We analyze the NBA Drafts of 2025 and 2026, two upcoming historic classes

The upcoming 2025 NBA Draft has been announced as a very strong class, and so far the top prospects have lived up to the hype. Several NBA teams are tanking to go after Cooper Flagg and/or target the other top contenders in the upcoming class. But looking a year ahead, we see another generation that has a special opportunity and could rival or even surpass its predecessors in terms of elite talent. Today we are going to compare the two to try to see which one is better.

For this comparison, we will start by pitting against each other the players considered the top 3 prospects from each class. Then, we will discuss the rest of the top players by position (guards, forwards, and centers). It seems like both classes of the next two Drafts have a lot of depth.

Cooper Flagg vs. AJ Dybansta

Both Flagg and Dybansta are true elite talents, but Dybansta has a slight edge. The recent BYU recruit is a more natural shot creator and scorer than Flagg, and he is poised to be a dominant forward in the NBA. He is as impressive athletically as Flagg, if not more, and a natural leader on the court.

Flagg excels in defensive instincts and takes the spotlight on that end of the floor. Flagg is also very good offensively but not as strong of a scorer. If they were in the same draft class, AJ might be slightly ahead, but it would be a tough choice. And, by the way, they are about the same age (AJ being just a month younger) despite being in different draft years. This is because Flagg was born in December 2006 and Dybantsa in January 2007.

Ace Bailey vs. Cameron Boozer

This is a very intriguing comparison between two elite small forwards with very different styles of play. Ace has the highest potential with his enticing blend of shooting and uncommon athleticism, while Boozer is more of a safe bet. This doesn't mean Boozer has fewer chances, as he could become a dominant scoring forward in the league.

Ace Bailey is like a mix of a Michael Porter Jr. or an improved Jaden McDaniels, while Cameron Boozer could be considered a blend of Michael Beasley and Jason Tatum. The choice comes down to the preference of the team that will be selecting in the Draft: do you want to gamble on Ace's elite upside or make a clear and obvious big investment in Boozer? Currently, Cameron Boozer might have a slight edge, but it could go either way.

Dylan Harper vs. Darryn Peterson

Both Harper and Peterson are 6'5" shooting guards, but they play very differently. Harper is a strong small forward who uses his strength and excellent basketball IQ to score and make plays. Peterson is a quick, agile, and smooth shooting guard who scores effortlessly. He is a three-level scorer with a good jump shot and a great feel for getting to the basket and scoring. He is also a very tenacious defender who has a big impact on that end of the floor. Both Dylan Harper and Darryn Peterson are true number ones. They are both special, and at this point, it's practically impossible to choose between them.

It's a lot to say so soon, but the top 3 prospects of the 2025 and 2026 classes are equally impressive. So far, the Draft classes are rated the same. And both are very, very good.

The rest of the classes

The 2025 Draft has a strong group of wing players. Apart from Dylan Harper, there are at least four other lottery-level talents in Egor Demin, Boogie Fland, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Nolan Traore. All four could end up as high-level starters, although Traore has been having some minor issues lately.

The 2026 Draft is not as loaded, at least for now, in the point guard position. Darius Acuff Jr. and Jasper Johnson are solid candidates, but they still have things to prove, and it's not certain yet that they are lottery-level talents. Cayden Boozer might surprise, and there's also Kingston Flemings. Dash Daniels is equally an intriguing shooting guard who could potentially enter the lottery in 2026.

There are some very good prospects in the 2026 class, but the 2025 class is loaded in the point guard position, and this category clearly goes to the 2025 draft prospects.

In the forward positions, both groups are stacked, and they would have to be rated equally, or maybe with a slight edge for the 2025 class, as they have shown more, also because they are older. Nate Ament might have the highest potential of any of these guys, but 2025 also has some elite talents, and apparent deeper talent, though the presence of Alijah Arenas strengthens the 2026 group. The small forward position is full in both 2025 and 2026.

Lastly, while the 2025 NBA Draft has some promising frontcourt players, the 2026 draft has several elite talents and is the clear winner in this category.

Caleb Wilson is an incredibly intriguing talent, and Chris Cenac Jr. and Miikka Murrinen are very intriguing as well. Jayden Quaintance is already showing a high level at Arizona State and would be a first-round pick this year if he were draft-eligible.

It's too soon to tell if Flory Bidunga will be in 2025 or 2026, the same goes for Donnie Freeman, Thomas Sorber, and some other high-level prospects. But even if these guys enter the 2025 draft, the 2026 group would still hold a certain advantage in this position.

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