The 2026 NBA Draft order is set with the Washington Wizards winning the first overall selection.
While the draft isn’t until June 23, mock drafts have been going strong.
Here’s a consensus mock draft from ESPN, The Athletic, The Ringer and Yahoo! Sports.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa
Small Forward | BYU (Freshman) | 6’9”, 210 lbs
It’s possible that BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa may end up dropping as the draft process gets going in earnest, but as things stand now, the No. 1 spot is his to lose.
He boasts better upside than Cameron Boozer, and doesn’t come with the odd competitive and health questions of Darryn Peterson. Add the fact that he’s a hyper-athletic three-level scorer with plenty of room to grow as a shooter, passer and defender despite just averaging 25.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game on 51 per cent shooting from the floor, and you have the recipe for a future superstar.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson
Point Guard/Shooting Guard | Kansas (Freshman) | 6’6”, 205 lbs
The most infamous prospect in the draft, Peterson spent the majority of his collegiate career on the bench for the second half of games as rumours swirled about his competitive edge and/or health. Peterson was missing time because of a cramping issue due to a high dosage of creatine, per an ESPN report, but he’ll still have work to do to answer questions about his competitive spirit and his overall desire.
Beyond that, Peterson is a spectacular guard prospect, blessed with positional size and the ability to play both guard spots. The Canton, Ohio, native put up 20.2 points per game while connecting on 38.2 per cent of his threes in 24 games played.
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer
Power Forward | Duke (Freshman) | 6’9”, 250 lbs
Likely the most ready-made prospect in the draft, Boozer, like his dad Carlos, should be able to step into the league tomorrow and immediately be productive. He’s a smart player with legitimate back-to-the-basket moves (and counters), rebounds the basketball, can pass it well and understands where to be positionally on defence.
There aren’t many flaws to be had with Boozer, with the exception being that while his floor is very high, his ceiling may not go well beyond what he brings on Day 1.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson
Power Forward | North Carolina (Freshman) | 6’10”, 215 lbs
Of the consensus top four in this draft, WIlson is the largest project of the bunch, but he may also offer the biggest upside. An absolute freak athlete, Wilson knows what’s going to butter his bread right now, and that’s putting relentless pressure on the rim and protecting the paint. He did those two things to the tune of 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 57.8 per cent from the field.
He was forced to miss the last month of the season for Carolina with a thumb injury, so we didn’t get to see him in the NCAA Tournament, and his limitations are quite plain to see in that he doesn’t like taking three-point shots, but given the fact he shot 71.3 per cent from the free-throw line this season, the bones of a decent shooter are there.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana): Keaton Wagler
Point Guard/Shooting Guard | Illinois (Freshman) | 6’6”, 180 lbs
The biggest draft riser of this class, Wagler was listed outside of top 150 in the 2025 recruiting class, but thanks to a switch to point guard mid-season and a run to the Final Four, he looks like a surefire bet to go within the top seven.
The Clippers make sense here because while they already have their long-term starting point guard in Darius Garland, Wagler’s height and shooting ability should allow him to play off the ball well.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr.
Point Guard | Arkansas (Freshman) | 6’3”, 190 lbs
There might be teams who regret allowing Acuff Jr. to fall as far as No. 6. During his one season at Arkansas under John Calipari, he proved himself to be a big-time player down the stretch as both a clutch shot-maker and elite decision-maker.
Acuff Jr. has virtually everything you want in a guard prospect: He’s smart, he can shoot, he can pass, he can dribble, he’s strong and he’s a maniac competitor. The only thing holding him back is his size and length. No one’s doubting Acuff’s talent — it’s just a matter of whether he can get his game off against longer, more athletic defenders.
7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings
Point Guard | Houston (Freshman) | 6’4”, 190 lbs
Flemings is a dynamic guard with a lightning-launch-like first step that allows him to get into the teeth of the opposing defence seemingly at will. Despite playing in a suffocating Houston offensive system, Flemings was productive this season averaging 16.1 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 47.6 per cent from the field and 38.7 per cent from deep.
Despite those decent percentages, however, there are questions surrounding Flemings’ jumper. If he can solve that issue, he has all-star-level talent.
8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans): Mikel Brown Jr.
Point Guard | Louisville (Freshman) | 6’5”, 190 lbs
Given his positional size, some of the shots he’s capable of making and his ability to finish in traffic and his vision, Brown Jr. probably should be a top-five talent.
However, there’s a wildness to his game that looks a little too much like LaMelo Ball, which makes him more of a boom-or-bust candidate rather than someone you can absolutely bank on being a solid contributor.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries
Shooting Guard | Arizona (Freshman) | 6’4”, 205 lbs
After a sluggish start to his season, Burries came alive during conference play and never looked back, becoming the best player on one of the top-three teams in the nation and helping lead the Wildcats to the Final Four. He isn’t going to wow anyone with quick-twitch athleticism, but he’s a big guard capable of getting to just about any spot on the floor and is able to use his body to carve out space for himself.
His game should work in Dallas because we’ve already seen it to a certain degree with Ryan Nembhard, but Burries is much bigger.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament
Small Forward/Power Forward | Tennessee (Freshman) | 6’10”, 207 lbs
Nate Ament has all the skills to be special. At six-foot-10, he can dribble and shoot like a guard and is very comfortable out on the perimeter. The issue lies with his work in the paint. His slight frame makes banging on the inside nearly impossible and he knows this, so he doesn’t have the mentality to try to take the hit and find easier buckets closer to the rim.
At the next level, this could tank him, but at No. 10, he might be worth taking a flyer on for Milwaukee, which 13 years ago rolled the dice on another skinny, talented big man named Giannis Antetokounmpo.
11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg
Small Forward/Power Forward | Michigan (Senior) | 6’9”, 240 lbs
Lendeborg is a supersized, versatile wing who can guard multiple positions and figures to be a matchup problem. With Steve Kerr sticking around for at least two more season, you have to figure the Warriors will try to keep Steph Curry’s window open. As a senior and national champion, Lendeborg figures to be able to step right in and immediately contribute.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara
Centre | Michigan (Junior) | 7’3”, 255 lbs
Mara is hoping to be the next great Spanish big man in the mould of the Gasol brothers. More Marc than Pau, Mara’s post game may seem like it doesn’t fit in the modern NBA, but he brings the invaluable skill of rim protection and has the passing chops that could make him one day act as a hub from the free-throw line area.
13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon Jr.
Point Guard/Shooting Guard | Alabama (Sophomore) | 6’4”, 185 lbs
Considering the wealth of elite guards near the top of the draft board, there’s an argument to be made that Philon Jr. may have been better served coming out last year as a freshman. But without needing to share the backcourt with Mark Sears, Philon Jr. shone, averaging 22 points, 3.5 rebounds and five assists per game while shooting 50 per cent from the field, 39 per cent from three and 80 per cent from the foul line.
Yes, playing in Nate Oats’ all-offence system is going to get guards who play in it more opportunities, but there shouldn’t be any doubting Philon’s ability.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach
Power Forward/Centre | Washington (Freshman) | 6’11”, 220 lbs
As the Hornets look to add talent to their young core, they could do worse than Steinbach, a rugged big man from Germany who will look to set bone-crushing screens for Ball and Kon Knueppel and crash the glass hard. He averaged 4.2 offensive rebounds per game for Washington this season, a skill that would surely come in handy given Ball’s sometimes-questionable shot selection.
15. Chicago Bulls (via Portland): Cameron Carr
Shooting Guard/Small Forward | Baylor (Sophomore) | 6’5”, 175 lbs
Carr’s length, athleticism and shooting ability make for a lethal combination, but he’s physically nowhere close to ready for the NBA. There’s a lot of talent to be had, but if he’s going to reach his potential he’s going to have to become a gym rat.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Phoenix): Karim Lopez
Small Forward/Power Forward | New Zealand Breakers (NBL) | 6’9”, 225 lbs
The Mexican-born Lopez played his last two seasons professionally in Australia’s National Basketball League. Last season would’ve been the equivalent of his freshman year in the NCAA and he comported himself well against grown men, averaging 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. His style of play is physical and aggressive. The shot’s still a work in progress, but as far as physical ability goes, Lopez looks to have the tools to succeed.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia): Jayden Quaintance
Centre | Kentucky (Sophomore) | 6’10”, 255 lbs
When it’s all said and done, Quaintance could end up being the steal of this draft, so of course the Thunder are going to be taking him. Still only 18, Quaintance played just four games for Kentucky this season after trying to come back early from an ACL injury he suffered in his freshman year with Arizona State. It’s unclear where he’s at healthwise, but his potential could be immense.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via Phoenix): Morez Johnson Jr.
Power Forward/Centre | Michigan (Sophomore) | 6’9”, 250 lbs
One of the best all-around defenders in this draft class, Johnson Jr. is tall and strong enough to bang with fours, but has the lateral quicks to hang with shooting guards and small forwards, making him instantly playable at the NBA level. On a team like Charlotte, that switchability would be very intriguing as it would add to a group in Knueppel, Brandon Miller and even Miles Bridges, who all could comfortably switch their matchups around the perimeter.
19. Toronto Raptors: Christian Anderson
Point Guard | Texas Tech (Sophomore) | 6’3”, 178 lbs
When the Raptors acquired Immanuel Quickley, they likely envisioned a player who would be able to put a defence on its heels with his ability to shoot the three-ball both coming off the dribble in the pick-and-roll and as a spot-up guy. But injuries have plagued Quickley’s time in Toronto and with the emergence of Jamal Shead, it’s possible that Quickley’s run with the Raptors could be coming to a close.
Toronto still needs a player who can shoot three-pointers in a variety of ways, however, and that player just might be Anderson, who shot 41.5 per cent from deep this season for the Red Raiders, doing so in a variety of situations. As their seven-game defeat to the Cavaliers showed, the Raptors need shooting, and Anderson might be the best shooter in this class.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta): Chris Cenac Jr.
Power Forward/Centre | Houston (Freshman) | 6’11”, 240 lbs
Because of his athleticism, Cenac Jr. is viewed by some as a lottery-level talent, but he hasn’t really shown any of it yet. He would likely gain from spending another season in college — at Houston or elsewhere — to show more of what he can do beyond cleaning the glass.
21. Detroit Pistons (via Minnesota): Bennett Stirtz
Point Guard | Iowa (Senior) | 6’4”, 190 lbs
Though not an explosive athlete, Stirtz’s ability to shoot and play-make, coupled with his competitiveness, should allow him to carve out a spot at the next level, especially for a team like Detroit that’s in desperate need of extra shooting and creation.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Houston): Dailyn Swain
Shooting Guard/Small Forward | Texas (Junior) | 6’8”, 225 lbs
Though the shot’s still a work in progress, Swain is a relentless slashing, downhill attacker who should be able to put a ton of pressure on the rim the second he steps foot onto an NBA floor. If he’s able to rein in his penchant to gamble for steals a little and just use his athleticism to move his feet, he could have a long NBA career.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland): Amari Allen
Small Forward/Power Forward | Alabama (Freshman) | 6’8”, 205 lbs
A Swiss-Army-Knife wing, Allen looks solid as a player who has good-but-not-great NBA skills. He would likely benefit from another season at Alabama — particularly because Oats would likely give him more leash to shoot the ball and put up bigger numbers.
24. New York Knicks: Koa Peat
Power Forward/Centre | Arizona (Freshman) | 6’8”, 235 lbs
Peat has been a winner everywhere he’s gone. He won state titles and gold medals as a youth player and reached the Final Four in his first season at Arizona, but unless he manages to develop an outside shot — or becomes an all-time defender like Draymond Green — he’s going to be in tough as an undersized big. He has the basketball IQ and the work ethic to turn himself into an NBA player, but it just might take some time.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Allen Graves
Power Forward | Santa Clara (Freshman) | 6’9”, 225 lbs
An analytics darling, Graves is another do-everything forward thanks in part to the fact that he was a point guard until a late growth spurt. The Lakers need to surround Luka Doncic with players who can shoot and defend, two things that Graves should be able to do.
26. Denver Nuggets: Isaiah Evans
Shooting Guard | Duke (Sophomore) | 6’6”, 180 lbs
Evans is your classic deadeye shooter. Over the course of two seasons at Duke, he shot 38 per cent from deep on nearly six attempts per game. Like all great shooters, Evans works hard without the ball to get himself open and even added a drive game to his bag this past season. Given his length, he should be able to turn himself into a respectable-enough defender.
27. Boston Celtics: Henri Veesaar
Centre | North Carolina (Junior) | 7’0”, 225 lbs
The Celtics love to shoot threes and Veesaar is probably the best shooting big in this draft. It’s unfair to say that he could replace what Kristaps Porzingis was for Boston, but there’s a scenario where he could be a Porzingis-lite.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit): Meleek Thomas
Point Guard/Shooting Guard | Arkansas (Freshman) | 6’5”, 185 lbs
Acuff’s backcourt mate at Arkansas, Thomas is a dynamic scorer, capable of getting his shot off the dribble and coming off screens. He profiles to be a bench gunner, but will have to clean up his bouts of bad decision-making where he sometimes falls in love with taking wild shots.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via San Antonio): Ebuka Okorie
Point Guard | Stanford (Freshman) | 6’2”, 185 lbs
Okorie had a strong freshman season for Stanford, averaging 23.2 points per game while shooting 46.5 per cent from the field and 35.4 per cent from three. His 83.2 per cent mark from from the foul stripe suggests his three-point touch should only improve. He’s an absolute change-of-speed, ankle-breaking demon who is constantly trying to attack the rim. The Cavs likely don’t need another small guard, but Okorie’s style of play fits what Cleveland does.
30. Dallas Mavericks (via Oklahoma City): Joshua Jefferson
Small Forward/Power Forward | Iowa State (Senior) | 6’9”, 240 lbs
An ankle injury cut Jefferson’s season short, but as a senior he’s shown more than enough of what he can bring at the next level. A skilled combo forward, Jefferson’s greatest strength is his feel for the game. As the Mavericks continue to build, he could be a calming presence for a young squad.
