2026 NBA Mock Draft: AJ Dybantsa No. 1 to Wizards, Darryn Peterson to Jazz with lottery now set

Dybantsa is a refined scorer and shot-creator with nice positional dimension, athleticism, and elasticity. He can rise-and-fire within the mid-range space on demand, made big strides along with his rim stress, will get to the free-throw line in excessive quantity, and is succesful, albeit a bit unreliable, from three. He is even creating for teammates and making reads higher than ever earlier than. The protection is the final frontier for Dybantsa and whereas he has bodily instruments, it isn’t but his level of emphasis. Washington can, and will, examine a number of prospects right here, however on the finish of the day, Dybantsa has one of the best likelihood to be the highest choose.

Whereas Peterson’s season at Kansas was stuffed with controversy, he made huge features along with his taking pictures. Mix that with the playmaking, burst, and physicality we noticed when he was utterly wholesome in highschool, and you’ve got a prospect who might very properly find yourself being one of the best participant taken from this draft. Peterson can be an ideal match subsequent to Keyonte George, who’s coming off a breakout season, as each have the kind of on-off ball versatility that ought to permit them to enrich one another properly.

Boozer had a historic highschool profession, was the faculty basketball participant of the yr, and is the surest factor on this draft. His overlap of physicality, ability, and basketball IQ makes him distinctive. There will probably be questions on whether or not his creation or upside is on par with Dybantsa and Peterson, however his flooring is the best on this draft. Plug Boozer in subsequent to Zach Edey and Cedric Coward and Memphis’ rebuilding challenge already has their frontcourt of the longer term discovered.

Wilson is a prospect with legit star sort end result and potential. He is a high-level athlete with a big-time motor with uncommon elasticity (or bend) for a participant his dimension. Wilson exceeded expectations offensively final yr, and but nonetheless has immense room for progress, not simply along with his perimeter skill-set, however even his defensive polish. The Bulls have drafted a wide range of younger forwards lately, however Chicago’s new Government Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham is not accountable for any of that, he is accountable for discovering one of the best long-term prospect right here, and that is Wilson.

Wagler got here out of nowhere to be a freshmen star at Illinois. Adjusting to unprecedented ranges of competitors ought to have required endurance, and but it was seamless for Wagler. That would illustrate that he is simply scratching the floor of his potential along with his dimension, ability, and really feel for the sport. Moreover, Wagler can be one of the best match alongside Darius Garland, whom the Clippers acquired final yr and consider as a key long-term piece.

Acuff is a multi-level creator with taking pictures splits that had been off the charts final yr at Arkansas and the passing metrics to match. Of all of the true freshmen level guards on this draft, Acuff is probably the most able to play a serious position offensively from day one. The questions are on the defensive finish, however Acuff’s offense is simply too good to move up on for a group that’s nonetheless on the lookout for a major shot creator after having 4 first-round picks a yr in the past.

Flemings is an elite athlete who can get a bit of the paint on demand, stand up explosively on the rim, get to his pull-up at just about any time, and be stable on the defensive finish. His swing ability is his taking pictures, and if it holds up, then he too has legit star-type outcomes. In Sacramento, Flemings can have a chance to earn the place to begin guard job from day one.

Brown is extremely expert and has full management of the basketball. He is a vastly higher shooter than his numbers confirmed final yr at Louisville, a pinpoint passer, and as polished with the ball as any lead guard within the draft. The questions are extra about how his body holds up and what he turns into defensively, however Atlanta has the items to help him on that finish and a transparent void on the level after shifting off Trae Younger final season.

Burries is a robust and aggressive two-way guard who can get downhill with drive, present a formidable three-point shooter, and concurrently defend his place. He is additionally extra bodily able to make the transition to the NBA recreation than many of the different one-and-done guards within the draft. Alongside Cooper Flagg, the Mavs not solely have younger expertise, however younger two-way expertise.

Ament is a polarizing prospect with a variety of outcomes on draft evening. A late-blooming 6-foot-10 combo-forward who’s fluid, has contact, and ability, he is additionally inconsistent and must get stronger. Whereas his freshman yr was up and down, Ament’s total arc has been linear, and there is nonetheless obvious potential. That upside makes him a logical alternative for a Milwaukee group that has a really unsure future forward of them.

Mara saved getting higher as the faculty season went on and finally led Michigan to a nationwide championship. At 7-foot-3, he is an enormous, even by NBA requirements, and an incredible rim protector. He is additionally bought sneaky mobility, good arms, actual passing potential, and gives vertical spacing. With Steve Kerr returning subsequent season, the Warriors’ type of play will probably be staying largely the identical, and Mara’s facilitating potential suits that.

Lendeborg is among the extra versatile two-way gamers, and particularly defenders, within the draft. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he usually guarded opposing level guards this yr, is unselfish, a superb passer, and an improved shooter who made 37% of his threes. There are occasions Lendeborg nonetheless has some maturing to do, however being in OKC’s championship tradition ought to handle that rapidly.

Philon is among the extra gifted shot creators on this draft class. He not solely stuffed the stat sheet this yr whereas being the focus of opposing defenses on a nightly foundation, however had 50/40/80 taking pictures splits. His freshman yr additionally confirmed that he has extra defensive potential than we noticed this yr. Miami has numerous choices to make within the backcourt this yr, which makes Philon that rather more logical a choose for them.

Peat is one other polarizing prospect as a result of he is robust, bodily, can end, rebound, short-roll to get downhill, and even play-make a bit, however does not shoot. He was pivotal to Arizona’s Huge 12 championships and Remaining 4 run, and loaded with successful intangibles. That DNA may be very a lot according to what we noticed Charlotte prioritize final yr, once they nailed the 2025 draft with Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Sion James.

Steinbach is a talented and sensible massive man who has elite arms and is a high-volume rebounder. He is a bit between a 4 and a 5, however with the NBA trending again in the direction of extra dimension within the frontcourt, he needs to be able to enjoying each positions on most nights. Pair him with Caleb Wilson, and the Bulls have a future frontcourt that’s as versatile as it’s gifted.

Quaintance performed solely 4 video games at Kentucky this yr whereas recovering from a torn ACL. The prior yr at Arizona State, he was a defensive monster earlier than happening with the damage. He is lengthy, highly effective, and violently athletic on the rim, which might make him a really perfect complement to Edey.

Johnson is hard, rugged, keen to do all of the soiled work, able to sliding his toes and being versatile defensively, and now even flattening open threes. That sort of two-way versatility, all whereas shopping for right into a complementary position, makes him a really perfect position participant. He gained a championship doing that at Michigan, and can have an opportunity to win extra at OKC.

Stirtz is a extremely expert true level guard with an elite really feel for the sport. He is not an awesome athlete or defender, however he is a big-time shooter, ultra-reliable and at all times in the correct spots. Stirtz has an understanding of the sport past his years. With Coby White getting into free company, he solidifies the purpose guard depth behind Lonzo Ball.

Anderson is a extremely expert lead guard who’s each a big-time shooter and a pick-and-roll maestro. There are questions on how he’ll adapt bodily and defensively, however his offense is price betting on, particularly for a Toronto group that lacks comparable ability on the level.

Lopez is a Mexican native who performed with the New Zealand Breakers within the NBL Subsequent Stars program this yr and made very nice strides. He is a hard-playing, bodily presence who pressures the rim and competes on each ends. He’ll get consideration as excessive because the late-lottery. It is very potential Lopez is off the board earlier, doubtlessly as excessive because the late lottery, however he is unlikely to get previous the Spurs.

After enjoying a complete of 18 video games within the first two years at Tennessee, Carr had a breakout season at Baylor. He is an extended, athletic shot-maker who can rock the rim but additionally posted 49/37/80 taking pictures splits. He’ll want a while to fill out his body and mature bodily, however the uncooked expertise is obvious. On a Detroit group that wants taking pictures, however concurrently needs to embrace a defensive DNA, Carr would make sense.

Cenac has dimension, size, athleticism, mobility to slip laterally, and a few creating face-up ability and taking pictures potential. He answered a variety of questions on his motor this yr and asserted himself as a rebounder, however nonetheless has occasions the place the potential exceeds the manufacturing. In Philadelphia, Cenac gives some much-needed depth behind Joel Embiid with the added versatility to play alongside him as properly.

Veesaar has the most effective overlaps of dimension and ability on this draft. A stretch-five who shoots it with ease out to the three-point line, Veesaart can play out of dribble hand-offs, move, and nonetheless area the ground vertically. He must be extra constant defensively and on the glass, however he’d give Atlanta one thing they do not in any other case have.

Bidunga is the No. 1-ranked prospect within the switch portal and already dedicated to Louisville for a serious payday. HeIis a big-time athlete, tremendously versatile defender, rim-runner, and explosive lob menace. Bidunga might be again in school enjoying for the Cardinals subsequent yr, but when one thing surprising occurs, he would make a variety of sense in New York.

Chinyelu is one other one who might very properly be headed again to Florida subsequent yr, however is able to influence an NBA recreation defensively proper now. At 6-foot-10 with an almost 7-foot-8 wingspan, he is freakishly lengthy, highly effective, and but completely switchable with nice recoverability. The offense has improved, however continues to be restricted. The Gators are ready, however it’s not onerous to see how Chinyelu could possibly be precisely what the Lakers want.

Ebuka’s velocity and skill to get a bit of the paint on demand are his calling playing cards, however the taking pictures continued to tick up because the season went on. He lacks overwhelming dimension, energy, or vertical explosiveness, and a return to high school is reportedly additionally on the desk. Given the Nuggets’ lack of guard depth, he’d be onerous to move up on right here.

One other prospect who might return to high school, Allen is a flexible wing who has each ability and toughness. He can deal with, move, and is a greater shooter than his numbers point out. Allen is a high-volume wing rebounder who’s the kind of competitor who ought to mesh properly with Joe Mazzulla and finally understand his defensive potential.

Swain is a polarizing prospect. At 6-foot-7 he can play off the bounce, create for himself and others, and has actual defensive instruments. The taking pictures is a serious swing ability for Swain, which has improved throughout the final yr. If it continues to evolve, Swain might find yourself being a steal right here and a pleasant match alongside Anthony Edwards and firm.

Graves is an analytic darling who has elite BPM metrics and a uncommon overlap of defensive playmaking, passing, ball-security, and offensive rebounding. Along with his mixture of physicality and really feel, Graves additionally has nice arms and contact to stretch the ground. There’s additionally an opportunity he might return to varsity, however would seemingly keep if he knew he would land within the first spherical.

Evans seems like the kind of shooter you may run performs for within the NBA after proving he might make quick-released motion threes his yr at Duke. He is made gradual strides diversifying his recreation, however physicality, protection, and rim stress are all swing variables. Including some further flooring spacing round Flagg, particularly from a former Duke teammate, may make sense.