Early 2026-27 NBA 8-Cat Draft Board2025-26 PROXY
Ranked by 2025-26 per-game 8-cat z-score value — the best category proxy until preseason projections land. ESPN overall ADP is shown for market context only (it comes from mostly points/default drafts, a different format) and never affects the ranking. This is the board to draft from — for what already happened, see the 2025-26 results. Rebuilt August 4, 2026.
| Player | 8-Cat value | GP | 2025-26 pts rank | ADP | vs ADP | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |  Nikola JokicC1 · DEN | 19.0 | 65 | #1 | 2.3 | +1.3 | |
| 02 |  Victor WembanyamaF1 · SA | 16.1 | 66 | #3 | 3.1 | +1.1 | |
| 03 |  Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderG2 · OKC | 15.1 | 68 | #4 | 3.2 | +0.2 | |
| 04 |  Luka DoncicG1 · LAL | 13.8 | 64 | #2 | 5 | +1.0 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 05 |  Kawhi LeonardF4 · LAC | 12.7 | 66 | #9 | 46.1 | +41.1 | |
| 06 |  Tyrese MaxeyG3 · PHI | 12.6 | 73 | #6 | 16.3 | +10.3 | |
| 07 |  Donovan MitchellG6 · CLE | 10.8 | 70 | #12 | 21.2 | +14.2 | |
| 08 |  Kevin DurantF8 · HOU | 10.6 | 78 | #21 | 25.7 | +17.7 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 09 |  Stephen CurryG17 · GS | 10.6 | 45 | #36 | 21 | +12.0 | |
| 10 |  Damian LillardG9 · POR | 10.3 | 61 | #18 | 79.2 | +69.2 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 11 |  Cade CunninghamG4 · DET | 10.1 | 66 | #7 | 8.5 | −2.5 | |
| 12 |  James HardenG10 · CLE | 10.0 | 70 | #19 | 18.6 | +6.6 | |
| 13 |  Jamal MurrayG8 · DEN | 9.8 | 76 | #17 | 36.1 | +23.1 | |
| 14 |  Tyrese HaliburtonG12 · IND | 9.7 | 73 | #24 | 66 | +52.0 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 15 |  Joel EmbiidC2 · PHI | 9.6 | 38 | #11 | 46.9 | +31.9 | |
| 16 |  Jalen JohnsonF3 · ATL | 9.4 | 74 | #8 | 30.4 | +14.4 | |
| 17 |  Anthony EdwardsG7 · MIN | 9.4 | 63 | #15 | 7.1 | −9.9 | |
| 18 |  Scottie BarnesF7 · TOR | 9.4 | 82 | #20 | 29.4 | +11.4 | |
| 19 |  Kevin Porter Jr.G16 · MIL | 9.3 | 38 | #32 | 93.7 | +74.7 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 20 |  Lauri MarkkanenF10 · UTAH | 9.1 | 42 | #25 | 80.9 | +60.9 | |
| 21 |  Kyrie IrvingG13 · DAL | 9.0 | 52 | #29 | 85.1 | +64.1 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 22 |  Austin ReavesG19 · LAL | 8.9 | 51 | #39 | 49.5 | +27.5 | |
| 23 |  Trey Murphy IIIF15 · NO | 8.6 | 66 | #43 | 71.6 | +48.6 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 24 |  Karl-Anthony TownsC5 · NY | 8.3 | 77 | #28 | 15 | −9.0 | |
| 25 |  Keyonte GeorgeG20 · UTAH | 8.1 | 54 | #40 | 106.3 | +81.3 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 26 |  Anthony DavisF5 · WSH | 8.0 | 20 | #13 | 12.6 | −13.4 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 27 |  Jimmy Butler IIIF17 · GS | 7.7 | 38 | #45 | 82.3 | +55.3 | OUTAug 4 |
| 28 |  Chet HolmgrenC8 · OKC | 7.7 | 71 | #46 | 43.5 | +15.5 | |
| 29 |  Michael Porter Jr.F14 · BKN | 7.4 | 52 | #38 | 65.6 | +36.6 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 30 |  Jaylen BrownG5 · PHI | 7.3 | 71 | #10 | 17.3 | −12.7 | |
| 31 |  Nickeil Alexander-WalkerG30 · ATL | 7.3 | 78 | #62 | 107.4 | +76.4 | |
| 32 |  Deni AvdijaF6 · POR | 7.1 | 68 | #16 | 59.1 | +27.1 | |
| 33 |  Amen ThompsonG18 · HOU | 7.1 | 79 | #37 | 21.3 | −11.7 | |
| 34 |  Josh GiddeyG11 · CHI | 6.9 | 54 | #22 | 32.1 | −1.9 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 35 |  LeBron JamesF9 · PHI | 6.7 | 60 | #23 | 13.2 | −21.8 | |
| 36 |  Alperen SengunC3 · HOU | 6.6 | 73 | #14 | 31.6 | −4.4 | |
| 37 |  Cooper FlaggF13 · DAL | 6.6 | 70 | #34 | 24.3 | −12.7 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 38 |  LaMelo BallG21 · MIN | 6.6 | 74 | #41 | 32 | −6.0 | |
| 39 |  Desmond BaneG29 · ORL | 6.5 | 84 | #60 | 49.7 | +10.7 | |
| 40 |  Devin BookerG15 · PHX | 6.4 | 68 | #31 | 20.8 | −19.2 | |
| 41 |  Jalen DurenC7 · DET | 6.4 | 72 | #42 | 63 | +22.0 | |
| 42 |  Derrick WhiteG23 · BOS | 6.3 | 77 | #50 | 53.8 | +11.8 | |
| 43 |  Giannis AntetokounmpoF2 · MIA | 6.2 | 36 | #5 | 5.5 | −37.5 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 44 |  Ryan RollinsG27 · MIL | 6.2 | 74 | #57 | 121 | +77.0 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 45 |  OG AnunobyF26 · NY | 6.2 | 68 | #81 | 68.4 | +23.4 | |
| 46 |  Jalen BrunsonG14 · NY | 6.1 | 75 | #30 | 19.4 | −26.6 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 47 |  Jaren Jackson Jr.F20 · UTAH | 6.1 | 48 | #55 | 69.2 | +22.2 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 48 |  Brandon MillerF24 · CHA | 6.0 | 67 | #64 | 96.5 | +48.5 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 49 |  Jalen SuggsG37 · ORL | 6.0 | 59 | #77 | 132.4 | +83.4 | |
| 50 |  Onyeka OkongwuF21 · ATL | 5.7 | 74 | #58 | 90.8 | +40.8 | |
| 51 |  Tyler HerroG28 · MIL | 5.7 | 34 | #59 | 74.4 | +23.4 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 52 |  Paul GeorgeF23 · BOS | 5.5 | 38 | #63 | 93.2 | +41.2 | |
| 53 |  Bam AdebayoC4 · MIA | 5.4 | 74 | #26 | 30 | −23.0 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 54 |  Donovan ClinganC10 · POR | 5.4 | 78 | #53 | 101 | +47.0 | |
| 55 |  Evan MobleyC6 · CLE | 5.3 | 65 | #35 | 34.4 | −20.6 | |
| 56 |  Julius RandleF16 · BKN | 5.3 | 79 | #44 | 76.9 | +20.9 | |
| 57 |  Alex SarrC9 · WSH | 5.2 | 48 | #47 | 90.4 | +33.4 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 58 |  Brandon IngramF18 · TOR | 5.0 | 77 | #48 | 83 | +25.0 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 59 |  Dyson DanielsG26 · ATL | 4.9 | 76 | #56 | 61.4 | +2.4 | |
| 60 |  Matas BuzelisF27 · CHI | 4.8 | 77 | #82 | 119 | +59.0 | |
| 61 |  Darius GarlandG35 · LAC | 4.7 | 46 | #71 | 88.9 | +27.9 | |
| 62 |  Mikal BridgesG46 · NY | 4.7 | 82 | #96 | 67.1 | +5.1 | |
| 63 |  Jaden McDanielsF38 · MIN | 4.7 | 73 | #109 | 96 | +33.0 | |
| 64 |  Ja MorantG22 · POR | 4.6 | 20 | #49 | 45.2 | −18.8 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 65 |  Kon KnueppelG41 · CHA | 4.6 | 83 | #85 | 80.1 | +15.1 | |
| 66 |  VJ EdgecombeG32 · PHI | 4.5 | 76 | #68 | 100.6 | +34.6 | |
| 67 |  De'Aaron FoxG25 · SA | 4.4 | 73 | #54 | 43.3 | −23.7 | |
| 68 |  Andrew WigginsF31 · MIA | 4.4 | 69 | #92 | 92.4 | +24.4 | |
| 69 |  Paolo BancheroF11 · ORL | 4.3 | 74 | #27 | 36.2 | −32.8 | |
| 70 |  Immanuel QuickleyG33 · TOR | 4.3 | 70 | #69 | 117.1 | +47.1 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 71 |  Nikola VucevicC14 · ORL | 4.2 | 64 | #73 | 51.1 | −19.9 | |
| 72 |  Jarrett AllenC13 · CLE | 4.1 | 56 | #72 | 66 | −6.0 | |
| 73 |  Jrue HolidayG38 · POR | 4.1 | 54 | #78 | 135.2 | +62.2 | |
| 74 |  Kyshawn GeorgeF28 · WSH | 4.1 | 48 | #84 | 135.2 | +61.2 | |
| 75 |  Jalen WilliamsG31 · OKC | 4.0 | 33 | #65 | 33.1 | −41.9 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 76 |  Norman PowellG36 · CHI | 4.0 | 60 | #76 | 99.6 | +23.6 | |
| 77 |  Kristaps PorzingisC16 · GS | 3.9 | 34 | #83 | 98.9 | +21.9 | |
| 78 |  Josh HartG44 · NY | 3.9 | 67 | #89 | 59.9 | −18.1 | |
| 79 |  Franz WagnerF22 · ORL | 3.7 | 36 | #61 | 52.3 | −26.7 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 80 |  Neemias QuetaC21 · BOS | 3.7 | 76 | #111 | 136.6 | +56.6 | |
| 81 |  Kel'el WareC22 · MIL | 3.7 | 78 | #112 | 126.1 | +45.1 | |
| 82 |  Payton PritchardG43 · BOS | 3.6 | 79 | #88 | 97.9 | +15.9 | |
| 83 |  Tre JonesG49 · CHI | 3.6 | 65 | #106 | 139.9 | +56.9 | |
| 84 |  Reed SheppardG56 · HOU | 3.6 | 82 | #118 | 102.6 | +18.6 | |
| 85 |  Mark WilliamsC23 · PHX | 3.5 | 61 | #120 | 116.5 | +31.5 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 86 |  Fred VanVleetG40 · HOU | 3.4 | 60 | #80 | 137.3 | +51.3 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 87 |  Grayson AllenG48 · CHA | 3.4 | 51 | #101 | 139.6 | +52.6 | |
| 88 |  Naz ReidC20 · CHA | 3.4 | 77 | #105 | 98 | +10.0 | |
| 89 |  Stephon CastleG24 · SA | 3.3 | 69 | #51 | 71.7 | −17.3 | |
| 90 |  Andrew NembhardG34 · IND | 3.3 | 57 | #70 | 110.7 | +20.7 | |
| 91 |  Ivica ZubacC15 · IND | 3.3 | 48 | #74 | 40.2 | −50.8 | |
| 92 |  Pascal SiakamF12 · IND | 3.2 | 63 | #33 | 27.6 | −64.4 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 93 |  Zion WilliamsonF19 · NO | 3.2 | 62 | #52 | 46.9 | −46.1 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 94 |  Jabari Smith Jr.F30 · HOU | 3.2 | 77 | #90 | 125.1 | +31.1 | |
| 95 |  Derik QueenC19 · NO | 3.0 | 81 | #102 | 134.7 | +39.7 | |
| 96 |  Collin GillespieG57 · PHX | 3.0 | 82 | #119 | — | — | |
| 97 |  Zach LaVineG58 · SAC | 3.0 | 39 | #121 | 87.3 | −9.7 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 98 |  Ayo DosunmuG64 · MIN | 3.0 | 69 | #130 | 135 | +37.0 | |
| 99 |  Keegan MurrayF32 · SAC | 2.9 | 23 | #93 | 128.2 | +29.2 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 100 |  Isaiah HartensteinC18 · OKC | 2.9 | 47 | #98 | 118.4 | +18.4 | |
| 101 |  Rudy GobertC12 · MIN | 2.8 | 76 | #67 | 85.4 | −15.6 | |
| 102 |  Shaedon SharpeG39 · POR | 2.7 | 51 | #79 | 114.8 | +12.8 | |
| 103 |  Miles BridgesF29 · PHX | 2.7 | 79 | #87 | 75.2 | −27.8 | |
| 104 |  Peyton WatsonG53 · DEN | 2.7 | 54 | #113 | 138.8 | +34.8 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 105 |  Myles TurnerC26 · MIL | 2.7 | 71 | #132 | 77.8 | −27.2 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 106 |  Jusuf NurkicC11 · UTAH | 2.6 | 41 | #66 | 137.7 | +31.7 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 107 |  Saddiq BeyG45 · NO | 2.6 | 72 | #91 | 138.5 | +31.5 | |
| 108 |  Bennedict MathurinG51 · LAC | 2.6 | 55 | #108 | 129.7 | +21.7 | |
| 109 |  Jerami GrantF39 · MEM | 2.6 | 58 | #115 | 138.2 | +29.2 | |
| 110 |  Deandre AytonC24 · WSH | 2.6 | 72 | #122 | 116.6 | +6.6 | |
| 111 |  Ajay MitchellG65 · OKC | 2.6 | 57 | #133 | — | — | |
| 112 |  John CollinsF48 · DET | 2.6 | 70 | #142 | 113.8 | +1.8 | |
| 113 |  CJ McCollumG42 · ATL | 2.5 | 76 | #86 | 96.7 | −16.3 | |
| 114 |  Ausar ThompsonG50 · DET | 2.5 | 73 | #107 | 111 | −3.0 | |
| 115 |  Donte DiVincenzoG61 · MIN | 2.5 | 82 | #126 | 135.6 | +20.6 | OUTAug 4 |
| 116 |  Jay HuffC31 · IND | 2.5 | 82 | #165 | — | — | |
| 117 |  Kelly Oubre Jr.G59 · IND | 2.3 | 51 | #123 | 137.3 | +20.3 | |
| 118 |  Collin SextonG69 · LAL | 2.3 | 68 | #145 | 138.3 | +20.3 | |
| 119 |  Anthony BlackG47 · ORL | 2.2 | 66 | #100 | 134.8 | +15.8 | |
| 120 |  Brandin PodziemskiG54 · GS | 2.2 | 84 | #114 | 137 | +17.0 | |
| 121 |  Cam SpencerG74 · MEM | 2.2 | 72 | #154 | 139.9 | +18.9 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 122 |  Wendell Carter Jr.C25 · ORL | 2.1 | 80 | #125 | 139.8 | +17.8 | |
| 123 |  Toumani CamaraF44 · POR | 2.1 | 83 | #135 | 130.2 | +7.2 | |
| 124 |  Santi AldamaF34 · DAL | 2.0 | 43 | #95 | 132.7 | +8.7 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 125 |  Cedric CowardF42 · MEM | 1.9 | 62 | #131 | — | — | |
| 126 |  Tobias HarrisF43 · SA | 1.9 | 63 | #134 | 119.9 | −6.1 | |
| 127 |  Jakob PoeltlC27 · TOR | 1.9 | 46 | #136 | 93.6 | −33.4 | |
| 128 |  P.J. WashingtonF33 · DAL | 1.8 | 56 | #94 | 139.1 | +11.1 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 129 |  Robert Williams IIIC35 · POR | 1.8 | 60 | #182 | 140.1 | +11.1 | |
| 130 |  Jaime Jaquez Jr.F35 · MIL | 1.7 | 76 | #99 | 137.7 | +7.7 | |
| 131 |  Kyle FilipowskiF41 · UTAH | 1.7 | 77 | #127 | 139.1 | +8.1 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 132 |  Draymond GreenF47 · GS | 1.7 | 70 | #141 | 118.3 | −13.7 | |
| 133 |  Jaylon TysonG68 · CLE | 1.7 | 66 | #144 | — | — | |
| 134 |  Dillon BrooksF36 · PHX | 1.6 | 58 | #103 | 135.2 | +1.2 | |
| 135 |  Daniel GaffordF49 · DAL | 1.6 | 55 | #146 | 133.6 | −1.4 | |
| 136 |  Royce O'NealeF58 · CHA | 1.6 | 80 | #167 | 139.9 | +3.9 | |
| 137 |  Cason WallaceG80 · OKC | 1.6 | 77 | #176 | 136.4 | −0.6 | |
| 138 |  RJ BarrettF25 · TOR | 1.5 | 57 | #75 | 100.7 | −37.3 | |
| 139 |  Bilal CoulibalyG63 · WSH | 1.5 | 56 | #129 | 139.7 | +0.7 | |
| 140 |  Moussa DiabateF45 · CHA | 1.5 | 75 | #137 | 139.5 | −0.5 | |
| 141 |  Aaron GordonF37 · DEN | 1.4 | 36 | #104 | 123.4 | −17.6 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 142 |  Jalen GreenG52 · PHX | 1.4 | 34 | #110 | 71.4 | −70.6 | |
| 143 |  Maxime RaynaudC28 · SAC | 1.4 | 74 | #139 | 139.9 | −3.1 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 144 |  Nic ClaxtonC17 · CHI | 1.3 | 69 | #97 | 120.7 | −23.3 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 145 |  Quentin GrimesG67 · LAL | 1.3 | 76 | #143 | 138.2 | −6.8 | |
| 146 |  Julian ChampagnieF52 · SA | 1.3 | 83 | #158 | 137.8 | −8.2 | |
| 147 |  Cameron JohnsonF57 · DEN | 1.3 | 54 | #166 | 139.1 | −7.9 | |
| 148 |  Isaiah StewartF65 · MEM | 1.3 | 58 | #179 | 139.8 | −8.2 | |
| 149 |  Naji MarshallF40 · DAL | 1.2 | 74 | #116 | 139.9 | −9.1 | DAY TO DAYAug 4 |
| 150 |  Devin VassellG66 · SA | 1.2 | 68 | #138 | 125.4 | −24.6 |
Category value = sum of per-game z-scores across PTS, REB, AST, STL, BLK, 3PM, FG% and FT% from the 2025-26 season. Market ADP is shown for context only; value may vary by league format — ESPN ADP comes mostly from points/default drafts, so we don't grade category value against it. ADP comes from live ESPN drafts and is never an input to our numbers — it only measures the market. Value grades: the gap between ADP and our rank, relative to draft position. Full details in the methodology.