2026 NBA Mock Draft

 Tonight is the night of the NBA Draft! The future stars of our game will be starting their careers tonight. For a year we have heard about how this may be a generational draft class and we are about to see how that comes into fruition. These are my final predictions of how the draft will go. Of course there will be draft night chaos with trades, but for this mock draft I will only be making predictions based on how the draft order stands as I publish this. Let me know who you want your team to draft!

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, W, BYU

Wizards have (somewhat puzzlingly) showed a commitment to win next year with Trae Young and perhaps AD. No matter what happens, they get their hopeful future superstar to pair with them in Dybantsa. The Wizards have a plethora of (mediocre in my opinion) young talent, and Dybantsa gives them their franchise cornerstone.

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas

The Jazz have a tough decision deciding between Peterson or Boozer, but ultimately I think they go with Peterson. Peterson slides perfectly in their starting lineup at the 2 guard position. The 3 level scoring Peterson provides gives them tons of excitement in the backcourt as the Jazz look to start competing in the Western Conference.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, F, Duke

Grizzlies get a perfect (perhaps better?) replacement at the PF position. Boozer and Edey would be a dominant front court, and Boozer fits in perfectly with the team with or without Ja Morant.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina

The Bulls are in a perfect spot. I am very confident that in some order, the top three are solidified. That means that Wilson falls into Chicago's lap at 4. Someone who has the ceiling of Wilson falling to 4 does not happen very often. As the Bulls enter a new era with a new regime, Wilson will be the face of the new era.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Mikel Brown Jr, G, Louisville

Brown is someone who fits perfectly next to Garland to create a dynamic backcourt duo. The Clippers are slowly transitioning into a new era and welcoming Brown to Los Angeles will be an exciting first step.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

Nets go guard here. Wagler fits the mold that they have gone with in the last few drafts of positionally fluid and high feel basketball players.

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff, G, Arkansas

It seems like Acuff is the guy that Sacramento has zeroed in on, and he falls to them in this draft. Acuff will create tons of buzz for a middling franchise that needs an exciting prospect.

8. Atlanta Hawks: Aday Mara, C, Michigan

The Hawks need more size. They have tons of long and athletic players on the wing, Okongwu is coming off his best season, and now they beef up their front court and have added lineup versatility.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Kingston Flemings, G, Houston

Flemings may not have the measurements as some of the other guards, but the list of his concerns ends about there. Flemings can learn under Kyrie before he blossoms to be the lead guard. Paired with Cooper Flagg, the Mavs will have about as exciting a young duo as the league will have to offer.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

The Bucks have FINALLY ended the Giannis saga. Burries is a big guard/wing that can fit in with their new lineup and offers value on both ends of the court.

11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

There are plenty of moves the Warriors can make. As of right now Lendeborg might be the most plug and play prospect available for the Warriors as they are still trying to create a roster to maximize the last few years of Curry's brilliance.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Morez Johnson Jr, F, Michigan

The biggest weakness of the Thunder roster construction that was shown in the postseason was their lack of big wings/forwards. Johnson is a high energy player who should add the must needed size the Thunder need as they look to get back to the Finals.

13. Milwaukee Bucks: Dailyn Swain, W, Texas

Now that the Bucks have gained another first round pick, I think they can afford to swing on upside a little bit. They have missed on their recent "upside swings" but I think Swain is a safe bet to be at least a serviceable NBA player.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington

The Hornets are looking for some more depth in the front court. Steinbach is a big man who can play with Diabaté as the 5, can play at the 4 with Kalkbrenner, or by himself as the lone big man.

15. Chicago Bulls: Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

After nabbing Wilson with the fourth pick, the Bulls can afford to go for a more offensive minded player here. I like Philon better than any of their other younger guard prospects to inject a jolt of energy to the organization.

16. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Carr, G, Baylor

The Grizzlies can pick at any position here and I think it would make sense. Here, Memphis targets a guy who can play off-ball and shoots it well from deep - two areas of need for the Grizzlies.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder: Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara

The Thunder double up on plus sized wings here, pairing Graves with Johnson. On paper, Graves fits perfectly with OKC. A great team defender and a good connective piece on offense that can pass and make open threes.

18. Charlotte Hornets: Nate Ament, F, Tennessee

Upside swing here for the Hornets. For the most part, Charlotte has their rotation locked down, but adding Ament could be a swing that bolsters their strong core.

19. Toronto Raptors: Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky

The Raptors desperately need a true center. Quaintance certainly has his injury flags, but if he ever gets back to the full, defensive monster that he has shown he can be, the defensive front court in Toronto would be beyond fun to watch. Imagine a defensive front court of Barnes, CMB, and Quaintance!

20. San Antonio Spurs: Zuby Ejiofor, F, St. John's

Spurs need a little bit more depth at the 4 position, and Zuby brings a bit of defensive prowess and nastiness (positive) that will improve the Spurs as they try to improve on the slight areas of needs they have.

21. Detroit Pistons: Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa

The Pistons are still looking to take off some pressure from Cade Cunningham. Stirtz is an extremely smart ball player who can allow Cunningham to play off the ball, while also being able to play off of Cunningham. A great fit in Detroit.

22. Philadelphia 76ers: Karim Lopez, W, New Zealand

Paul George might just be the best player to mentor Lopez, as Lopez is a bit raw of a prospect. The 76ers could look to add a more 'win-now' player but here they select someone who can eventually become a scoring threat.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech

I love this fit for Atlanta. They recently re-signed CJ McCollum, but they can use more depth at the ball-handling position. Anderson might be a little bit undersized but the Hawks are maybe the best team to cover that up.

24. New York Knicks: Ebuka Okorie, G, Stanford

The Knicks could look to add some sort of size, especially if they lose Mitchell Robinson to free agency, but they simply go BPA at this point. They could use another true point guard on the roster and Okorie can add some boost to the reigning champs.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

The Lakers have a big offseason, with decisions about Austin Reaves and LeBron James looming. The most important thing for LA is they properly build for LUKA DONCIC. Luka recently said HIMSELF, they need shooters and a lob threat. Veesaar is a big man target for Luka who can offer some rim protection on the defensive end.

26. Denver Nuggets: Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State

The Nuggets are in a position where they might look to draft at multiple positions. Jefferson adds some fluidity and is a prospect who is more prepared to help the Nuggets win now and capitalize on the Jokic era once again.

27. Boston Celtics: Koa Peat, F, Arizona

The fall for the talented freshman ends here. If any situation can capitalize on Peat's deficiencies as a shooter, it is the spacing that the Celtics offer.

28. Brooklyn Nets: Chris Cenac Jr, C, Houston

The Nets just traded Nic Claxton to Chicago, and immediately nab his replacement. He may be a little bit raw as a prospect, but I am confident Cenac will be able to become a solid starting center in Brooklyn.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas

The Cavaliers are not in love with any of the center options here, and opt to go with Thomas. The Cavs need more guard help and Thomas would be able to help Cleveland.

30. Dallas Mavericks: Isaiah Evans, W, Duke

The Mavs opt to reunite Flagg with his college teammate. The Mavs need to add more spacing and shooting, especially with Klay Thompson being on the trade block. Evans gives them that.