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 July 27, 2026.

	Player	8-Cat value	GP	2025-26 pts rank	ADP	vs ADP	Status
01	Nikola JokicC1 · DEN	19.0	65	#1	2.1	+1.1
02	Victor WembanyamaF1 · SA	16.1	66	#3	3	+1.0
03	Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderG2 · OKC	15.1	68	#4	3.3	+0.3
04	Luka DoncicG1 · LAL	13.8	64	#2	4.9	+0.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
05	Kawhi LeonardF4 · LAC	12.7	66	#9	46.7	+41.7
06	Tyrese MaxeyG3 · PHI	12.6	73	#6	15.4	+9.4
07	Donovan MitchellG6 · CLE	10.8	70	#12	20.8	+13.8
08	Kevin DurantF8 · HOU	10.6	78	#21	25.9	+17.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
09	Stephen CurryG17 · GS	10.6	45	#36	20.7	+11.7
10	Damian LillardG9 · POR	10.3	61	#18	80.1	+70.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
11	Cade CunninghamG4 · DET	10.1	66	#7	8.1	−2.9
12	James HardenG10 · CLE	10.0	70	#19	18	+6.0
13	Jamal MurrayG8 · DEN	9.7	76	#17	35.9	+22.9
14	Tyrese HaliburtonG12 · IND	9.7	73	#24	67.9	+53.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
15	Joel EmbiidC2 · PHI	9.5	38	#11	48.7	+33.7
16	Jalen JohnsonF3 · ATL	9.4	74	#8	29.9	+13.9
17	Anthony EdwardsG7 · MIN	9.4	63	#15	6.9	−10.1
18	Scottie BarnesF7 · TOR	9.4	82	#20	29.5	+11.5
19	Kevin Porter Jr.G16 · MIL	9.4	38	#32	93.3	+74.3	DAY TO DAYJul 27
20	Lauri MarkkanenF10 · UTAH	9.1	42	#25	82.3	+62.3
21	Kyrie IrvingG13 · DAL	9.0	52	#29	89.1	+68.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
22	Austin ReavesG19 · LAL	8.9	51	#39	48.7	+26.7
23	Trey Murphy IIIF15 · NO	8.6	66	#43	71.4	+48.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
24	Karl-Anthony TownsC5 · NY	8.2	77	#28	14.6	−9.4
25	Keyonte GeorgeG20 · UTAH	8.1	54	#40	106.3	+81.3	DAY TO DAYJul 27
26	Anthony DavisF5 · WSH	8.0	20	#13	12.2	−13.8	DAY TO DAYJul 27
27	Jimmy Butler IIIF17 · GS	7.7	38	#45	81.3	+54.3	OUTJul 27
28	Chet HolmgrenC8 · OKC	7.6	71	#46	44	+16.0
29	Michael Porter Jr.F14 · BKN	7.4	52	#38	65.1	+36.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
30	Jaylen BrownG5 · PHI	7.3	71	#10	16.7	−13.3
31	Nickeil Alexander-WalkerG30 · ATL	7.3	78	#62	106.6	+75.6
32	Deni AvdijaF6 · POR	7.1	68	#16	59.1	+27.1
33	Amen ThompsonG18 · HOU	7.1	79	#37	20.1	−12.9
34	Josh GiddeyG11 · CHI	6.9	54	#22	31.2	−2.8	DAY TO DAYJul 27
35	LeBron JamesF9 · PHI	6.7	60	#23	13.6	−21.4
36	Alperen SengunC3 · HOU	6.6	73	#14	30.7	−5.3
37	Cooper FlaggF13 · DAL	6.6	70	#34	23.6	−13.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
38	LaMelo BallG21 · MIN	6.6	74	#41	31.7	−6.3
39	Desmond BaneG29 · ORL	6.5	84	#60	48.7	+9.7
40	Devin BookerG15 · PHX	6.4	68	#31	20.6	−19.4
41	Jalen DurenC7 · DET	6.4	72	#42	63.3	+22.3
42	Derrick WhiteG23 · BOS	6.3	77	#50	54	+12.0
43	Giannis AntetokounmpoF2 · MIA	6.2	36	#5	5	−38.0	DAY TO DAYJul 27
44	Ryan RollinsG27 · MIL	6.2	74	#57	118.9	+74.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
45	OG AnunobyF26 · NY	6.2	68	#81	69.2	+24.2
46	Jalen BrunsonG14 · NY	6.1	75	#30	19.6	−26.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
47	Jaren Jackson Jr.F20 · UTAH	6.1	48	#55	68.8	+21.8	DAY TO DAYJul 27
48	Brandon MillerF24 · CHA	6.0	67	#64	96	+48.0	DAY TO DAYJul 27
49	Jalen SuggsG37 · ORL	6.0	59	#77	131.9	+82.9
50	Onyeka OkongwuF21 · ATL	5.7	74	#58	90.3	+40.3
51	Tyler HerroG28 · MIL	5.7	34	#59	74.4	+23.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
52	Paul GeorgeF23 · BOS	5.5	38	#63	95	+43.0
53	Bam AdebayoC4 · MIA	5.4	74	#26	29.9	−23.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
54	Donovan ClinganC10 · POR	5.4	78	#53	100	+46.0
55	Evan MobleyC6 · CLE	5.3	65	#35	33.6	−21.4
56	Julius RandleF16 · BKN	5.3	79	#44	76.7	+20.7
57	Alex SarrC9 · WSH	5.2	48	#47	89.4	+32.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
58	Brandon IngramF18 · TOR	5.0	77	#48	81.8	+23.8	DAY TO DAYJul 27
59	Dyson DanielsG26 · ATL	4.9	76	#56	59.5	+0.5
60	Matas BuzelisF27 · CHI	4.8	77	#82	117.9	+57.9
61	Darius GarlandG35 · LAC	4.7	46	#71	88.9	+27.9
62	Mikal BridgesG46 · NY	4.7	82	#96	67.5	+5.5
63	Jaden McDanielsF38 · MIN	4.7	73	#109	96.6	+33.6
64	Ja MorantG22 · POR	4.6	20	#49	44.4	−19.6	DAY TO DAYJul 27
65	Kon KnueppelG41 · CHA	4.6	83	#85	78.6	+13.6
66	VJ EdgecombeG32 · PHI	4.5	76	#68	99.2	+33.2
67	De'Aaron FoxG25 · SA	4.4	73	#54	42	−25.0
68	Andrew WigginsF31 · MIA	4.4	69	#92	92.6	+24.6
69	Paolo BancheroF11 · ORL	4.3	74	#27	35.5	−33.5
70	Immanuel QuickleyG33 · TOR	4.3	70	#69	117.1	+47.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
71	Nikola VucevicC14 · ORL	4.2	64	#73	48.4	−22.6
72	Jrue HolidayG38 · POR	4.1	54	#78	134.8	+62.8
73	Kyshawn GeorgeF28 · WSH	4.1	48	#84	135.1	+62.1
74	Jalen WilliamsG31 · OKC	4.0	33	#65	32.7	−41.3	DAY TO DAYJul 27
75	Jarrett AllenC13 · CLE	4.0	56	#72	65.4	−9.6
76	Norman PowellG36 · CHI	4.0	60	#76	98.7	+22.7
77	Josh HartG44 · NY	3.9	67	#89	58.7	−18.3
78	Kristaps PorzingisC16 · GS	3.8	34	#83	99.3	+21.3
79	Franz WagnerF22 · ORL	3.7	36	#61	51.1	−27.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
80	Neemias QuetaC21 · BOS	3.7	76	#111	136.2	+56.2
81	Kel'el WareC22 · MIL	3.7	78	#112	126.9	+45.9
82	Tre JonesG49 · CHI	3.6	65	#106	139.6	+57.6
83	Reed SheppardG56 · HOU	3.6	82	#118	101	+18.0
84	Payton PritchardG43 · BOS	3.5	79	#88	98.5	+14.5
85	Mark WilliamsC23 · PHX	3.5	61	#120	115.9	+30.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
86	Fred VanVleetG40 · HOU	3.4	60	#80	136.7	+50.7	DAY TO DAYJul 27
87	Grayson AllenG48 · CHA	3.4	51	#101	139.7	+52.7
88	Naz ReidC20 · CHA	3.4	77	#105	97.4	+9.4
89	Stephon CastleG24 · SA	3.3	69	#51	71.8	−17.2
90	Andrew NembhardG34 · IND	3.3	57	#70	110.1	+20.1
91	Ivica ZubacC15 · IND	3.3	48	#74	38.2	−52.8
92	Pascal SiakamF12 · IND	3.2	63	#33	27.1	−64.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
93	Zion WilliamsonF19 · NO	3.2	62	#52	45.8	−47.2	DAY TO DAYJul 27
94	Jabari Smith Jr.F30 · HOU	3.2	77	#90	125.8	+31.8
95	Derik QueenC19 · NO	3.0	81	#102	132.4	+37.4
96	Collin GillespieG57 · PHX	3.0	82	#119	—	—
97	Zach LaVineG58 · SAC	3.0	39	#121	86.8	−10.2	DAY TO DAYJul 27
98	Ayo DosunmuG64 · MIN	3.0	69	#130	135.4	+37.4
99	Keegan MurrayF32 · SAC	2.9	23	#93	129	+30.0	DAY TO DAYJul 27
100	Isaiah HartensteinC18 · OKC	2.9	47	#98	119.2	+19.2
101	Rudy GobertC12 · MIN	2.8	76	#67	86.3	−14.7
102	Shaedon SharpeG39 · POR	2.7	51	#79	114.6	+12.6
103	Miles BridgesF29 · PHX	2.7	79	#87	73.5	−29.5
104	Peyton WatsonG53 · DEN	2.7	54	#113	138.9	+34.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
105	Myles TurnerC26 · MIL	2.7	71	#132	75.5	−29.5	DAY TO DAYJul 27
106	Jusuf NurkicC11 · UTAH	2.6	41	#66	137.5	+31.5	DAY TO DAYJul 27
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	Deandre AytonC24 · WSH	2.6	72	#122	116.6	+7.6
110	Ajay MitchellG65 · OKC	2.6	57	#133	—	—
111	John CollinsF48 · DET	2.6	70	#142	113.4	+2.4
112	CJ McCollumG42 · ATL	2.5	76	#86	95.1	−16.9
113	Ausar ThompsonG50 · DET	2.5	73	#107	111.3	−1.7
114	Jerami GrantF39 · MEM	2.5	58	#115	138.1	+24.1
115	Donte DiVincenzoG61 · MIN	2.5	82	#126	135.9	+20.9	OUTJul 27
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	137.2	+19.2
119	Anthony BlackG47 · ORL	2.2	66	#100	135.3	+16.3
120	Brandin PodziemskiG54 · GS	2.2	84	#114	137.1	+17.1
121	Wendell Carter Jr.C25 · ORL	2.1	80	#125	139.6	+18.6
122	Toumani CamaraF44 · POR	2.1	83	#135	129.6	+7.6
123	Cam SpencerG74 · MEM	2.1	72	#154	140	+17.0	DAY TO DAYJul 27
124	Santi AldamaF34 · DAL	2.0	43	#95	133.4	+9.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
125	Tobias HarrisF43 · SA	1.9	63	#134	120.8	−4.2
126	Jakob PoeltlC27 · TOR	1.9	46	#136	93	−33.0
127	P.J. WashingtonF33 · DAL	1.8	56	#94	139.4	+12.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
128	Cedric CowardF42 · MEM	1.8	62	#131	—	—
129	Robert Williams IIIC35 · POR	1.8	60	#182	139.9	+10.9
130	Jaime Jaquez Jr.F35 · MIL	1.7	76	#99	138.1	+8.1
131	Kyle FilipowskiF41 · UTAH	1.7	77	#127	139.2	+8.2	DAY TO DAYJul 27
132	Draymond GreenF47 · GS	1.7	70	#141	120.7	−11.3
133	Jaylon TysonG68 · CLE	1.7	66	#144	—	—
134	Dillon BrooksF36 · PHX	1.6	58	#103	135.8	+1.8
135	Daniel GaffordF49 · DAL	1.6	55	#146	134.5	−0.5
136	Royce O'NealeF58 · CHA	1.6	80	#167	140	+4.0
137	Cason WallaceG80 · OKC	1.6	77	#176	136.9	−0.1
138	RJ BarrettF25 · TOR	1.5	57	#75	98.6	−39.4
139	Bilal CoulibalyG63 · WSH	1.5	56	#129	139.7	+0.7
140	Moussa DiabateF45 · CHA	1.5	75	#137	139.8	−0.2
141	Aaron GordonF37 · DEN	1.4	36	#104	124.7	−16.3	DAY TO DAYJul 27
142	Jalen GreenG52 · PHX	1.4	34	#110	70.2	−71.8
143	Maxime RaynaudC28 · SAC	1.4	74	#139	139.9	−3.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
144	Nic ClaxtonC17 · CHI	1.3	69	#97	120.8	−23.2	DAY TO DAYJul 27
145	Quentin GrimesG67 · LAL	1.3	76	#143	137.5	−7.5
146	Cameron JohnsonF57 · DEN	1.3	54	#166	139.2	−6.8
147	Naji MarshallF40 · DAL	1.2	74	#116	140	−7.0	DAY TO DAYJul 27
148	Julian ChampagnieF52 · SA	1.2	83	#158	137.7	−10.3
149	Al HorfordC32 · GS	1.2	47	#168	139.8	−9.2
150	Isaiah StewartF65 · MEM	1.2	58	#179	139.7	−10.3

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.