NBA

2026 Mock Drafts

In this scenario, Sacramento secures the No. 1 pick. The Kings have the worst record in the NBA, have lost 10 straight and deliberately did nothing to rectify that at the deadline. In Peterson, they land a dynamic guard they can build around for the next generation. Some of his on-again, off-again availability issues have been labeled "bizarre," but between the lines he has size, length, physicality, shot-making and playmaking — essentially everything a franchise could want.

Indiana's pick will go to the Clippers if it lands between Nos. 5-9, incentivizing the Pacers to keep losing games. What could complicate that is the arrival of Ivica Zubac, who is now the team's center of the future but would probably be best utilized outside the lineup for the next 30 days. With Zubac joining Tyrese Haliburton (following his return from injury next season) and Pascal Siakam, Indiana wants to compete now. Boozer is the player best able to contribute immediately while also bridging the program's future, even if AJ Dybantsa may have higher long-term upside.

With a 13-37 record, the Nets currently have a 48% chance of landing in the top three. In this scenario, they end up with Dybantsa, who would provide a go-to scorer to punctuate a developing young core. The 6-foot-9 wing will be a candidate to go first or second and almost certainly won't fall below No. 3. If Michael Porter Jr. remains in Brooklyn, the two would fit nicely alongside Noah Clowney and Egor Demin.

The Anthony Davis trade was motivated by the fact that Dallas does not control its own first-round pick again until 2031. Between that and the star power atop this draft, 2026 represents the best chance in the foreseeable future to find a long-term running mate for Cooper Flagg. While Dallas would love to land any of the top three, Wilson provides an elite athlete at the four and a defensive playmaker whose offense has proven ahead of schedule at North Carolina. It would be fun for college basketball fans to see Wilson, a Tar Heel, join forces with a Blue Devil to form the NBA's best young tandem.

Davis may now be a Wizard, but Washington remains highly incentivized to lose. The team keeps its pick if it lands in the top eight; otherwise, it goes to the Knicks. In other words, don't expect to see much of Trae Young and Davis together until next season. Flemings gives Washington an explosive athlete and legitimate creator at lead guard, with the potential to share the floor with Young early and mesh long-term with Tre Johnson.

Atlanta lands its lead guard of the future in Wagler, who brings positional size, shooting and a deliberate pace that should complement Jalen Johnson. He joins a promising young group that includes Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jonathan Kuminga and Asa Newell, while also benefiting from playing with or behind Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who is under contract through 2027-28.

Ja Morant may still be in Memphis, but that could change this offseason. With no true point guard among its young core, the Grizzlies turn to Brown, whose size and skill with the ball stand out. Memphis' organizational culture should help him make necessary physical and defensive gains.

Utah is ready to compete after acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr., but the Jazz only retain this pick if it lands in the top eight. Ament adds a versatile combo forward and long-term asset to develop alongside Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler and the rest of Utah's young core.

Antetokounmpo is expected to be moved this summer, signaling a rebuild. Quaintance provides interior defense and flexibility, whether alongside Myles Turner or as a foundational frontcourt piece.

Charlotte is playing its best basketball in years and pushing for the playoffs. Peat supplies rim pressure and an NBA-ready physicality that this core currently lacks.

One of the picks from the Paul George trade turns into Haugh, a versatile wing who fits OKC's defensive culture and values.

Cenac's measurables and defensive versatility stand out. He is already spacing the floor and projects as a long-term four or five.

With Scoot Henderson nearing his season debut, Portland evaluates its future at point guard. Acuff offers scoring and creation, though this pick would convey to Chicago if it lands outside the lottery.

Steinbach provides size, shooting range and inside-out skill to complement Victor Wembanyama.

With a second first-rounder, Memphis adds another jumbo wing with two-way versatility.

With a second first-rounder, Memphis adds another jumbo wing with two-way versatility.

With a second first-rounder, Memphis adds another jumbo wing with two-way versatility.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

Johnson's physicality complements Cleveland's two-big approach.

Yessoufou is a high-upside long-term play late in the first round.

Harris offers size and shooting on the wing to space the floor around Cooper Flagg.

A nagging hamstring injury has limited Peterson to just two appearances this season for Kansas and his time missed is approaching one full month. However, when healthy, Peterson's ability to dictate terms as a lead guard and elevate talent around him makes him the frontrunner to go No. 1.

The idea of Dybantsa as a built-in-a-lab, scoring wing -- the archetype NBA teams so covet building around -- puts him in the mix to go No. 1. He's already established as the leading scorer and rebounder on a top-10 BYU team and passes the eye test with flying colors.

No major conference player has scored more points this season thus far than Boozer. And it seems he's just getting started. The Duke rookie is averaging 23.6 points and 9.3 boards per game for a team that is 9-0 with three of those wins coming vs. ranked opponents. To say he'd be a huge prize if he falls to No. 3 would be an understatement. He's my No. 1-ranked player in the class.

Watching Caleb Wilson play basketball is like watching Mozart compose music or Picasso paint a work of art. He's a night-in, night-out joy because of his relentless energy and it shows in the box score, too: He's averaging 19.3 points and 10.1 boards per game for UNC. His defensive impact, selfless style and boisterous personality are all traits I'd bet on making him a top-five pick.

My preseason read on Ament was that he was a big prospect whose production may not be reliable this season. I was wrong. He's averaging 17.1 points and 7.4 boards for the Vols. His big frame and feel for the game make him a jumbo-sized wing with game-changing defensive potential.

This may be a situation where the best player available also winds up being the best roster fit for the Kings, who desperately need help at point guard. Brown's a do-it-all guard who can score from anywhere and plays with poise and pizazz with the ball in his hands.

Peat has gotten off to a tremendous start as a freshman at Arizona, where he's averaging 15.6 points and 5.7 rebounds. He tallied 30 points and 7 boards vs. Florida in the season-opener and had a filthy 16-12-3 line and two blocks vs. UConn on Nov. 19. His athletic pop and energy is off the charts and his skill -- elite for his size, which is scary -- still feels in its early stages.

There is increasing optimism about Cenac Jr.'s game and how it'll project to the next level. He plays to Houston's modus operandi as a crasher on the offensive glass and has shown additional versatility as a shot-blocker and floor-spacer to boot. Playing alongside Joseph Tugler he may not become a two-blocks-per-game weapon, but his timing and feel are remarkable for his age.

Haugh has been -- quite clearly -- Florida's best player this season. He leads the team in scoring and has been a difference-maker with his scoring ability and size. At 22 years old, teams may give pause to taking him this high -- but OKC has never been shy of buying into production regardless of age.

Returning to school has paid dividends for Philon commanding Alabama's high-octane offense while averaging 21.6 points and 5.4 assists. He's improved as a shooter and showcased his quickness in the open floor. He's also become an elite catch-and-shoot weapon (94th percentile this season vs. 41st percentile last season), displaying versatility as more than just an on-ball threat.

We've still not seen Quaintance yet as he returns from a knee injury last season. But he played a full season of college as a 17-year-old at ASU and was a monster defensively. There's an element of mystery and excitement behind his ceiling as he awaits clearance at Kentucky.

Cameron Carr's been Baylor's breakout star but Yessoufou is quietly having a tremendous season. He's a big and strong athlete who is showing improvement as a shooter and has the physical tools to be a dynamic defensive weapon on the wing.

Adding weapons and floor-spacers to maximize the talents of Josh Giddey, Coby White and Matas Buzelis seems ideal. Mullins gives them a picture-perfect tool to do that as a shooter who can score from anywhere -- with an underrated ability to affect the game with his defense and length, too.

Stirtz's breakout at Drake last season was no fluke and he's shown as much at Iowa already, where he is nailing 44.2% of his 3s and is flirting close to a 30% assist rate while playing an ungodly amount of minutes. He's an ironman Iowa can't afford to let rest because of his smarts as a scorer and playmaker.

Golden State's backcourt could stand to add more talent and Burries in this range could make sense. He's a 20-year-old who my colleague Adam Finkelstein tagged as a "three-level scoring threat." He's very polished as a scorer and can get buckets any way you need.

The jump from UAB to Michigan has highlighted Lendeborg's ability to do a little of everything. His versatility as a passer, defensive disruptor and shooter at his size make him a jack-of-all-trades whose impact is undeniable.

Tugler might've been the best defensive player in college basketball last season and he's improved his block rate from 12.4% to 13.3% and his steal rate from 2.8% to 4.3%. That's scary. There's still maturing to be done on offense, but his innate instincts on defense are top notch.

It might be tough for Harwell to break through this season on a deep Houston team -- but NBA teams know the Cougars have a dog who could come out and be a potential lottery pick despite playing in a small role. He's a chiseled wing and bulldog defender who can shoot it.

Flemings has made an instant impact for Houston starting every game and averaging 15.3 points and 5.0 assists while shooting 52.4% on 3-pointers. The hot start may cool but he's looked the part as a natural lead guard who plays with speed and has already adapted well to this level.

This is a bit lower than where I had Acuff earlier this summer preseason but I think he's clearly looked the part as a lottery/early 20s type pick. He's averaging 17.4 points and 5.1 assists per game and up to 74th percentile on catch-and-shoot opportunities, per Synergy. You know his big body can bully its way to the basket, but he's adding skill to his game as well. Buying stock!

Getting Koa Peat early and then Dash Daniels falling to No. 21 would be a dream haul for the Hornets. Daniels, the brother of Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, is a 17-year-old who has a big frame and carries it well as a defensive stopper. His handle as a combo wing is advanced, too, though his shot may need some tweaking as he moves up to the NBA.

In the background of the Cameron Boozer show in Durham is Isaiah Evans, who is quietly building off a great freshman season and showcasing his terrific shot in a bigger role. He's a bucket-getter who can score in bunches.

This is the third year now I've been higher on Toppin than most. I assume you are used to it by now. He's built off a Big 12 Player of the Year campaign and so far putting up even more gaudy stats. He'd be an awesome 4-man next to Bam Adebayo.

Sarr is still coming along at Duke after joining the program late in the summer but the tools are still there for him to be a lotto talent. He's a wing with a long wingspan and a defensive playmaker who is hitting a respectable 34.5% on 3-pointers this season.

On a deep Houston team, Uzan broke through as one of its most consistent weapons as a transfer, hitting 40.8% on 3-pointers and adding 3.0 assists and 11.4 points per game. He's built off that campaign and been a steady presence for a top-10 Cougars club.

Knox emerged late in the season for Arkansas as a two-way force, and he finished the season as a 35% 3-point shooter while rating out in the 96th percentile finishing on at-rim opportunities, per Synergy data. He's shown improvement this season, too, hitting 47.1% on 3-pointers.

Lopez is an 18-year-old Mexican playing for the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL -- the same team that produced 2022 lottery pick Ousmane Dieng and from the same league that helped produce 2024 No. 2 pick Alex Sarr. He's a big wing who can shoot the leather off the ball and checks boxes both statistically and physically to become an impact defender at the next level.

It's been nothing short of a breakout year for Ngongba playing in tandem with fellow big Cameron Boozer. He has a 7.7% block rate and a true shooting percentage of 72.8% -- top-20 nationally. He's also showcased an unusual feel as a passer in this Duke system that has allowed him at times to operate as a playmaking hub.

Pettiford is one of my favorite draft prospects on planet Earth because of his ridiculous shot-making audacity combined with his competitive edge and attitude. He's a plus-athlete, too, though his 6-foot-1 frame could hinder him from rising much further than this. I also wonder if this front office thinks twice before taking a 6-foot-1 guard with a first-round pick after doing so with Marcus Sasser in 2023.

Bittle's return to college was an underrated development this offseason; I had a second-round grade on him and thought he'd be an awesome target for teams looking to add frontcourt depth.