The 2026 NBA Combine has come and gone. While the NBA combine does not have the reach that the NFL Combine has, there are still going to be some changes throughout.
The next key date will be May 27. That is the deadline for players to withdraw from the draft and return to college.
Note: Official Combine measurements included in my mocks going forward.
Let’s go!
1. Washington Wizards (17-65)
SG/SF AJ Dybantsa, Fr, BYU
6’8, 217 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg
No change up top. I still believe that AJ Dybantsa is the prize of this draft. He should fit in with the Wizards, who could use a young alpha scorer, even with the additions of Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Dybantsa has some Carmelo Anthony to his game. He is a lethal mid-range scorer with good size, measuring in at 6’8, 217 pounds. While he will need to improve his jump shot, he has Jayson Tatum-like ability as an offensive force. Teams need players who can generate their own buckets when the offense breaks down.
2. Utah Jazz (22-60)
PG/SG Darryn Peterson, Fr, Kansas
6’5, 199 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 20.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.6 apg
Darryn Peterson is the main threat to AJ Dybantsa as far as the top player in this class goes. He measured in at ideal shooting guard size, and answered questions about his cramping and availability questions while at Kansas. I do not think that will be a huge issue going forward. He also stated his desire to play point guard at the NBA level, most likely because point guards get paid, but stated a willingness to do whatever the coaches asked of him on the floor. He should fit in perfectly in Utah, as Keyonte George is not a true franchise point guard. There will be plenty of opportunity for Peterson to show how skilled of a scorer he is, with the ball in his hands.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (25-57)
PF/C Cameron Boozer, Fr, Duke
6’8, 252 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 22.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 4.1 apg
While I do worry a bit on how a front court of Zach Edey and Cameron Boozer would fare defensively, I am not going to overthink things. Boozer is, absolutely, in the same tier as AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. He looked strong, big and quick during the combine. He also put on a show offensively, drilling 19 of 25 shots during the spot-up drill. Memphis is close to a blank slate roster wise, and Boozer is definitely the best player available here.
4. Chicago Bulls (31-51)
PF/C Caleb Wilson, Fr, North Carolina
6’9, 210 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 19.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.7 apg
The Bulls still have the easiest job in this draft. Just sit back and select whichever of the top four players is left. There are several years where Caleb Wilson would be the first overall pick. While his size may keep him from playing even small ball center, he is in ideal 2026 power forward. He is springy, quick, has range on his jump shot, and is active on the glass. The Bulls do not have much in the way of big men on the roster, and Wilson should be able to carve out a role right away.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (from IND (19-63))
PG/SG Keaton Wagler, Fr, Illinois
6’5, 188 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.2 apg
If the Clippers are committed to Darius Garland going forward, than Keaton Wagler makes the most sense out of the various guards available here. While he is being marketed as a point guard, I think he fits best as a classic two guard, with some ball handling capabilities. He measured a bit stronger than anticipated, and should have no problem coexisting with Garland in the Los Angeles back court.
6. Brooklyn Nets (20-62)
PG Darius Acuff Jr., Fr, Arkansas
6’2, 186 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 23.5 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3.1 rpg
Even though the Nets spent first round draft picks on three players who spent time at point guard last year, I would say the position is still unsettled long term. Darius Acuff Jr. would represent an upgrade. While he is small and may be picked on defensively, all is not hopeless. He did not have Rob Dillingham-like measurables, and has the frame to get stronger as time goes on. His calling card will be offense, though. It is hard to win in today’s NBA if you do not have a lead guard that can generate offense for both himself and others.
7. Sacramento Kings (22-60)
PG Kingston Flemings, Fr, Houston
6’3, 183 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.1 rpg
Perhaps no team needs a young guard as badly as the Sacramento Kings. Fortunately, even at pick 7, they should find a solid option. I am tempted to put Mikel Brown Jr. here, but I will stick with Kingston Flemings for now. Flemings measured small, but, like Darius Acuff Jr., has the frame to get stronger. He is perhaps the best pure point guard in this class. He held is own for a veteran laden Houston team, and had stretches where he scored at a high level as well.
8. Atlanta Hawks (from MIL (32-50))
PG/SG Mikel Brown Jr., Fr, Louisville
6’4, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 18.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.3 rpg
During the combine, a healthy Mikel Brown Jr. reminded scouts of why he was so highly thought of entering the season. He looked quick, energetic, and showed off his scoring potential. If he is drafted by the Hawks, who have an established starting lineup, it would allow him to craft his game into NBA shape. He struggled both running the point and shooting while at Louisville, but has the talent to be a starting lead guard in the league.
9. Dallas Mavericks (26-56)
PG/SG Brayden Burries, Fr, Arizona
6’4, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.4 apg
Dallas needs a talented scoring guard as a running mate for Cooper Flagg, which influences my decision to keep Brayden Burries here. He measured at a thick 6’4, 215, which should help him play some small ball small forward as well. He is not the athlete or point guard that the others before him are, but is a talented scorer as well. With Flagg handling the ball so much, Burries could thrive in an off the ball role.
10. Milwaukee Bucks (32-50)
SF/PF Nate Ament, Fr, Tennessee
6’10, 210 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
For years, ESPN has tried to get Giannis Antetokounmpo out of Milwaukee, and it looks like that might finally happen. This franchise does not control its first round picks for a while, so this could be their one chance to land a top talent. Nate Ament has great size and a theoretical jump shot, but he is quite raw, and it might take a while for things to click. Still, with the tenth pick, and little in the way of young talent on the roster, this could be a route the Bucks go, as they look to move on from their franchise icon.
11. Golden State Warriors (37-45)
PF/C Yaxel Lendeborg, Sr, Michigan
6’9, 241 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.2 apg
The Warriors are bringing back Steve Kerr, showing that they are going to ride the Stephen Curry train until the wheels fall off, rebuild be damned. If they want to draft a player that could help out right away, Yaxel Lendeborg could be the answer. The downside is he will be 24 years old during the season, which caps his upside, but he does a little bit of everything on the court. He can shoot, rebound, score and chip in defensively. Without an elite skill, there is a chance he is over-matched at the NBA level, but the Warriors might want to select someone who can provide minutes right away.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC (42-40))
PF/C Hannes Steinbach, Fr, Washington
6’10, 248 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 18.5 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 1.6 apg
I really do not know why Aday Mara is getting the love that Hannes Steinbach should be getting, but I am not hopping off the train. If anything, I am even deeper in, after Steinbach showed legitimate center measurements. He could be an ideal eventual Isaiah Hartenstein replacement. He is a good shooter and scorer, and can rebound, and the fact that he added 20 pounds of muscle from his pre-college days shows that he is serious about playing center, which is in short supply in this class.
13. Miami Heat (43-39)
SF/PF Karim Lopez, Mexico
6’8, 221 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.9 apg
Karim Lopez is the one non-college foreign prospect that should go in the first round. He can score in a variety of ways, and has the potential to improve as a defender. The Heat have 83 point man Bam Adebayo holding it down in the front court, but Nikola Jovic was a major disappointment last season. They could use back court scoring, but should not let positions dictate their draft plans. This team simply needs talent.
14. Charlotte Hornets (44-38)
C Aday Mara, Jr, Michigan
7’3, 255 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 12.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.4 apg
Aday Mara is generating a lot of top ten buzz. I do not see it. His lack of quickness and athleticism would be a major hindrance. If you are taking a player that high, you expect him to be a foundational piece. This would be a better gamble. The Hornets have two first round picks, quite a few scorers, and would simply need Mara to provide defense, rebounding, and dirty work down low. That would better fit his skill set.
15. Chicago Bulls (from POR (42-40))
PG/SG Labaron Philon Jr., So, Alabama
6’3, 176 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 22.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.5 rpg
With Josh Giddey handling the ball, Chicago needs secondary scorers to surround him. Labaron Philon Jr. could contend for six man of the year awards during his prime. While he may be too small to play shooting guard full time, and is not really a point guard, he can score, handle the ball and should be an ideal third guard for a team like Chicago, that will need scoring options, especially off of the bench.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (from PHX (45-37))
PG/SG Bennett Stirtz, Sr, Iowa
6’3, 186 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 19.8 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 rpg
Whether is was at Drake, Iowa, or the combine, all Bennett Stirtz has ever done is continue to impress. He shot the ball fantastically during the combine drills, showing off his ability to score by the boatload. He also showed good size, and we cannot forget his stamina, as he played every minute during Iowa’s tournament run. While he may never be a starting point guard, he would be the anti-Ja Morant in Memphis, as a steady, solid backup guard.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHI (45-37))
PF Morez Johnson Jr., So, Michigan
6’9, 250 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 13.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.2 apg
The Thunder have close to a full roster, and I do not think they will want three rookies (with Thomas Sorber) taking up spots next year. If they do, however, Morez Johnson, the third Michigan Wolverine big man to be drafted, would be a good fit. He showed how strong of an athlete he is during the combine, and absolutely should remain in this draft, especially with how desperate it is for players with size at this point. He is a good shooter and rebounder with defensive potential.
18. Charlotte Hornets (from ORL (45-37))
SG Cameron Carr, rSo, Baylor
6’5, 184 lbs
2025;2026 Stats: 19.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.7 apg
Cameron Carr was another big combine winner. He should fit in with any team, as a real instant offensive weapon off the bench. He can run the floor, slash and shoot. He was one of the lone bright spots for a Baylor team that uncharacteristically struggled. He should have no problem carving out a role as a sixth man behind a plethora of scorers in Charlotte.
19. Toronto Raptors (46-36)
PG Christian Anderson, So, Texas Tech
6’1, 180 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 18.5 ppg, 7.4 apg, 3.6 rpg
Toronto has one of the better starting lineups in the East, but needs to continue to fill out the bench, as many draft picks have failed to make an impact. There are rumors that Christian Anderson could withdraw and transfer to a bigger college, but I think he has a real chance to be a top 20 draft pick. He is a bit undersized, and may top out as a bench scorer, but I have mentioned many times how important players like that are.
20. San Antonio Spurs (from ATL (46-36))
PF/C Jayden Quaintance, So, Kentucky
6’9, 253 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 5.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.8 bpg
Jayden Quaintance desperately needed a year to work on his offensive game, but injuries made his sophomore season a wash. He is an NBA quality rebounder, and has good size, but will he ever develop an all around game that will allow him to play 20 minutes a night? The Spurs are deep, but might have questions with front court depth soon. They can afford to take the slow approach with Quaintance, who, if paired with Victor Wembanyama, would be a nightmare for opposing offenses to drive on.
21. Detroit Pistons (from MIN (49-33))
SG/SF Isaiah Evans, So, Duke
6’6, 186 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.3 apg
The Pistons, perhaps more than any other playoff team, need more shooters. Isaiah Evans was not able to show much during his two year run at Duke, but had some very good athletic testing numbers at the combine. Couple that with his solid shooting percentages, and he should be a first round pick. Every team in the league is looking for cheap bench scoring.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (from HOU (52-30))
PF/C Chris Cenac Jr., Fr, Houston
6’110, 239 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 9.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 0.7 apg
Dominick Barlow is overmatched as a starter, Joel Embiid will be hobbled for the rest of his career, and Andre Drummond is a free agent. The 76ers need size. Chris Cenac Jr. is a lottery talent, but he struggled to figure out what kind of player he was at Houston. He is a decent rebounder and shooter, but may not do either well enough to make a difference. There is talent here, but if he cannot find a role, he may be another Zeke Nnaji.
23. Atlanta Hawks (from CLE (52-30))
PF/C Henri Veesaar, Jr, North Carolina
6’11, 227 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.1 apg
Atlanta went back court with its first round pick, and they go with someone who can provide front court depth here. Henri Veesaar is far from a superstar, but he plays his role well and should be a solid backup big man. He can shoot, rebound and is a smart, wiling defender who knows where to be. Those are qualities you look for in a bench big.
24. New York Knicks (53-29)
SF/PF Dailyn Swain, Jr, Texas
6’7, 211 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.6 apg
New York hates developing young players, so I am going to take the “young and raw” excuse away by giving them an upperclassman. Dailyn Swain is all in for the drat and will not be returning to school. He should be a DeAndre Hunter-like, do a bit of everything combo forward. He can score, shoot, rebound and handle the ball. Nothing spectacular, but he should be a quality minutes eater at the next level.
25. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29)
PG/SG Ebuka Okorie, Fr, Stanford
6’1, 186 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 23.2 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 rpg
The Lakers are still trying to build through free agency, so there will be a lot of late roster spots available for cheap rookies, making this a true “best player available” situation. Ebuka Okorie measured small, but he showed great athleticism to go along with the scoring chops he displayed for a bad Stanford team as a freshman. He could be a Dennis Schroder-like change of pace backup guard at the next level.
26. Denver Nuggets (54-28)
C Luigi Suigo, Italy
7’3, 289 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 8.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.9 apg
With several upcoming free agents and little draft picks to work with, this could be an important selection for Denver. They have been looking for a Nikola Jokic backup for years. Luigi Suigo is a project, but man, is he a “big” project, literally. His measurements would make him one of a few players in the NBA bigger than Jokic. He is a good shooter, can set screens and get dirty when rebounding and blocking shots. It may take him a while to get going, but he is a worthy gamble this late in the first round.
27. Boston Celtics (56-26)
SF/PF Allen Graves, Fr, Santa Clara
6’8, 225 lbs
2025;2026 Stats: 11.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.8 apg
It is not often that a freshman from a non-Gonzaga WCC team emerges as a first round pick, but Allen Graves has done just that. Like a lot of players in this class, Graves can do everything pretty well. He is an analytical darling, able to shoot, play defense and rebound. Yet another player who should be able to carve out a nice bench role with the potential for more.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from DET (60-22))
PG/SG Meleek Thomas, Fr, Arkansas
6’3, 189 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Meleek Thomas might be more highly thought of had he not had to share the ball with Darius Acuff Jr. and others at Arkansas. It is always tough going on a John Calipari coached team. He is yet another combo guard who should be able to carve out a role as a bench scorer in the NBA.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (from SA (62-20))
SF/PF Koa Peat, Fr, Arizona
6’7, 245 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 14.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.6 apg
Perhaps Koa Peat should have chosen football like his family member Andrus Peat. His measurables are more in line with an NFL tight end than an NBA player. Peat is strong and tough, and may have to make his living as a dirty low down bucket getter, because he is not a shooter whatsoever. There is talent here, but what role he will be able to fill at the NBA level is undecided.
30. Dallas Mavericks (from OKC (64-18))
SG/SF Tounde Yessoufou, Fr, Baylor
6’4, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg
Three straight highly recruited freshman round out the first round. Tounde Yessoufou’s counting stats look solid, but a peek under the hood shows a scorer who struggled to both shoot and get to the rim at Baylor. He is tough, and there is defensive potential here, but he is a long way from being able to contribute offensively.
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