Welcome back everyone, as an All-NBA First Team Couch Analyst, I have to do my due diligence and give you guys a list of Coach Pete approved rookies from this recent 2026 NBA Draft. Obviously this class was one of the most loaded classes we have seen in some time. With the obvious star upside, and so many guys with skills that will be so useful for the current NBA landscape. You could honestly give me a player from this entire first round, and tell me they would be a stud and I would listen. But today, I can’t be that broad for you guys. I put together a list of seven guys that I love long term and think will be impact players in the future. Summer league has gotten going now, so these takes will have a little bit of that mixed in with the scouting I did pre-draft. I also gave a player comp the best way my brain could describe their ceiling. Shoutout to the NBA for giving the Bulls a Top 4 pick, Silver saved us. #Bullsin4.

#1 – Darryn Peterson:

The most beautiful jumpshot I’ve ever seen, besides Steph Curry. This guy is just a pure hooper. He does everything at such a high level, from his quickness, to reading the floor and getting to his spots, the man does it all. I am also quite high on his passing upside as well, I think the Bill Self offense at Kansas was such a bad fit for DP. Forced him to play as run around off ball soccer, put the ball in his hands bub. Going to Utah makes me feel so much better about this, because Will Hardy is an amazing coach. This dude was losing hairs being forced to lose games at the end of last season. He won’t let Peterson fail, and will put him in the right spots to be successful. I believe DP is an All NBA type of guy when he matures and gets more of a feel for the NBA level. He gives me a slim Devin Booker vibe, that has some more passing to his game earlier on. Slim D Book could also be a Kobe type of player, but we got to see if he has that dog like Kobe before throwing that out there.  My favorite player and the one I will be following the most on league pass next season.

Future Comp – Modern Day Devin Booker

#2 – Caleb Wilson:

I mean you knew he would be on the list. This kid is just a straight up monster, who I am scared to say who I think in some type of fantasy world he can become. After putting up a 35 point debut game against the Grizzlies, it only made me as a Bulls fan even more excited, seeing how he can shoot the rock, after hearing that he couldn’t for months. Wilson himself is a high motor gifted athlete who can elevate with the best of them. His rim protection ability coming off the help line is going to be so fun to watch this season. The most fun part will be his transition game, where this dude has to have a body count set at 7.5 O/U for next season. The kid wants to be great, so I have no reason not to believe that he’s going to put in the work to be great. I will be buying the Bulls season pass to watch next year, and can’t wait to see C Dub and the other Bulls rookie Daiyln Swain. He gives me the obvious young Kevin Garnett vibes that get thrown around, but he also has more of a handle that reminds me of Jalen Johnson. But he plays much better defense than Jalen Johnson, and finishes a lot stronger like a young KG.

Future Comp – Jalen Johnson, with Kevin Garnett Dunks and Defense.

#3 – Morez Johnson Jr:

This is a guy that has really started to show me some sneaky upside, which is probably why he went higher than expected the night of the draft at #9. Unless your me, than you had him going #9 and know ball, only problem is I thought the Thunder would trade up for the Mavs pick. Anyways, this dude was a freak at Michigan, he is a presence on both sides of the floor and is one of those real high energy guys that will be a playoff riser when the time comes. He can be a roll man in the pick and roll, and in the future I believe could develop a respectable shot, after shooting 34.3% from three last season, on 35 attempts. The fit next to Flagg long term will be awesome, and Morez will definitely be a building block long-term for the Mavs. Dude is a winning player, and overtime people will get the pick. He gives me some Bam vibes but also Kevin Garnettish vibes too. He does do exactly what those guys do, but the physicality and energy on both ends is just something to be excited about. 

Future Comp – Bigger Bam Adebayo without the Jumper yet

#4 – Darius Acuff Jr:

This guy has slid a little lower down my ranks, just slightly because of the summer league defense. Yes I know it probably doesn’t mean much, but when I watched Arkansas, it was the exact same thing. So I need more buy-in on that end from him, but the offensive game… my lawd. He can undoubtedly carry an offense and be a franchise guy for the Kings, they just have to build around him correctly, which they’ll do this time. Back to the game though, he can straight up score at a high clip, and is comfortable shooting from spots and angles that others are not. He can attack downhill and score, while also dishing out to his teammates for some open looks. He will be a coach’s dream someday, and should provide some hope for a dying franchise. He gives me such classic D Rose vibes, and I say that lightly with D Rose being my childhood idol. He just has more of the modern nba shot to him as well.

Future Comp – Derrick Rose with a shot and some more playmaking

#5 – Brayden Burries:

Something about dudes who pick up 94 feet full court always get my attention. Then when you add in what he can do offensively, you’re looking at one of the most all around players in this draft. Falling to #10 and getting to be a part of the rebuild is going to give him to develop which will be huge as I think the frame still needs to grow into the adult body. Nevertheless, this dude can facilitate the rock and create shots for others, while also having a nice looking jumper, with the pull up middy in his bag, as well as some finishing down low. He just gives me extreme Steph Castle vibes with the full court defensive motor, and ability to facilitate the offense, as well as be an off ball guy. He could also be a Derrick White type of guy, but with the skills at 19 that can develop into even more. Coach Pete approved right here, we love defense from our guards. 

Future Comp – Steph Castle mindset with a Derrick White vibe/shot.

#6 – Cameron Carr:

My later round guy, who became everyone’s favorite sleeper, but the reasons why are just undeniable when you watch this guy. I absolutely love him going to the Lakers, he will be exactly what they need and be able to fill the shoes that Marcus Smart played in the playoffs, with some more length and speed. He can shoot the lights out as well, the combine was a small sample size, but some other games at Baylor showed he can go on some heaters. He will be a perfect fit in the newish look Lakers and has instantly become their wing with the most upside. I see some flashes of a scart comp because the player is an all NBA guy, but he just gives me such Jalen Williams from OKC vibes. Dude just does so many things on both ends of the floor and can be such a winning player for a contender in the future. Defense always plays.

Future Comp – Jalen Williams (respectfully)