Jeremy Woo Apr 28, 2026, 07:00 AM ET Close NBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in 2023 Covered the NBA and NBA draft for Sports Illustrated from 2015-2023 The 2026 NBA draft picture has come into focus, with the early-entry deadline passed on Friday, and the lottery less than two weeks away. Between the unusual amount of high-impact talent atop the board and the number of teams with quite a bit riding on this year's ping-pong balls, this draft continues to shape up as one of the more potentially consequential in recent memory. AJ Dybantsa has emerged as the front-runner for No. 1, with Darryn Peterson , Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson still the top names. The early-entry list for this class consists of just 71 players, down from 106 in 2025. It's the fewest early declarations in more than 20 years.…