The ink is not even dry on the 2026 NBA Draft yet, but the show always marches forward, here on Sports Gaming Rosters!
This is my inaugural 2027 mock draft. Still compiling my pre-season 150 man player list. Once we get closer to the college basketball season, I will have a better idea of which freshman could have big roles. Mostly a guessing game right now, but it is never too early.
One other thing to note is the sheer amount of traded picks this year. A lot of bad teams could be without a lottery pick. Which means tanking will be down.
Let us get started!
- Sacramento Kings
SF/PF Tyran Stokes, Fr, Kansas
6’7, 230 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Kings are likely to jettison most of its expensive veterans and rebuild around Darius Acuff Jr. Tyran Stokes is the early leader for the top spot in the 2026 draft. This class is not expected to have near the talent at the top that 2026 had. Stokes is probably the most talented incoming freshman in the country, and is ranked as the top recruit by most publications. He has good size, is strong, and is a developing shooter with legitimate three point range.
2. Chicago Bulls
PG/SG Jordan Smith Jr., Fr, Arkansas
6’2, 200 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
Other than Tyran Stokes, there are several other very early candidates for the top spot. Jordan Smith Jr. would be another. With Darius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas and DJ Wagner no longer on the Arkansas roster, Smith Jr. should have the ball in his hands quite a bit. He is a very talented scorer, shooter and driver, who could average 20 points per game as a freshman. He does not have great size, and needs to work on his point guard skills, since he will likely be too small to play shooting guard full time, but he is comparable to Acuff Jr. The Bulls, even after adding Caleb Wilson, are a blank slate, who could use upgrades all over.
3. Houston Rockets (from BKN)
SG/SF Bruce Branch III, Fr, BYU
6’7, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
James Harden has been on three teams since the Nets traded him, yet they still owe Houston picks.Off the heels of AJ Dybantsa, BYU landed another five star talent in Bruce Branch III, who reclassified to get to college a year earlier. Branch III is still developing his overall game, but is already a very good shooter and scorer. Shooting is usually what comes to wing players last, but Branch III made almost 40% of his five threes per game in high school. His upside could make him the number one pick a year from now.
4. New Orleans Pelicans
SF/PF Anthony Thompson, Fr, Ohio State
6’8, 205 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Pelicans will get the best of their own pick or Milwaukee’s pick in 2027. Both Trey Murphy II and Herb Jones could be moved at some point, which would open up a spot for a scorer with length. Anthony Thompson may be Ohio State’s highest ever basketball recruit. He has ideal size for a swing forward, and is a very good shooter. The rest of his game is coming together, but thanks to his jump shot, strength and length, he could be a favorite of scouts.
5. Atlanta Hawks (from MIL)
SG Braylon Mullins, So, Connecticut
6’6, 196 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 12.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.4 apg
Atlanta gets the worst of Milwaukee and New Orleans first round pick, so there is a great chance they could have yet another lottery selection in 2027. Keegan Murray in 2022 was the last non-freshman aged player to be a top five pick, but Braylon Mullins could break that streak. Mullins started his Connecticut career on the shelf with an injury, but was a quality rotation piece upon his return. With several Huskies moving on, the team could be his next year, and I expect a big jump in production. He is a great shooter with size, and is exactly what teams are looking for out of its shooting guards. He could immediately step in and help the playoff hopeful Hawks continue to improve.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
PG/SG Stefan Joksimovic, Slovenia
6’6, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
A lot of foreign young players are coming to the states to play in college, so true international prospects are far and few between. Stefan Joksimovic is a young Slovenian playing in the Euro league. Of course, he is still young and developing, but has some lead guard skills, and can really score. Of course, he patterns his game after Luka Doncic, and could be a similar type of bigger lead guard who can lead an offense. The Grizzlies drafted two bigger players in the 2026 draft and could look to rebuild its back court next.
7. Charlotte Hornets (from DAL)
PF Cameron Williams, Fr, Duke
6’11, 200 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Hornets drafted two offensive minded players in the 2026 draft, and could use some players who can do the dirty work. Picking in the top ten, hopefully they can get someone who does more than just that. Cameron Williams is a bit raw right now, but you always have to pay attention to Duke’s top recruit. He is a bit like a less polished version of Caleb Wilson offensively. He needs to get stronger, but may be the best shot blocker of any incoming top freshman. He would fit quite nicely with all of Charlotte’s scorers.
8. Golden State Warriors
SG/SF Caleb Holt, Fr, Arizona
6’5, 200 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Warriors want to continue to contend, but as things stand right now, they are nowhere close. Right now, it is hard to identify the next Yaxel Lendeborg, an upper-classmen who will be attractive in the mid-to-late lottery. Caleb Holt is a top five recruit who will take over for Brayden Burries at Arizona. Like most young wings, he is still developing a three point shot, but is an aggressive scorer with defensive potential.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC)
PG/SG Alijah Arenas, So, USC
6’6, 199 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 14.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.1 apg
Yes, the Thunder still have quite a few more first round picks coming, with three more in this draft. They have the option to swap picks with the Clippers, thanks to the Paul George trade that happened more than half a decade ago. Considering all he dealt with, from an injury to a car accident, the fact that Alijah Arenas returned to the court at all is a huge success. He should continue to improve his scoring percentages, and could flirt with 20 points per game as a sophomore. He has top five potential.
10. Orlando Magic
SF/PF Miikka Muurinen, Fr, Arkansas
6’10, 205 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
Looking at Miikaa Muurinen in practices and scrimmages, it would be easy to convince yourself that he is the best prospect in this class. He has failed to consistently produce in games, however. He will try his hand at an American college, joining John Calipari at Arkansas. Muurinen has elite size and skills for a stretch big/wing. He can shoot, and get to the basket. Consistency, effort and defense are all question marks. If he can answer most of them, he could easily wind up in the top five. As for the Magic, if they finish this poorly, they may choose to break up the Paolo Banchero/Franz Wagner pairing, which would open up a spot for Muurinen.
11. Washington Wizards
PG/SG Jason Crowe Jr., Fr, Missouri
6’3, 170 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
Washington is going with the dual-timeline thing, building around both AJ Dybantsa and a couple of expensive veterans. Jason Crowe Jr. is the second highest player Missouri has ever recruited. He is one of the best scorers amongst incoming freshmen. Whether he can show point guard skills to elevate him beyond combo status remains to be seen, but his ability to get buckets should help the Wizards, when Trae Young sits.
12. Brooklyn Nets (from PHI)
SF/PF Hugo Yimga Moukori, France
6’8, 219 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 9.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.4 apg
The residuals from various James Harden trades are being felt all over the place. France sat the 2026 draft out, but is back here, with yet another long, intriguing prospect. Like Noa Essengue and Tidjane Saluan, Hugo Yimga Moukori is more defense than offense and shooting at this point. He has good size, is strong, and has the ability to be a good combo forward who can score tough buckets and provide solid defense.
13. Toronto Raptors
C Luigi Suigo, Fr, Villanova
7’2, 250 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
Luigi Suigo generated some late first round looks during the 2026 draft process, but chose to head to Villanova for at least one season. He has great size, and is a unique talent with a bit of playmaking to his game as well. He could either be a late lottery pick, or somebody we never talk about again. Jakob Poeltl is probably the weak link for Toronto, and he could definitely be upgraded.
14. Houston Rockets (from BKN)
SG/SF Baba Oladotun, Fr, Maryland
6’10, 195 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
This is another potential lottery pick for the Houston Rockets. Houston could use a young point guard, but the board does not fall that way, so they draft a homeless man’s Kevin Durant. The Maryland commit, Baba Oladotun, can really stroke it from deep. However, he is thin and weak, and needs to both bulk up and expand his overall game. However, his ability to shoot will get him plenty of late lottery looks, in hopes the rest of his game expands.
15. Portland Trail Blazers
SF/PF Thomas Haugh, Sr, Florida
6’9, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.1 apg
Thomas Haugh could have been a late lottery pick in 2026, but chose to return to Florida for his senior season. He has little to gain by skipping the NBA, as he may be maxed out as a prospect, but his ability to shoot, rebound and play solid defense, along with his experience, should make him attractive to a team like Portland, who is looking to make a prolonged playoff push.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (from MIN)
C Motiejus Krivas, Sr, Arizona
7’2, 260 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 10.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.1 apg
The Grizzlies already have 300 pound Zach Edey on the roster, and add even more beef with Motiejus Krivas. Krivas is not much of a scorer, but is a very good rebounder, smart defender, and has the size and strength to help neutralize some of the better big men in the Western Conference.
17. Utah Jazz
PF/C Sayon Keita, Fr, North Carolina
6’11, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Jazz could have a trio of seven footers starting for them next year, but depth is lacking. Sayon Keita is a top recruit from Spain who could outplay this ranking. He tall, lanky and raw, but is quite an energetic big, who can rebound, run the floor and block shots. If he can improve his offense, he could be a lottery pick.
18. Indiana Pacers
SF/PF Christian Collins, Fr, USC
6’8, 200 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
Other than the top guys, it is hard to predict what incoming freshman will have an impact and be included in my 2027 draft class. Right now, I am adding players who seem to be in a good position to play solid minutes. Christian Collins should be a solid running mate for Alijah Arenas at USC. He is tall, lanky and has a good jump shot. Like a lot of young guys, he needs to get stronger, but there is starting potential here.
19. Charlotte Hornets
C Johann Grunloh, So, Virginia
7’0, 238 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 7.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.2 bpg
There are good European players all over the place in college basketball right now. Johann Grunloh, from Germany, had a good season as a role player for Virginia, and could work his way into the first round as a sophomore. He has good size, is a fantastic shot blocker, and can even knock down the occasional three point shot. With these two first round picks, Charlotte could have a plethora of young big men to throw at opponents.
20. San Antonio Spurs (from ATL)
SG/SF Dame Sarr, So, Duke
6’8, 190 lbs
2025;2026 Stats: 6.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.1 apg
This is another first round pick that Atlanta has to send to San Antonio for Dejounte Murray, who is no longer on the team.Dame Sarr is an intriguing defensive wing prospect, who could explode as a sophomore. It was rough for him offensively, but he does have potential as a scorer. It is his length and ability to be a pesky defender that could get him plenty of first round looks a year from now.
21. Brooklyn Nets (from HOU)
C Matas Vokieaitis, So, Texas
7’0, 255 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 0.6 apg
Houston has the option to swap first round picks with the Nets, which is why Brooklyn is picking here. Matas Vokieaitis is the fourth straight European to USA college prospect to be picked here. He had a very good freshman season for Texas. He reminds me a bit of Jonas Valanciunas. An offensive minded center who can chip in enough on the boards and defensively to become a low end starter.
22. Charlotte Hornets (from MIA)
SG/SF Brandon McCoy Jr., Fr, Michigan
6’5, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
Charlotte could have up to three first round picks in the 2027 draft. This time they go with a young scorer with upside. The Michigan Wolverines lost head coach Dusty May, so who knows how the team will look next year. Brandon McCoy Jr. has the ability to be a microwave scorer, most likely leading a second unit at the next level. He has good size and the potential to be a very good defender.
23. Oklahoma City Thunder (from DEN)
C Malachi Moreno, So, Kentucky
7’0, 243 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 7.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.8 apg
Oh look, another Thunder first round pick. They could realistically draft a young big man every year, to keep the cheap talent coming. After a freshman season where he showed promise as a scorer, rebounder and even playmaker, Malachi Moreno went through the pre-draft process, but chose to return to Kentucky for his sophomore year. With an expanded role, he could flirt with a double double, which could make him an easy first round pick.
24. Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL)
PG/SG Killyan Toure, So, Iowa State
6’3, 205 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 8.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.3 apg
The Grizzlies are one of a few teams that could have up to three first round picks in this draft. Killyan Toure is yet another foreign player gone NCAA in this class. The French guard may be a tweener offensively, but has some point guard skills, can shoot it a bit, and could be a real pest defensively. Precisely the type of player Memphis needs.
25. Brooklyn Nets (from NY)
SG/SF Ivan Kharchenkov, So, Arizona
6’7, 220 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 10.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
Brooklyn has made seven first round selections the past two years, and could have three more picks in the first round in 2027. With so many guards on the roster, they should keep trying to add size. The insane run on foreign-born players continues. The German born Ivan Kharchenkov should step into a more prominent role for Arizona as a sophomore. Even though he only shot 31% from deep, he is a solid offensive player with good size, and is also an underrated defender.
26. Phoenix Suns (from CLE)
PG Jeremy Fears Jr., Jr, Michigan State
6’2, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 9.4 apg
The Suns have a couple of decent backup caliber point guards, but no one who should start long term. They probably will not find that this late in the first round, but Jeremy Fears Jr. could be a good pick. He is a bit of an old school point guard. He averaged an insane 9.4 assists per game last year. He is not a fantastic shooter, but is passable, and should be a fringe first rounder if he declares after his junior season.
27. Detroit Pistons
SG/SF Amari Allen, So, Alabama
6’8, 205 lbs
2025;2026 Stats: 11.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.1 apg
As you can tell from this mock, there are a lot of sophomores on my radar. Not all will take the leap, but it will be interesting to follow. Amari Allen showed a nice overall game as an Alabama freshman, by scoring, rebounding and even providing a little playmaking. If he can up his three point percentage by a few points, he could be a first round pick.
28. Boston Celtics
SG/SF Trey McKenney, So, Michigan
6’4, 225 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 9.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg,0.9 apg
Other than putting up a zero point stinker in the NCAA championship game, freshman Trey McKenney had a nice tournament run for the champion Wolverines. He shot almost 40% from the three point line and showed solid all around offensive ability. With some veterans gone, he should be able to further showcase his game. He is a good shooter and scorer, and while he does not offer much else at this point, has the potential to lead a second unit scoring wise.
29. Los Angeles Clippers (from OKC)
SF/PF Milan Momcilovic, Sr, Kentucky
6’8, 225 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.0 apg
I had to throw a second senior in my first round, so Milan Momcilovic gets the call. Perhaps the best pure shooter in college basketball, Momcilovic does not do much, other than shoot threes, but he has been so good at it he is bound to get some late first round looks. He should be another Duncan Robinson in the pros.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (from SA)
SF/PF Thijs De Ridder, Sr, Virginia
6’9, 238 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 15.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.6 apg
Another multiple-pick first round for the Thunder, who could have three more this time around. It is fitting that I finish this off with yet another European born prospect. Thijs De Ridder, from Belgium, is a good shooter and rebounder with solid size. He is not much of a defender, but all the Thunder will ask him to do is come in and knock down some jump shots.
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