2026 NBA Mock Drafts
| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
AJ Dybantsa | SF | |||
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Dybantsa is a polished scorer and shot-creator with great positional size, athleticism, and elasticity. He can rise-and-fire in the mid-range area on demand, made huge strides with his rim pressure, gets to the free-throw line in high volume, and is capable, albeit a bit unreliable, from three. He's even creating for teammates and making reads better than ever before. The defense is the last frontier for Dybantsa and while he has physical tools, it's not yet his point of emphasis. Washington can, and should, investigate multiple prospects here, but at the end of the day, Dybantsa has the best chance to be the top pick. |
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| 2 |
 |
Darryn Peterson | PG | |||
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While Peterson's season at Kansas was full of controversy, he made massive gains with his shooting. Combine that with the playmaking, burst, and physicality we saw when he was completely healthy in high school, and you have a prospect who could very well end up being the best player taken from this draft. Peterson is also a perfect fit next to Keyonte George, who is coming off a breakout season, as both have the type of on-off ball versatility that should allow them to complement each other well. |
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| 3 |
 |
Cameron Boozer | PF | |||
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Boozer had a historic high school career, was the college basketball player of the year, and is the surest thing in this draft. His overlap of physicality, skill, and basketball IQ makes him unique. There will be questions about whether his creation or upside is on par with Dybantsa and Peterson, but his floor is the highest in this draft. Plug Boozer in next to Zach Edey and Cedric Coward and Memphis' rebuilding project already has their frontcourt of the future figured out. |
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| 4 |
 |
Caleb Wilson | PF | |||
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Wilson is a prospect with legit star type outcome and potential. He's a high-level athlete with a big-time motor with unusual elasticity (or bend) for a player his size. Wilson exceeded expectations offensively last year, and yet still has immense room for progress, not just with his perimeter skill-set, but even his defensive polish. The Bulls have drafted a variety of young forwards in recent years, but Chicago's new Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham isn't responsible for any of that, he's responsible for finding the best long-term prospect here, and that's Wilson. |
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| 5 |
 |
Keaton Wagler | PG | |||
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Wagler came out of nowhere to be a freshmen star at Illinois. Adjusting to unprecedented levels of competition should have required patience, and yet it was seamless for Wagler. That could illustrate that he's just scratching the surface of his potential with his size, skill, and feel for the game. Additionally, Wagler is also the best fit alongside Darius Garland, whom the Clippers acquired last year and view as a key long-term piece. |
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| 6 |
 |
Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | |||
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Acuff is a multi-level creator with shooting splits that were off the charts last year at Arkansas and the passing metrics to match. Of all the true freshmen point guards in this draft, Acuff is the most ready to play a major role offensively from day one. The questions are on the defensive end, but Acuff's offense is too good to pass up on for a team that is still looking for a primary shot creator after having four first-round picks a year ago. |
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| 7 |
 |
Kingston Flemings | PG | |||
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Flemings is an elite athlete who can get a piece of the paint on demand, rise up explosively at the rim, get to his pull-up at virtually any time, and be solid on the defensive end. His swing skill is his shooting, and if it holds up, then he too has legit star-type outcomes. In Sacramento, Flemings will have an opportunity to earn the starting point guard job from day one. |
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| 8 |
 |
Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | |||
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Brown is incredibly skilled and has complete control of the basketball. He's a vastly better shooter than his numbers showed last year at Louisville, a pinpoint passer, and as polished with the ball as any lead guard in the draft. The questions are more about how his frame holds up and what he becomes defensively, but Atlanta has the pieces to support him on that end and a clear void at the point after moving off Trae Young last season. |
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| 9 |
 |
Brayden Burries | SG | |||
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Burries is a strong and aggressive two-way guard who can get downhill with force, provide a formidable three-point shooter, and simultaneously defend his position. He's also more physically ready to make the transition to the NBA game than most of the other one-and-done guards in the draft. Alongside Cooper Flagg, the Mavs not only have young talent, but young two-way talent. |
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| 10 |
 |
Nate Ament | PF | |||
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Ament is a polarizing prospect with a wide range of outcomes on draft night. A late-blooming 6-foot-10 combo-forward who is fluid, has touch, and skill, he's also inconsistent and needs to get stronger. While his freshman year was up and down, Ament's overall arc has been linear, and there's still glaring potential. That upside makes him a logical choice for a Milwaukee team that has a very uncertain future ahead of them. |
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| 11 |
 |
Aday Mara | C | |||
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Mara kept getting better as the college season went on and ultimately led Michigan to a national championship. At 7-foot-3, he's a giant, even by NBA standards, and a tremendous rim protector. He's also got sneaky mobility, good hands, real passing ability, and provides vertical spacing. With Steve Kerr returning next season, the Warriors' style of play will be staying largely the same, and Mara's facilitating ability fits that. |
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| 12 |
 |
Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | |||
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Lendeborg is one of the more versatile two-way players, and specifically defenders, in the draft. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he often guarded opposing point guards this year, is unselfish, an excellent passer, and an improved shooter who made 37% of his threes. There are times Lendeborg still has some maturing to do, but being in OKC's championship culture should address that quickly. |
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| 13 |
 |
Labaron Philon | PG | |||
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Philon is one of the more gifted shot creators in this draft class. He not only stuffed the stat sheet this year while being the focal point of opposing defenses on a nightly basis, but had 50/40/80 shooting splits. His freshman year also showed that he has more defensive potential than we saw this year. Miami has a number of decisions to make in the backcourt this year, which makes Philon that much more logical a pick for them. |
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| 14 |
 |
Koa Peat | PF | |||
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Peat is another polarizing prospect because he's strong, physical, can finish, rebound, short-roll to get downhill, and even play-make a bit, but doesn't shoot. He was pivotal to Arizona's Big 12 championships and Final Four run, and loaded with winning intangibles. That DNA is very much in line with what we saw Charlotte prioritize last year, when they nailed the 2025 draft with Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Sion James. |
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| 15 |
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Hannes Steinbach | PF | |||
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Steinbach is a skilled and smart big man who has elite hands and is a high-volume rebounder. He's a bit between a four and a five, but with the NBA trending back towards more size in the frontcourt, he should be capable of playing both positions on most nights. Pair him with Caleb Wilson, and the Bulls have a future frontcourt that is as versatile as it is talented. |
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| 16 |
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Jayden Quaintance | C | |||
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Quaintance played only four games at Kentucky this year while recovering from a torn ACL. The prior year at Arizona State, he was a defensive monster before going down with the injury. He's long, powerful, and violently athletic at the rim, which would make him an ideal complement to Edey. |
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| 17 |
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Morez Johnson Jr. | PF | |||
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Johnson is tough, rugged, willing to do all the dirty work, capable of sliding his feet and being versatile defensively, and now even knocking down open threes. That type of two-way versatility, all while buying into a complementary role, makes him an ideal role player. He won a championship doing that at Michigan, and will have a chance to win more at OKC. |
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| 18 |
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Bennett Stirtz | PG | |||
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Stirtz is a highly skilled true point guard with an elite feel for the game. He's not an overwhelming athlete or defender, but he's a big-time shooter, ultra-reliable and always in the right spots. Stirtz has an understanding of the game beyond his years. With Coby White entering free agency, he solidifies the point guard depth behind Lonzo Ball. |
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| 19 |
 |
Christian Anderson | PG | |||
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Anderson is a highly skilled lead guard who is both a big-time shooter and a pick-and-roll maestro. There are questions about how he'll adapt physically and defensively, but his offense is worth betting on, especially for a Toronto team that lacks comparable skill at the point. |
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| 20 |
 |
Karim Lopez | PF | |||
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Lopez is a Mexican native who played with the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL Next Stars program this year and made really nice strides. He's a hard-playing, physical presence who pressures the rim and competes on both ends. He'll get consideration as high as the late-lottery. It's very possible Lopez is off the board earlier, potentially as high as the late lottery, but he's unlikely to get past the Spurs. |
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| 21 |
 |
Cameron Carr | SG | |||
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After playing a total of 18 games in the first two years at Tennessee, Carr had a breakout season at Baylor. He's a long, athletic shot-maker who can rock the rim but also posted 49/37/80 shooting splits. He'll need some time to fill out his frame and mature physically, but the raw talent is glaring. On a Detroit team that needs shooting, but simultaneously wants to embrace a defensive DNA, Carr would make sense. |
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| 22 |
 |
Chris Cenac Jr. | PF | |||
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Cenac has size, length, athleticism, mobility to slide laterally, and some developing face-up skill and shooting potential. He answered a lot of questions about his motor this year and asserted himself as a rebounder, but still has times where the potential exceeds the production. In Philadelphia, Cenac provides some much-needed depth behind Joel Embiid with the added versatility to play alongside him as well. |
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| 23 |
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Henri Veesaar | C | |||
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Veesaar has one of the best overlaps of size and skill in this draft. A stretch-five who shoots it with ease out to the three-point line, Veesaart can play out of dribble hand-offs, pass, and still space the floor vertically. He has to be more consistent defensively and on the glass, but he'd give Atlanta something they don't otherwise have. |
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| 24 |
 |
Flory Bidunga | C | |||
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Bidunga is the No. 1-ranked prospect in the transfer portal and already committed to Louisville for a major payday. HeIis a big-time athlete, tremendously versatile defender, rim-runner, and explosive lob threat. Bidunga is probably back in college playing for the Cardinals next year, but if something unexpected happens, he would make a lot of sense in New York. |
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| 25 |
 |
Rueben Chinyelu | C | |||
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Chinyelu is another one who may very well be headed back to Florida next year, but is ready to impact an NBA game defensively right now. At 6-foot-10 with a nearly 7-foot-8 wingspan, he's freakishly long, powerful, and yet totally switchable with great recoverability. The offense has improved, but is still limited. The Gators are waiting, but it's not hard to see how Chinyelu could be exactly what the Lakers need. |
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| 26 |
 |
Ebuka Okorie | PG | |||
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Ebuka's speed and ability to get a piece of the paint on demand are his calling cards, but the shooting continued to tick up as the season went on. He lacks overwhelming size, strength, or vertical explosiveness, and a return to school is reportedly also on the table. Given the Nuggets' lack of guard depth, he'd be hard to pass up on here. |
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| 27 |
 |
Amari Allen | SF | |||
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Another prospect who could return to school, Allen is a versatile wing who has both skill and toughness. He can handle, pass, and is a better shooter than his numbers indicate. Allen is a high-volume wing rebounder who is the type of competitor who should mesh well with Joe Mazzulla and ultimately realize his defensive potential. |
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| 28 |
 |
Dailyn Swain | SF | |||
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Swain is a polarizing prospect. At 6-foot-7 he can play off the bounce, create for himself and others, and has real defensive tools. The shooting is a major swing skill for Swain, which has improved within the last year. If it continues to evolve, Swain could end up being a steal here and a nice fit alongside Anthony Edwards and company. |
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| 29 |
 |
Allen Graves | PF | |||
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Graves is an analytic darling who has elite BPM metrics and a rare overlap of defensive playmaking, passing, ball-security, and offensive rebounding. In addition to his combination of physicality and feel, Graves also has great hands and touch to stretch the floor. There is also a chance he could return to college, but would likely stay if he knew he would land in the first round. |
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| 30 |
|
Isaiah Evans | SG | |||
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Evans looks like the type of shooter you can run plays for in the NBA after proving he could make quick-released movement threes his year at Duke. He's made gradual strides diversifying his game, but physicality, defense, and rim pressure are all swing variables. Adding some extra floor spacing around Flagg, especially from a former Duke teammate, might make sense. |
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| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
AJ Dybantsa | SF | |||
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Dybantsa has been tracking to be the No. 1 pick for several weeks now. With Washington winning the lottery, the BYU star will likely be the pick here. Could the Wizards explore a potential trade down, say with Utah, to pick up more assets and draft another player in the top four? Maybe. The safe and smart play here would take Dybantsa, who was college basketball's leading scorer. He is the franchise-changing player Washington has been searching for. |
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| 2 |
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Darryn Peterson | PG | |||
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Jazz fans might be (slightly) upset after not landing No. 1. It would've been a cool story if Dybantsa was able to stay in state and play for Utah, where he played his senior year of high school and his lone college season at BYU. Still, the fit with Peterson makes a ton of sense. Peterson is still the No. 1 player on my personal board, so this would be a massive win for the Jazz. Peterson's scoring potential is second-to-none in this class. |
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| 3 |
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Cameron Boozer | PF | |||
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This pick is where the real debate starts. For me, Boozer is a perfect fit for Memphis. Boozer next to Zach Edey in the frontcourt would be one of the best rebounding duos in the NBA from Day 1. Boozer is the ultimate winner. That's hard to pass up here. |
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| 4 |
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Caleb Wilson | PF | |||
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The Bulls have the easiest pick of draft night. Take whoever falls from the top four prospects in the class. In this exercise, it's Wilson. There's a chance Memphis falls in love with Wilson and leaves Boozer for Chicago, but if the board aligns with consensus, Wilson will be a Bull. Chicago was one of the biggest winners of the draft lottery after starting the day with the ninth-best odds to pick No. 1. |
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| 5 |
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Aday Mara | C | |||
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This is the bold move. The Clippers seize the opportunity and take lengthy Michigan big man Aday Mara at No. 5. Mara had great measurements at the NBA Draft Combine in Monday: He came in at 7-foot-3 (barefoot) and 259.8 pounds with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a standing reach of 9-foot-9, which was tied with Mark Williams for the second-longest standing reach in combine history, behind only Tacko Fall. A shot-blocking specialist, Mara led the Big Ten with 2.6 blocks as the starting center for the National Champion Wolverines. Mara is athletic, versatile, can pass the ball and is a tremendous finisher around the rim. The Clippers are going to be the rare playoff team that picks inside the top-five after the ping pong balls went their way. This pick is part of the Zubac trade, which was made at the deadline. It was a calculated risk by Indiana that backfired. The Clippers could go in numerous different directions with this pick, but they can replace Zubac directly with Mara. |
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| 6 |
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Keaton Wagler | PG | |||
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The Nets could go in several different directions if the Clippers go with Mara at pick No. 5. If the Nets do pick a point guard, two fits that make sense are Keaton Wagler and Kingston Flemings. Wagler is a jumbo guard who has had an incredible rise from an unsung recruit to an All-American. |
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| 7 |
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Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | |||
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The connections between Acuff and the Kings organization are well-documented. Acuff's father played at Eastern Kentucky in the 1990s, who was coached by Kings general manager Scott Perry. Acuff was the best guard in college basketball. He is one of the biggest winners of the NBA Combine so far after measuring in at 6-foot-2 with a 6-foot-7 wingspan. Acuff is one of the most polished offensive guard prospects of the 2020s. The Kings need talent. Acuff will be the pick if he's available at 7. |
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| 8 |
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Kingston Flemings | PG | |||
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Flemings' measurements at the combine weren't amazing. Despite measuring in at 6-foot-2.5 without shoes, Flemings' wingspan was just 6-foot-3.5. Those measurements could cause him to drop a little, but Atlanta still seems like a good fit for the Houston star. Flemings is quick and can also defend. |
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| 9 |
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Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | |||
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The No. 1 goal for the Mavericks this summer is to give Cooper Flagg a long-term running mate. If Brown is on the board, he should be the pick. If Brown's medicals come back clean (dealt with back issues during his freshman season at Louisville), you can make the case he could go as high as No. 5. |
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| 10 |
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Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | |||
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The future of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee will be one of the biggest storylines of the entire NBA offseason. If the Bucks do trade their franchise superstar, they could pick a handful of different players here. One name that makes sense is Lendeborg, who was one of the most dominant players in the sport. He is an older prospect, but still should go in the lottery on draft night. |
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| 11 |
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Brayden Burries | SG | |||
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The good news for the Warriors is that Steve Kerr is back. With that out of the way, Golden State can start looking ahead to meaningful offseason additions. The track record with young players under Kerr has been a mixed bag. That's why Burries could make sense here. He will turn 21 before the start of the NBA season. He emerged as Arizona's best player and shooter en route to the program's first Final Four appearance in over two decades. |
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| 12 |
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Labaron Philon | PG | |||
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The Thunder have an abundance of riches in their rotation. The chances of the player they select (at 12 or 17) contributing valuable minutes from Day 1 are unlikely because OKC has the deepest roster in the league. One name who could be a fun fit is Philon, who had a breakout sophomore season with Alabama. |
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| 13 |
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Jayden Quaintance | C | |||
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Quaintance is one of the most unique prospects in this year's class. His defensive tape from his freshman season at Arizona State was unbelievable. However, he played in just four games in 2025-26 at Kentucky due to knee swelling from a torn ACL suffered last season. He needs to go to a team where there's no pressure to play significant minutes right away. Miami would be a great developmental spot. |
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| 14 |
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Nate Ament | PF | |||
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Ament appears to be all-in on the draft process, which makes sense considering he's a projected top 20 pick. Although his shooting efficiency (39.9% from the floor) wasn't great at Tennessee, he did shoot 79% on 7.1 attempts per game from the free-throw line. That's a positive sign for his long-term development as a shooter. If he stays in the draft, I have a hard time seeing him drop out of the lottery. |
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| 15 |
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Cameron Carr | SG | |||
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After playing just 41 minutes total last season at Tennessee, Carr transferred to Baylor, where he blossomed into the Bears' leading scorer. He averaged 18.9 points on 49.4/37.4/80.1 shooting splits. His offensive upside is worth the swing here. It also wouldn't be surprising if he went in the mid/late teens. |
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| 16 |
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Karim Lopez | PF | |||
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In my first two mock drafts, Lopez was the only international player selected in the first round. That's the case once again. This year's international class just isn't as deep as it was in 2024, when it had four lottery picks. Lopez has a chance to crack the top 20, or maybe even the top 15. |
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| 17 |
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Chris Cenac Jr. | PF | |||
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OKC has two first-round picks in one of the deepest drafts in recent memory. Cenac needs to go to an organization where he can continue to develop. He is one of the more raw prospects in this class, but his two-way potential down the line is worth the swing in the teens. The Thunder would be a perfect fit for those reasons. |
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| 18 |
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Bennett Stirtz | PG | |||
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Stritz is an efficient point guard who plays at his own pace. He has had an incredible rise from Division II basketball to being a likely first-round pick. After taking potential and development in Ament with their first pick, Charlotte goes with a more sure thing and a point guard at No. 18. |
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| 19 |
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Hannes Steinbach | PF | |||
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Steinbach has some of the best hands in college basketball and was a double-double machine during his time at Washington. The Raptors biggest need is a center. Steinbach makes sense here. |
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| 20 |
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Koa Peat | PF | |||
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Peat is simply a winner. His draft stock is a mixed bag. As I've said time and time again, he would be the prospect who would benefit the most from another season of college basketball. If he does stay in the draft, the Spurs would be an excellent landing spot. |
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| 21 |
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Allen Graves | PF | |||
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Graves is an analytic darling. He didn't post eye-popping numbers at Santa Clara, but his advanced numbers told a different story. Graves is also in the transfer portal, so a return to school is on the table. There are people in the draft community who have Graves way higher than this. I can't get there yet, but I see why the hype is real. |
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| 22 |
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Isaiah Evans | SG | |||
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Evans went from almost strictly a pure catch-and-shoot 3-point specialist at Duke during his freshman year to a legit No. 2 scoring option on the No. 1 overall seed in college basketball. Evans almost doubled the amount of 3-pointers he took from this year to last and still knocked them down at a 36.1% clip. He will be a Day 1 pick somewhere in the 20s. |
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| 23 |
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Morez Johnson Jr. | PF | |||
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Johnson is a versatile forward who exploits mismatches against smaller defenders on offense. On defense, he's capable of guarding out on the perimeter against smalls. He's a great fit almost anywhere. |
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| 24 |
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Dailyn Swain | SF | |||
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Swain was really good during his lone season at Texas. Still, he's going to be an even better NBA player, in my opinion. Every NBA decision maker covets his archetype as a 6-foot-8 wing. |
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| 25 |
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Henri Veesaar | C | |||
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I was surprised that Veesaar entered the draft instead of returning to North Carolina or even entering the portal. However, with several centers (Motiejus Krivas, Patrick Ngongba II, Alex Condon, etc.) going back to school, it helps his case to be a first-rounder. The Lakers snagging Veesaar makes sense here, if he is still available at No. 25. |
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| 26 |
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Ebuka Okorie | PG | |||
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Okorie has a very interesting decision to make in the coming weeks. He is better off staying in the draft than returning to Stanford. I'm higher on Okorie than the consensus, but his range of outcomes on draft night seems to be a mixed bag. I would take Okorie in the top 20, but I can see him potentially sliding and other point guards in the class going ahead of him. |
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| 27 |
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Amari Allen | SF | |||
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Allen has a chance to be a serious riser this week at the NBA Draft Combine, which would put a potential return to Alabama on the back burner. Allen is one of maybe three players with a true 50/50 decision. The 6-foot-8 forward showed signs of growth throughout his freshman year with the Crimson Tide. |
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| 28 |
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Christian Anderson | PG | |||
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Anderson is a true point guard who doubles as a knock-down shooter. 65 of Anderson's 108 3-point shots were non-catch-and-shoot makes, which showcases his ability to create his own shot. He measured at under 6-foot-1 at the combine this week. |
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| 29 |
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Tounde Yessoufou | SF | |||
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Yessoufou was a late entry into the transfer portal, days after appearing to be all-in on the draft. Yessoufou was one of my favorite prospects entering the season, but I'm not 100% sure what his role would look like at the NBA level. He is essentially a 6-foot-5 power forward. |
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| 30 |
|
Meleek Thomas | SG | |||
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Thomas is one of my favorite players in this year's class, although a return to Arkansas should absolutely be on the table for Thomas. If he stays in the draft, he will likely be a late first-rounder. |
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| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
AJ Dybantsa | SF | |||
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Partly because he had an incredible freshman year, partly because Peterson did not, Dybantsa, again, has emerged as the favorite in the betting markets to be selected first next month. He's a jumbo-wing and natural scorer who led the EYBL in points per game after his freshman season of high school and the entire nation in points per game during his freshman season at BYU. Based on that trajectory, and Dybantsa's awesome physical tools, it should surprise nobody if he also someday leads the NBA in scoring, and suddenly the Wizards have a chance to be interesting next season with Dybantsa in a starting lineup alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis. |
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| 2 |
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Darryn Peterson | PG | |||
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Peterson's talent is undeniable but there are questions among some front offices about his ability to maximize his gifts because of the way his one season at Kansas unfolded. He was special in spots, clearly. But Peterson was also in and out of the lineup a lot -- sometimes by his own choice -- and that fact has raised concerns in some corners that the electric playmaker will need to alleviate in the pre-draft process to ensure he remains an option at No. 1 and solidifies a spot in the top two. Either way, Utah's rebuild should officially be over with a core of Peterson, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. |
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| 3 |
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Caleb Wilson | PF | |||
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The Grizzlies advanced three spots from where they were slotted, making the tough "moving forward" portion of the season that fans endured more than worth it. Needless to say, Cameron Boozier is an option here -- and he very well could be the pick. But after dealing Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., and with Ja Morant also expected to be moved, Memphis needs a star, and I simply believe Wilson is the best swing-for-a-star option after Dybantsa and Peterson are off of the board. |
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| 4 |
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Cameron Boozer | PF | |||
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Boozer has low bust-potential, I think, given how he's never not been awesome in a way that impacts winning at every level at which he's played. He was the national high school player of the year in 2026, then the national college player of the year in 2026. There are no shortage of accolades connected to Boozer. That said, some do worry that his star-potential is also low in part because he's mostly a below-the-rim forward who can struggle with the type of size and athleticism he'll consistently face in the NBA. As always, we'll see. But if Boozer does fall to this spot, the Bulls could snatch him up and make him the face of their rebuild in the post Billy Donovan era. |
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| 5 |
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Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | |||
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Acuff just became the first player to lead the SEC in both points and assists since Pete Maravich did it at LSU in 1970. Special talent. Fun player. Do I wish he were taller? Yes. Do I wish he weren't a negative-defender? Also yes. But the offensive skill-set and deadly jumper are too much to pass on at this point in this draft, and that's why I expect Acuff to become the 12th player in history to become a top-five pick after a season with John Calipari, making him the prize of the Clippers' decision to trade Ivica Zubac to the Pacers at the deadline. |
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| 6 |
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Keaton Wagler | PG | |||
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Any franchise that's averaged just 26 wins over the past three seasons needs to focus on the best prospect available -- and, at this point in this mock, that's Wagler. The big lead-guard went from a sub-100 prospect in the Class of 2025 to a definite top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, all in less than a year, thanks to his great positional size, ability to process things and reliable perimeter jumper. Wagler is very different than Acuff, and they could come off the board in any order, meaning the Nets might just take whichever one drops to them, assuming at least one of them will and does. |
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| 7 |
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Kingston Flemings | PG | |||
|
The Kings were unlucky on lottery day, dropping two spots from their slot in a way that will make landing the star the franchise needs harder to obtain. Still, there are potential stars available at No. 7, and Flemings is among them. The point guard prospect wasn't the highest-rated recruit in Houston's freshman class -- but he emerged as the program's best player while helping the Cougars win 30 games and advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. He's the rare 19 year-old who is both a top-tier athlete and strong shooter. If Sacramento ever turns things around, Flemings could be the face of it. |
||||||
| 8 |
|
Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | |||
|
This is where the draft breaks, at least in my mind, but perhaps only because Brown played just 21 games in his one season at Louisville. His back was an issue over the past year. Will it be moving forward? That's for the doctors to determine. But, if not, Brown is a top-five-ish talent available outside of the top five, and he could join a roster in Atlanta that should be positioned to compete for a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight season. |
||||||
| 9 |
|
Brayden Burries | SG | |||
|
Koa Peat was the talk of Arizona's freshman class early -- especially after he got 30 points in that season-opening win over Florida. But it was Burries, also a first-year player, who emerged as the leading scorer for a team that won the Big 12's regular-season title and advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. He's a physical guard who can shoot and rebound. He'd fit nicely in Dallas next to franchise centerpiece Cooper Flagg. |
||||||
| 10 |
|
Nate Ament | PF | |||
|
Ament had an up-and-down freshman season for the Vols -- but the upside isn't hard to spot. Less than a year ago, the 2025 McDonald's All-American was considered a possible top-five pick. So getting Ament here would be nice for a Bucks franchise that seems on the verge of rebuilding after presumably tradiing Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. |
||||||
| 11 |
|
Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | |||
|
Lendeborg transferred from UAB to Michigan and was the best player on a team that won the NCAA Tournament one year after he didn't even win Player of the Year honors in the sport's 11th-best conference (American). Just an awesome story. That he's already 23 years old will turn some franchises off -- but if Golden State is still all-in on trying to put pieces around Steph Curry, Lendeborg's age should mostly be irrelevant to the decision-making process. |
||||||
| 12 |
|
Aday Mara | C | |||
|
Mara transferred to Michigan after two years at UCLA and was among the biggest reasons the Wolverines won the Big Ten regular-season title outright and then also the national championship. At a time when being big is back in style in the NBA, Mara has great positional size and is constantly altering shots on defense. On offense, he's a high-end passer and efficient scorer. With Isaiah Hartenstein's future unclear in OKC, Mara could be an inexpensive replacement if the Thunder don't want to exercise the $28.5 million team-option on their starting center. |
||||||
| 13 |
|
Labaron Philon | PG | |||
|
Not every prospect who returns to college actually enhances his draft stock -- but Philon definitely did. The sophomore guard played more on-the-ball for Alabama than he did in the previous season, and the result was better assist numbers and a 3-point percentage that jumped to 39.9. The unusual amount of top-shelf lead guards available this year will push Philon down further than he'd go in most drafts, but that just makes him a value-pick at this point for the Heat. |
||||||
| 14 |
|
Morez Johnson Jr. | PF | |||
|
Johnson has left the door open to return to Michigan but is expected to remain in the draft as an assumed lottery pick. He's one of three projected top-15 prospects who helped the Wolverines win the NCAA Tournament. The 6-9 forward shot above 60% from the field as one of the Big Ten's best players -- but his real value is on the other end, where Johnson anchored college basketball's best defense in his first year at Michigan after transferring from Illinois. |
||||||
| 15 |
|
Hannes Steinbach | PF | |||
|
You might've noticed this mock is light on prospects currently playing overseas, and that's because lots of the top international names have been lured stateside via big NIL/revenue-share payments. Steinbach was one such player. The 20-year-old German proved to be an elite rebounder on both ends in his one season at Washington. The Bulls need help everywhere in an aknowledged rebuild. Getting Boozer and Steinbach in the top 15 could expedite the process. |
||||||
| 16 |
|
Christian Anderson | PG | |||
|
Anderson went from an intriguing freshman at Texas Tech to one of the Big 12's stars and best prospects. The sophomore from Atlanta kept the Red Raiders relevant even after JT Toppin, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, went down with a torn ACL in February. Anderson has been described as the best shooter in this class after making 41.5% of the 7.9 3-pointers he attempted this season. In theory, he could offset some of the shooting Memphis sent to Orlando when it traded Desmond Bane last summer. |
||||||
| 17 |
|
Karim Lopez | PF | |||
|
Lopez should be the first non-college player off the board. (Sidenote: the idea that the first non-college player off the board could go in the late teens speaks to the level of talent NIL is luring and keeping in college.) He's a physical wing from Mexico with lots of positives. If the 3-point shot comes around, and as long as he doesn't prove to be a liability on defense, Lopez would be a terrific snag here for an Oklahoma City franchise just stockpiling talent. |
||||||
| 18 |
|
Cameron Carr | SG | |||
|
Carr emerged as a real first-round option after transferring from Tennessee to Baylor and having one of the biggest breakout years in the sport while averaging 14.1 more points per game with the Bears than he averaged previously with the Vols. The 21 year-old has long arms and a solid-enough jumpshot to where it's not hard to imagine him, even as a rookie, helping Charlotte make the Eastern Conference Playoffs once again next season. |
||||||
| 19 |
|
Jayden Quaintance | C | |||
|
Mark Pope might be less on the hot seat at Kentucky heading into next season if Quaintance had been available more this season. He cost a lot of money and did little while rehabbing a torn ACL that limited him to just four appearances. Regardless, I saw Quaintance up close at the CBS Sports Classic, and he made an obvious impact immediately in that game. Unless the medicals are scary, Quaintance should not fall much further than this -- and he could go much higher. |
||||||
| 20 |
|
Chris Cenac Jr. | PF | |||
|
Cenac will not be selected in this draft in a way that correlates with where he was ranked coming out of high school -- but he's still a possible top-20 pick after starting for a Houston team that finished 30-7. Some have argued he should've done another year at Houston, and I get that. But there's little risk of Cenac falling out of the first round, and a future in San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama sounds appealing. |
||||||
| 21 |
|
Bennett Stirtz | PG | |||
|
It's rare for somebody to end up as a first-round pick after starting a college career at the Division II level, but Stirtz has a real chance to do it. Concerns about how he'll defend in the NBA are valid. But Stirtz is a lead guard with a good assist-to-turnover ratio and reliable jumper. If I were running a franchise, I wouldn't overthink this one. He can play and will be in the NBA for a long time. |
||||||
| 22 |
|
Koa Peat | PF | |||
|
Peat impacts winning in a variety of ways and was among the reasons Arizona won the Big 12's regular-season championship before advancing to the Final Four. Good size. Good body. Intriguing prospect. The issue is that he's a 6-8 wing who doesn't really shoot, evidence being that Peat only took 20 3-pointers in 36 games with the Wildcats. That's not ideal for the modern-NBA and why Peat's draft-range seems vast. |
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| 23 |
|
Tarris Reed Jr. | C | |||
|
If Mara helped himself more than any other prospect in the NCAA Tournament, Reed isn't far below him on the list. The UConn big averaged 19.5 points and 13.2 rebounds in the Big Dance while helping the Huskies reach the championship game. He could add depth to an Atlanta frontcourt that needs reinforcements. |
||||||
| 24 |
|
Allen Graves | PF | |||
|
Seemingly every year now there's an off-the-radar prospect who generates attention largely because of an interesting statistical profile. Graves is that player in this draft. The 6-9 forward was a zero-star prospect in the Class of 2025 but is now a 19 year-old with options. He could return to college at a new school for lots of money or remain in the draft, where his ability to make shots and rebound with a good body will secure him a guaranteed contract. |
||||||
| 25 |
|
Isaiah Evans | SG | |||
|
Evans is a high-volume 3-point shooter with good positional size who shot 38% from beyond the arc in two seasons with one of the best brands and teams in college basketball. That's a good place to start his evaluation. The 20-year-old wing could be a nice piece for a Lakers franchise still building around Luka Doncic. |
||||||
| 26 |
|
Joshua Jefferson | PF | |||
|
Jefferson spent four years in college and went from a role player at Saint Mary's to a star at Iowa State, where he was an All-American this season while helping the Cyclones win 29 games. He's a big forward who just gets things done. He projects as a versatile option that could fit well in Denver's rotation in between Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. |
||||||
| 27 |
|
Henri Veesaar | C | |||
|
Michael Malone's first year at UNC would've been a lot simpler if he could've kept Veesaar in school, but the talented big decided to forgo his final year of eligibility in favor of a professional career. Did Veesaar leave money on the table with this move? Perhaps. But it's a move that made the draft deeper after other first-round prospects like Braylon Mullins and Thomas Haugh decided to remain in college, and the Celtics could be the franchise that benefits from it. |
||||||
| 28 |
|
Dailyn Swain | SF | |||
|
Swain followed his coach, Sean Miller, from Xavier to Texas and emerged as the Longhorns' leading scorer. The 20 year-old from Ohio is more of a driver than a shooter -- and he probably needs to become a better shooter to justify a first-round grade. But there's definitely stuff here for Minnesota to work with, starting with the fact that Swain is an explosive athlete who impacts things on both ends. |
||||||
| 29 |
|
Tounde Yessoufou | SF | |||
|
Like several others, Yessoufou has options to return to college for a big number -- and he might actually do that. But if the dynamic scorer remains in the draft, he's an obvious option late in the first round. There are concerns about his 3-point percentage that finished below 32% in his one season at Baylor. But the level of production the 20 year-old former McDonald's All-American has displayed since high school should not be ignored by evaluators. |
||||||
| 30 |
|
Ebuka Okorie | PG | |||
|
Kyrie Irving remains under contract in Dallas for at least another year -- but that doesn't mean the Mavericks shouldn't explore lead-guard options. Okorie should be among them if he's still available here. The 19 year-old led the ACC in scoring and tallied at least 33 points five different times this season, including a career-high 40 in a win over Georgia Tech. |
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| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
AJ Dybantsa | SF | |||
|
Darryn Peterson is my top-rated prospect, but the margin of separation is thin. Drafting for fit can get you in hot water, but not in this spot. Dybantsa fits like a glove with a Wizards outfit that wants to make a surge in the Eastern Conference. Dybantsa's combination of real-deal wiggle and advanced footwork helps him put loads of pressure on the rim. Over 40% of Dybantsa's shots came at the rim this past season at BYU. That should translate to the league. He's the big, explosive, powerful wing that this Washington roster needs to complement point guard Trae Young, big man Anthony Davis and a quartet of intriguing youngsters in Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley and Bub Carrington. |
||||||
| 2 |
|
Darryn Peterson | PG | |||
|
Utah can expedite its rebuild in a hurry with a Darryn Peterson addition. The 6-foot-6 combo guard can play on or off the ball next to Keyonte George, and Utah coach Will Hardy can use Peterson in a host of ways. Don't be surprised if it's a blend of the off-movement, net shredder that we saw at Kansas with an on-ball primary creator that we saw in high school at Prolific Prep. That malleability makes Peterson so attractive because he can wear a ton of different hats depending on the personnel. With the cramping fiasco hopefully in the rearview mirror for good, Peterson is primed to be a Day One difference-maker. |
||||||
| 3 |
|
Cameron Boozer | PF | |||
|
Boozer-or-Caleb Wilson will be a heated debate for some, but not in these parts. Boozer has the attractive combination of excellent positional size (6-8.25 barefoot, 252 pounds, 7-1.5 wingspan) and sweet shooting (41% on 98 catch-and-shoot 3s). Boozer's sky-high IQ is the cherry on top that may prove to be his go-to asset. Boozer was one of the best-passing big men in college basketball last season. Size, shooting and feel trump some of the small concerns about Boozer's heavy feet, which flare up semi-routinely on both ends of the floor. Boozer would also mesh nicely next to Memphis center Zach Edey. That duo would just evaporate teams on the glass, raising the floor for the Grizzlies considerably. |
||||||
| 4 |
|
Caleb Wilson | PF | |||
|
Undertaking a massive overhaul like this isn't for the faint of heart, but picking fourth in this draft is a jolt for new Chicago Bulls general manager Bryson Graham. He has to take the best player available. Illinois point guard Keaton Wagler, Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. or Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. should get a real sniff, but Wilson is the play here. The motor is the superpower. The 6-foot-9 wing should get busy in transition from the jump. Wilson has vertical explosiveness that rivals Blake Griffin, and he plays ridiculously hard every night. Wilson is not a good defender yet, but he strikes all the notes of a future difference-maker on that end with the right development. There's enough here to buy into the future of the jumper and the playmaking, too. |
||||||
| 5 |
|
Keaton Wagler | PG | |||
|
Wagler is a special shooter. The 6-foot-6 point guard has a clean, repeatable, gorgeous strap from downtown, and it's easy to see why this fit would tantalize the Clippers. If they keep this pick, Wagler is the no-brainer choice. Wagler's shooting prowess allows him to play off the ball when it's time for Darius Garland or Kawhi Leonard to rock, but his value skyrockets because he has all the tools to toggle to an on-ball role as well. Wagler isn't a blow-you-away athlete, but his underrated strength, rhythm, balance and body control make him such a tough cover. Wagler is programmed to make the right play over and over again. He rebounds well for his position, including getting after it on the offensive glass. He has the length and IQ to be a useful defender down the road, which unlocks some Derrick White-like outcomes in his projection, with room for even more. |
||||||
| 6 |
|
Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | |||
|
Acuff has every answer to the test in pick-and-rolls. He could very well be the No. 1 ball-screen navigator in this draft. The craftsmanship is clear as day. The pace and precision, combined with his broad shoulders and a 6-foot-7 wingspan, does give off some Deron Williams or Dame Lillard vibes. Even with significant defensive questions, Acuff's ability to shoot off the dribble, navigate into the paint at will, create easy shots and make tough ones is so coveted. Brooklyn drafted a handful of guards last year, but that shouldn't stop this Nets' braintrust from adding a potential face of the franchise point guard. |
||||||
| 7 |
|
Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | |||
|
Based off the feedback in Chicago, Mikel Brown Jr. has a chance to be a major riser. The 6-foot-5 point guard has logo range, a smooth shooting stroke and major upside as a playmaker. Brown checks off the boxes when it comes to positional size and shooting, plus there's a dynamic creator in here somewhere. Brown is a terrific push-ahead passer who is always trying to press the gas and create easy buckets in transition. The Kings certainly need more of that. If Brown can start taking the singles instead of trying to consistently smash grand slams with audacious reads in pick-and-rolls, he could outplay his draft slot. |
||||||
| 8 |
|
Aday Mara | C | |||
|
Atlanta needs point guard help, but Mara to the Hawks is mouth-watering. The 7-foot-3 Michigan center has a 7-foot-6 wingspan and improved his mobility tremendously. Mara has elite size for the position, and he'd be one of the top shot-blockers in the NBA from the jump. He got tougher at Michigan and also showed additional defensive versatility, along with his unique feel as a top-of-the-key playmaker who can make reads in DHOs or backdowns. Atlanta could trot out some hellacious defensive lineups with Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Mara. |
||||||
| 9 |
|
Kingston Flemings | PG | |||
|
Kingston Flemings' ability to get his shoulders past defenders is a coveted trait that every team needs. Flemings doesn't have terrific length (6-3.5 wingspan), but he's an outstanding athlete who can change directions on a dime, explode vertically and absolutely fly in the open floor. He has jet packs attached to his feet. Flemings has some mechanical tweaks to make on his jumper, but the trio of elite work ethic, elite attention to detail and elite winning habits make him a no-brainer bet to maximize his skillset. You just want Flemings in your building, and boy, that transition game of Flemings and Cooper Flagg would be something. Vroom vroom. |
||||||
| 10 |
|
Nate Ament | PF | |||
|
This is the logical spot for Ament, especially amid the speculation that Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the trade block, kickstarting a massive rebuild in Milwaukee. Ament's skillset is exactly what the NBA continues to prioritize. He is all of 6-foot-10 with perimeter skills and a soft jumper. As Ament continues to develop, he will likely become closer to a stretch 4 who can attack long closeouts rather than this jumbo wing handler, but the jury is still out on that front. Ament's defense is another key variable. Can he become one of the A+ defenders from this class? It's in the range of potential outcomes. I think the defense will be ahead of the offense for the not-so-distant future. |
||||||
| 11 |
|
Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | |||
|
Lendeborg could have played in any NBA rotation … a year ago at this time. He was a NBA player just housed in Ann Arbor a year leading the Wolverines to the National Championship. The Warriors need a ready-to-play piece to sop up minutes while Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody recover from injuries. Lendeborg fits the bill. The 6-foot-9 wing has an enormous 7-3 wingspan and is a straight five-tool player. He can pass, dribble, shoot, cut and defend. Oh, and he's an absolute monster in transition. The Dominican LeBron nickname was well-deserved. Lendeborg's surplus of size and athleticism would stick out like a sore thumb on this creaky Golden State roster. |
||||||
| 12 |
|
Morez Johnson Jr. | PF | |||
|
Morez Johnson is a problem-solver on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward is enormous, athletic and a dirty-work menace. The NBA craves physical thumpers who can fly up and down the floor in transition. Johnson embodies all of that, and there's burgeoning skill on the table here. Johnson's unselfish brand of basketball would fit right in with an OKC roster that could use another enforcer, especially if the Thunder choose not to pick up Isaiah Hartenstein's $28.5 million team option. |
||||||
| 13 |
|
Brayden Burries | SG | |||
|
If this is how the draft board shakes out, Miami would continue its pattern of just scooping up the best player available who somehow slips into its range. This time, it's Burries. The potential top-10 pick has plus positional size, and he can play drive-and-kick basketball as well as any guard in this range. Burries' motor is revving at all times. He plays hard every single game, and he sticks his face in the fan on the glass without fail. Burries can toggle between so many different roles, but he might be at his best as a light-it-up transition bucket-getter. There's defense, a little creation, some three-level scoring habits and a whole lot of hustle plays in this portfolio. What's not to love? Burries being on the board at No. 13 would be an outstanding draft night development for the Heat. |
||||||
| 14 |
|
Jayden Quaintance | C | |||
|
Quaintance comes with serious injury baggage, but the idea of what he could become is salivating. The 6-foot-9 big man owns a go-go gadget, 7-5 wingspan. He was one of the special defensive big men in college basketball as a 17-year-old freshman at Arizona State. It's silly how many jumpers that Quaintance could not only contest but also just outright swat away. He just moves … differently. The ability to shuttle with guards on the perimeter and envelop shots at the rim makes the Robert Williams comparison pretty apt. Is there anything else in the tank offensively? Quaintance has some untapped perimeter skills and the ability to deck it, but those are still more theoretical at this point. Quaintance also fills a major void in a Charlotte frontcourt picture that could use a high-upside option to pair with Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate. |
||||||
| 15 |
|
Cameron Carr | SG | |||
|
Size, athleticism and shooting. Carr checks off those three boxes. While processing and decision-making remain a concern for some scouts, Carr has a skillset that very few can rival at this stage of the draft. The Baylor product projects to be one of the top movement shooters in this draft class, and that's a major need for a Bulls roster that is light on shot-makers. Carr can jump super high and has a 7-0.75 wingspan that makes Twitter erupt, but the development with both his handle and his mind could make-or-break his chances of reaching the highest peak of his range of potential outcomes. |
||||||
| 16 |
|
Labaron Philon | PG | |||
|
Philon slithers to his spots at will, and there's not much you can do to stop it. The Alabama guard showed vast improvement with his pull-up jumper and proved he can get buckets in his sleep. He was one of the most dangerous isolation bucket-getters in all of college basketball last season, making even the most mobile defensive bigs so uncomfortable with his barrage of in-and-out dribbles to set up a stepback J or a knockdown floater. The challenge will be finding ways to blend all the delightful role-player traits that he showcased as a freshman back into his game. Philon has more in the tank defensively. He has more in the tank as a connect-the-dots role player who can smash advantages created by a true alpha guard. |
||||||
| 17 |
|
Dailyn Swain | SF | |||
|
Swain is built to thrive in the drive-and-kick basketball that OKC plays. Swain is a slippery, creative driver with a plethora of counters in his bag to get to the cup. Nearly 60% of his shots this past season at Texas came at the rim, and Swain shot a promising 63% at the rim, per Synergy. Swain doubles as one of the better passing wings in this class, and it's easy to see him scaling down to fill a role for the Thunder. Swain was a defense-first option at Xavier before turning into a primary fulcrum at Texas. If defense is what's required to carve out minutes, Swain will be able to buy into that. The jumper may not ever be a major strength, but Swain's jumbo creation is hard to pass up at this slot, especially for a Thunder roster that loves to accumulate as much skilled size as possible. |
||||||
| 18 |
|
Hannes Steinbach | PF | |||
|
Even though Charlotte took Jayden Quaintance at No. 14, the Hornets could be in the market to double-dip on frontcourt pieces. Quaintance is a gamble. Steinbach looks much more durable and reliable. He is right up there with Houston's Chris Cenac and Duke's Cameron Boozer as the top rebounder in this entire class. Steinbach doesn't just have good hands. He has great paws. He catches anything and everything. That should earn him some grace with this Charlotte coaching staff. Steinbach has some holes in his game. He's not a great defender in space or rim protector, but pairing Steinbach with a switchable monster athlete like Quaintance could cover up some of those issues. |
||||||
| 19 |
|
Bennett Stirtz | PG | |||
|
Toronto rated near the bottom of the league in 3-point rate, and Stirtz would help flip that a tad. The Iowa product is one of the top net-shredders in the draft. Stirtz's moonballs can nearly touch the rafters before tickling the twine. Stirtz drained 92 treys at a 36% clip this past season on an exceptionally tough shot diet. Oh, and the dude can run a pick-and-roll in his sleep. Stirtz would provide the Raptors with another on-ball threat who can still provide value as an off-ball spacer when it's time for Scottie Barnes to initiate the offense. Stirtz isn't brimming with burst, but the jumper provides plenty of high-floor outcomes. |
||||||
| 20 |
|
Karim Lopez | PF | |||
|
San Antonio has its bookends in place with jaw-dropping big man Victor Wembanyama and breakout rookie Dylan Harper, so it's all about finding complementary pieces to fill in the gaps. Lopez is a sturdy, 6-foot-8 wing who has played the 3 and the 4 for the New Zealand Breakers. He's not a 3-and-D player yet (both the 3 and the D need to develop), but there's enough to like here as a yoked connector to take a swing at No. 20, especially if other wings like Swain and Carr are off the board. |
||||||
| 21 |
|
Ebuka Okorie | PG | |||
|
Think of the speed that Detroit could add to the holster by drafting Okorie. The Stanford product has ridiculous end-to-end velocity, and he can stop on a dime to send defenders careening into the abyss. Okorie shot over 35% from 3-point range on high volume, but his ability to knife to the rim over and over again while playing clean basketball can feed families. Okorie is a little on the smaller end, measuring under 6-foot-2 without shoes at the NBA Draft Combine, but his 6-7.75 wingspan gives him a needed escape valve to finish over the trees. He'd provide a much-needed changeup to give Cade Cunningham some chances to move off the ball and not have to create literally everything. |
||||||
| 22 |
|
Koa Peat | PF | |||
|
The Sixers are going to play with a ton of pace when Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are on the floor together. That meshes almost flawlessly with what Peat needs to thrive. The much-maligned Arizona product can impact winning as a connector who can make reads in the open floor. Peat running stride-for-stride with burners like Edgecombe and Maxey is a scary proposition and eases the runway into the league. Scoring in the halfcourt is going to be a challenge for Peat, who relies heavily on brawn and power to go through defenders, but he may not be asked to do that too often if he's next to an All-Star like Joel Embiid, who could accentuate Peat's cutting and play-finishing. Peat's situation will be an important variable while he fixes his out-of-sync jumper. The Philadelphia situation certainly makes a lot of sense. |
||||||
| 23 |
|
Christian Anderson | PG | |||
|
In this exercise, the Hawks passed on Kingston Flemings at No. 8 to add Aday Mara, but Atlanta isn't leaving this draft without a point guard. Anderson provides a strong "get out of jail free" card for the Atlanta braintrust at No. 23. The Texas Tech star is a born-and-bred assassin. Anderson deposited 108 triples last year, shooting over 41% from beyond the arc. He has some physical development to make with his body to become more of a rim-pressure threat, but the jumper is automatic. Atlanta has a host of elite defenders on this roster, so Anderson wouldn't be asked to do too much on that end. There will always be a place in the league for a guy who has a jumper that seemingly always goes in. |
||||||
| 24 |
|
Henri Veesaar | C | |||
|
Veesaar is all of 7-feet, and he has plenty of skill in his bag. For all intents and purposes, Veesaar is hands-down the top stretch big on the board. The UNC big man drilled 40 3-pointers last season. No other 7-footer in this class can match that feat. The passing is an asset, and Veesaar will be a high-energy offensive rebounder for his entire career. He's got some snarl as well, especially when he ditches the pick-and-pops for a thunderous roll down the middle of the lane. The Knicks' offensive identity wouldn't change all that much when Karl-Anthony Towns needs a blow, and Veesaar has the mobility to play the 4 if New York wants a double-big lineup. |
||||||
| 25 |
|
Tarris Reed Jr. | C | |||
|
The Lakers need to add some venom to their frontcourt, and Reed has the chops to handle a heavy workload. The 6-foot-10, 263-pound center is a space-eater in the paint, who can carve out room to operate like it's nothing. Reed was asked to do a ton of jobs for UConn's layered offense. He can play in DHOs, get in and out of pick-and-rolls and create advantages with bouldering screens. He's a voracious rebounder in his own right, and the improvement with his frame is noticeable. If he could handle Dan Hurley's advanced playbook, there's a good chance he could execute what JJ Redick requires. What a life it'd be to be Luka Dončić's pick-and-roll partner. |
||||||
| 26 |
|
Chris Cenac Jr. | PF | |||
|
The Nuggets need to add some young bouncy legs to this frontcourt formula. Cenac is raw but toolsy. The Houston big man has a 7-foot-5 wingspan and was one of the best per-minute rebounders in the country. He gobbles up boards outside of his zip code time and time again. Cenac's decision-making is still a major work in progress and the speed of the college game seemed too much for him on some nights, but the former five-star recruit projects to be a long-term piece with the rebounding and shooting potential at the forefront of the evaluation. |
||||||
| 27 |
|
Joshua Jefferson | PF | |||
|
Boston needs to create easier shots, and Joshua Jefferson can help the Celtics do just that. He is one of the top processors in this draft. The 6-foot-9 burly forward is pound-for-pound as good a passer as anybody, and Jefferson's jumper has improved every single season. Jefferson isn't some jump-off-the-tape athlete, but the basketball IQ, passing and defense forms a connective tissue that all good teams have. Jefferson won at Saint Mary's and won at Iowa State and will likely contribute to winning in the NBA. |
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| 28 |
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Allen Graves | PF | |||
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Minnesota would lick its chops to add a do-it-all connector like Graves to its already loaded mix of high-impact role players. Graves is a deflections machine, which fits the ethos of T-Wolves basketball to a T. He also impacts the game positively with his playmaking, shot-making and cutting while projecting as a potential replacement for Julius Randle down the road. But Graves is a tweener. While he was at his best offensively at the 5-spot, Santa Clara was at its worst defensively. While he was at his best defensively at the 4, his team was at its worst offensively. That's a bit of a conundrum. There's no shot Graves is quite big enough to play a small-ball 5 in the NBA. He will need some time to trim down his body to be a full-time power forward. |
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| 29 |
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Amari Allen | SF | |||
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Amari Allen's compilation of high-feel passing, shooting, defense and a tablespoon of on-ball responsibilities makes him an intriguing bet at the end of the first round, especially for a Cleveland roster that could use a bit more help on the wing. Allen didn't sniff the 6-foot-8 measurement that he was given at Alabama, but evaluators are still big fans of a 6-foot-6 jumbo guard who can pass, dribble, shoot, defend and cut. The big question is whether he will stay in the NBA Draft or return to Alabama for what is primed to be a huge sophomore season. |
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| 30 |
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Isaiah Evans | SG | |||
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If Dallas plucks Kingston Flemings at No. 9, it will need some rangy shooters to complement Flagg, Flemings and Kyrie Irving. Evans provides that 6-foot-6, 180-pound movement shooter who could fill some of Klay Thompson's minutes in the not-so-distant future. Evans rounded out the rough edges of his game, showcasing an ability to curl off pindowns, get downhill and finish with authority. He also took noticeable strides on the defensive end of the floor. There will be some creation questions with Evans, and his frame still needs to fill out to survive the avalanche of big, strong, fast athletes. But still, there's plenty of room at the inn for a 6-foot-6 shooter of this ilk. |
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1:562026 NBA Draft: Best Fit for BYU'S AJ Dybantsa
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1:132025 NBA Draft Round 2 Gems: G Alijah Martin (Florida)
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4:11Cooper Flagg Selected No. 1 Overall by Mavericks | 2025 NBA Draft Grades and Instant Reaction
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3:24Dylan Harper Selected No. 2 Overall by Spurs | 2025 NBA Draft Grades and Instant Reaction
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4:51Kon Knueppel Selected No. 4 Overall by Hornets | 2025 NBA Draft Grades and Instant Reaction
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5:53Egor Demin Selected No. 8 Overall by Nets | 2025 NBA Draft Grades and Instant Reaction