Between a loaded class and a wacky potential lottery order, the 2026 NBA Draft will shift the landscape of the league for the near and far future. At the moment, two playoff teams — Oklahoma City and Atlanta — project to pick in the top nine due to trades and the Pacers effectively join that group while Tyrese Haliburton rehabs his torn Achilles.
Scouts and media members believed the 2026 draft class to be special and it proved their faith from the jump. AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson have played as well as advertised and countless other freshmen continue to produce like future NBA stars and impact players.
Therefore, this edition of our 2026 mock draft features a ludicrous collection of talent that I’ll order based on my thoughts on these prospects, not necessarily what I expect to happen; it’s far too early to reliably predict the 2026 NBA Draft in late June. I’ll consider team fit, environment and developmental timeline, but will prioritize pairing the best player available with the club on the clock.
(Draft order current as of 1/6, sourced from Tankathon)
1. Indiana Pacers — Darryn Peterson, Point Guard, Kansas
Despite nursing a nagging hamstring injury , Peterson looks the part of a future star lead guard even without all of his athleticism and explosiveness. He’d add another superstar piece for an Indiana team looking to break through and win a title, loaded with all-time ball skills, touch, movement skills and passing feel. Peterson’s stupendous defensive impact cements him as the top prospect in the class and a potential MVP-caliber at his apex.
2. Atlanta Hawks — AJ Dybantsa, Wing, BYU
Dybantsa’s frame, nuclear athleticism and flashes of ball skills and scoring from every spot on the floor resemble NBA legends. Atlanta’s trade on draft night 2025 with the Pelicans earns them a top-two pick for now; an opportunity to draft a prospect with Dybantsa’s scoring upside changes the outlook of that franchise. He’ll need to hone his defense and decision-making as he matures, but his primary scoring ceiling is too high for Atlanta to pass on.
3. Sacramento Kings — Cameron Boozer, Forward, Duke
The Sacramento Kings have desperately needed a player like Boozer for years now, lacking versatile forward options to normalize their often-clunky build. Boozer is college basketball’s best player and won’t turn 19 until after the 2026 NBA Draft. His blend of high-end feel for the game, physical strength and touch suggests a star offensive ceiling and he’s a strong outside shooter who would open the floor for Domantas Sabonis if the Kings choose to keep him around.
4. Washington Wizards — Caleb Wilson, Forward, North Carolina
Wilson’s unbelievable length, mobility and explosiveness render him one of the better perimeter defensive prospects to enter the NBA and he thrives in transition, an ideal fit with Indiana’s style. Improving his outside shot and handle will help him enter offensive star territory, but he’d excel as a turbocharged play finisher and defensive ace for a Wizards team that just traded for Trae Young.
5. Brooklyn Nets — Kingston Flemings, Point Guard, Houston
Flemings has exploded up boards after a strong start to his Houston career, flashing a star two-way ceiling with elite burst, passing vision, off-dribble shooting touch and defensive playmaking. The Nets drafted tons of guards in 2025 but none sport the talent or upside of Flemings, who projects as another star lead guard with the potential to impact winning on the defensive side of the ball as well, making him an ideal franchise cornerstone in the long-term.
6. Utah Jazz — Jayden Quaintance, Big, Kentucky
Quaintance still hasn’t looked fully like himself since returning from his ACL injury, but the Jazz will incur some risk to draft a potentially game-changing defensive prospect. While he lacks traditional center size, Quaintance is a special athlete with the range and explosiveness to anchor a defense as a shot-blocker and versatile perimeter defender. Even considering the potential downside, Utah can’t pass up the chance to remedy long-standing defensive woes.
7. Dallas Mavericks — Mikel Brown Jr., Point Guard, Louisville
Dallas badly needs a long-term lead guard to pair with Cooper Flagg and Brown has the on-and-off-ball skillset to fit that description. He leans on deadly outside shooting and sometimes-maniacal playmaking for his primary methods of offense, sporting the class’s best combination of vision and 3-point shooting projection. Improved downhill athleticism makes it easier to project Brown’s paint pressure and eventual defensive improvement, forming a fairly complete lottery guard package.
8. Charlotte Hornets — Hannes Steinbach, Big, Washington
Charlotte nailed their 2025 draft, at least based on early returns, selecting a potential Rookie of the Year and a few immediate role players. Now, Steinbach upgrades a still-thin front-court and will step into the NBA as an elite rebounder and touch scorer. Positional questions relating to his 3-point shooting and defensive role could scare some teams off, but Steinbach’s rebounding and interior scoring potential (as well as his defensive smarts) are too potent to fade out of the top 10.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder — Labaron Philon, Point Guard, Alabama
Oklahoma City’s landing outside of the top three picks delays a true doomsday scenario for the rest of the NBA, but a team as stacked as the Thunder drafting in the top five is always frightening. No prospect would step into OKC’s rotation immediately, so they’ll draft an elite talent in Philon regardless of position. He’s exploded up boards after a strong start to his sophomore season at Alabama, flashing a star ceiling after strength improvements unlocked his elite burst and manipulative passing further.
10. Memphis Grizzlies — Bennett Stirtz, Point Guard, Iowa
A currently in-flux Memphis guard room would greatly benefit from Stirtz’s presence, one of the class’s most productive offensive players. His age and extremely unique playstyle somewhat complicate his NBA projection but special feel for the game, all-time conditioning, passing skill and scoring touch often translate to the league. Stirtz’s shooting and relentless off-ball movement should set him up well long-term and the Grizzlies are no stranger to drafting non-traditional profiles high in the draft.
11. Milwaukee Bucks — Cameron Carr, Wing, Baylor
After two inconspicuous seasons in Knoxville, Carr has broken out as a star at Baylor. He’s a modern 3-and-D wing with skills and traits extending beyond just spot-up shooting and on-ball defense. Carr sports arguably the deepest shooting range of any player in the class and his springy athleticism aids his finishing and rim protection. A phenomenal athlete with volume shooting potential would benefit Milwaukee, as would any injection of young, exciting talent.
12. San Antonio Spurs — Patrick Ngongba II, Center, Duke
Luke Kornet’s presence behind and alongside Victor Wembanyama has been a revelation for the Spurs, so they could view Ngongba as a long-term option at center with a high ceiling. Like Kornet, Ngongba projects as a versatile big man on both ends, boasting the passing and dribbling skills requisite for playing on the perimeter and the size and strength to score and defend the interior.
13. Portland Trail Blazers — Neoklis Avdalas, Wing, Virginia Tech
Portland would love to land one of the elite point guards in the class but falling at the end of the lottery leads them to Avdalas, a forward-sized shot creator with major defensive potential. He isn’t yet a proven scorer, but his defensive mobility and playmaking out of the pick and roll are rare traits at his height and his point-of-attack defense would boost an already enticing Blazers defense.
14. Chicago Bulls — Aday Mara, Center, Michigan
The Bulls have added to their wing room across the last few drafts and select a badly needed center to anchor the defense. Aday Mara’s dominance to this point has been undeniable, impossible to score over at the rim with the passing skill and flair of a guard. His conditioning, athleticism and scoring must improve to best unlock his strengths, but NBA lineups are getting bigger and Mara fits that trend.
15. Golden State Warriors — Yaxel Lendeborg, Forward, Michigan
Lendeborg transferred to Michigan and immediately took his place as a college basketball superstar, leading the nation’s best team. Unlike his role at UAB, predicated on power slashing and face-up play, he now plays on the perimeter, lacing triples and attacking off the catch. Any team looking to win next season, including Atlanta, would benefit from Lendeborg’s services.
16. Atlanta Hawks — Tyler Tanner, Point Guard, Vanderbilt
Tanner’s will size cloud his evaluation for some teams, but builds like Atlanta with size and length can compensate for his height. But Tanner is a stellar defensive playmaker and athlete for his size and has avenues to positive impact on that end. Atlanta most desperately needs his live-dribble creation though, as he sports the dribbling, savant-level passing feel and outside shooting to eventually become a dynamic offensive NBA player.
17. Memphis Grizzlies — Koa Peat, Forward, Arizona
Memphis will bet on another productive college player, banking on a forward-sized athlete like Koa Peat to hold up in the NBA. He’s an explosive, above-the-rim finisher with impressive scoring touch, though his shooting lags a bit behind what the Grizzlies might want on offense. Still, his capacity to fill multiple roles on defense as a paint helper and perimeter defender make him a value for the team with plenty of long-term upside.
18. Miami Heat — Nate Ament, Wing, Tennessee
Ament hasn’t played up to expectations this season, especially against top teams, but he’s talented enough to warrant lottery consideration. Even if he’s overextended as a creator in college, his height and elite shooting touch present a fairly high NBA floor. The Grizzlies wouldn’t mind keeping Ament in the state and betting on a flawed prospect with natural gifts in important areas.
19. Oklahoma City Thunder — Thomas Haugh, Forward, Florida
The Thunder choose to draft a college upperclassman with underrated upside in the middle of the first round. Haugh’s defensive versatility and rim protection always fueled his draft case, but improvements as an outside shooter and driver as a junior inspire confidence he can survive and thrive on offense at the NBA level. If there’s anything Oklahoma City’s defense lacks its a surplus of forward defenders and Haugh should help remedy any of that early on.
20. Charlotte Hornets — Karim Lopez, Forward, NZ Breakers
Lopez adds another forward with intriguing offensive upside to Charlotte’s much-improved young core. After a home-run 2025 draft, the Hornets will continue to fill out their core, hopefully adding players as talented as Lopez. He’s a dynamic, oversized slasher with a refined skillset for his age and levels of athleticism, presenting intriguing offensive upside as he rounds out his outside shot.
21. Toronto Raptors — Darius Acuff, Point Guard, Arkansas
Acuff has established himself as an elite college point guard from the jump and projects to impact winning as a complementary guard at the NBA level despite his size and lack of defensive chops. His excellent playmaking under pressure, tight handle and off-dribble shooting would help a Raptors offense that still lacks a lead handler capable of running offense.
As sturdy as Jakob Poeltl has played for Toronto, a high-ceiling center with more shot-blocking upside would strengthen an already fearsome Raptors defense. Moreno is enjoying an impactful freshman despite Kentucky’s disastrous start, starring as a rim protector and play finisher while flashing some dribbling and passing chops. With more usage and playing time, his talent could establish him as a top-20 pick.
22. New York Knicks – Braylon Mullins, Wing, UConn
Mullins has settled in after returning from injury, adding his usual 3-point marksmanship to his impressive defensive moments early on. Wings like Mullins who add more than just off-ball shooting are valuable in the playoffs and his connective passing, solid handle and defensive instincts all suit him well to high-leverage basketball. He’d provide another sturdy rotation player for a New York team looking to finally break through in the East.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves – Meleek Thomas, Guard, Arkansas
Thomas is a big, long guard with an elite shooting profile and unique, herky-jerky movement skills that make him challenging to guard off the ball. He isn’t an overwhelming athlete or passing savant, but teams like the Wolves with offensive stars in place like Anthony Edwards could weaponize his outside shooting and secondary playmaking. On the defensive end, Thomas’s length and size have put some enticing defensive flashes on tape, a development that would change his ceiling.
24. Boston Celtics – Joshua Jefferson, Forward, Iowa State
Jefferson sits at the center of a red-hot Iowa State team and his defensive chops, both on and away from the ball, would instantly upgrade a solid but unspectacular Boston defense. He’s strong and stout enough to defend post-ups and strong drives with the quick hands to steal passes to generate turnovers. Continued improvement to his outside shooting inspires more confidence that he can add some value on offense in high-leverage settings as an off-ball player.
25. Denver Nuggets – Isaiah Evans, Wing, Duke
Evans’ scoring efficiency dipped from his small sample freshman year, but he’s clearly progressed physically, adding more strength to hold up defensively and attack the rim. Once his 3-point shot falls at a higher clip, Evans will remind teams how good his off-ball offense is. Few teams weaponize high-octane movement shooters like the Nuggets can with Nikola Jokic as their fulcrum and the Duke product will enjoy playing off his gravity.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder – Malachi Moreno, Center, Kentucky
Kentucky’s underwhelming season doesn’t erase the talent and flashes Moreno has shown as a freshman. A near-seven-footer with springy athleticism and defensive versatility, the Thunder would have no reason to rush his development as he adds strength and sharpens his technique over the years. His passing flashes and ball skills provide some optimism that he could impact offense beyond simple play finishing and rebounding.
27. Los Angeles Lakers – Christian Anderson, Guard, Texas Tech
Anderson’s second year in college features more tight window, point guard-quality reads out of the pick-and-roll. That upgraded playmaking, more rim pressure and his deadeye 3-point shooting suit him well for a key third guard role on a playoff team like the Lakers. They’d love to address center here, but LA won’t pass on a dynamic offensive player like Anderson.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers – Keaton Wagler, Wing, Illinois
Among several major issues, Ty Jerome’s departure left the Cavs short a reliable handler, especially as Darius Garland battles through injuries. Wagler’s diverse offensive skillset on the wing immediately earns him a spot on NBA Draft radars. He’s a young freshman who lacked draft buzz entering the season but has quickly risen up boards, flashing his potential as a physical, athletic wing creator with sufficient off-dribble shooting and passing chops, something Cleveland sorely lacks.
29. Detroit Pistons – JT Toppin, Big, Texas Tech
Some NBA teams won’t prioritize shorter bigs with shaky jumpers, even ones as productive and talented as Toppin. But a Pistons team with a willingness to play double-big lineups might value undersized fours that other clubs won’t like Toppin, who adds more depth to the frontcourt. Even with evident holes on the perimeter, Toppin’s elite rebounding, play finishing and touch shots will translate to the NBA and he’s improved as a post playmaker this season.
30. Washington Wizards – Elyjah Freeman, Wing, Auburn
Freeman, a former Division II star, is adjusting to D1 college basketball and has played much better as of late as he settles in at Auburn. He’s certainly a long-term development project, but Freeman’s athletic tools fuel elite driving upside and he’s weaponized those tools to make plays defensively for the Tigers. The Wizards can still swing on high-ceiling young players with real creation talent and Freeman fits that bill.
