2026 NBA Mock Draft: First Round Picks & Predictions

It’s NBA Draft week. Months of heated debate over the top players in this class, countless thoughts about who would or wouldn’t declare and hours spent grinding the tape have led us to Tuesday night’s main event. Since we last took a stab at a 2026 NBA mock draft, the rumor mill has been churning out plenty of noise. Namely, Darryn Peterson‘s refusal to work out for the Jazz, how NBA executives rank the best lead guards in the class and just where Tennessee’s Nate Ament falls.

Considering how limited the intel has been on these topics, creating a predictive mock is tough. Even Washington has been close to the vest about who will hear their name first on draft night. Regardless, let’s attempt to predict the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft before the real thing unfolds.

2026 NBA Mock Draft

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa (F – BYU)

There doesn’t appear to be any concrete information suggesting the Wizards will pivot away from selecting AJ Dybantsa, who’s long been the popular pick here.

It wouldn’t come as a massive shock to see Darryn Peterson go first overall, but consensus leans towards the reigning NCAA scoring leader joining forces with Anthony Davis and Trae Young.

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson (G – Kansas)

Austin and Danny Ainge didn’t care that Ace Bailey wasn’t keen on being drafted by the Jazz last year, and they most likely still won’t when it comes to Darryn Peterson.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Peterson’s camp would prefer to see the star guard on a team without an “incumbent ball-handler,” since the Jazz already have Keyonte George on the roster.

From Utah’s perspective, forgoing the opportunity to partner a prospect like Peterson with other young guns in George and Bailey is silly. Per precedent, if Peterson is the best player on Utah’s board, they’ll take him.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer (F – DUKE)

There may not be a more aesthetically pleasing fit in this entire draft than Cameron Boozer to the Grizzlies.

The selection of Boozer and subsequent pairing with Zach Edey would make for one of the strongest frontcourts in basketball. Boozer’s all-around impact on the game would, of course, make him a good fit anywhere, but with his lack of prototypical center size, a full-time center role in the NBA appears unlikely. If he’s next to Edey, there shouldn’t be any issues in that sense.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson (F – UNC)

Chicago has been waiting for a true blue-chip prospect like Caleb Wilson for years. Patrick Williams never panned out. Noa Essengue didn’t play a second last season. Matas Buzelis has a real chance of becoming a pillar of the team, but he may not be the Bull to build around. Wilson certainly can be.

Few players of recent memory have Wilson’s combination of size, motor, defensive edge and overall production. With some jumper development, the UNC product can blossom into the next great Bull.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler (G – Illinois)

As the Clippers begin preparing for life without Kawhi Leonard, the front office should prioritize upside, as they don’t have full control of a first-round pick until 2030.

Keaton Wagler would provide equal parts upside and playability next to Darius Garland. Wagler’s elite height for a guard paired with his shooting ability is as enticing a combination as a team could want in a guard prospect.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr. (G – Louisville)

Per Jake Fischer, both Keaton Wagler and Mikel Brown Jr. canceled workouts with the Kings, who pick next, suggesting that both have been promised selections at picks five and six.

By adding Brown here, the Nets will have — shockingly — made him the franchise’s highest draft player since Derrick Favors, who was drafted third overall in 2010. Much like the Bulls, Brooklyn is without a blue-chip prospect, but does have building blocks in place. Brown’s creativity, athleticism and unreal shooting volume can make him the guy for the Nets.

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr. (G – Arkansas)

Perhaps unfairly, Darius Acuff Jr. would be exalted as the savior of Sacramento almost immediately.

It’s incredibly rare for a player of Acuff’s statistical profile to fall to this point in a draft, and the Kings have been waiting for that type of luck for years. The former Razorback would immediately be given the keys to the kingdom and step into the primary creator role.

8. Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings (G – Houston)

After re-signing CJ McCollum to a one-year contract, bringing in a toolsy guard like Kingston Flemings to learn under the veteran’s tutelage could reap massive rewards down the line.

Sure, Atlanta could use a big man to either replace or back up Onyeka Okongwu, but the team would still be searching for Trae Young‘s true heir. Flemings is a gifted athlete with a high motor and real point-of-attack defender upside who provides a more balanced game than Young.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries (G – Arizona)

Dallas gave us a pre-draft news appetizer on Monday morning with the reported hiring of Michigan’s Dusty May. With that, a Wolverine heading to Dallas with this pick makes sense and could certainly happen, but the drumbeat for Arizona’s Brayden Burries has been loud for weeks.

Masai Ujiri and the Mavericks would be wise to add a ball-handler to take pressure off Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. That could come in the form of Yaxel Lendeborg, yes, but he’s better suited for a contending team due to his age. Burries, on the other hand, is a 20-year-old guard with NBA size and intriguing versatility.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament (F – Tennessee)

According to multiple reports, this is Nate Ament’s floor on draft night. Ament’s fit in Milwaukee makes sense if Giannis Antetokounmpo gets moved to Boston or Miami — otherwise, it’s clunky. Considering that an Antetokounmpo trade feels inevitable, let’s pencil the Tennessee forward in this slot.

The 6-foot-10 Ament is a true project at the next level. Luckily for him, playing in Milwaukee and out of the shadow of the franchise GOAT would be the perfect place to develop.

11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara (C – Michigan)

Should Michigan’s Aday Mara become a Warrior, he’d be the most talented center that Steph Curry has played with since DeMarcus Cousins, who played 30 games for Golden State. Apologies to Kristaps Porzingis, who’s suited up in a Warriors uniform just 15 times.

Mara’s offensive and defensive skillsets make him a match made in heaven for Curry and Steve Kerr. Not to mention his defensive presence easing Draymond Green‘s defensive load.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Yaxel Lendeborg (F – Michigan)

Thunder general manager Sam Presti is already preparing for a financially challenging summer as he sent Aaron Wiggins to Atlanta on Sunday night. The moves Presti makes over the next few weeks will be aimed at keeping the current star core together and young, with team-friendly contracts coming in.

With the latter in mind, Yaxel Lendeborg is an incredible fit for Oklahoma City’s current situation. The reigning Big Ten Men’s Basketball Player of the Year has positional versatility and the athletic tools to make him an immediate contributor.

13. Miami Heat: Cameron Carr (G, F – Baylor)

Like the Nate Ament selection for Milwaukee, the Cameron Carr to Miami pick is made with the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade appearing a sure thing, should they keep this pick.

Signs point to one of Norman Powell and Tyler Herro moving elsewhere this offseason, and a player like Carr would provide immediate relief in an off-ball offense. In a world in which Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo dominate the ball-handling duties, Carr is an ideal wing to play alongside them.

If Antetokounmpo is traded elsewhere or not at all, Christian Anderson, Morez Johnson Jr. and Dailyn Swain would all fit a need for Miami, too.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Dailyn Swain (F, G – Texas)

Consensus draft boards finally seem to realize there are very few players like Dailyn Swain in this class. The winning formula in today’s NBA is all about generating paint touches, winning extra possessions and spreading the floor. While the latter is a work in progress for Swain, he does check the other two boxes.

Swain’s fit in Charlotte is two-fold. For starters, Miles Bridges‘ name has been in trade rumors for years, and he’s a free agent after next year. Then, Swain, as a jumbo ball-handler, can easily play next to LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel in high-octane lineups.

15. Chicago Bulls: Christian Anderson (G – Texas Tech)

Chicago kicked the tires on Rob Dillingham and Jaden Ivey during the second half of last season, in addition to bringing in Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton, who are both pending free agents. That’s not exactly the most inspiring group of names for a team searching for an identity.

Enter Christian Anderson, a 6-foot-2 combo guard with unlimited range and a deceptive handle. The Bulls could use a running mate for Josh Giddey in the backcourt. Thanks to Anderson’s shooting exploits, the former Red Raider could fit nicely.