2026 NBA Mock Draft: Wizards Land AJ Dybantsa, Trades Shake Up Lottery

The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23, and the second round will take place the following day. It’s widely considered to be a phenomenal draft, as the incoming class is loaded with superstar talent and has tremendous depth. Look for franchises to be eager to acquire picks in the first round, which may lead to more trades than usual. 

Teams now have a clearer picture of which prospects will be on the board during their respective picks with the NBA lottery and Combine measurements in the rearview mirror. Here is a first-round NBA mock draft that features two trades inside the lottery. 

1. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa 

The Wizards could go a number of directions here, but they decide to stay put and select AJ Dybantsa. The BYU product is a dynamic high-volume scorer who boasts a 6-foot-9 frame and elite athleticism. Washington finally lands its franchise superstar. 

2. Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson

Although Utah is likely disheartened at missing out on Dybantsa, the Jazz still walk away with a combo guard who many feel should be thought of as the best prospect in the 2026 Draft. Darryn Peterson is an elite scorer and shooter with positional size and quality defensive tools. If Peterson hits his ceiling, then the Kansas product will be a perennial All-NBA guard. 

3. Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer

Although Cameron Boozer is the third overall pick in this mock draft, he’s by no means a consolation prize. Bigs who can shoot, dribble, pass, and rebound at high levels are very difficult to find. There will be Caleb Wilson fans in Memphis’ front office, but Boozer’s all-around skill set is too tantalizing to pass up. 

4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson

The UNC product is a defensive game-changer who will thrive next to Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis on fast breaks. Caleb Wilson’s passing, rebounding, and finishing around the basket are also bankable traits. Even if his self-created scoring upside does not hit, Wilson would still be the correct pick at fourth overall. 

5. (TRADE) Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff Jr.

The Kings desperately need to find a primary scorer, so they trade up two spots to select Darius Acuff Jr. at fifth overall. The Arkansas product averaged 23.5 points per game on 48/44/80 shooting splits this season, and he somewhat dispelled concerns about his size at the NBA Combine by measuring 6-foot-2 barefoot with a 6-foot-6.5 wingspan. Acuff’s defense remains a glaring red flag, but his scoring upside is immense. 

6. Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr.

Although the Nets have a plethora of first-round guards on the roster, they wisely take the best prospect available. Mikel Brown Jr. has positional size and profiles as a two-way guard who can run an NBA offense. If Brown’s back injury does not linger and he improves his shooting consistency, then there’s a world where he becomes the fourth-best player in this draft. 

7. (TRADE) Los Angeles Clippers – Aday Mara 

The Clippers already feature Darius Garland as their long-term point guard, but have a hole at center after trading Ivica Zubac. Therefore, they move down two spots to acquire some much-needed draft capital, including the 34th overall pick, and select Aday Mara. The Michigan center measured 7-foot-3 barefoot at the Combine and performed well in the agility drills. Overall, he brings rim protection, rebounding, passing, and finishing around the basket.  

8. Atlanta Hawks – Keaton Wagler

The Hawks need a point guard who can orchestrate possessions methodically and create easy looks for their abundance of play-finishers. Keaton Wagler fits the bill, as he’s a cerebral pick-and-roll guard with an efficient shooting stroke. Wagler also boasts positional size at 6-foot-5 barefoot, which aligns with Atlanta’s roster goals. 

9. Dallas Mavericks – Kingston Flemings

Dallas needs to add more ball handling and creation around Cooper Flagg, which leads to the front office selecting Kingston Flemings. The Houston product is a lightning-quick guard who gets downhill and creates without committing many turnovers. Flemings also excels defensively, although questions about his smaller stature (6-foot-2.5 barefoot, 6-foot-3.5 wingspan) and low three-point attempt rate are noteworthy.  

10. (TRADE) Oklahoma City Thunder – Cameron Carr

The Thunder trade up two spots to ensure Golden State does not snipe Cameron Carr. He’s a sharpshooter who displayed off-the-dribble upside and logged 1.3 blocks per game due to his length. Carr improved his stock at the Combine, as he measured 6-foot-4.5 barefoot with a 7-foot-0.75 wingspan and posted a 42.5-inch max vertical. Carr also scored 30 points in the Combine scrimmage. He’s a classic Sam Presti pick given his wingspan, offensive versatility, and defensive upside. 

11. Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg

Yaxel Lendeborg is a phenomenal glue piece who can dribble, pass, shoot, and rebound at moderate to high levels. He falls to 11th overall because he will be 24-years-old on Opening Night and does not possess star upside. However, the Michigan product fits perfectly with Golden State as a complementary forward, and his age does not scare away a Warriors team that is trying to maximize Stephen Curry’s final years in the league. 

12. (TRADE) Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament

With a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade looming, the Bucks move down two spots to acquire draft capital for their impending rebuild, including the 37th overall pick. Milwaukee needs to find a potential franchise cornerstone in the draft, so the front office takes a big swing on Nate Ament. The 6-foot-10 forward is a highly inconsistent yet talented scorer who possesses All-Star upside if he develops. 

13. Miami Heat – Brayden Burries

The Arizona product is an all-around guard who spaces the floor, defends, rebounds, and possesses intriguing self-created shot-making upside. Brayden Burries can add some juice to the Heat’s offense while being a defensive plus. The fact that he’s available at 13th overall shows the depth of this draft. 

14. Charlotte Hornets – Dailyn Swain

The Hornets ranked in the top three in both three-point attempt rate and three-point percentage this season, yet they sorely lacked paint scorers. Dailyn Swain is a bruising forward who adds size and a downhill presence to the roster. His slashing can provide more balance to the offense, and he also helps on the glass. 

15. Chicago Bulls – Hannes Steinbach

Chicago selected Caleb Wilson with the fourth overall pick and now addresses its barren center rotation by selecting Hannes Steinbach. The Washington product is a double-double machine who has untapped passing and shooting upside. There are defensive concerns, but playing next to Wilson and Matas Buzelis will help cover for some of his weaknesses. Steinbach’s feel for the game will be a boon for the Bulls. 

16. Memphis Grizzlies – Labaron Philon Jr.

The Grizzlies added a franchise cornerstone in Cameron Boozer, and they decided to boost their backcourt with Labaron Philon Jr. at 16th overall. He’s a dynamic scorer with a great pull-up jump shot, and Philon can also play off the ball. Defensive concerns and a lack of vertical pop make him fall out of the lottery, yet he’s a potential long-term starter. 

17. Oklahoma City Thunder – Morez Johnson Jr.

After selecting a wing at 10th overall, the Thunder beef up their frontcourt by taking Morez Johnson Jr., who measured 6-foot-9 barefoot with a 7-foot-3.5 wingspan at the Combine. He’s a highly versatile defender who rebounds and scores as a play-finisher inside the paint. There may be perimeter shooting upside present, too. 

18. Charlotte Hornets – Chris Cenac Jr.

Improving their center rotation is a priority for the Hornets this offseason, so they use their second first-round pick on Chris Cenac Jr. The Houston product is very fluid, which will allow him to thrive next to Charlotte’s playmakers in transition. He also possesses stretch-five potential, thus letting the Hornets maximize their shooting. If Cenac becomes more consistent defensively, then he could be the long-term answer for Charlotte. 

19. Toronto Raptors – Bennett Stirtz

The Raptors’ first-round exit exposed their need for ball handling and playmaking. Bennett Stirtz provides these skills while also being a quality perimeter shooter and low-turnover guard. Stirtz isn’t an elite athlete or defender, but the Iowa product can be a stabilizing presence off the bench for Toronto’s offense. 

20. San Antonio Spurs – Karim López

Although Karim López is not the flashiest prospect, he’s an impactful connective player who brings defensive versatility and slashing to the table. López needs to become more consistent as an outside shooter, but the tools are there. San Antonio may be getting a steal here. 

21. Detroit Pistons – Isaiah Evans

Cade Cunningham is a bona fide superstar, but Detroit needs to surround him with more firepower and spacing because Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren are both non-shooters. Isaiah Evans certainly qualifies, as the Duke product excels at knocking down triples off of screens and has flashed off-the-dribble potential. He’s also 6-foot-5.5 barefoot with a 6-foot-8.75 wingspan, which allows Detroit to maintain size on the wing. 

22. Philadelphia 76ers – Ebuka Okorie

Philadelphia needs to address its backup point guard slot, so the front office uses the first-round pick it received for Jared McCain on Ebuka Okorie. The Stanford product is on the smaller side yet possesses intriguing scoring and playmaking upside thanks to his speed, change of direction, and smooth jumper. Tyrese Maxey would be an excellent mentor for Okorie given their overlapping traits. 

23. Atlanta Hawks – Jayden Quaintance

The Hawks selected point guard Keaton Wagler at eighth overall, and they now take a huge risk to improve their frontcourt. Jayden Quaintance was a phenomenal defender at Arizona State during the 2024-25 season, but a torn ACL, torn meniscus, and fractured knee ended his season. Quaintance only managed four games this season due to knee swelling. If his medicals are fine, then he could reach All-Defensive heights given his instincts and 7-foot-5.25 wingspan. 

24. New York Knicks – Alex Karaban

Alex Karaban was a four-year starter at UConn and will turn 24 years old in November. He’s an older prospect and likely close to a finished product, yet the Knicks need immediate impact off the bench. Karaban can deliver. He knocks down threes, competes on the glass, moves the basketball, and is a smart team defender. Karaban may be able to be Josh Hart lite for the Knicks. 

25. Los Angeles Lakers – Tounde Yessoufou

The Lakers must improve their defense around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, which leads them to select Tounde Yessoufou. The Baylor product is a burly, athletic defender who thrives as a defensive playmaker due to his 6-foot-10 wingspan. Yessoufou’s jump shot remains a major work in progress, but he can add offensive value in transition and on cuts. 

26. Denver Nuggets – Koa Peat 

Since Aaron Gordon is a consistent injury risk at this stage of his career, Denver drafts Koa Peat to add more power and size to its frontcourt. The bruising forward is a quality paint scorer with playmaking chops. Nikola Jokić’s passing will elevate Peat’s explosiveness, too. Minnesota physically pushed Denver around in the playoffs, but the Wolves could not employ this strategy against Peat. 

27. Boston Celtics – Allen Graves

Allen Graves does not possess star upside, yet he’s a high-floor prospect who spaces the court, moves the basketball, and defends well. Graves is a good fit for the Celtics because he’s malleable on both ends of the court and fits with their three-point heavy philosophy. 

28. Minnesota Timberwolves – Christian Anderson Jr.

The Wolves need to acquire more ball handling and half-court creation because Anthony Edwards is miscast as the primary playmaker. Christian Anderson Jr. only measured 6-foot-1 at the Combine, but the Texas Tech product can provide an offensive spark off the bench. He’s also a knockdown three-point shooter. 

29. Cleveland Cavaliers – Tarris Reed Jr.

The Evan Mobley at center experiment seems to be a pipe dream, so Cleveland bolsters its center rotation by taking Tarris Reed Jr. The UConn product has an impressive 7-foot-4.25 wingspan and projects to be a lob threat, rebounder, and rim protector. He may not develop into a starter at the NBA level, but he can be a rock-solid backup. 

30. Dallas Mavericks – Meleek Thomas

The Mavericks selected Kingston Flemings at ninth overall, and they add another guard to the roster by drafting Meleek Thomas. He’s a high-volume three-point shooter who can stretch the court for Flemings and Cooper Flagg.