We have an official list of early entrants for the 2026 NBA Draft, so now is a great time for a new mock draft.
Draft order and lottery courtesy of http://www.tankathon.com.
1. Washington Wizards (17-65)
SG/SF AJ Dybantsa, Fr, BYU
6’9, 210 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg
Washington suffered through another miserable season, finishing with a league worst 65 losses. They hope to be more competitive next year, with the additions of a healthy Anthony Davis and Trae Young. Landing a top three pick could make all of the recent losses worth it. AJ Dybantsa remains my top prospect. Dybantsa is one of the better all around scorers in this class. He is a slasher and mid-range specialist, and showed better three point shooting than scouts thought coming into the season. He has to improve as a defender, but has the look of someone who can contend for scoring titles during his prime.
2. Atlanta Hawks (from MIL (32-50))
PG/SG Darryn Peterson, Fr, Kansas
6’6, 205 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 20.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.6 apg
The Hawks won 46 games, and are currently battling the Knicks tooth and nail in the first round of the playoffs. They take advantage of an over-matched General Manager to get a top two pick to go along with their current success.Darryn Peterson had an up and down season, but remains an elite prospect. He was in and out of the lineup all season, but still showed the ability to shoot and score. A guy who handled the ball as much as he did only averaging 1.6 assists per game is worrisome, but I think he will be a better distributor at the NBA level. While I am not making excuses, I do not think the Kansas offense is suited for showcasing NBA talent. I do not think his issues will be talked about in a year or two. I really like his potential as a lead guard at the next level. Peterson would be a fantastic fit as an offensive mastermind next to Dyson Daniels in the Atlanta back court.
3. Chicago Bulls (31-51)
PF/C Cameron Boozer, Fr, Duke
6’9, 250 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 22.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 4.1 apg
Carlos Boozer started his career with the Chicago Bulls, and now his son Cameron follows suit. Boozer is an offensive whiz. He can score from down low, hit jump shots, and the offense can run through him on occasion. He is not the best athlete or defender, so he could be like another Domantas Sabonis. You will have to hide him on defense, but you can win with him as your main offensive hub.
4. Indiana Pacers (19-63)
PF/C Caleb Wilson, Fr, North Carolina
6’10, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 19.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.7 apg
This pick goes to the Los Angeles Clippers if it falls out of the top four, so this is an important lottery for the future of the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers already have Ivica Zubac and Pascal Siakam occupying front court spots, but Caleb Wilson is, by far, the best prospect here, and the one player who can break into that tier one with the big three. Wilson is raw, but he does have All Star potential. He is a good athlete with a developing offensive game. He is also a quality rebounder and defender. He may not be the type of player who can generate his own offense, but should work well within the framework of a teams game plan.
5. Brooklyn Nets (20-62)
PG/SG Keaton Wagler, Fr, Illinois
6’6, 180 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.2 apg
Despite five 2025 first round picks on the roster, Brooklyn lacks a true franchise player. The Nets need front court help, but this part of the draft is guard heavy. Keaton Wagler was a sub-100 recruit, but has shattered those rankings with one of the best freshman seasons out there. Illinois made the Final Four, and Wagler was a huge reason why. He may be more of a lead guard than a point guard, but he is a good shooter, scorer and distributor. He needs to get stronger and may not be the best athlete, but I love his potential.
6. Utah Jazz (22-60)
PG Darius Acuff Jr., Fr, Arkansas
6’3, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 23.5 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3.1 rpg
The Jazz have the potential to throw out a very good starting five next year, with the current players on its roster. They hope this is the last time they pick at the top of the draft, and should go with one more swing at the best player available. Darius Acuff Jr. put on a show during the NCAA tournament, especially during Arkansas second round victory, when he scored 36 points. Acuff Jr. was a consistent threat all season, both as a scorer and floor general. He is undersized, and not a good defender, but his offensive potential should keep him squarely in that tier three with several other guards.
7. Sacramento Kings (22-60)
PG Kingston Flemings, Fr, Houston
6’4, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.1 rpg
Keegan Murray is probably the only young player Sacramento can build around, and even he has regressed from his first couple of seasons. The Kings especially need fire power in the back court. It is hard to win in the NBA without strong guard play. Kingston Flemings may be the best pure point guard in this class. While Flemings struggled as a scorer late in the season, and during the NCAA tournament, he showed what he is capable of with a 42 point performance against Texas Tech in January. Flemings has good size, had a 3:1 assist to turnover ratio, and is a solid defender. He should become a more consistent scorer, and the all around package at point guard is impressive.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (25-57)
PF/C Hannes Steinbach, Fr, Washington
6’11, 225 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 18.5 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 1.6 apg
Memphis recently traded Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, and Ja Morant is likely next, so this roster is close to a blank slate draft pick wise. Hannes Steinbach played on a terrible Washington team that did not make the tournament, but he showed enough to be a mid-to-late lottery pick. While most freshmen big men floundered, Steinbach excelled as both a scorer and rebounder. He has decent stretch big ability on offense, is a double double threat, and can even block some shots. While he may not be as big as his listed 6’11, he should be able to be a small-ball center at the next level.
9. Milwaukee Bucks (from NO (26-56))
PG/SG Labaron Philon Jr., So, Alabama
6’4, 185 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 22.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.5 rpg
Thanks to the Jrue Holiday trade of a few years ago, Bucks will receive the worst of their own pick and the New Orleans pick. They need dynamic talent in the worst way, and should find a solid contributor here. Labaron Philon Jr.’s decision to return to Alabama for his sophomore year paid off in a big way. He showed the ability to score at a consistent level, despite high usage. He saved his best for last, going out against an elite opponent, dropping 35 points against Michigan in the Sweet 16. He may not be a true point guard, but should work well off of Giannis Antetokounmpo, for as long as he remains in Milwaukee.
10. Dallas Mavericks (26-56)
PG/SG Brayden Burries, Fr, Arizona
6’4, 205 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.4 apg
Thanks to a league wide tanking epidemic, a 26 win team is picking tenth here. Dallas needs a talented scoring guard as a running mate for Cooper Flagg, but that might be harder to find here. Arizona laid an egg against eventual champion Michigan in the Final Four, but they had a very good season, led by freshman Brayden Burries. He was a consistent source of offense all season, shooting at a 50/40/80 clip. He is also a pesky defender and decent ball handler.
11. Golden State Warriors (37-45)
PF/C Yaxel Lendeborg, Sr, Michigan
6’9, 240 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.2 apg
The Warriors are already being linked to LeBron James, and every other veteran on its last legs, 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 is NBA ready.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC (42-40))
SF/PF Nate Ament, Fr, Tennessee
6’10, 207 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
The Thunder will have a full roster next year, and will be one team that can afford to gamble on the upside of the flawed but talented Nate Ament. Ament showed flashes of being a strong scorer and shooter, but was extremely inconsistent all season. He is also thin and weak, and needs to bulk up, or he will be pushed around at the next level. Ament should stay another year in school, but his five star pedigree and theoretical offensive potential should keep him in the first round. perhaps even the late lottery.
13. Miami Heat (43-39)
PG/SG Mikel Brown Jr., Fr, Louisville
6’5, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 18.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.3 rpg
This Miami roster needs more offensive firepower, especially in the back court. Mikel Brown Jr. is a talented scorer, but I have my reservations. He is not a point guard, and he is not a great shooter. Still, at this point in the draft his potential outweighs the risks. I would have liked to have seen him build upon a solid February, but injuries derailed his season. He has the chance to ultimately rise back into the top ten, but it will take a lot of work going forward, especially with how deep this draft is guard wise.
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
The Hornets were perhaps the biggest regular season success story. They had one of the better offensive minded starting fives in the league, and could use their two first round draft picks to improve the defense shore up the bench. Coming off a National Championship run, Aday Mara is getting a lot of late lottery love. In a class short on size, Mara’s tournament run has likely stamped his ticket into the first round. He is still offensively, and may struggle with the speed of the game, but you cannot teach his size and defensive instincts. He could become a starting center in time.
15. Chicago Bulls (from POR (42-40))
SF/PF Karim Lopez, Mexico
6’8, 220 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.9 apg
Portland chose to gain playoff experience, instead of tanking out of the playoffs and keeping their pick, so Chicago has another valuable selection. The Bulls could double up on versatile forwards, this time with the offensively skilled Karim Lopez. Lopez is a talented scorer, but not much of a shooter or defender. It will take work and development, but there is potential for a Tobias Harris-like player here.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (from ORL (45-37))
PG Christian Anderson, So, Texas Tech
6’3, 178 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 18.5 ppg, 7.4 apg, 3.6 rpg
This is the first of many draft picks coming to Memphis from the Orlando Magic, courtesy of the Desmond Bane trade. After going big with their first pick, perhaps they could add a potential Ja Morant replacement here. Christian Anderson may lack the ability to hold up defensively and play a full 32 minutes per game, you cannot ignore his impact as a dynamic lead guard. He can score and distribute. He put up a stinker in Texas Tech’s second round blowout at the hands of Alabama, but that does not take away from his impressive sophomore season.
17. Charlotte Hornets (from PHX (45-37))
SF/PF Koa Peat, Fr, Arizona
6’8, 235 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 14.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.6 apg
The Hornets could double up on rugged role players with this pick. Koa Peat is a talented, strong scorer, but I struggle to figure out what he does at the NBA level. He is a bit undersized, not much of a shooter or defender. He may fit best as an energy type off the bench, something Charlotte could use.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHI (45-37))
PF/C Jayden Quaintance, So, Kentucky
6’10, 255 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 5.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.8 bpg
The Thunder are one team that is not afraid to draft injured players and redshirt them if necessary. Jayden Quaintance was thought of as a possible lottery pick after his freshman season at Arizona State, but was too young to declare for the draft. He briefly made his return for Kentucky before suffering another injury. A lot of mock drafts still have him in their top ten, but I think this is a better spot for him. While he is an NBA caliber defender and rebounder, his offense has a long way to go, and his injury issues cost him valuable reps to improve that side of his game.
19. San Antonio Spurs (from ATL (46-36))
SF/PF Dailyn Swain, Jr, Texas
6’8, 220 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.6 apg
The Spurs are loaded up and down the roster, but both Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet will be free agents after the season. There could be front court minutes available, even after Carter Bryant moves up the totem pole. Dailyn Swain is an upperclassmen who could be an instant contributor for a playoff team. He is a good scorer, rebounder and passer, an an on the ball menace defensively.
20. Toronto Raptors (46-36)
PG/SG Bennett Stirtz, Sr, Iowa
6’5, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 19.8 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 rpg
Toronto has one of the better starting lineups in the East, but lacks offensive firepower off the bench. Christian Anderson’s ability to hold up defensively and play a full 32 minutes per game, you cannot ignore his impact as a dynamic lead guard. He can score and distribute. He put up a stinker in Texas Tech’s second round blowout at the hands of Alabama, but that does not take away from his impressive sophomore season.
21. Detroit Pistons (from MIN (49-33))
SG Cameron Carr, rSo, Baylor
6’5, 175 lbs
2025;2026 Stats: 19.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.7 apg
The 60 win Pistons are on the verge of losing their first round playoff series to an 8 seed. Their lack of shooting and bench scoring is a major issue. It was a very tough season for the usually fantastic Baylor Bears, but Cameron Carr was a revelation. After two seasons as a little used player, he exploded as a 20 point per game scorer. He is a good shooter and slasher, and while he may lack the overall game to be a lottery pick, should provide instant offense off the bench.
22. Atlanta Hawks (from CLE (52-30))
PF Morez Johnson Jr., So, Michigan
6’9, 250 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 13.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.2 apg
There is a reason Michigan won the championship. They had three front court players that could be 2026 first round picks. Johnson Jr. has a very NBA friendly all around game. He is a good shooter and rebounder, and can block the occasional shot. He is the type of steady presence the Hawks could use on their second unit.
23. Philadelphia 76ers (from HOU (52-30))
PF/C Henri Veesaar, Jr, North Carolina
7’0, 225 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.1 apg
Dominick Barlow has been a revaluation for the 76ers, for the simple fact that he has managed to play in almost every game, something the other front court players have struggled to do. North Carolina may have went out of the NCAA Tournament with a whimper, but Henri Veesaar did his part, with a 26 point, 10 rebound performance. He has the look of a very solid backup center, thanks to his ability to knock down jump shots, rebound and provide decent help defense.
24. New York Knicks (53-29)
SF/PF Joshua Jefferson, Sr, Iowa State
6’9, 240 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.8 apg
Perhaps one day the Knicks will attempt to develop some young players, so they do not have to play their starters 34 minutes per game. Joshua Jefferson is an experienced, versatile player that could carve out a roll off of the bench for a playoff team. He is a good shooter with size, can rebound, chip in defensively and even initiate the offense at times.
25. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29)
PF/C Chris Cenac Jr., Fr, Houston
6’11, 240 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 9.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 0.7 apg
The Lakers have been looking for their starting center of the future for a while. While the NIL thinned out the big men available here, there are still a couple of options. Chris Cenac Jr. has talent, but he struggled to decaffeinate himself as a freshman at Houston. Theoretically, he is a good shooter, rebounder and shot blocker, but he did not show much of that during the season. The worry is that he will become another Zeke Nnaji, who is just kind of a guy you expect to do something, but never does. Still, at the tail end of the first round, the risk is low, especially with the talent level in this class tailing off.
26. Denver Nuggets (54-28)
SG/SF Amari Allen, Fr, Alabama
6’8, 205 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 11.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.1 apg
The Nuggets could lose several bench pieces next season. They are good at developing raw talent, and Amari Allen could be their next project. Allen showed a decent all around game at Alabama, but still has work to do as a shooter and consistent scorer. Still, Denver turned a raw lump of clay in Payton Watson into a possible $20 million per year player, and could do the same with allen here.
27. Boston Celtics (56-26)
C Malachi Moreno, Fr, Kentucky
7’0, 250 lbs
2025;2026 Stats: 7.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.8 apg
Teams are always willing to gamble on size late in the first round. Malachi Moreno is expected to eventually return to Kentucky for his sophomore season, but it would not be a surprise to see a team promise him a spot in the first round. He is not a shooter, but is tough, can block shots and rebound. I team like Boston could easily select him in hopes of developing a cheap starter.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from DET (60-22))
SG/SF Tounde Yessoufou, Fr, Baylor
6’5, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg
The Timberwolves have a very solid starting five, but the bench leaves a bit to be desired. Not to mention, Donte DiVincenzo will miss the 2026-2027 season. Tounde Yessoufou had a nice year statistically, but a deeper dive into his game shows a player who both struggled to shoot and get to the rim offensively. There is defensive potential here, but he might have to rely on fast breaks and cuts to generate points offensively. Still, this is late enough in the first round that the reward outweighs the risk.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (from SA (62-20))
PG Tyler Tanner, So, Vanderbilt
6’0, 173 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 19.5 ppg, 5.1 apg, 3.6 rpg
If Tyler Tanner was 3 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, he would probably be a lottery pick. But players his size have a very small track record of NBA success. That is the brutal reality. He could carve out a role as a bench scorer and distributor, similar to Tre Jones. The Cavaliers are set as far as back court starters are concerned, but there could be some minutes for a change of pace guy like Tanner.
30. Dallas Mavericks (from OKC (64-18))
PG/SG Meleek Thomas, Fr, Arkansas
6’5, 185 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
This is one of two first round picks the Mavericks received from Washington in the Anthony Davis trade. Coming from the Thunder, it is likely to be at the very end of the first round, and Dallas could go after a freshman that fell through the cracks. Meleek Thomas had a solid shooting season for Arkansas, but the NBA is littered with combo guards that can score. Thomas needed more of an opportunity to show that he could play point guard, but with so many ball handlers on an always crowded John Calipari roster, that was hard to do. Still, he could find his way into the first round, as bench scoring is always valuable.
Round 2
31. New York Knicks (from WAS) – C Luigi Suigo, Italy
32. Memphis Grizzlies (from IND) – SF/PF Allen Graves, Fr, Santa Clara
33. Brooklyn Nets – PF/C Reuben Chinyelu, Jr, Florida
34. Sacramento Kings – SG/SF Isaiah Evans, So, Duke
35. San Antonio Spurs (from UTA) – PG/SG Sergio De Larrea, Spain
36. Los Angeles Clippers (from MEM) – PG Ebuka Okorie, Fr, Stanford
37. Oklahoma City Thunder (from DAL) – C Tarris Reed, Sr, Connecticut
38. Chicago Bulls (from NO) – PG Jeremy Fears Jr., So, Michigan State
39. Houston Rockets (from CHI) – SG/SF Billy Richmond III, So, Arkansas
40. Boston Celtics (from MIL) – SF/PF Alex Karaban, Sr, Connecticut
41. Miami Heat (from GS) – PG/SG Bruce Thornton, Sr, Ohio State
42. San Antonio Spurs (from POR) – SF/PF Pavle Backo, Serbia
43. Brooklyn Nets (from LAC) – SG/SF Andrei Stojakovic, Jr, Illinois
44. San Antonio Spurs (from MIA) – PF/C Zuby Ejiofor, Sr, St. John’s
45. Sacramento Kings (from CHA) – PG Braden Smith, Sr, Purdue
46. Orlando Magic – PF/C Baba Miller, Sr, Cincinnati
47. Phoenix Suns (from PHI) – PG Elliot Cadeau, Jr, Michigan
48. Dallas Mavericks (from PHX) – SG/SF Richie Saunders, Sr, BYU
49. Denver Nuggets (from ATL) – C Alexandros Samodurov, Greece
50. Toronto Raptors – C Oscar Cluff, Sr, Purdue
51. Washington Wizards (from MIN) – PF/C Trey Kaufman-Renn, Sr, Purdue
52. Los Angeles Clippers (from CLE) – SG Ryan Conwell, Sr, Louisville
53. Houston Rockets – SG Emanuel Sharp, Sr, Houston
54. Golden State Warriors (from LAL) – C Nate Bittle, Sr, Oregon
55. New York Knicks – SF/PF Mohammad Amini, Iran
56. Chicago Bulls (from DEN) – SG/SF Otega Oweh, Sr, Kentucky
57. Atlanta Hawks (from BOS) – PG/SG Jaden Bradley, Sr, Arizona
58. New Orleans Pelicans (from DET) – SF/PF Keyshawn Hall, Sr, Auburn
59. Minnesota Timberwolves (from SA) – PF/C Malik Reneau, Sr, Miami
60. Washington Wizards (from OKC) – SG/SF Darrion Williams, Sr, NC State
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