You can watch this mock draft on YouTube. Complete with a roster release featuring these rookies on their mocked teams.
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
AJ Dybantsa is far from a lock to be the first overall pick. If he was, the Wizards might have announced it by now. He remains my top choice, however. He has the ability to lead the league in scoring one day. He is fantastic from about 20 feet in, a great mid-ranger scorer and slasher. He has a developing three point shot as well, and should be one of the better all around scorers in the NBA. Whether he continues to improve as a defender and facilitator will be the difference between becoming an offensive hub of a playoff contender or a volume scorer on an average team. I think he is destined for greatness. He should fit in well with the Wizards, no matter how they choose to proceed with their veterans.
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
Some Jazz fans may want the Boozer to Utah connection because Carlos was on the team twenty years ago, but Darryn Peterson simply makes too much sense. I am not usually a fan of drafting for need in the top three, but Peterson fits a lot better on this current roster than Boozer would. Putting Peterson’s Kansas issues aside, which I have, he is a dynamic scoring guard who should open things up for the rest of the Jazz roster. Keyonte George is a good secondary scorer, but he will not keep Peterson from becoming the lead guard of this team, if Peterson is deemed fit to do so. It may be blasphemous to say, but Peterson does have some Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ability as a scorer.
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
The Grizzlies will be happy with any of the big three that remains here, as well as Caleb Wilson. Cameron Boozer should slot in quite nicely between recent top ten picks Zach Edey and Cedric Coward in the Memphis front court. Boozer is an offensive dynamo, able to scorer from almost anywhere on the court. He is a bit over-matched defensively, but I think he has potential, and should not be a total traffic cone on that side of the ball. His ability to score and run an offense from the post is special. Grizzlies fans, who are looking to turn the page on the failed Morant/Jackson Jr./Bane era should love him.
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 only reason I have Caleb Wilson in a tier of his own after the big three is that he is a bit more raw than the rest. He is still learning to how function offensively, but his rebounding and energy is already NBA ready. He has a springy, athletic feel to his offensive game, and should eventually be able to knock down three point shots. Unlike the players drafted above him, he may not be able to become the focal point of an offense, but he should be a perfect fit for a Bulls team that is completely rebuilding its front court.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (from IND (19-63))
PG/SG Mikel Brown Jr., Fr, Louisville
6’4, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 18.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.3 rpg
My top five has been the same for a while, but I am finally making a change. I often preface picks like this by saying my mock drafts are about what the industry is putting out there, and what I think teams may do, not necessarily what I would do if it was up to me. Mikel Brown Jr. has been generating a ton of pre-draft buzz, and I think he could go here. Scouts are, perhaps sheepishly, overlooking his less than stellar season at Louisville, and focusing on how dominant of a scorer and solid of a passer he was in high school. In Los Angeles, Brown Jr. has the size to play next to Darius Garland, and could be the long term option at point guard if they choose to eventually go that way. Los Angeles hopes they do not pick in the top five again for a while, so they could pass on someone like Keaton Wagler and swing for upside.
6. Brooklyn Nets (20-62)
PG/SG Keaton Wagler, Fr, Illinois
6’5, 188 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.2 apg
Four of the five Brooklyn 2025 first round picks were guards, but you could still say the back court is wide open. Brooklyn probably did not expect Keaton Wagler would still be here. He would be my pick over Darius Acuff Jr. Wagler is a cerebral player, which is a nice way of putting “not overly athletic.” That was probably the reason he was not even a top 100 ranked recruit, but he shatterred those expectations. He should be a solid fit next to Egor Demin or Nolan Traore as a tall enough two guard who can shoot and pass, and could even play point guard if needed.
7. Sacramento Kings (22-60)
PG Darius Acuff Jr., Fr, Arkansas
6’2, 186 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 23.5 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3.1 rpg
The Kings are thought to be very high on Darius Acuff Jr., and that makes sense. Perhaps no team in the league has a less exciting young core of players than Sacramento, especially in the back court. It is hard to win in today’s NBA if you do not have guards who can break down a defense and generate buckets. Acuff Jr. is small, but not Rob Dillingham-tiny. He is also not a defender whatsoever. But he is a talented scorer and ball handler who could post some 20/10 seasons during his prime. The Kings need all the young help they can get.
8. Atlanta Hawks (from MIL (32-50))
C Aday Mara, Jr, Michigan
7’3, 255 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 12.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.4 apg
Let me preface this pick by saying my mock drafts are always what I expect teams to do, not necessarily what I agree with. I would not select Aday Mara in the top ten. But he is trending that way. Scouts just cannot ignore size, and Mara took his game to another level when it counted, showing strong rebounding, scoring and playmaking ability, while helping Michigan win the NCAA title. The Hawks would not be a terrible spot for him. He can give the team some real size, and you can run your offense through him at times. I worry about his speed and defensive impact, but Atlanta is a deep playoff team that does not need him to be a franchise savior.
9. Dallas Mavericks (26-56)
PG Kingston Flemings, Fr, Houston
6’3, 183 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.1 rpg
Dallas is expected to explore trades for Kyrie Irving, and fully turn the page and make this the Cooper Flagg era. He needs a running mate, especially at point guard. Kingston Flemings measured small and is still growing into a consistent scorer, but he may be the best “pure” point guard in this class, for whatever that is worth. He will find the open man, and scouts believe he can become a 20 point per game scorer in time.
10. Milwaukee Bucks (32-50)
SG Brayden Burries, Fr, Arizona
6’4, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.4 apg
Even picking at ten overall, this is an important selection for Milwaukee. They do not own many of their own first round going forward, not to mention the non-stop drama surrounding their MVP. Brayden Burries may not be a point guard, but he is strong, an aggressive scorer, a solid shooter and a willing defender. Milwaukee has had to rely on castoffs to play guard minutes, and have little in the way of a long term option on the roster.
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
Steve Kerr is returning to Golden State, so even without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, they will probably hope to get one or two final playoff runs out of this core. So, drafting a 24 year old in the lottery would not be as outlandish for this team as it could be for others. Yaxel Lendeborg is the jack of all trades, master of none of this draft. He can do everything relatively well. The worry is he does not have that one skill to make him valuable, but he should be, at worst, a good sixth man right away for a team hoping to make a playoff run.
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
The Thunder lost in seven tough games to the ascending Spurs. With questions to answer about whether Chet Holmgren is broken (he will be fine, but you know how narratives go) and they can afford to keep Isaiah Hartenstein, there are suddenly questions to answer in the front court. I like Hannes Steinbach. He is not much of a shot blocker or defender, but he may be the best rebounder in this draft, can shoot the ball and has legitimate center measurements. He played for a bad Washington team, and is being slept on, in my opinion.
13. Miami Heat (43-39)
PG/SG Labaron Philon Jr., So, Alabama
6’3, 176 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 22.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.5 rpg
The Heat seem comfortable winning between 42-48 games every year, but this is a team that needs an infusion of talent, especially in the back court. I am a big Labaron Philon Jr. fan and have had him in my lottery almost the entire year. However, with so many guards available who can run point guard, he might fall a bit. Philon Jr. can be a combo guard, but he fits best as a microwave scorer, perhaps as a sixth man.
14. Charlotte Hornets (44-38)
PF Morez Johnson Jr., So, Michigan
6’9, 250 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 13.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.2 apg
The third Michigan big man to go in the lottery. There is a reason they are the champs. The Hornets have plenty of scorers, they need more size and players who can do the dirty work. Morez Johnson Jr. is not much of a scoring threat, but is a good rebounder and defender, and measured very well during the combine. He has starting potential, and can help establish some toughness in Charlotte.
15. Chicago Bulls (from POR (42-40))
SF/PF Nate Ament, Fr, Tennessee
6’10, 210 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
The Bulls are mostly a blank slate, and with two first round picks, could afford to gamble on upside here. Nate Ament has starter talent, but is so far away. He was an inconsistent shooter and scorer at Tennessee. To his credit, he did work hard as a rebounder and defender, so he was still valuable when his shot was not falling, but he needs to get stronger and more consistent with his offense before he can make an impact.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHI (45-37))
SF/PF Karim Lopez, Mexico
6’8, 221 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.9 apg
The Thunder will probably not want three rookies (including Thomas Sorber) taking up roster spots next year, so they will likely try to consolidate their two picks, or perhaps trade this one for a future first. This is a best player available situation. Karim Lopez is easily the best foreign prospect in this class who is not at an American college. He is a unique offensive player, who is still developing as a shooter. A project, but his size, in a draft class full of smaller guards, will make him attractive.
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
The Hornets went big with their first pick and add some additional bench scoring here. Cameron Carr should be an easy pick for any team in the late teens. He should be instant offense off the bench. He may not provide much, other than shooting and scoring, but his ability to fill up the bucket by the boat load should make him a valuable bench contributor for any team.
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 more established starting lineups in the NBA, but the bench leaves a lot to be desired. They should go best player available here. This seems like the low end for Christian Anderson’s value. He measured small during the combine, but has shown the ability to score and lead an offense. He may be too small to hold up for 32 minutes per game, but as a backup, he should provide great value.
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
I am not overly high on Jayden Quaintance, but he would fit well on a team like San Antonio, that just needs him to provide toughness, rebounding and defense. Quaintance is NBA ready as a rebounder and has the size and strength to hold his own. However, he is not much of an offensive threat, and really needed a year of development in that area. Unfortunately, an injury wiped out his sophomore season. Still, in a draft light on impactful defensive big men, Quaintance will be a first round pick.
21. Detroit Pistons (from MIN (49-33))
PG/SG Bennett Stirtz, Sr, Iowa
6’3, 186 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 19.8 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 rpg
It is hard to win in the playoffs without shooters all over the court, and Detroit struggled with that during their disappointing post-season run. All Bennett Stirtz has done is proven he belongs. Whether it was at Drake, Iowa or the combine, he has shown the ability to play the entire game, provide excellent shooting and run an offense. While he may never be a starter, he should be a great backup guard behind Cade Cunningham in Detroit.
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
Philadelphia is set in the back court, but the front court is full of question marks. 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))
SG/SF Isaiah Evans, So, Duke
6’6, 186 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.3 apg
Atlanta went big with its first pick, and adds back court help here. Isaiah Evans played a complimentary role during his two seasons at Duke, taking a back seat to Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer. He showed the ability to be a knock down three point shooter who can chip in defensively. Those types of players are always in demand, and a strong fit for any roster setup.
24. New York Knicks (53-29)
SF/PF Allen Graves, Fr, Santa Clara
6’8, 225 lbs
2025;2026 Stats: 11.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.8 apg
The Knicks rode one of the most veteran rosters in the NBA all the way to its first championship in 50 years. While that will not change, perhaps they have the room to develop an intriguing youngster like Allen Graves. Graves redshirted at a smaller school, did not start many games, but still finds himself squarely in the top 20 mix. He is an analytical darling, with less than impressive size or athleticism, but a productive all around game.
25. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29)
PG/SG Meleek Thomas, Fr, Arkansas
6’3, 189 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Luka Doncic is the only sure thing on the Lakers roster right now, making this a best player available scenario. Meleek Thomas chose to stay in the draft, and I think it was a good decision. He did as good as he could on a team dominated by ball handlers. He showed off good shooting ability, and can play some point guard when needed. There is starting potential here.
26. Denver Nuggets (54-28)
SF/PF Dailyn Swain, Jr, Texas
6’7, 211 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.6 apg
With several upcoming free agents and little draft picks to work with, this could be an important selection for Denver. They may opt to go with a sure thing like Dailyn Swain. Swain is an upperclassmen, and experienced wing. He may not be the best athlete, but he is a solid shooter, rebounder and defender.
27. Boston Celtics (56-26)
PF/C Henri Veesaar, Jr, North Carolina
6’11, 227 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.1 apg
If the Celtics do not resign Nikola Vucevic, Henri Veesaar would be a cheap, comparabile replacement. He is not a banger down low, and may not be much of a defender, but he is a good rebounder and makes his money as a stretch big. He is the ideal 2026 backup offensive minded big man.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from DET (60-22))
PG/SG Ebuka Okorie, Fr, Stanford
6’1, 186 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 23.2 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 rpg
Ebuka Okorie reminds me a lot of Bones Hyland, so it makes sense that he could take over for Hyland in Minnesota. Okorie is small, and not a great defender, but he should be a great bench scorer that can help shore up the Timberwolves shaky guard depth.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (from SA (62-20))
PG/SGJack Kayil, Germany
6’5,189 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 12.2 ppg, 53.0 rpg, 3.7 apg
Jack Kayil could have went to an NCAA school next year, but chose to remain in the draft, which makes me think he has a first round promise. Other than perhaps Sergio De Larrea, every player who could have withdrawn from the draft did, unless they were projected to be a first round pick. Kayil is raw, but has potential as a combo guard who can score and run an offense, thoughhe likely profiles as a bench player. Lonzo Ball was a bust for Cleveland, and they could be on the lookout for a player like this.
30. Dallas Mavericks (from OKC (64-18))
SF/PF Koa Peat, Fr, Arizona
6’7, 245 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 14.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.6 apg
Dallas snatches up the last underclassman standing here. Koa Peat is a divisive prospect. He is tough, and looks like an NFL tight end. But his offensive game is a work in progress. He debuted a new shooting form during workouts, with mixed results. A talented player, but he may be a man without a real role at the NBA level.
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