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 July 27, 2026.

	Player	9-Cat value	GP	2025-26 pts rank	ADP	vs ADP	Status
01	Nikola JokicC1 · DEN	15.8	65	#1	2.1	+1.1
02	Victor WembanyamaF1 · SA	14.7	66	#3	3	+1.0
03	Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderG2 · OKC	13.9	68	#4	3.3	+0.3
04	Kawhi LeonardF4 · LAC	11.7	66	#9	46.7	+42.7
05	Tyrese MaxeyG3 · PHI	11.2	73	#6	15.4	+10.4
06	Luka DoncicG1 · LAL	10.4	64	#2	4.9	−1.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
07	Tyrese HaliburtonG12 · IND	9.3	73	#24	67.9	+60.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
08	Donovan MitchellG6 · CLE	8.8	70	#12	20.8	+12.8
09	Lauri MarkkanenF10 · UTAH	8.8	42	#25	82.3	+73.3
10	Stephen CurryG17 · GS	8.6	45	#36	20.7	+10.7
11	Jamal MurrayG8 · DEN	8.5	76	#17	35.9	+24.9
12	Damian LillardG9 · POR	8.5	61	#18	80.1	+68.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
13	Kevin DurantF8 · HOU	8.2	78	#21	25.9	+12.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
14	Trey Murphy IIIF15 · NO	7.9	66	#43	71.4	+57.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
15	Kyrie IrvingG13 · DAL	7.8	52	#29	89.1	+74.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
16	Scottie BarnesF7 · TOR	7.7	82	#20	29.5	+13.5
17	Joel EmbiidC2 · PHI	7.5	38	#11	48.7	+31.7
18	Anthony EdwardsG7 · MIN	7.5	63	#15	6.9	−11.1
19	Chet HolmgrenC8 · OKC	7.4	71	#46	44	+25.0
20	Kevin Porter Jr.G16 · MIL	7.3	38	#32	93.3	+73.3	DAY TO DAYJul 27
21	Jimmy Butler IIIF17 · GS	7.3	38	#45	81.3	+60.3	OUTJul 27
22	Cade CunninghamG4 · DET	7.1	66	#7	8.1	−13.9
23	James HardenG10 · CLE	7.1	70	#19	18	−5.0
24	Anthony DavisF5 · WSH	7.0	20	#13	12.2	−11.8	DAY TO DAYJul 27
25	Jalen JohnsonF3 · ATL	6.8	74	#8	29.9	+4.9
26	Karl-Anthony TownsC5 · NY	6.8	77	#28	14.6	−11.4
27	Austin ReavesG19 · LAL	6.7	51	#39	48.7	+21.7
28	Nickeil Alexander-WalkerG30 · ATL	6.3	78	#62	106.6	+78.6
29	Michael Porter Jr.F14 · BKN	6.1	52	#38	65.1	+36.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
30	Keyonte GeorgeG20 · UTAH	5.8	54	#40	106.3	+76.3	DAY TO DAYJul 27
31	Jalen DurenC7 · DET	5.8	72	#42	63.3	+32.3
32	Amen ThompsonG18 · HOU	5.7	79	#37	20.1	−11.9
33	Derrick WhiteG23 · BOS	5.7	77	#50	54	+21.0
34	Desmond BaneG29 · ORL	5.6	84	#60	48.7	+14.7
35	Donovan ClinganC10 · POR	5.5	78	#53	100	+65.0
36	OG AnunobyF26 · NY	5.5	68	#81	69.2	+33.2
37	Cooper FlaggF13 · DAL	5.3	70	#34	23.6	−13.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
38	Onyeka OkongwuF21 · ATL	5.1	74	#58	90.3	+52.3
39	Bam AdebayoC4 · MIA	5.0	74	#26	29.9	−9.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
40	Paul GeorgeF23 · BOS	5.0	38	#63	95	+55.0
41	Mikal BridgesG46 · NY	5.0	82	#96	67.5	+26.5
42	Jaren Jackson Jr.F20 · UTAH	4.9	48	#55	68.8	+26.8	DAY TO DAYJul 27
43	Tyler HerroG28 · MIL	4.8	34	#59	74.4	+31.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
44	Jalen BrunsonG14 · NY	4.7	75	#30	19.6	−24.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
45	LaMelo BallG21 · MIN	4.7	74	#41	31.7	−13.3
46	Alex SarrC9 · WSH	4.7	48	#47	89.4	+43.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
47	LeBron JamesF9 · PHI	4.6	60	#23	13.6	−33.4
48	Evan MobleyC6 · CLE	4.5	65	#35	33.6	−14.4
49	Brandon MillerF24 · CHA	4.5	67	#64	96	+47.0	DAY TO DAYJul 27
50	Ryan RollinsG27 · MIL	4.4	74	#57	118.9	+68.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
51	Jaylen BrownG5 · PHI	4.3	71	#10	16.7	−34.3
52	Alperen SengunC3 · HOU	4.3	73	#14	30.7	−21.3
53	Dyson DanielsG26 · ATL	4.3	76	#56	59.5	+6.5
54	Jalen SuggsG37 · ORL	4.3	59	#77	131.9	+77.9
55	Kel'el WareC22 · MIL	4.3	78	#112	126.9	+71.9
56	Devin BookerG15 · PHX	4.2	68	#31	20.6	−35.4
57	Andrew WigginsF31 · MIA	4.2	69	#92	92.6	+35.6
58	Immanuel QuickleyG33 · TOR	4.1	70	#69	117.1	+59.1	DAY TO DAYJul 27
59	Nikola VucevicC14 · ORL	4.1	64	#73	48.4	−10.6
60	Jaden McDanielsF38 · MIN	4.1	73	#109	96.6	+36.6
61	Neemias QuetaC21 · BOS	4.1	76	#111	136.2	+75.2
62	Jarrett AllenC13 · CLE	4.0	56	#72	65.4	+3.4
63	Deni AvdijaF6 · POR	3.9	68	#16	59.1	−3.9
64	Josh GiddeyG11 · CHI	3.9	54	#22	31.2	−32.8	DAY TO DAYJul 27
65	Giannis AntetokounmpoF2 · MIA	3.8	36	#5	5	−60.0	DAY TO DAYJul 27
66	VJ EdgecombeG32 · PHI	3.8	76	#68	99.2	+33.2
67	Matas BuzelisF27 · CHI	3.8	77	#82	117.9	+50.9
68	Kristaps PorzingisC16 · GS	3.8	34	#83	99.3	+31.3
69	Mark WilliamsC23 · PHX	3.8	61	#120	115.9	+46.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
70	Kon KnueppelG41 · CHA	3.7	83	#85	78.6	+8.6
71	Brandon IngramF18 · TOR	3.5	77	#48	81.8	+10.8	DAY TO DAYJul 27
72	Julius RandleF16 · BKN	3.4	79	#44	76.7	+4.7
73	Payton PritchardG43 · BOS	3.4	79	#88	98.5	+25.5
74	Tre JonesG49 · CHI	3.4	65	#106	139.6	+65.6
75	Reed SheppardG56 · HOU	3.3	82	#118	101	+26.0
76	Franz WagnerF22 · ORL	3.2	36	#61	51.1	−24.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
77	Jalen WilliamsG31 · OKC	3.2	33	#65	32.7	−44.3	DAY TO DAYJul 27
78	Norman PowellG36 · CHI	3.2	60	#76	98.7	+20.7
79	Fred VanVleetG40 · HOU	3.2	60	#80	136.7	+57.7	DAY TO DAYJul 27
80	De'Aaron FoxG25 · SA	3.1	73	#54	42	−38.0
81	Jabari Smith Jr.F30 · HOU	3.1	77	#90	125.8	+44.8
82	Saddiq BeyG45 · NO	3.1	72	#91	138.5	+56.5
83	Keegan MurrayF32 · SAC	3.1	23	#93	129	+46.0	DAY TO DAYJul 27
84	Josh HartG44 · NY	3.0	67	#89	58.7	−25.3
85	Grayson AllenG48 · CHA	3.0	51	#101	139.7	+54.7
86	Naz ReidC20 · CHA	3.0	77	#105	97.4	+11.4
87	Myles TurnerC26 · MIL	2.9	71	#132	75.5	−11.5	DAY TO DAYJul 27
88	Jay HuffC31 · IND	2.9	82	#165	—	—
89	Deandre AytonC24 · WSH	2.8	72	#122	116.6	+27.6
90	Ayo DosunmuG64 · MIN	2.8	69	#130	135.4	+45.4
91	Darius GarlandG35 · LAC	2.7	46	#71	88.9	−2.1
92	Ivica ZubacC15 · IND	2.7	48	#74	38.2	−53.8
93	Collin GillespieG57 · PHX	2.7	82	#119	—	—
94	Rudy GobertC12 · MIN	2.6	76	#67	86.3	−7.7
95	Miles BridgesF29 · PHX	2.5	79	#87	73.5	−21.5
96	Ajay MitchellG65 · OKC	2.5	57	#133	—	—
97	John CollinsF48 · DET	2.5	70	#142	113.4	+16.4
98	Kyshawn GeorgeF28 · WSH	2.4	48	#84	135.1	+37.1
99	Robert Williams IIIC35 · POR	2.4	60	#182	139.9	+40.9
100	Isaiah HartensteinC18 · OKC	2.3	47	#98	119.2	+19.2
101	Ausar ThompsonG50 · DET	2.3	73	#107	111.3	+10.3
102	Zach LaVineG58 · SAC	2.3	39	#121	86.8	−15.2	DAY TO DAYJul 27
103	Donte DiVincenzoG61 · MIN	2.3	82	#126	135.9	+32.9	OUTJul 27
104	Tobias HarrisF43 · SA	2.3	63	#134	120.8	+16.8
105	Zion WilliamsonF19 · NO	2.2	62	#52	45.8	−59.2	DAY TO DAYJul 27
106	Jrue HolidayG38 · POR	2.2	54	#78	134.8	+28.8
107	Kelly Oubre Jr.G59 · IND	2.2	51	#123	137.3	+30.3
108	Wendell Carter Jr.C25 · ORL	2.2	80	#125	139.6	+31.6
109	Peyton WatsonG53 · DEN	2.1	54	#113	138.9	+29.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
110	Cam SpencerG74 · MEM	2.1	72	#154	140	+30.0	DAY TO DAYJul 27
111	Cason WallaceG80 · OKC	2.1	77	#176	136.9	+25.9
112	Paolo BancheroF11 · ORL	2.0	74	#27	35.5	−76.5
113	Pascal SiakamF12 · IND	2.0	63	#33	27.1	−85.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
114	Santi AldamaF34 · DAL	2.0	43	#95	133.4	+19.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
115	Jakob PoeltlC27 · TOR	2.0	46	#136	93	−22.0
116	CJ McCollumG42 · ATL	1.9	76	#86	95.1	−20.9
117	Moussa DiabateF45 · CHA	1.9	75	#137	139.8	+22.8
118	Andrew NembhardG34 · IND	1.8	57	#70	110.1	−7.9
119	Brandin PodziemskiG54 · GS	1.8	84	#114	137.1	+18.1
120	Daniel GaffordF49 · DAL	1.8	55	#146	134.5	+14.5
121	Julian ChampagnieF52 · SA	1.8	83	#158	137.7	+16.7
122	Cameron JohnsonF57 · DEN	1.8	54	#166	139.2	+17.2
123	Ja MorantG22 · POR	1.7	20	#49	44.4	−78.6	DAY TO DAYJul 27
124	Aaron GordonF37 · DEN	1.7	36	#104	124.7	+0.7	DAY TO DAYJul 27
125	Devin VassellG66 · SA	1.7	68	#138	125.6	+0.6
126	Ryan KalkbrennerC39 · CHA	1.7	71	#206	—	—
127	Derik QueenC19 · NO	1.6	81	#102	132.4	+5.4
128	Jerami GrantF39 · MEM	1.6	58	#115	138.1	+10.1
129	Toumani CamaraF44 · POR	1.6	83	#135	129.6	+0.6
130	Sandro MamukelashviliF55 · LAL	1.6	80	#163	—	—
131	Royce O'NealeF58 · CHA	1.6	80	#167	140	+9.0
132	Al HorfordC32 · GS	1.6	47	#168	139.8	+7.8
133	Luke KornetC38 · SA	1.6	69	#197	139.6	+6.6
134	Derrick Jones Jr.F67 · LAC	1.5	51	#190	139.9	+5.9
135	Bennedict MathurinG51 · LAC	1.4	55	#108	129.7	−5.3
136	Maxime RaynaudC28 · SAC	1.4	74	#139	139.9	+3.9	DAY TO DAYJul 27
137	Jaylon TysonG68 · CLE	1.4	66	#144	—	—
138	Isaiah StewartF65 · MEM	1.4	58	#179	139.7	+1.7
139	P.J. WashingtonF33 · DAL	1.3	56	#94	139.4	+0.4	DAY TO DAYJul 27
140	Anthony BlackG47 · ORL	1.3	66	#100	135.3	−4.7
141	Bilal CoulibalyG63 · WSH	1.3	56	#129	139.7	−1.3
142	Cedric CowardF42 · MEM	1.3	62	#131	—	—
143	Collin SextonG69 · LAL	1.3	68	#145	137.2	−5.8
144	Moses MoodyG79 · GS	1.3	60	#175	139.8	−4.2	OUTJul 27
145	Dylan CardwellC33 · SAC	1.3	44	#177	—	—
146	Nic ClaxtonC17 · CHI	1.2	69	#97	120.8	−25.2	DAY TO DAYJul 27
147	Kyle FilipowskiF41 · UTAH	1.2	77	#127	139.2	−7.8	DAY TO DAYJul 27
148	Sam MerrillG92 · CLE	1.2	52	#199	139.9	−8.1
149	Jusuf NurkicC11 · UTAH	1.1	41	#66	137.5	−11.5	DAY TO DAYJul 27
150	Bobby PortisF46 · MIA	1.1	67	#140	132.2	−17.8

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.