After the NBA Draft Lottery, the Washington Wizards are officially on the clock after winning the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The 2026 NBA Draft class projects to be one of the deepest drafts in recent memory with multiple potential stars and key contributors up-and-down the draft.
In this mock draft, multiple talents like Nate Ament, Koa Peat, Morez Johnson Jr., and Christian Anderson Jr. fell outside of the lottery (top-14), but not because they aren't talented. This class is just has a lot of ability and potential.
The top-four picks are all but guaranteed in no particular order, with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson elevating themselves above the rest of the field.
Read Charlie Zschau's latest NBA Mock Draft (1-20) below:
1. Washington Wizards
Pick: AJ Dybantsa | BYU | Wing
The Washington Wizards have the first overall pick for the first time since selecting John Wall in 2010, and will more likely than not select AJ Dybantsa with the pick in 2026.
Dybantsa is 6' 9" dynamic scorer who can put the ball on the deck and drive into the lane, or stretch the floor with a competent three point jumper. The BYU talent will fit well alongside the core that Washington has already created around Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, and Will Riley.
With good size, Dybantsa will likely make an immediate improvement to the Wizards playoff hopes next season.
2. Utah Jazz
Pick: Cameron Boozer | Duke | Forward
Boozer was named the Naismith Player of the Year during his freshman season at Duke, and is a bully-ball power forward with excellent court vision and playmaking skills.
He'll be a great fit on the Utah Jazz, helping spark up the rebuild. Boozer has a high floor which makes him a very safe pick for the Jazz, and key piece of the team that needs to instill a new culture of winning basketball.
Cam Boozers father Carlos Boozer spent six seasons in Utah during his 13-year NBA career, and now works in the franchises front office. Cam could easily follow in his footsteps. With a similar build to his father (6' 8" frame and 7' 1" wingspan), Boozer can easily slot in as a small-ball five, or second big in Utah for years to come.
With Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ace Bailey and Walker Kessler already making up a competent front court, Boozer will just add to the depth there while Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier make up the young and promising backcourt in Salt Lake City.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
Pick: Caleb Wilson | North Carolina | Big
After spending most of the year as the clear fourth-best player in this draft, Caleb Wilson has been getting some much deserved buzz and could be selected by the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3.
Wilson, 6' 9", is an athletic big man who attacks the rim with ferocity. He is a terrific paint scorer and rebounder, but lacks floor spacing that has been expected from big men in the modern NBA. Wilson has one of highest motors in this draft class, making him a high upside pick for the Grizzlies.
Memphis is in no position to draft for need at No. 3, and will likely take the best player available to help jumpstart their rebuild. Caleb Wilson is not refined as Cam Boozer is as a prospect, but Memphis will likely have a few seasons to work out the kinks in his game before expecting him to be a key part of a playoff team with Cedric Coward.
4. Chicago Bulls
Pick: Darryn Peterson | Kansas | Guard
The Chicago Bulls arguably have the easiest pick in the 2026 NBA Draft at four, likely selecting whoever remains out of Dybantsa, Peterson, Wilson, and Boozer.
For much of last year Darryn Peterson was expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, but after missing a large portion of his college season, he has fallen all the way to fourth in this mock.
Peterson is another dynamic scorer, but at 6' 5" he profiles as a two-guard rather than a wing. Peterson is one of the most explosive scorers in this draft, which is something that the need to turn the rebuild around in a hurry. Peterson already has an NBA skillset, and will not take long adjusting to the pace of the NBA.
5. LA Clippers
Pick: Mikel Brown Jr. | Louisville | Guard
The LA Clippers recently acquired point guard Darius Garland from the Cleveland Cavaliers before the NBA trade deadline last season, and his new running mate should ideally have decent size to make up for Garland's lack there of.
Mikel Brown Jr. is a microwave scorer, and would be nice piece for the Clippers who are clearly moving in a new direction after trading Ivica Zubac and James Harden.
Brown is a well rounded point guard, capable of defending with his 6' 7" wingspan, and scoring in bunches while finding the open man when the time is right. Brown had some turnover issues at Louisville, but that is something that the Clippers will hope he can fix after a few seasons in the NBA playing alongside Garland.
6. Brooklyn Nets
Pick: Darius Acuff Jr. | Arkansas | Guard
The Brooklyn Nets are in dire need of an exciting player on the roster, and Darius Acuff Jr. is just that player. Acuff averaged 23.5 points at Arkansas last season, and averaged 29.3 points in three NCAA Tournament games.
Acuff is a proven scorer in college, and many people have linked him to Trae Young due his 6' 2" frame, however, Acuff is already much bigger than Young by roughly 20 lbs and longer wingspan (6' 7") making him a higher upside defender.
Defense is a bonus for the Nets, who need something to be excited about to get fans into the stadium. Acuff has that alure, and is a perfect selection at No. 5 for the Brooklyn Nets.
7. Sacramento Kings
Pick: Keaton Wagler | Illinois | Wing
Keaton Wagler has had a meteoric rise since joining Illinois as a recruit ranked outside of top-100 prospects, and could rise all the way to the fifth selection in the 2026 NBA Draft just one year removed. Wagler is listed at 6' 5" and his wing play in college should easily translate to a competent two-guard in the NBA.
The Sacramento Kings are in need of youthful help anywhere in the starting lineup, and Wagler might be that man.
Wagler is an excellent three-point shooter and has a wide array of finishing moves at the basket, but his facilitating leaves a lot to be desired. Being on a rebuilding team, Wagler will be allowed to focus on putting the ball in the hoop and spacing the floor in Sacramento.
He will likely take minutes from DeMar Derozan, Russell Westbrook, or Zach Lavine if they all find themselves back in Sacramento next season.
8. Atlanta Hawks
Pick: Aday Mara | Michigan | Center
Aday Mara put on a display in Michigan's National Championship run this past spring, showcasing a soft touch and clever passing abilities while towering above his competition.
Mara stands 7' 3" tall barefoot, and has a 9' 9" standing reach. In a league with Victor Wembanyama, Mara's length makes him an exciting prospect in the draft. The Atlanta Hawks need a new center to pair with Onyeka Okongwu, and Mara is a hard man to pass on at this spot.
Still just 21-years-old, Mara has room to grow in the NBA to become one of the league's premier rim defenders.
9. Dallas Mavericks
Pick: Kingston Flemings | Houston | Guard
Kingston Flemings is one of a long list of guards that could be taken within the top-10 picks in this draft, and he fits a key need for the Dallas Mavericks at No. 9.
Flemings had underwhelming combine measurements, standing just 6' 2" tall, after being listed at 6' 4" in college. Although he is small, the Houston product is still a great facilitator at point guard and holds his own on the defensive end.
Dallas desperately need a playmaker to take the load off Cooper Flagg, and Flemings is just the right man to pair next to the 2025 first overall pick.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Pick: Brayden Burries | Arizona | Guard
Giannis Antetokounmpo's future has been up in the air for nearly two seasons now, and the Milwaukee Bucks need to plan for a future without he 'Greek Freak' if he does decide he wants to leave the Bucks.
Milwaukee already has 2025/26 breakout Ryan Rollins running the point. Burries will be able to focus on adjusting to the pace of the NBA, and refine his offensive capabilities on a Bucks team starring down the barrel of a long rebuild post-Giannis.
Burries showed an ability to play alongside Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley, but also showed that he can handle ball-handling duties. Burries has decent size at point guard, and can also threaten teams from behind the arc.
If Burries is not already taken at 10, he's unlikely to fall past the Warriors at No. 11.
11. Golden State Warriors
Pick: Labaron Philon Jr. | Alabama | Guard
Similar to the situation in Milwaukee, the Golden State Warriors need to start thinking about a future without 38-year-old Stephen Curry.
Labaron Philon Jr. is a solid selection to begin a rebuild in Golden State while helping Curry and company right away. The Alabama product is a great scorer who averaged 22.0 points per game in his sophomore season, and has future star potential the Warriors desperately need.
Philon is a great fit for this team because he could immediately help the team playing alongside Curry, while also keeping an eye on the future.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Pick: Cameron Carr | Baylor| Guard
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in a unique position here with two draft picks inside the top-20 while also being the favorite to win back-to-back NBA Finals.
OKC could either package this pick for another key piece in their rotation, select a NBA ready player, or take a project who hopefully pans out when the team is forced to moved on from guys on the current roster due to salary cap issues.
Cameron Carr is a Thunder-esque player, and makes a lot of sense on their current roster. Carr is a 6' 4" sophomore guard out of Baylor with a 7-foot wingspan. He projects as an elite guard defender, and a slasher offensively that will fit nicely next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Carr could take over the roles of Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso who are either going to demand a higher salary, or are aging out of their prime. Carr could be a perfect replacement on a cheap rookie contract.
13. Miami Heat
Pick: Yaxel Lendeborg | Michigan| Wing
The Miami Heat's roster is not in the rebuilding stage, but needs supplemental pieces to make them a dangerous playoff team. Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg fits the profile of a player than can come in an immediately contribute on both ends of the floor.
At 6' 9", Lendeborg is a versatile wing who can defend multiple positions, shoot threes, and pull down rebounds at a high rate. He has a similar profile to Jaime Jaquez Jr., but has higher defensive upside due to his 7' 3" wingspan.
Lendeborg is tough player who fought through injury during Michigan's National Championship run last year, showcasing that he already has a piece of the "Heat Culture" that Miami loves.
14. Charlotte Hornets
Pick: Hannes Steinbach | Washington | Center
The Charlotte Hornets have the last lottery selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, and there are still plenty of interesting players on the board for them to pick from.
The Hornets have good guard depth especially after nailing their 2025 draft pick, Kon Knueppel. They'll likely look to find a big man who can help Moussa Diabate control the glass, and Hannes Steinbach might just be the best rebounder in the entire class.
Steinbach averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds (4.2 offensive rebounds) per game in his Freshman year at Washington, and will immediately control the glass on Charles Lee's team which cares a lot about winning the possession battle.
Steinbach is more than just a rebounder, and showed glimpses of his potential to stretch the floor by shooting 31.5% from three. At No. 14, Steinbach is the exact profile that Charlotte need to take them from a frisky Play-In team, to a dangerous playoff team in the Eastern Conference.
15. Chicago Bulls
Pick: Nate Ament | Tennessee | Forward
With the Bulls' second pick in the draft, they'll take the next highest-upside player left, and that is Nate Ament in this mock.
Ament could land anywhere in the 2026 Draft due to his high ranking and inconsistent performances at Tennessee. The Bulls will be looking to take a swing at No. 15 because they do not have a need for any specific players, but are looking for a possible All-Star.
Standing 6' 10", Ament averaged 16.7 points in his freshman season, and shot 33.3% from beyond the arc.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
Pick: Christian Anderson | Texas Tech | Point Guard
Similar to Chicago, Memphis will be looking for the best available player with their second pick in the Draft.
Point Guard Christian Anderson is a proven scorer from Texas Tech, even while playing in the shadows of JT Toppin for much of the season. Anderson still averaged 18.5 points and 7.4 assists per game while shooting 41.5% from three.
Anderson would be an excellent point guard to pair with an athletic Caleb Wilson Jr. selected third overall.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder
Pick: Karim Lopez | Mexico | Forward
Oklahoma City has one of the deepest rosters in the league, and still have two top-20 picks in the 2026 draft.
OKC can have some fun with their picks, and if they do not package them to move up or add an established player, they could select the first-ever Mexican-born player in the first round.
Lopez's size and rebounding ability make him an intriguing option for the 2025 Champs.
18. Charlotte Hornets
Pick: Morez Johnson Jr. | Michigan | Power Forward
The Hornets will be extremely happen if Johnson is still on the board at No. 18, and he would even be an option for them at No. 14.
Johnson is 6' 9" and plays slightly bigger than his size would suggest. Johnson is a great rebounder, and very unselfish offensive forward who is expected to make a fantastic role player in the NBA for years to come.
Johnson averaged 13.1 points per game for the Michigan, but was known for everything else he did on the floor. He'd be a great player to pair with Steinbach in the first year of their careers.
19. Toronto Raptors
Pick: Bennett Stirtz | Iowa | Point Guard
Bennett Stirtz began is college career in Division II, and has incredibly durability and mental strength. Stirtz is 24 years old, but if he were 21 or 22 he would surely go higher.
The Toronto Raptors are very close to competing in the Eastern Conference, and are able to take a player with Stirtz high-floor.
The Iowa product is a good scorer and has a high basketball IQ that Toronto could use in a starting or backup point guard.
20. San Antonio Spurs
Pick: Koa Peat | Arizona | Forward
Similar to OKC, San Antonio has an incredibly deep and young roster. This selection will be a bonus add for the Spurs and Koa Peat would be a great pick.
Peat has phenomenal physical attributes, and the Spurs have the time to wait for him to develop and refine his game for a year or two with the young stars on the roster already playing at such a high level.
Peat could hypothetically play well alongside Wembanyama, and be a bruising defender similar to Carter Bryant.
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