Free agency is several days in the books. As are a boatload of trades, that have reshaped the NBA landscape. Couple that with my recently updated player rankings, and this is a good time for a new mock draft.
And, because the new lottery reform is so random and hilarious, I had to throw in a lottery for my draft order. It is complete chaos.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC)
SF/PF Tyran Stokes, Fr, Kansas
6’7, 230 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
I have the Thunder with the best record in the league, in these rankings, yet they get the first overall pick, via the Los Angeles Clippers. This new lottery reform is hilarious. 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. There are attitude and maturity concerns, but that could wind up being nothing but hot air.
2. Golden State Warriors
PG/SG Stefan Joksimovic, Slovenia
6’6, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Warriors are another team that shot way up in the lottery, as I had them as a play-in team. Stefan Joksimovic has quite a lot of buzz right now. He had a very impressive run during the adadis Eurocamp. He is a talented lead guard with good size. Being from Slovenia, he will always be compared to Luka Doncic. He is not nearly the playmaker that Doncic is, but they share a bit of DNA. With most European youngsters playing college these days, he will have to continue to impress to remain high up the rankings, but he is the rare prospect in this class with star upside.
3. Portland Trail Blazers
SG/SF Bruce Branch III, Fr, BYU
6’7, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
Portland needs to add some scorers with size, to go along with all of its point guards. 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. 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. One of those is Jordan Smith Jr. 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 mostly a blank slate, and could use upgrades all over.
5. Charlotte Hornets
SG/SF Caleb Holt, Fr, Arizona
6’5, 200 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Hornets, who had their best season in years, decided to shake things up by trading their two longest tenured starters, LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. Charlotte’s two best players are wings, but if you pick in the top five, you should draft the best player available. Caleb Holt could be Arizona’s highest picked prospect since DeAndre Ayton. He has solid two-way potential, as both a defensive pest and slashing guard. If he can improve his three point shot, he could have All Star upside.
6. Sacramento Kings
SF/PF Anthony Thompson, Fr, Ohio State
6’8, 205 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Kings are old, expensive and bad. Not a good combination. They are the early pick to have the worst record in the NBA next year. Other than point guard, thanks to Darius Acuff Jr., they could use youth at every position. 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.
7. San Antonio Spurs (from ATL)
SG /SF Braylon Mullins, So, Connecticut
6’6, 196 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 12.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.4 apg
There is a reason the Spurs and Thunder are the envy of the NBA. They are young, deep, talented, and own a ton of future first round picks. With the new lottery reform, both teams could cash out big, like they have here. Braylon 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 would be an easy fit for any team, the Spurs included.
8. Orlando Magic
PF Cameron Williams, Fr, Duke
6’11, 200 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Orlando Magic are hoping that a coaching change will unlock its talented but under-performing roster. 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. Out of all of the top recruits, he is the biggest question mark, as he may not even start as a freshman. I will take a wait and see approach with him.
9. Memphis Grizzlies
SF/PF Hugo Yimga Moukori, France
6’8, 219 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 9.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.4 apg
Memphis has quite a bit of young front court talent, and could use a point guard to put it all together, but the board, a year out from the 2027 draft, does not fall that way. 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. Add him to a young core that features Zach Edey, Cameron Boozer and Karim Lopez, and the Grizzlies front court could be a problem.
10. New Orleans Pelicans
SG/SF Baba Oladotun, Fr, Maryland
6’10, 195 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. Baba Oladotun is thin and raw, but he has a good looking jump shot, with a high release point that will make it tough to block. If Nate Ament could go lottery in a deeper draft, Olatodun should be able to do the same.
11. Brooklyn Nets (from PHX)
SF/PF Miikka Muurinen, Fr, Arkansas
6’10, 205 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
Brooklyn gets this pick from Phoenix, thanks to the Kevin Durant trade. 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.
12. Houston Rockets (from PHX)
C Luigi Suigo, Fr, Villanova
7’2, 250 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Rockets have both long time NBA starters Steven Adams and Clint Capela as backup centers, but both are nearing the end of very productive careers. 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.
13. Washington Wizards
SF/PF Thomas Haugh, Sr, Florida
6’9, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.1 apg
Washington is going with the dual-timeline thing, building around both AJ Dybantsa and a couple of expensive veterans. 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 any team looking to make an immediate playoff push.
14. Detroit Pistons
PG/SG Alijah Arenas, So, USC
6’6, 199 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 14.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.1 apg
The Pistons are currently trying to figure out what to do with Jalen Duren, and, with the rest of the East much improved, could take a step back next year. This is a team that always needs bench scoring. 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.
15. Atlanta Hawks (from MIL)
PG/SG Jason Crowe Jr., Fr, Missouri
6’3, 170 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
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. 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 could make him a long term back court running mate to Kingston Flemings in Atlanta.
16. Charlotte Hornets (from DAL)
PF/C Sayon Keita, Fr, North Carolina
6’11, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
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. He would be one of many intriguing young big men on the Charlotte roster.
17. Memphis Grizzlies (from UTA)
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.
18. Utah Jazz (from MIN)
C Motiejus Krivas, Sr, Arizona
7’2, 260 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 10.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.1 apg
The Lakers made Utah an offer they could not refuse for Walker Kessler, but it does leave Utah a little small up front. Motiejus Krivas would be a very good fit with Utah’s scorers. 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.
19. Indiana Pacers
SG/SF Amari Allen, So, Alabama
6’8, 205 lbs
2025;2026 Stats: 11.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.1 apg
With the return of Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana could have one of the better starting lineups in the league, making this a best player available situation, for bench help. 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 should be a first round pick.
20. 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.
21. Charlotte Hornets (from MIA)
SG/SF Dame Sarr, So, Duke
6’8, 190 lbs
2025;2026 Stats: 6.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.1 apg
Charlotte is another team that could have three first round picks in this draft. 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.
22. Boston Celtics
SG/SF Brandon McCoy Jr., Fr, Michigan
6’5, 190 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: N/A
The Celtics are being dragged through the mud for their Jaylen Brown return, but that is what you would expect to get for a non-MVP making $60 million a year. 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. Toronto Raptors
SG/SF Trey McKenney, So, Michigan
6’4, 225 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 9.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg,0.9 apg
The Raptors traded for Kawhi Leonard, in hopes of catching lightning in a bottle for the second time. This team needs bench scorers, however. 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.
24. 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
Brooklyn owes a pick swap to the Houston Rockets, so 2027 could be a tough year for them, draft wise. Matas Vokieaitis yet another European to USA college prospect .. 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.
25. 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.
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. Brooklyn Nets (from PHI)
SG/SF Ivan Kharchenkov, So, Arizona
6’7, 220 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 10.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
James Harden has played on two other teams since Brooklyn traded him to Philadelphia, but they are still owed picks from that trade. 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.
28. Brooklyn Nets (from NY)
PF/C Patrick Ngongba II, Jr, Duke
6’11, 250 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 10.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.0 apg
Though they are all coming at the end of the first round in this scenario, Brooklyn is another team that could have three first round picks in this draft. Patrick Ngongba II is a favorite of the analytics crowd. Playing for a Duke team always loaded with scorers, he has settled into a solid secondary role, and can provide rebounding, defense and the occasional putback offensively. He could be a decent low-end starter at center.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder (from SA)
SF/PF Milan Momcilovic, Sr, Kentucky
6’8, 225 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 16.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.0 apg
Another multiple-pick first round for the Thunder, who could have three more this time around. 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. Los Angeles Clippers (from OKC)
SG/SF Tounde Yessoufou, So, St. John’s
6’5, 215 lbs
2025-2026 Stats: 17.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg
Thanks to a pick swap option, the Clippers go from the very top of the first round to the very bottom. That would be a brutal development for this franchise. Tounde Yessoufou put up solid counting stats for Baylor as a freshman, but his struggles to both shoot with consistency and get to the rim caused his draft stock to slip to the point where he returned to college and transferred to St. John’s. There is talent here. He is tough and a willing defender.
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