Early 2026-27 NBA 9-Cat Draft Board2025-26 PROXY

Ranked by 2025-26 per-game 9-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	9-Cat value	GP	2025-26 pts rank	ADP	vs ADP	Status
01	Nikola JokicC1 · DEN	15.8	65	#1	2.3	+1.3
02	Victor WembanyamaF1 · SA	14.7	66	#3	3.1	+1.1
03	Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderG2 · OKC	13.9	68	#4	3.2	+0.2
04	Kawhi LeonardF4 · LAC	11.6	66	#9	46.1	+42.1
05	Tyrese MaxeyG3 · PHI	11.2	73	#6	16.3	+11.3
06	Luka DoncicG1 · LAL	10.4	64	#2	5	−1.0	DAY TO DAYAug 4
07	Tyrese HaliburtonG12 · IND	9.3	73	#24	66	+59.0	DAY TO DAYAug 4
08	Donovan MitchellG6 · CLE	8.8	70	#12	21.2	+13.2
09	Lauri MarkkanenF10 · UTAH	8.8	42	#25	80.9	+71.9
10	Stephen CurryG17 · GS	8.6	45	#36	21	+11.0
11	Jamal MurrayG8 · DEN	8.5	76	#17	36.1	+25.1
12	Damian LillardG9 · POR	8.5	61	#18	79.2	+67.2	DAY TO DAYAug 4
13	Kevin DurantF8 · HOU	8.3	78	#21	25.7	+12.7	DAY TO DAYAug 4
14	Trey Murphy IIIF15 · NO	7.9	66	#43	71.6	+57.6	DAY TO DAYAug 4
15	Kyrie IrvingG13 · DAL	7.8	52	#29	85.1	+70.1	DAY TO DAYAug 4
16	Scottie BarnesF7 · TOR	7.7	82	#20	29.4	+13.4
17	Joel EmbiidC2 · PHI	7.6	38	#11	46.9	+29.9
18	Anthony EdwardsG7 · MIN	7.5	63	#15	7.1	−10.9
19	Chet HolmgrenC8 · OKC	7.4	71	#46	43.5	+24.5
20	Kevin Porter Jr.G16 · MIL	7.3	38	#32	93.7	+73.7	DAY TO DAYAug 4
21	Jimmy Butler IIIF17 · GS	7.3	38	#45	82.3	+61.3	OUTAug 4
22	James HardenG10 · CLE	7.2	70	#19	18.6	−3.4
23	Cade CunninghamG4 · DET	7.1	66	#7	8.5	−14.5
24	Anthony DavisF5 · WSH	7.0	20	#13	12.6	−11.4	DAY TO DAYAug 4
25	Jalen JohnsonF3 · ATL	6.8	74	#8	30.4	+5.4
26	Karl-Anthony TownsC5 · NY	6.8	77	#28	15	−11.0
27	Austin ReavesG19 · LAL	6.7	51	#39	49.5	+22.5
28	Nickeil Alexander-WalkerG30 · ATL	6.3	78	#62	107.4	+79.4
29	Michael Porter Jr.F14 · BKN	6.1	52	#38	65.6	+36.6	DAY TO DAYAug 4
30	Keyonte GeorgeG20 · UTAH	5.8	54	#40	106.3	+76.3	DAY TO DAYAug 4
31	Jalen DurenC7 · DET	5.8	72	#42	63	+32.0
32	Amen ThompsonG18 · HOU	5.7	79	#37	21.3	−10.7
33	Derrick WhiteG23 · BOS	5.7	77	#50	53.8	+20.8
34	Desmond BaneG29 · ORL	5.6	84	#60	49.7	+15.7
35	Donovan ClinganC10 · POR	5.5	78	#53	101	+66.0
36	OG AnunobyF26 · NY	5.5	68	#81	68.4	+32.4
37	Cooper FlaggF13 · DAL	5.3	70	#34	24.3	−12.7	DAY TO DAYAug 4
38	Onyeka OkongwuF21 · ATL	5.1	74	#58	90.8	+52.8
39	Bam AdebayoC4 · MIA	5.0	74	#26	30	−9.0	DAY TO DAYAug 4
40	Paul GeorgeF23 · BOS	5.0	38	#63	93.2	+53.2
41	Mikal BridgesG46 · NY	5.0	82	#96	67.1	+26.1
42	Jaren Jackson Jr.F20 · UTAH	4.9	48	#55	69.2	+27.2	DAY TO DAYAug 4
43	Tyler HerroG28 · MIL	4.9	34	#59	74.4	+31.4	DAY TO DAYAug 4
44	Jalen BrunsonG14 · NY	4.7	75	#30	19.4	−24.6	DAY TO DAYAug 4
45	LaMelo BallG21 · MIN	4.7	74	#41	32	−13.0
46	Alex SarrC9 · WSH	4.7	48	#47	90.4	+44.4	DAY TO DAYAug 4
47	LeBron JamesF9 · PHI	4.6	60	#23	13.2	−33.8
48	Evan MobleyC6 · CLE	4.5	65	#35	34.4	−13.6
49	Brandon MillerF24 · CHA	4.5	67	#64	96.5	+47.5	DAY TO DAYAug 4
50	Ryan RollinsG27 · MIL	4.4	74	#57	121	+71.0	DAY TO DAYAug 4
51	Jaylen BrownG5 · PHI	4.3	71	#10	17.3	−33.7
52	Alperen SengunC3 · HOU	4.3	73	#14	31.6	−20.4
53	Dyson DanielsG26 · ATL	4.3	76	#56	61.4	+8.4
54	Jalen SuggsG37 · ORL	4.3	59	#77	132.4	+78.4
55	Kel'el WareC22 · MIL	4.3	78	#112	126.1	+71.1
56	Devin BookerG15 · PHX	4.2	68	#31	20.8	−35.2
57	Nikola VucevicC14 · ORL	4.2	64	#73	51.1	−5.9
58	Andrew WigginsF31 · MIA	4.2	69	#92	92.4	+34.4
59	Immanuel QuickleyG33 · TOR	4.1	70	#69	117.1	+58.1	DAY TO DAYAug 4
60	Jaden McDanielsF38 · MIN	4.1	73	#109	96	+36.0
61	Neemias QuetaC21 · BOS	4.1	76	#111	136.6	+75.6
62	Jarrett AllenC13 · CLE	4.0	56	#72	66	+4.0
63	Deni AvdijaF6 · POR	3.9	68	#16	59.1	−3.9
64	Josh GiddeyG11 · CHI	3.9	54	#22	32.1	−31.9	DAY TO DAYAug 4
65	Giannis AntetokounmpoF2 · MIA	3.8	36	#5	5.5	−59.5	DAY TO DAYAug 4
66	VJ EdgecombeG32 · PHI	3.8	76	#68	100.6	+34.6
67	Matas BuzelisF27 · CHI	3.8	77	#82	119	+52.0
68	Kristaps PorzingisC16 · GS	3.8	34	#83	98.9	+30.9
69	Mark WilliamsC23 · PHX	3.8	61	#120	116.5	+47.5	DAY TO DAYAug 4
70	Kon KnueppelG41 · CHA	3.7	83	#85	80.1	+10.1
71	Brandon IngramF18 · TOR	3.5	77	#48	83	+12.0	DAY TO DAYAug 4
72	Julius RandleF16 · BKN	3.4	79	#44	76.9	+4.9
73	Payton PritchardG43 · BOS	3.4	79	#88	97.9	+24.9
74	Tre JonesG49 · CHI	3.4	65	#106	139.9	+65.9
75	Franz WagnerF22 · ORL	3.3	36	#61	52.3	−22.7	DAY TO DAYAug 4
76	Reed SheppardG56 · HOU	3.3	82	#118	102.6	+26.6
77	Jalen WilliamsG31 · OKC	3.2	33	#65	33.1	−43.9	DAY TO DAYAug 4
78	Norman PowellG36 · CHI	3.2	60	#76	99.6	+21.6
79	Fred VanVleetG40 · HOU	3.2	60	#80	137.3	+58.3	DAY TO DAYAug 4
80	De'Aaron FoxG25 · SA	3.1	73	#54	43.3	−36.7
81	Jabari Smith Jr.F30 · HOU	3.1	77	#90	125.1	+44.1
82	Saddiq BeyG45 · NO	3.1	72	#91	138.5	+56.5
83	Keegan MurrayF32 · SAC	3.1	23	#93	128.2	+45.2	DAY TO DAYAug 4
84	Josh HartG44 · NY	3.0	67	#89	59.9	−24.1
85	Grayson AllenG48 · CHA	3.0	51	#101	139.6	+54.6
86	Naz ReidC20 · CHA	3.0	77	#105	98	+12.0
87	Jay HuffC31 · IND	3.0	82	#165	—	—
88	Myles TurnerC26 · MIL	2.9	71	#132	77.8	−10.2	DAY TO DAYAug 4
89	Deandre AytonC24 · WSH	2.8	72	#122	116.6	+27.6
90	Ayo DosunmuG64 · MIN	2.8	69	#130	135	+45.0
91	Darius GarlandG35 · LAC	2.7	46	#71	88.9	−2.1
92	Ivica ZubacC15 · IND	2.7	48	#74	40.2	−51.8
93	Collin GillespieG57 · PHX	2.7	82	#119	—	—
94	Rudy GobertC12 · MIN	2.6	76	#67	85.4	−8.6
95	Miles BridgesF29 · PHX	2.6	79	#87	75.2	−19.8
96	Ajay MitchellG65 · OKC	2.5	57	#133	—	—
97	John CollinsF48 · DET	2.5	70	#142	113.8	+16.8
98	Kyshawn GeorgeF28 · WSH	2.4	48	#84	135.2	+37.2
99	Isaiah HartensteinC18 · OKC	2.4	47	#98	118.4	+19.4
100	Robert Williams IIIC35 · POR	2.4	60	#182	140.1	+40.1
101	Ausar ThompsonG50 · DET	2.3	73	#107	111	+10.0
102	Zach LaVineG58 · SAC	2.3	39	#121	87.3	−14.7	DAY TO DAYAug 4
103	Donte DiVincenzoG61 · MIN	2.3	82	#126	135.6	+32.6	OUTAug 4
104	Tobias HarrisF43 · SA	2.3	63	#134	119.9	+15.9
105	Zion WilliamsonF19 · NO	2.2	62	#52	46.9	−58.1	DAY TO DAYAug 4
106	Jrue HolidayG38 · POR	2.2	54	#78	135.2	+29.2
107	Wendell Carter Jr.C25 · ORL	2.2	80	#125	139.8	+32.8
108	Cam SpencerG74 · MEM	2.2	72	#154	139.9	+31.9	DAY TO DAYAug 4
109	Santi AldamaF34 · DAL	2.1	43	#95	132.7	+23.7	DAY TO DAYAug 4
110	Peyton WatsonG53 · DEN	2.1	54	#113	138.8	+28.8	DAY TO DAYAug 4
111	Kelly Oubre Jr.G59 · IND	2.1	51	#123	137.3	+26.3
112	Cason WallaceG80 · OKC	2.1	77	#176	136.4	+24.4
113	Paolo BancheroF11 · ORL	2.0	74	#27	36.2	−76.8
114	Pascal SiakamF12 · IND	2.0	63	#33	27.6	−86.4	DAY TO DAYAug 4
115	Jakob PoeltlC27 · TOR	2.0	46	#136	93.6	−21.4
116	CJ McCollumG42 · ATL	1.9	76	#86	96.7	−19.3
117	Moussa DiabateF45 · CHA	1.9	75	#137	139.5	+22.5
118	Julian ChampagnieF52 · SA	1.9	83	#158	137.8	+19.8
119	Andrew NembhardG34 · IND	1.8	57	#70	110.7	−8.3
120	Aaron GordonF37 · DEN	1.8	36	#104	123.4	+3.4	DAY TO DAYAug 4
121	Brandin PodziemskiG54 · GS	1.8	84	#114	137	+16.0
122	Daniel GaffordF49 · DAL	1.8	55	#146	133.6	+11.6
123	Cameron JohnsonF57 · DEN	1.8	54	#166	139.1	+16.1
124	Ja MorantG22 · POR	1.7	20	#49	45.2	−78.8	DAY TO DAYAug 4
125	Devin VassellG66 · SA	1.7	68	#138	125.4	+0.4
126	Luke KornetC38 · SA	1.7	69	#197	139.9	+13.9
127	Ryan KalkbrennerC39 · CHA	1.7	71	#206	—	—
128	Derik QueenC19 · NO	1.6	81	#102	134.7	+6.7
129	Jerami GrantF39 · MEM	1.6	58	#115	138.2	+9.2
130	Toumani CamaraF44 · POR	1.6	83	#135	130.2	+0.2
131	Sandro MamukelashviliF55 · LAL	1.6	80	#163	—	—
132	Royce O'NealeF58 · CHA	1.6	80	#167	139.9	+7.9
133	Al HorfordC32 · GS	1.6	47	#168	139.5	+6.5
134	Derrick Jones Jr.F67 · LAC	1.5	51	#190	140.1	+6.1
135	Bennedict MathurinG51 · LAC	1.4	55	#108	129.7	−5.3
136	Cedric CowardF42 · MEM	1.4	62	#131	—	—
137	Maxime RaynaudC28 · SAC	1.4	74	#139	139.9	+2.9	DAY TO DAYAug 4
138	Jaylon TysonG68 · CLE	1.4	66	#144	—	—
139	Isaiah StewartF65 · MEM	1.4	58	#179	139.8	+0.8
140	P.J. WashingtonF33 · DAL	1.3	56	#94	139.1	−0.9	DAY TO DAYAug 4
141	Anthony BlackG47 · ORL	1.3	66	#100	134.8	−6.2
142	Kyle FilipowskiF41 · UTAH	1.3	77	#127	139.1	−2.9	DAY TO DAYAug 4
143	Bilal CoulibalyG63 · WSH	1.3	56	#129	139.7	−3.3
144	Collin SextonG69 · LAL	1.3	68	#145	138.3	−5.7
145	Moses MoodyG79 · GS	1.3	60	#175	140	−5.0	OUTAug 4
146	Dylan CardwellC33 · SAC	1.3	44	#177	—	—
147	Nic ClaxtonC17 · CHI	1.2	69	#97	120.7	−26.3	DAY TO DAYAug 4
148	Sam MerrillG92 · CLE	1.2	52	#199	139.9	−8.1
149	Jusuf NurkicC11 · UTAH	1.1	41	#66	137.7	−11.3	DAY TO DAYAug 4
150	Bobby PortisF46 · MIA	1.1	67	#140	131.8	−18.2

Category value = sum of per-game z-scores across PTS, REB, AST, STL, BLK, 3PM, FG%, FT% and TO 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.