Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the thirteenth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Tennessee forward Nate Ament after he was selected by the Miami Heat at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Not every first-round pick in the NBA draft is expected to make an immediate impact on day one. Some rookies are thrown straight into the fire and perform well, while most need time to adjust to the league. The higher a player is selected, the shorter the time the player has to perform. That doesn’t mean if they don’t perform right away they’ll be busts, but expectations should be low for these three rookies entering the 2026-27 season.
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Keaton Wagler
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the fifth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler after he was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Wagler entered the draft as one of the better pure scorers in his class. Though he showed incredible scoring instincts and prowess, he was still highly regarded as a raw prospect.
His lack of athleticism and thin frame could make the transition to the NBA difficult. He’s also not much of a playmaker at this stage, making him one-dimensional as a point guard.
The talent is obvious, but he’ll likely need to add strength and round out the rest of his game before he becomes the player Los Angeles wants him to be.
Nate Ament
Ament was once viewed as one of the top prospects in his recruiting class, but his lone season at Tennessee exposed several major areas in his game that still need development.
He’s extremely talented and has a high ceiling, but much of his game, like Wagler’s, remains raw. Like many young forwards, he’ll probably need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA.
Milwaukee took a chance on him at the end of the lottery. The Bucks are in no rush to be successful so he has time to develop.
His long-term outlook remains promising, but expecting production on day one may be unrealistic.
Dailyn Swain
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the fifteenth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Texas guard Dailyn Swain after he was selected by the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Swain had one of the more disappointing Summer League performances, averaging around two points per game after being selected with the No. 15 overall pick.
He has intriguing physical tools, his length and defensive abilities standing out. He’s still a raw prospect despite being 21 years old. Chicago also isn’t in a position where it has to rush his development.
He should eventually carve out a role, but it may take some time before he becomes a regular part of the Bulls’ rotation.
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