on both ends of the floor, at both backcourt spots, and in both the first and second units. Richard was adequate as an undersized 3-and-D wing. Post is a pick-and-pop stretch five who plays for a team that is allergic to the paint.
2026 draft picks: 11, 54
**Draft need:**Golden State was one of the five worst teams in the league at preventing turnovers this season. The devastating knee injuries to Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, along with Stephen Curry’s age and the free agency of Draymond Green, De’Anthony Melton, Pat Spencer, Gary Payton II and Seth Curry should encourage the Warriors to consider a true point guard. Golden State has found contributors very late in the draft, so that could be a spot where they seek frontcourt depth, given the free agency of Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford and Charles Bassey.
LA Clippers
2023 draft: SF Jordan Miller (FA)
2024 draft: SF Cam Christie
2025 draft: C Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, PG Kobe Sanders (FA)
Undrafted since 2023: PG Sean Pedulla (2W), PF Norchad Omier (2W, FA)
**Analysis:**The Clippers were the oldest team in the NBA, even after trades that significantly lowered their average age. Miller’s roller-coaster experience on the Clippers roster went for another upswing after getting promoted from a two-way contract for the second season in a row. This time, Miller stayed in the rotation and turned in strong shooting percentages while showing some confidence as a ballhandler. Sanders went from Nevada’s starting point guard to earning a promotion from a two-way contract while playing every position except for center and hitting 40.8 percent from 3. Niederhäuser was progressing as an exceptional vertical threat and rim protector, but he suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot that required season-ending surgery. He’s not expected to be ready for the start of next season. Christie plays hard but made just 38.1 percent from the field and 24.5 percent from 3.
2026 draft picks: 5, 36, 52
**Draft need:**LA’s Play-In failure gave the Thunder a lottery pick, but the misfortune of the Indiana Pacers more than makes up for it. This is LA’s highest draft pick since their 15-year streak of consecutive winning seasons began. The Clippers need help at power forward after a bottom-10 rebounding season, but their pick may be one spot too low to address that need with a top-tier prospect. If the Clippers keep the lottery pick, then ballhandling help should be a priority, even with Darius Garland entrenched as the new starter.
Los Angeles Lakers
2023 draft: SG Nick Smith Jr. (FA)
2024 draft: SF Dalton Knecht, PG Bronny James
2025 draft: PF Adou Thiero
Undrafted since 2023: PF Drew Timme (2W, FA), SF Chris Mañon (2W, FA)
**Analysis:**The Lakers had one of the least impactful developmental corps in the league. When fully healthy, none of the young Lakers were in the rotation. Smith was a former Hornets first-round pick who was waived before training camp and spent the entire season on a two-way contract with the Lakers until the last day of the season. Knecht had a seven-game rotation run to begin January that was intended to boost his trade value. After missing 19 of 23 3s, scoring 22 points on 31 shots and compiling a 1:7 assist-turnover ratio, Knecht reached 15 minutes in only two more games for the rest of the season. James improved to 38.6 percent on 3s and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line while holding up defensively, but he’s too timid offensively. Thiero’s knee issues caused him to miss summer league, preseason and chunks of the regular season. He’s an explosive athlete who needs a lot of work on his shooting and non-dunk finishing.
2026 draft picks: 25
**Draft need:**Los Angeles needs defenders and for ballhandling depth. A lot of teams can say that, but the Lakers had a rather severe lack of two-way players. The rim protection was also some of the very worst in the league. All of their centers could be free agents and there are no developmental centers, either. There will be some options for the Lakers late in the first round.
Phoenix Suns
2023 draft: N/A
2024 draft: PF Ryan Dunn, C Oso Ighodaro
2025 draft: C Khaman Maluach, PF Rasheer Fleming, SG Koby Brea (2W, FA)
Undrafted since 2023: PF CJ Huntley (2W)
**Analysis:**Especially on the perimeter, this is one of the emptier developmental corps in the league. Ighodaro played in all 82 games and started the sweep against Oklahoma City due to Mark Williams’ foot injury. You can certainly do a lot worse for a backup center, though Ighodaro is one of the worst free-throw shooters in the league. Dunn is also a sub-50 percent free-throw shooter. He doesn’t rack up the steals and blocks like he did at Virginia. Fleming struggled with his finishing, making only 40.5 percent from the field. Maluach was buried behind Williams and Ighodaro, though he was able to show flashes of shot blocking and played well in most of his nine 15-minute games.
2026 draft picks: 47
**Draft need:**Phoenix doesn’t have a first-round pick or Bradley Beal. There aren’t any developmental wings, particularly one who would be comfortable as a slasher. That could be a target for the Suns in the second round.
Sacramento Kings
2023 draft: N/A
2024 draft: SG Devin Carter
2025 draft: SG Nique Clifford, C Maxime Raynaud
Undrafted since 2023: PG Isaiah Stevens (2W, FA), C Dylan Cardwell
**Analysis:**Only the Warriors and Clippers had older rosters than the Kings, a 60-loss team. The Kings got a lot out of their rookies, though. Raynaud was the only second-round pick to make an All-Rookie team, posting 13 20-point games. Clifford struggled on both ends of the floor, but only Raynaud and DeMar DeRozan logged more total minutes than Clifford among Kings. Cardwell is the opposite of Raynaud — an underwhelming offensive player, but a sturdy defender who was promoted from a two-way contract. Carter is a sub-30 percent 3-point shooter who has yet to overcome his lack of size for a combo guard.
2026 draft picks: 7, 34, 45
**Draft need:**The Kings won eight of their final 18 games of the season, winding up with the seventh pick in the draft. Sacramento needs to figure out its center situation, but that’s a matter of Domantas Sabonis’ value, not something the Kings need to address in the draft. It makes sense for the Kings to target a true point guard of the future after trading Dennis Schröder and with Russell Westbrook entering free agency. The second round should be an opportunity to replenish the forward spots with an eye toward defense. The Kings ranked 28th on that end.
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks
2023 draft: C Dereck Lively II
2024 draft: SG AJ Johnson, PF Tyler Smith (2W)
2025 draft: SF Cooper Flagg
Undrafted since 2023: PG Ryan Nembhard (FA), C Moussa Cisse (2W, FA), SG John Poulakidas (2W)
**Analysis:**Eight years ago, the Mavericks drafted the 2026 scoring champion and the 2026 Finals MVP. At least they have the 2026 Rookie of the Year. Flagg had 11 30-point games to lead all rookies, had the most 40-point games (4) by a rookie since Allen Iverson in 1997 and set the record for the youngest player ever to score 50 in a game. Nembhard was the closest thing to point guard relief that Flagg had. Nembhard led all rookies with six 10-assist games and was promoted from a two-way contract at the end of February. Johnson (32.4 percent from the field, 21.1 percent on 3s) has been included in trade-deadline deals in both of his seasons. Lively played only 115 minutes in seven games before undergoing season-ending foot surgery in December. He had nearly twice as many fouls (21) as field goals (11) before being shut down.
2026 draft picks: 9, 30, 48
**Draft need:**The Mavericks have their own lottery pick, as well as the last pick of the first round from the Anthony Davis trade. They need a shooter after finishing 29th in 3s made, and Brayden Burries could be right there. Another point guard and some forward depth should also be under consideration for Dallas’ thin developmental corps.
Houston Rockets
2023 draft: PG Amen Thompson
2024 draft: SG Reed Sheppard, PG Tristen Newton (2W)
2025 draft: N/A
Undrafted since 2023: SF Isaiah Crawford (2W, FA)
**Analysis:**Houston isn’t a young team anymore after the Kevin Durant trade. Thompson led the NBA in minutes, with only All-Stars Jalen Duren and Alperen Şengün scoring more paint points this season. Sheppard had a low bar to clear after a poor rookie season, but he cleared it by appearing in all 82 games, collecting a team-high 122 steals and finishing ninth in the NBA with 227 3s (39.4 percent).
2026 draft picks: 39, 53
**Draft need:**The Rockets don’t have a first-round pick because they traded for one year of Russell Westbrook and one year of John Wall. Thompson and Sheppard’s challenges of being point guards in Fred VanVleet’s stead make it clear what Houston needs, but even if they use a second-round pick, it’s unlikely to help Houston for next season. The Rockets also have zero developmental bigs on the roster.
Memphis Grizzlies
2023 draft: PF Taylor Hendricks, PF Olivier-Maxence Prosper (FA), SF Rayan Rupert (2W, FA), PF GG Jackson II (FA)
2024 draft: C Zach Edey, SF Jaylen Wells, SG Cam Spencer
2025 draft: SG Cedric Coward, PG Walter Clayton Jr., PG Javon Small (2W), SG Jahmai Mashack (2W)
Undrafted since 2023: N/A
**Analysis:**By the end of the season, the majority of Memphis’ roster consisted of players from the last three drafts. Memphis is one of two teams (along with San Antonio) to have an All-Rookie selection in each of the last three years. Coward was a first-team selection and was tied for fourth among rookies with seven double-doubles. Wells, a Rookie of the Year finalist in 2025, was fellow Washington State product Coward’s co-starter on the wing. Jackson, an All-Rookie team selection in 2024, was a much better finisher than his previous two seasons. Edey, Memphis’ fourth All-Rookie team selection on the current roster, had his second season ruined by multiple ankle surgeries that may also impact his preparation for next season. Spencer led the league in free-throw percentage (94) while making 44.9 percent from 3. Prosper was promoted from a two-way contract in March and turned in sparkling percentages (54.9/40.5/75.4), though his rebounding and defense were not as good. Clayton and Hendricks arrived from Utah via the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. Clayton averaged 5.7 assists in Memphis but struggled to make shots, while Hendricks flashed some of the 3-and-D traits that made him a top-10 pick before his severe right-leg injuries.
2026 draft picks: 3, 16, 32
**Draft need:**Memphis has just one player remaining from the franchise’s lone playoff series win over the last decade, and that’s Ja Morant. The Grizzlies should be able to draft Jaren Jackson Jr.’s replacement in the lottery. Either Boozer or Wilson should help improve the worst defensive rebounding team in the league at power forward. The Grizzlies could use a center as well, given Edey’s durability concerns. The success Memphis has had drafting wings could lead to another pick being used there.
New Orleans Pelicans
2023 draft: SG Jordan Hawkins
2024 draft: C Yves Missi
2025 draft: PG Jeremiah Fears, PF Derik Queen, SF Micah Peavy
Undrafted since 2023: SG Trey Alexander (2W, FA), PF Josh Oduro (2W, FA), C Hunter Dickinson (2W, FA)
**Analysis:**The Pelicans traded out of the 2026 lottery in the rare win-now move with a lame-duck head coach under a new front office. Willie Green was fired in November and the Pelicans lost 56 games. Now the Hawks have a top-10 pick. But they had two All-Rookie team selections! Fears played all 82 games and was one of four rookies to score more than 1,000 points. Queen played 81 games, led all rookies in rebounding and had two triple-doubles that showed his ability with the ball. Both Fears and Queen have a long way to go to become reliable defenders. Missi was a rookie starter, but he took a back seat with Zion Williamson healthier and Queen, Kevon Looney and DeAndre Jordan on the team. Peavy has the potential to be a tough defender, but he couldn’t score (38.5 percent field goals, 25.9 percent 3s). Hawkins is an average shooter, which isn’t great news since he hasn’t shown that he can do enough elsewhere to stay on the floor.
2026 draft picks: 58
**Draft need:**Despite all of the draft capital spent on young bigs, New Orleans still ranked 28th in defensive rebound percentage. That’s not going to fly under new head coach Jamahl Mosley. Whoever gets added to the roster needs to be a solid positional rebounder.
San Antonio Spurs
2023 draft: C Victor Wembanyama
2024 draft: PG Stephon Castle, PF Harrison Ingram (2W)
2025 draft: PG Dylan Harper, SF Carter Bryant
Undrafted since 2023: SG David Jones Garcia (2W), SF Emanuel Miller (2W)
**Analysis:**This is the best developmental corps in the NBA, if not necessarily the deepest. Wembanyama is the only All-Star selected in the last three drafts. He’s also the Defensive Player of the Year, an All-NBA first team selection and a finalist for MVP. Castle built on his Rookie of the Year campaign by finishing sixth among qualifiers in assists per game (7.4), also establishing himself as a fearsome point-of-attack defender. Harper became the eighth rookie in league history to score more than 300 points in a postseason, doingso while coming off of the bench for all but two playoff games. Bryant was occasionally in Mitch Johnson’s doghouse in the playoffs, but he was a consistent source of defensive energy all season.
2026 draft picks: 20, 35, 42, 44
**Draft need:**Despite winning 62 games, the Spurs have the 20th pick from the Dejounte Murray trade. San Antonio doesn’t necessarily need another guard unless there’s a De’Aaron Fox trade, but it could use another defensive playmaker after finishing 28th in opponent-turnover percentage. San Antonio gave up on Sochan, so another power forward makes sense as well, especially with Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk entering free agency.
By Law Murray, via The Athletic