 |
| Caleb Wilson, North Carolina |
A.J. Dybantsa, F, BYU
The Wizards are one of the most intriguing teams we've had draft No. 1 in some time. They've established a young core with real promise, and acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis over the last year seems to indicate they are making a run at the postseason. It also means this selection could certainly be trade bait, especially with the Jazz sitting at No. 2. However, if they stick firm here, it's hard to imagine them not taking a talent like A.J. Dybantsa, who could be the missing piece they need as the undeniable franchise centerpiece.
2. Utah Jazz
Darryn Peterson, G/F, Kansas
As strange of a lone season at Kansas as it was for Darryn Peterson, he's still one of the most impressive NBA Draft prospects we've seen in recent years. It's rare you see a player at his age who is so polished, has such a superb feel for the game, and can score anywhere on the court. Assuming Dybantsa does indeed come off the board first, Peterson would be quite the consolation prize for Utah.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
In most drafts, Cam Boozer would be a consensus top overall pick with a bit of a throwback, back-to-the-basket game. Instead, he slots in as the likely third player off the board, a real testament to just how loaded this 2026 group is. For a Memphis organization aiming for some direction, Boozer gets them a building block in the low post who has all the looks of a steady, long-time pro.
4. Chicago Bulls
Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina
Caleb Wilson's impact was on full display with the way North Carolina faded down the stretch after the freshman phenom's season-ending hand injury. Despite the injury robbing him of the end of his lone season of college ball, his measurements at the Combine should convince NBA teams he has the looks of a versatile combo forward in the NBA.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
This is where the 2026 NBA Draft really heats up. The Clippers could look to move this selection and add a piece that moves the needle for the immediately. Or, they stay at five and have an abundance of options available after the consensus top four prospects come off the board. For their needs, Illinois product Keaton Wagler may make the most sense. The combo guard has the size to play off-ball and impact the game, which should slide in nicely next to Darius Garland in this backcourt.
6. Brooklyn Nets
Darius Acuff, PG, Arkansas
Based off how much draft capital Brooklyn invested in the backcourt in the 2025 NBA Draft, one might assume they add a frontcourt piece here. Yet, I have a hard time believing the Nets pass up on the guards available to them in this range, with Darius Acuff a headliner. His size at 6'3" raises some concerns, but his three-level scoring ability should provide the instant impact this team needs.
7. Sacramento Kings
Kingston Flemings, G, Houston
It's no secret around the league Sacramento wants Acuff, but the reality is they will likely have to trade up to land the Arkansas floor general. If that doesn't come to fruition, perhaps the Kings go with another young up-and-comer in Kingston Flemings. Flemings was one of the rare talents to play major minutes on a Kelvin Sampson team right away, as his shooting ability and energy cemented him as a difference-maker.
8. Atlanta Hawks
Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
The run on freshman guards continues here at pick eight, with my favorite of the bunch in Arizona's Brayden Burries. Burries is not as flashy as some of the other prospects in this range, but you just get the sense he's the type of well-rounded, winning basketball player that is going to have a long and productive pro career. His 23 points in a win over Acuff and Arkansas this past spring was an indication of just how good Burries can be.
9. Dallas Mavericks
Karim Lopez, G/F, Mexico
There seems to be a real belief that Karim Lopez, a swingman from Mexico who has played on the New Zealand Breakers, will end up being a lottery selection when it's all said and done. Teams are intrigued by his size, at 6'8" and with a seven-foot wingspan, and he has a lot of the physical tools NBA folks look for in the mold of the modern wing. New Dallas GM Masai Uriji is never afraid to take a swing, and Lopez is the type of skilled forward prospect you can imagine him taking a chance on.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Mikel Brown, G, Louisville
As exhausting as the Giannis sweepstakes has become, there's little doubt it will be one of the most intriguing storylines of the NBA offseason. And if he does indeed end up elsewhere, you can imagine the Bucks blowing up this current roster. No matter what, backcourt scoring help is going to be needed, and despite being awfully streaky in his one season at Louisville, Mikel Brown would bring just that.
11. Golden State Warriors
Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama
Labaron Philon Jr. was one of the most improved guards anywhere in the country this past season, adding a really strong three-pointer to a growing offensive repertoire. He projects as a late lottery selection, and the fit here with the Warriors could be a win-win for both sides. Golden State gets immediate scoring help off the bunch with ample long-term upside, and Philon gets to learn under one of the all-time greats as Steph Curry wraps up his career.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Aday Mara, F/C, Michigan
You can imagine this selection is almost certainly trade bait given OKC's priorities this offseason, but they have options here if they do indeed to make this selection. They can't go wrong with one of the Michigan bigs, and Aday Mara has a path to immediate playing time. He could slide in as their top rim protector if the team opts to move on from Isaiah Hartenstein this offseason.
13. Miami Heat
Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan
Nearing 24 years of age, some NBA teams may be turned off by Yaxel Lendeborg's age, but it could end up being an asset for a team like the Heat. Lendeborg's two-way ability makes him worthy of a late lottery selection, and his defensive versatility is exactly what Miami is looking for when drafting young players.
14. Charlotte Hornets
Cameron Carr, G/F, Baylor
Between a breakout season at Baylor this past winter and a strong showing at the Combine, Cameron Carr has earned himself potential lottery billing. Teams love his 3-and-D potential, with a 7'1" wingspan to boot, but there's potential for him to be even more. Considering his growth in just one season after being a bench warmer at Tennessee, you can envision him continuing round out his offensive game.
15. Chicago Bulls
Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
While most assume Caleb Wilson goes off the board fourth overall, it's hard to know what else the Bulls are poised to do with their other three selections. The roster is a strange conglomeration of pieces, and Bryson Graham has taken over as the organization's decision-maker. Best player available seems the most likely direction, and Nate Ament would be far too enticing to avoid in this spot. There's some thought he could slide into the late lottery, or even outside of it.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
Ebuka Okorie, G, Stanford
With Cam Boozer and Zach Edey now in place, the Grizzlies have their frontcourt of the future. Now, do they take a swing in the backcourt? Ebuka Okorie is young, but was one of the most exciting freshman anywhere in college basketball this winter. You can really imagine, with his ball-handling and quickness, Okorie forming a lethal pick-and-roll duo with Boozer in short order.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder
Dailyn Swain, G/F, Texas
Another potential trade watch here for the Thunder but if they do make a pick, Dailyn Swain just feels like the type of prospect Sam Presti would value highly. The offensive game still needs work, especially as a shooter, but Swain's positional versatility and high energy play should help him carve out some role in the pros.
18. Charlotte Hornets
Hannes Steinbach, F/C, Washington
Much like Okorie, Hannes Steinbach starred on a bad team, which limited the noise around the Washington big. However, he could continue to rise up boards after turning down massive NIL offers to stay in the NBA Draft. He has the size, feel around the rim, and is an elite force on the glass. He'd join a crowded Charlotte frontcourt, but one that is short on difference-makers.
19. Toronto Raptors
Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
Few players in college basketball were as impactful to their teams as Bennett Stirtz at Iowa this past season, and he has the makings of a player who is going to have a long and productive NBA career. Toronto has been linked to Stirtz throughout the pre-Draft process, as they desperately need a polished floor general who can elevate the pieces around him.
20. San Antonio Spurs
Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara
Already with so many mouths to feed on offense, San Antonio needs this pick to be a prospect who can impact the game without needing the ball in his hands. Enter Allen Graves, another player who had a superb freshman campaign. He's an elite defender who will be able to play and defend multiple positions. Offensively, he's likely not a player who is going to average 20 a night, but can do enough to add a spark off the bench.
21. Detroit Pistons
Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech
We know Detroit can play smothering defense, but they need to add another offensive weapon in this backcourt. Christian Anderson likely would have lottery buzz if he wasn't 6'1", but this is still his likely range. He can take over games with his three-point shooting ability, and could really open things up for Cade Cunningham and company.
22. Philadelphia 76ers
Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State
I had Joshua Jefferson mocked to Philadelphia in my last edition, and I just love the potential fit here. Jefferson is the epitome of a modern NBA big, a combo forward who may be one of the best passers this cycle, regardless of position. He'd be a nice fit next to Joel Embiid in the frontcourt, and would be able to set up the other scorers the Sixers rely on, namely Tyrese Maxey.
23. Atlanta Hawks
Chris Cenac Jr., F, Houston
While Kingston Flemings starred, Houston's other big-name freshman, Chris Cenac Jr., had more of an up-and-down season. However, he very much came into his own down the stretch and bolstered his stock with a strong showing at the Combine. This is great value in this range for the Hawks.
24. New York Knicks
Morez Johnson Jr., F/C, Michigan
It's easy to forget about Morez Johnson in a Michigan frontcourt that also featured the Big Ten Player of the Year (Lendeborg) and Aday Mara, but the Wolverine product could end up going much higher than this. He's a ferocious competitor on the block who will immediately bring rebounding and defense wherever he lands. He fits the scrappy mold of this Knicks team.
25. Los Angeles Lakers
Henri Veesaar, F/C, North Carolina
The Lakers need to upgrade the center spot, and they have an abundance of options in the late first round. Henri Veesaar isn't as flashy as some of the other bigs set to hear their names called in the first, but the seven-foot Estonian big man got better each and every year in the collegiate ranks. He even showed the ability to step outside and knock down threes, shooting 43% on the season from deep for UNC.
26. Denver Nuggets
Isaiah Evans, G/F, Duke
After flirting with going pro last summer, Isaiah Evans made the right decision staying in school. He grew from a three-point specialist to a legitimate top scoring option on a Duke team that was firmly in the mix for a National Title. He has the chance to be so much more than a 3-and-D player in the NBA, but that's likely his role depending on where he lands.
27. Boston Celtics
Jayden Quaintance, F/C, Kentucky
Jayden Quaintance is a remarkably difficult prospect to get a read on as we prepare for the NBA Draft. Nobody questions his talent or upside, but he missed nearly the entire season while at Kentucky and has played just 28 games in his college career. He's certainly worthy of a flier in this range, and may end up going much higher.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
Koa Peat, F, Arizona
Every single Minnesota fan wants Julius Randle traded over this offseason, but will they be able to find an upgrade? Adding a ball-handler is certainly an option, but Arizona's Koa Peat could fit a need depending on what happens with Randle, and this is a great value for him. The 19-year old plays far larger than his 6'8" frame may suggest.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
Luigi Suigo, F/C, Italy
This is a surprisingly thin international draft class beyond Karim Lopez, but Italian big man Luigi Suigo has been drawing some buzz as of late. At 7'3" he immediately commands your attention, and can really shoot the ball. Adjusting to the physicality of the NBA will be difficult, but there are some that see him as the Italian Marc Gasol if he lands in the right spot.
30. Dallas Mavericks
Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas
I think Meleek Thomas is going to make someone very lucky in the late first or early second round. The Arkansas guard checks a lot of boxes with his size, length, and three-level scoring ability. He was awfully streaky at times with the Razorbacks, but has the tools NBA folks look for. The Mavericks further bolster their backcourt after taking Lopez earlier.
No comments:
Post a Comment