2026 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for the Entire First Round

The wait is almost over: the star-studded 2026 NBA Draft arrives Tuesday, June 23 at Barclays Center, and this mock runs through all 30 first-round picks. It is a rare class that is this loaded yet this undecided at the top, with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and even Cameron Boozer all in the mix to go No. 1 overall to the Washington Wizards.

Depending on who lands there, things could get chaotic in a hurry. The dominoes are already falling: Milwaukee agreed to send Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami on the eve of the draft, a blockbuster that ships Miami’s No. 13 pick to the Bucks. That makes this one of the tougher NBA Drafts to predict in recent memory.

We can only work with what is in front of us, though. Based on talent, team needs, and the current draft order, I have run through all the latest rumors and landed on a final 2026 NBA mock draft. Here are my predictions for the 14 lottery picks, plus the rest of round one.

2026 NBA Draft Lottery Predictions (Picks 1-14)

The top of the 2026 NBA Draft starts with the Washington Wizards on the clock, and on talent the pick should be BYU wing AJ Dybantsa. The lottery order was locked in on May 10, so the slots below are set; the only question is which names land where. You can cross-check the full board against the NBA’s official 2026 Draft order. Here is how I see it unfolding, pick by pick.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, G/F, BYU

The Wizards have undergone a considerable facelift recently, making shocking deals to land marquee veterans in Trae Young and Anthony Davis. That is an odd combination with their collection of raw, young talent, and now they are throwing a first overall pick into the mix.

It could spell disaster, or maybe the Wiz are building their version of a super team right before our very eyes. Whatever the case, they are landing a stud prospect here, with versatile scorer AJ Dybantsa figuring to be the most logical choice. Darryn Peterson’s perimeter-centric offense and outside shooting would also prove valuable, but the reality is the Wizards just need more talent and they cannot miss at the top of this draft.

You can make a case for Peterson, but Dybantsa offers the best combination of size, scoring versatility, and shot creation in this draft, and he should be the pick. The betting market is the fascinating wrinkle here: Dybantsa has been the longtime No. 1 favorite, yet Peterson has surged at several sportsbooks after reports he granted a pre-draft visit only to Washington. We dig into that split in our 2026 NBA Draft betting preview, but on pure talent, this is Dybantsa’s slot.

NBA Comparison: Jaylen Brown

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas

Peterson carries the second-shortest No. 1 odds and has been closing the gap on Dybantsa, but if he does not go first, it is hard to see him getting past Utah at No. 2. You better believe the Jazz will be sprinting to the podium to make this pick, regardless of who is here. They will not be sad to see it is Peterson, even if he has made it known he would prefer not to land in Utah.

Utah is another team that has made interesting changes, and they have yet to finalize agreements with two parts of their core in Keyonte George and Walker Kessler. While those decisions await, all they can do here is add the best player available.

Peterson is arguably that guy, especially if Utah has things figured out down low. The Kansas product offers a silky smooth offensive game that lets him score from all over the floor, deliver elite efficiency off the ball, and be a plus on the defensive end. His time at Kansas raised more questions than you would like this high in a draft, but Peterson’s talent is undeniable. This is the pick the Jazz have to make.

NBA Comparison: Devin Booker

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, F, Duke

The Grizzlies are going to get the best value of the draft simply by sitting here at third overall. The No. 1 pick discussion is a fun debate, and Utah will get the guy Washington does not want, but Memphis lands Cameron Boozer: a player who arguably should be more involved in first overall discussions than he is.

While not an elite athlete like the projected top two picks, Boozer is a smooth forward with an extremely versatile game. He can play three positions at the next level, offering a high basketball IQ, elite rebounding, efficient scoring, and a shot that should translate to the NBA three. Memphis is in rebuilding mode and will likely look to deal Ja Morant, which sets the table for Boozer to become the face of the franchise.

NBA Comparison: Kevin Love

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

The Bulls have a nice little core with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis in town, but it is clear they need a lot more than that. Insert North Carolina product Caleb Wilson, who visited just one team during the pre-draft process (Chicago) and is coming off a sensational freshman season with the Tar Heels, where he averaged 19.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Wilson suffers from a loaded draft class, as his first-year production, explosive nature, and raw athleticism would make him a legit No. 1 contender in almost any other year. He has the tools to impact the game at both ends at an extremely high level, with some daring to mouth the name Kevin Garnett when watching him play.

It is too early to go that far, but Wilson does have that trademark jumper, he can dominate in transition, and he makes his presence felt defensively with rebounding and shot-blocking prowess. Chicago needs more size, more athleticism, and more star power. They get it all with one pick.

NBA Comparison: Kevin Garnett (lite)

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

We have our first arguable reach of the 2026 NBA Draft. The first four picks are pretty set; the exact order or potential trade impact remains fluid, but it would be a relative shock to see anyone else taken in those first four slots. The fifth pick is where it gets interesting, both because nobody knows what the Clippers plan to do and because the talent starts to get a bit blurry.

That is not to say the drop-off is steep, as there are still some alluring prospects. The big one is Wagler, who was outstanding in his only season at Illinois, putting up 17.9 points per game while displaying a highly versatile skill set. His raw game was always compelling, but the fact that he kept shining through March Madness, all the way to a battle with the defending champion UConn Huskies, showed his grit.

The key here is Wagler’s size and versatility. He has exceptional size for the lead guard position, he rebounds extremely well, and he can pick defenses apart by attacking inside or torching them from long range (39.7% from deep). The question is no longer whether Keaton Wagler is deserving of being drafted here, it is just that nobody knows what L.A. wants to do.

NBA Comparison: Austin Reaves

6. Brooklyn Nets: Nate Ament, F, Tennessee

If the Clippers were set up to confuse us, the Nets are going to do it even more. Brooklyn has far less talent or direction than Los Angeles, making the sixth overall pick one of the toughest spots in the entire draft to predict.

The Nets could fill any position with this pick, as nobody on their roster is truly untouchable. They could start over at the five, grab an imposing forward, draft a scorer, or add another distributor. This pick likely comes down to Nate Ament vs. Darius Acuff Jr., but since the Nets invested heavily in guards just last year, Ament gets the nod. You could go either way, but the Tennessee product offers solid size, a nice perimeter game, and the ability to impact the defensive side of the ball. Ament needs to develop into a more consistent player, but the offensive game and defensive ceiling are mouth-watering.

NBA Comparison: Jabari Smith Jr.

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas

The Kings are a mess, per usual. Much like Brooklyn, they simply need to collect all the talent they can get their hands on. They could luck into Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. here, which would be a massive win, and they are reportedly smitten with him.

Acuff Jr. is the type of prospect who would be approaching top-three territory in a lesser draft. He was a big reason Arkansas fielded one of the most potent offensive attacks in the nation last year (second in points per game), pouring in a robust 23.5 points per game himself. You are looking at one of the most dominant scorers in college basketball, someone who put up 24-plus points in all three of his March Madness tilts. The best part? He generated big numbers on high volume without losing efficiency.

Acuff Jr. pushed for 50% shooting from the floor and picked defenses apart from long range (44%), while also offering explosiveness, elite instincts, and rare offensive creativity. The downside? He lacks ideal size for a shoot-first guard, and there are questions about his defensive aptitude and fit. But Sacramento has made the mistake of letting marquee point guards like Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox leave in recent years. They need to rectify that by bringing in another one in Acuff Jr.

NBA Comparison: Darius Garland

8. Atlanta Hawks: Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville

The Hawks let Trae Young go last year and just brought back an aging CJ McCollum. Their system is built around forward Jalen Johnson, but they need to keep adding quality pieces to take the next step. Brown could be part of that, as he has an elite offensive game and, on paper, fits what they do extremely well.

Brown does not come without his question marks. He has a thin frame, he was not super efficient in his lone season of college ball, and he arrives with durability and inconsistency flags. However, Brown is a highly skilled lead guard with prototypical size, a high basketball IQ, elite fluidity, and top-shelf handles. Everyone saw his scoring upside in a wild 45-point effort against NC State. That is the type of offensive ability the Hawks would love to add to an already explosive system.

NBA Comparison: Damian Lillard

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

As we move through this first round, the talent wanes a bit, with certain prospects offering either low ceilings or incredibly low floors. Brayden Burries is of the low-ceiling variety. He would still be a perfect pickup for Dallas, as he fits the two spot and has the size, scoring, and shooting to be an impact player for the Mavs almost instantly.

The ceiling is lacking, and it remains to be seen whether his playmaking extends to the next level. Dallas could use help in that department to a degree, but the offense flows through Cooper Flagg right now. With that unlikely to change, simply adding another scorer and shooter like Burries may do the trick.

NBA Comparison: CJ McCollum

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Kingston Flemings, G, Houston

The Bucks have officially turned the page on the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, agreeing to ship him to Miami for a package built around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, and a haul of picks. That makes their own No. 10 selection the centerpiece of a fresh rebuild, and they should consider themselves fortunate if someone as talented as Kingston Flemings slides to them. Based on the trajectory of this mock, it is plenty possible.

Milwaukee is in a nice spot in that they can bring in basically anyone and rebuild to their liking. Nobody is off-limits in trades, which means they can just draft the best player available. In the name of piecing together a future contender, adding an elite two-way guard like Flemings makes a lot of sense. He was part of a nasty Houston defense and brings elite athleticism, good size, and dynamic ability on both ends.

Scouts question his shooting mechanics and consistency for the NBA, but he is otherwise a balanced prospect with a solid ceiling. Even with Herro and Jakucionis now in the backcourt, a rebuilding team can comfortably swing for the best player available, and Flemings’ two-way upside makes him that pick at No. 10.

NBA Comparison: De’Aaron Fox

11. Golden State Warriors: Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

Golden State is in an odd spot, as they have to decide whether they want to rebuild or try to contend as Stephen Curry inches toward retirement. The odds are they try to do a little of both, but assuming they do not move this pick for a win-now veteran, finding a viable post-Curry guard makes good sense.

Labaron Philon may be viewed as a reach by some, but long term, the Warriors need an elite on-ball option who can carry the torch for their offense. Philon was a scoring phenom (21.5 ppg) with an explosive Alabama team last year, and he packs a serious punch as a high-level combo guard who can score at all three levels. His ability to manipulate defenses with his shiftiness and crafty offense makes him a tough cover, and a guy an offense can potentially be built around.

Much like the guy he would be replacing for the future, Philon lacks monstrous size, has a thin frame, and is not an elite defender. That said, he could not be headed to a more ideal situation. He can provide the Dubs with an explosive offensive spark initially and eventually morph into a franchise player if things break right.

NBA Comparison: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (lite)

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara, C, Michigan

The rich get richer. OKC has the luxury of doing whatever they want here. I can see that meaning an attempt to upgrade on the perimeter over the likes of Lu Dort and Alex Caruso, or they can protect themselves from Isaiah Hartenstein’s potential departure by adding a stud big man.

While both routes make sense, I think they strike the paint with Aday Mara first. It just is not fair, the level of talent that could fall into OKC’s lap, but hey, they do need some kind of answer for Wembanyama and Jokic in the Western Conference. Mara is a complex talent who can impact the game in a number of ways and has an evolving offensive repertoire.

Mara probably is not the direct answer right away, but his towering size gives a rebounding and shot-blocking boost immediately. If he can build out his frame and extend his range, the Thunder could have an absolute gem at the five.

NBA Comparison: Zach Edey

13. Miami Heat (pick headed to Milwaukee): Hannes Steinbach, F/C, Germany

Miami got its man. The Heat agreed to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo (along with Bobby Portis) on the eve of the draft, and this pick was part of the price: it now belongs to the Milwaukee Bucks. Because the trade cannot be formally completed until July 6, Miami will still step to the podium and make the No. 13 selection on the night, but the player is headed to Milwaukee.

That makes the target clearer. I think it is Germany’s Hannes Steinbach, who was a double-double machine at Washington last year, as well as an efficient scorer. Steinbach connected on 34% of his shots from long range while also making an impact inside (1.2 blocks per game) and cleanly finishing around the basket. He is a rising prospect with star potential who would give the rebuilding Bucks a second young building block alongside their No. 10 pick.

It is a logical landing spot. Steinbach’s modern, two-way frontcourt game fits nicely next to the young guards Milwaukee just pried loose from Miami, giving the Bucks a building block to grow with as they reset around their new core.

NBA Comparison: Moritz Wagner

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr., C, Michigan

The last pick inside the lottery sends Michigan stud Morez Johnson Jr. to Charlotte. The Hornets seem pretty set offensively, with their only real questions being whether they truly believe in LaMelo Ball and how they get tougher on defense.

Charlotte is probably going to stick with Ball for now, so the only alternative is to flip picks for proven bodies or to get tougher inside. The Hornets do have some solid bigs, but Johnson is a guy who would arguably be a better option from day one. His imposing size, physicality, efficiency, and rebounding make him a high-effort body any team would love to anchor their defense. Whether he is the guy at the five right away is open for debate, but Charlotte would be selecting him with that goal in mind.

NBA Comparison: Isaiah Stewart

2026 NBA Mock Draft: Picks 15-30

The back half of round one is not as star-heavy as the lottery, but there is real value here. In a class this stacked, a trickle-down effect leaves quality options on the board, and a few of the names below would be locked into the lottery in a weaker year. Here is how I see picks 15 through 30 shaking out.

The bottom half of the first round is not as enticing as this year’s lottery portion, but it still has a good amount of intriguing talent. Naturally, in a stacked class, there is going to be a trickle-down effect where some quality options get overlooked.

That is precisely the case with guys like Koa Peat and Karim Lopez sliding out of the top 14. Both are worthy of being taken earlier, with Lopez specifically standing out as maybe the steal of the draft if he falls this far. OKC also nets the underrated Bennett Stirtz, while Michigan stud Yaxel Lendeborg provides stellar depth to a Charlotte team that may not be far from contention. One sneaky pick could be Bruce Thornton to Dallas, as his scoring and perimeter shooting would be a huge get for a Mavs team building around Cooper Flagg.

Brace for a Draft Night of Big Surprises

The biggest wild card on draft night is not a prospect, it is the trade market. Right now the most surprising calls in this mock have Mikel Brown Jr. and Nate Ament essentially switching draft position. That has everything to do with the uncertainty around what the Nets do, plus both players carrying appealing upside alongside some clear flaws.

This mock also has Karim Lopez sliding slightly, but beyond those mild surprises, the trade front is where the real fireworks live, and the biggest one already went off. Giannis Antetokounmpo is headed to Miami in a blockbuster that sent Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and a stack of picks (including Miami’s No. 13) to Milwaukee. With that domino down, watch for the ripple effects right up until the clock starts.

From there, the floodgates could open. Even a few trades could shake this mock up, and draft-day deals may see several prospects selected right around where most people expect, only with the teams changing. If you are weighing how to play any of it, our sports betting guide walks through how futures and prop markets work, and you can compare draft-night pricing in our FanDuel review before Round 1 tips off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still building out your draft-night reading list? Here are quick, direct answers to what fans are asking most about the 2026 NBA Draft class.