One of the big risers in the 2026 NBA Draft cycle is Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries. Despite a slow start to his freshman season, Burries has demonstrated himself to be an excellent two-way guard who can score and defend at a high level. The six-foot-four guard stands as a true three-level scorer who uses his physicality to get to his spots and score. Defensively, that same physicality and motor allow him to defend across multiple positions and be disruptive as a defensive playmaker.
Burries will certainly be a major prize for any team that chooses to draft him. He may have certain areas of his game that he must refine, but he has the potential to be a great player on both ends of the floor. Let’s dive into the best overall fits for Burries among the various teams in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Best Fits For Arizona Guard Brayden Burries In The 2026 NBA Draft
Atlanta Hawks
One team that would be a great fit for Burries and his skill set is the Atlanta Hawks. Burries can provide Atlanta with a highly skilled guard who can operate at either guard spot. Playing next to guys like Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, he can bring much-needed floor spacing and tertiary scoring around them without needing to dominate possessions.
Furthermore, Burries is a good defender in his own right, allowing the Hawks the option to play a two-way player at the guard spot if needed. Even in an on-ball role, Burries is a skilled scorer who can alleviate some of the offensive burden from Johnson and Alexander-Walker. His promise as a two-way guard can give Atlanta someone who can be part of their starting backcourt of the future.
The Atlanta Hawks have all the pieces to help Burries successfully transition to the league. While Burries is fully capable of creating his own shot at a high level, he will benefit immensely from playing next to a great offensive forward like Johnson. He has the rim pressure and passing to create open looks for Burries to capitalize on. Not only that, but Alexander-Walker and CJ McCollum also have the scoring gravity to collapse defenses and create openings for Burries. Defensively, Burries can rely on Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels to help him contain bigger players on the court.
Golden State Warriors
Another team where Burries’ skill set would fit well is the Golden State Warriors. His role malleability and defensive acumen would be invaluable for the Warriors at the guard spot, both now and into the future. His ability to score the ball and with and without the ball will bring a level of dynamism to Golden State’s offense that they needed, especially around Stephen Curry. He has also shown the potential to be a movement shooter, which would make him fit well into the Warriors’ offensive system. Additionally, Burries’ strong defensive abilities and sturdy frame also allow him to be a natural partner next to Curry in the backcourt, where he can handle defending bigger guards.
For Burries, Golden State is an excellent team for him to land on. He will absolutely feast on great scoring opportunities due to the sheer attention that Curry draws from opposing defenses. Plus, having the greatest three-point shooter of all time to keep the floor open for Burries will help him immensely when he is going downhill. Speaking of Curry, Burries will have the opportunity to learn under the Hall of Famer, which is a major positive for his development. On defense, he will get to learn from and benefit from one of the best defenders in NBA history, Draymond Green. Most importantly, Burries will have the chance to play significant minutes for a Warriors team that lacks depth.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls would be an excellent fit for Burries as he joins a team in the midst of their rebuild. The Bulls do need to find another long-term guard for their starting backcourt, and Burries has the potential to be that. In particular, his two-way skill set would make him highly qualified as the backcourt partner to Josh Giddey. He can provide the shooting that Chicago needs around Giddey while also being able to create shots in his own right. More importantly, Burries brings a level of defensive ability that the Bulls lack at the guard spot.
On the other end, Burries will benefit from playing on the Bulls. Chicago has plenty of ball-handlers with great court vision and passing ability, allowing them to find Burries off the ball for easy looks. They can also help shoulder the offensive load in terms of facilitating the offense. Another aspect of the Bulls that Burries will benefit from is the length and athleticism in the frontcourt. With Matas Buzelis, Leonard Miller, and Noa Essengue, Burries will get to play with multiple tall, lanky wings who can help him out against bigger wings.
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