2026 NBA Mock Draft: First Round Projections
The 2026 NBA Draft class is anticipated to be strong, featuring several top-tier talents and emerging prospects. This mock draft simulates the lottery via Tankathon and prioritizes player evaluations over team fit.
Top Prospects
- Darryn Peterson (Kansas), A.J. Dybantsa (BYU), and Cameron Boozer (Duke) are considered potential No. 1 overall talents.
- Kingston Flemings (Houston) and Keaton Wagler (Illinois) have emerged as strong lottery prospects following recent high-scoring performances.
Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer are considered potential No. 1 overall talents in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Mock Draft Selections
1. Indiana Pacers - Cameron Boozer, F, Duke:
Boozer is evaluated as the top prospect in this draft. His combination of intellect, physical strength, and skill set is notable. He is a productive player with strong attributes as a shooter, passer, and driver for his size, and demonstrates defensive playmaking.
Cameron Boozer is evaluated as the top prospect in this draft, combining intellect, physical strength, and a diverse skill set.
2. Dallas Mavericks - Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas:
Peterson is a lead guard with shot-making ability, capable of scoring off the dribble and off-the-catch. He is a ball-dominant player who also moves effectively without the ball. His rim attacking and defensive playmaking are expected to improve once he is fully healthy from hamstring and cramping issues.
3. Sacramento Kings - A.J. Dybantsa, F, BYU:
Dybantsa is a 6'9" wing with athletic explosiveness, flexibility, and scoring capabilities. He is projected to be effective against switches due to his length, power, and speed. Concerns include his three-point shooting accuracy (30.2% on 53 attempts) and defensive consistency.
4. Washington Wizards - Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina:
Wilson is a 6'10" forward known for his motor and plays above the rim. While his outside shooting is limited (5-of-20 from three), he impacts the game with transition scoring, offensive rebounding, and passing. He displays mid-range shot-making and strong finishing around the basket, including 60 dunks in 19 college games. Defensively, he can switch, provide secondary rim protection, rebound, and disrupt passing lanes.
5. Atlanta Hawks (via Pels) - Kingston Flemings, G, Houston:
Flemings is a strong point guard prospect who can play both on and off-ball offensively while providing solid defense. His driving ability is highlighted by an explosive first-step and change-of-direction moves. He is also a capable playmaker, finding teammates at the rim and limiting turnovers. Defensively, Flemings uses his strength, length, and quick hands for steals and blocks.
6. Brooklyn Nets - Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville:
Brown has returned from injury as an offensive engine, demonstrating pull-up shooting, high-level playmaking, and driving ability. His high school and international performance indicate strong three-point shooting potential despite current cold streaks. His playmaking is considered among the best in his class.
7. Utah Jazz - Hannes Steinbach, F, Washington:
Steinbach's offensive rebounding is a standout skill, characterized by his ability to establish position, read the rim, and control the ball. He is an athletic interior scorer who can finish plays above the rim and shows good touch on difficult finishes. While not a strong outside shooter (9-of-27 from three), his 76% free-throw percentage suggests long-term shooting upside. His defensive impact is noted as limited.
8. Charlotte Hornets - Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan:
Lendeborg transitioned from center to wing, increasing his three-point attempt rate while maintaining defensive impact. He has an ideal physical profile (6'9", 240 pounds, 7'4" wingspan) and shows potential as a long-term shooter (33.3% on 8.5 three-point attempts per 100 possessions; 88% free throws).
9. Milwaukee Bucks - Jayden Quaintance, C/F, Kentucky:
Quaintance, who transferred to Kentucky, has faced injury setbacks. Prior to his ACL injury, he was an elite paint defender with length (7'5" wingspan), strength, and quickness, allowing for defensive versatility. His offensive game, particularly shooting and touch from the foul line, remains a question.
10. Memphis Grizzlies - Koa Peat, F, Arizona:
Peat is a 6'7" wing with a powerful frame. Offensively, he sets screens, rolls to the basket forcefully, and finishes through contact. He is currently a non-shooter, which is considered his primary limitation. He is projected as a good defender capable of guarding bigger wings and showing some switchability.
11. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clips) - Braylon Mullins, G, UConn:
Mullins is evaluated as a strong off-ball three-point shooter (36.5% on 8.8 attempts per 100 possessions) and a capable defender (3% steal, 2.3% block rate). He is a solid connective wing with high-volume three-point shooting.
12. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks) - Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois:
Wagler, a 6'6" freshman, has transitioned to an on-ball role, displaying off-the-dribble shooting and passing. His athleticism is noted as limited, with no dunks recorded and low block/steal numbers. Despite this, his shooting performance is significant.
13. Chicago Bulls - Patrick Ngongba, C, Duke:
Ngongba, a 6'11" sophomore center, is an efficient play-finisher (73.3% on two-pointers) and a skilled passer. He shows long-term shooting promise. Defensively, he provides paint protection, with Duke's defense improving by 11.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
14. Portland Trail Blazers - Labaron Philon, G, Alabama:
Philon is a drive-and-kick specialist with a floater game who has improved his three-point shooting (38%). He is shifty off the dribble and can generate paint touches, blending scoring and playmaking. His physical frame and standing reach are noted as potential concerns.
15. Miami Heat - Dailyn Swain, F, Texas:
Swain, a 6'8", 225-pound wing, excels defensively and has improved offensively. He is a slasher, making 70% of his rim shots (83% unassisted) and showing an improved mid-range game. He is an 80% career free-throw shooter, though his three-point shooting needs development.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic) - Tyler Tanner, G, Vanderbilt:
Tanner, a 6-foot, 175-pound guard, plays physically despite his size, evidenced by 13 dunks in 19 games and high steal/block rates. He is fast with the ball and makes good decisions (+4.4 assist-to-turnover ratio). His shooting (39% threes, 87.6% free throws) is crucial for success at his size.
17. Golden State Warriors - Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State:
Jefferson is a 6'9", 240-pound forward with notable passing ability for his size (28.7% assist rate). He has improved his three-point shooting to 36% on 53 attempts. He is a good defensive rebounder and provides paint protection.
18. Atlanta Hawks - Aday Mara, C, Michigan:
Mara is a 7'3", 255-pound center with a 7'7" wingspan. His rim protection (12.6% block rate) and passing, particularly outlet passes and hitting cutters, are elite skills. He is currently a poor shooter, with a 44% free-throw mark.
19. Oklahoma City Thunder - Thomas Haugh, F, Florida:
Haugh is a connective wing who can finish inside, space the floor, and defend. Florida's offense improves by 13 points per 100 possessions and its defense by 7 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
20. Toronto Raptors - Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa:
Stirtz is noted as a strong pick-and-roll ball handler, blending three-level scoring with playmaking vision. He shoots 68% at the rim, 47% mid-range, and 36.8% from three. His defense on the ball may be a struggle, but he is good at generating steals and transition scores.
21. New York Knicks - Darius Acuff, G, Arkansas:
Acuff, a 6'3" guard, utilizes his strength for drives to the rim. His three-point shooting (41% on 9.1 threes per 100 possessions) and mid-range pull-ups have exceeded expectations. He is a playmaker, particularly with lob passes. Questions remain about his rim finishing against NBA length and his defensive off-ball engagement and rebounding.
22. Minnesota Timberwolves - Nate Ament, F, Tennessee:
Ament, a 6'10" wing, possesses a dribble, pass, shoot skill set, but has struggled with physicality and efficiency this year (57% at the rim, more turnovers than assists, 28% from three). He recently had a breakout game with 29 points.
23. Los Angeles Lakers - Morez Johnson, F, Michigan:
Johnson, a 6'9", 250-pound sophomore, has an outstanding physical profile. He is a strong defender and rebounder, finishes efficiently inside, and has improved his free-throw touch (78% as a sophomore). He is mostly a non-shooter from deep (4-of-10 this year).
24. Charlotte Hornets - Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers:
Lopez is a 6'8" forward with scoring upside. He finishes through contact, can grab-and-go off the defensive glass, and provides secondary shot-blocking. He is a shaky outside shooter (30% on 69 attempts) and his passing and decision-making need development.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Cameron Carr, G, Baylor:
Carr, a 6'5" wing with a 7'2" wingspan, is a strong outside shooter (43.3% on 97 attempts) and efficient scorer (65.4% true shooting). He has explosive leaping ability with 29 dunks this year. He is 21 years old and needs to add strength, improve decision-making, and defensive technique.
26. Boston Celtics - Malachi Moreno, C, Kentucky:
Moreno is a mobile freshman center known for his hands and impact in non-scoring areas like rebounding, shot-blocking, and passing. His length (7'1" wingspan) is noted, but he does not yet shoot threes and has been an underwhelming finisher.
27. Denver Nuggets - Tounde Yessoufou, G, Baylor:
Yessoufou is a 6'5" wing with a strong frame, capable of defending the ball, crashing the offensive glass, and spacing the floor. He has limited off-the-dribble ability and a current three-point percentage of 30%.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers - Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston:
Cenac is a 6'11" freshman big man with potential for paint control and good outside shooting (38.5% on 39 attempts). He also has an excellent 27% defensive rebound rate. His offensive physicality and defensive rotation feel need improvement.
29. Detroit Pistons - Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech:
Anderson is a shooter off the bounce and a facilitator, hitting 44% of his threes on 157 attempts and scoring efficiently from mid-range and at the rim. His finishing volume is not high, raising questions about finishing over NBA length. He is a high-IQ player with quick hands defensively, but his size makes him a defensive target.
30. Washington Wizards - Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona:
Krivas is a 7'2", 260-pound big man, an efficient scorer (69% true shooting) who cleans the glass, protects the rim, and makes his free throws (81%). He is not yet a strong passer or shooter, but performs traditional big man roles effectively.