2026 NBA Mock Drafts
| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
AJ Dybantsa | SF | |||
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In many ways, Dybantsa is the prototype player that NBA teams covet. He's a big wing with positional size, length, athleticism, and an elastic build who can score from all three levels and create his own offense almost on demand. There may be cases to be made for taking others at No. 1, but Dybantsa is perceived as the heavy favorite at this point, so it would be quite a risk for Will Dawkins and the Wizards to move in another direction. |
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| 2 |
 |
Darryn Peterson | PG | |||
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Nothing I saw or heard last week in Chicago dissuaded me from thinking Peterson was a top-two pick. If Dybantsa is off the board, this is a pretty clear decision for Utah. The hope is that the durability issues from last season are now behind him, and he can merge the shot-making we saw at Kansas with the creation we saw in high school. Slot him next to Keyonte George, and the Jazz have their backcourt of the future. |
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| 3 |
 |
Cameron Boozer | PF | |||
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Boozer has the highest floor in this draft, and probably an underrated ceiling. Not only can no other player in the field match his history of winning or production, but Boozer also has an unmatched overlap of size, physicality, skill, and feel for the game. Plug him in next to Zach Edey and Cedric Coward and Memphis' rebuilding project already has its frontcourt of the future figured out. |
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| 4 |
 |
Caleb Wilson | PF | |||
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Wilson is a prospect with a legit star-type outcome and potential. He's a high-level athlete with a big-time motor with unusual elasticity (or bend) for a player his size. Wilson exceeded expectations offensively last year, and yet still has immense room for progress, not just with his perimeter skill-set, but even his defensive polish. Those tools should check a lot of boxes for Bulls' new Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham. |
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| 5 |
 |
Keaton Wagler | PG | |||
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The Clippers are viewed as a potential trade partner for anyone looking to move up, but if they keep the pick and choose between the quarter of freshmen lead guards, Wagler may be the only one who can fit with Darius Garland. The positional size and shooting give him on/off-ball versatility that would be critical in this context, but it's his feel for the game and natural instincts that may be his true superpower. |
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| 6 |
 |
Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | |||
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Acuff is a multi-level creator with shooting splits that were off the charts last year at Arkansas and the passing metrics to match. Of all the true freshmen point guards in this draft, he is the readiest to play a major role offensively from day one. For a Brooklyn team that is still lacking an alpha creator, Acuff is too good to pass up on, even if there are plenty of defensive questions. |
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| 7 |
 |
Kingston Flemings | PG | |||
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Flemings is an elite athlete who can get a piece of the paint on demand, rise up explosively at the rim, get to his pull-up at virtually any time, and be solid on the defensive end. His swing skill is his shooting. He exceeded expectations at Houston and shot it well again at the combine. If that proves to be sustainable, Flemings could have star-type outcomes, and Sacramento should have a stage to offer him from day one. |
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| 8 |
 |
Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | |||
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There's skepticism that four freshman point guards will go consecutively, but Brown would make sense for Atlanta after moving off Trae Young at the deadline. He's incredibly skilled, has complete control of the ball, is a pinpoint passer, a much better shooter than his numbers showed at Louisville, and as polished with the ball as any lead guard in the draft. The questions are how he will hold up physically and defensively. |
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| 9 |
 |
Brayden Burries | SG | |||
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Burries is a strong and aggressive two-way guard who can get downhill with force, provide a formidable three-point shooter, and simultaneously defend his position. He's also more physically ready to make the transition to the NBA game than most of the other one-and-done guards in the draft. Now does he have the untapped upside that new GM Mike Schmitz tends to covet? That's debatable, but his fit alongside Cooper Flagg from day one should be clear. |
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| 10 |
 |
Nate Ament | PF | |||
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Ament is a polarizing prospect with a wide range of outcomes on draft night. A late-blooming 6-foot-10 combo-forward who is fluid, has touch, and skill, he's also inconsistent and needs to get stronger. While his freshman year was up and down, Ament's overall arc has been linear, and there's still glaring potential. That upside makes him a logical choice for a Milwaukee team that has a very uncertain future ahead of them. |
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| 11 |
 |
Aday Mara | C | |||
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Mara has real momentum in the draft process and could be off the board before this. At 7-foot-3 (without shoes), he's a giant, even by NBA standards, and a tremendous rim protector. He's also got sneaky mobility, good hands, real passing ability, and provides vertical spacing. With Steve Kerr returning next season, the Warriors' style of play will be staying largely the same, and Mara's facilitating ability fits that. |
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| 12 |
 |
Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | |||
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It would almost be unfair if Lendeborg slid to the Thunder here. He is one of the more versatile two-way players, and specifically defenders, in the draft. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-3+ wingspan, he often guarded opposing point guards this year, is an excellent passer, and an improved shooter who made 37% of his threes. Like Mara though, he's another one who may not make it this late into the lottery. |
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| 13 |
 |
Labaron Philon | PG | |||
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Philon is one of the more gifted shot creators in this draft class. He not only stuffed the stat sheet as the focal point of one of college basketball's fastest offenses, but did it with 50/40/80 shooting splits. He might not have had as much gas in the tank defensively, but there's tape from his freshman year to remind us that he's plenty capable on that end too. On a Miami team that has decisions to make in the backcourt, and would demand his best on both ends, this would be a good fit. |
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| 14 |
 |
Morez Johnson Jr. | PF | |||
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Johnson was one of the biggest winners of the combine, measuring bigger than expected with massive length, well-rounded athleticism, and simultaneously reaffirming the shooting gains we saw this year. Combine that with his rugged physicality and lateral mobility, and the versatile two-way role he played at Michigan should be extremely translatable to a Hornets team that is looking to solidify its frontline. |
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| 15 |
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Jayden Quaintance | C | |||
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Bryson Graham is known to covet size, length, athleticism, and physicality (or SLAP for short), and no player left on the board checks those boxes better than Quaintance. After playing only four games this year at Kentucky, he helped himself at the combine by looking explosive in his pro day. He's long, powerful, violently athletic at the rim, and a real game-changer on the defensive end of the floor. |
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| 16 |
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Hannes Steinbach | PF | |||
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Steinbach is a skilled and smart big man who has elite hands and is a high-volume rebounder. He's a bit between a four and a five, but with the NBA trending back towards more size in the frontcourt, he should be capable of playing both positions on most nights, and a Memphis frontcourt featuring Edey, Boozer, and Steinbach would have depth and optionality alike. |
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| 17 |
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Karim Lopez | PF | |||
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Lopez is a Mexican native who played with the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL Next Stars program this year and made really nice strides. He's a hard-playing, physical presence who pressures the rim and competes on both ends. He'll get consideration as high as the late-lottery, but checks many of the boxes that OKC has historically prioritized. |
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| 18 |
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Bennett Stirtz | PG | |||
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Stirtz is a highly skilled true point guard with an elite feel for the game. He's not an overwhelming athlete or defender, but he's a big-time shooter, ultra-reliable and always in the right spots. Stirtz has an understanding of the game beyond his years. If Charlotte goes big at 14, they'll likely look for perimeter depth here with Coby White's upcoming free agency. |
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| 19 |
 |
Christian Anderson | PG | |||
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Anderson is a highly skilled lead guard who is both a big-time shooter and a pick-and-roll maestro. There are questions about how he'll adapt physically and defensively, but his offense is worth betting on, especially for a Toronto team that currently lacks those traits at the point guard position. |
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| 20 |
 |
Cameron Carr | SG | |||
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Carr followed up on his breakout season at Baylor with a terrific showing at the combine. He's one of the few perimeter prospects in this draft who can combine length, athleticism, and shot-making. He still has some maturing to do, but he's a high upside proposition for a San Antonio organization that is well-suited to support his continued growth. |
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| 21 |
 |
Ebuka Okorie | PG | |||
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This is a big bump up for Okorie, based in large part on intel that has come out in recent days and weeks about the amount of due diligence Detroit is doing on the Stanford star. Okorie lacks overwhelming size, but he has terrific speed, can get a piece of the paint on demand, and his shooting continued to tick up as the season went on last year. |
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| 22 |
 |
Koa Peat | PF | |||
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Peat is higher than this on the CBS Big Board, but his glaring lack of shooting is going to require a specific fit. The post-Darryl Morey Sixers could be intrigued by his strength, physicality, intangibles, winning pedigree, and ability to get downhill. They lack a long-term solution at the four, and Embiid's face-up skill-set could allow them to co-exist without sacrificing the team's spacing. |
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| 23 |
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Chris Cenac Jr. | PF | |||
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Cenac has size, length, athleticism, mobility to slide laterally, and some developing face-up skill and shooting potential. He answered a lot of questions about his motor this year and asserted himself as a rebounder, but still has times where the potential exceeds the production. Given the number of free agents Atlanta has up front this offseason, this could solidify their frontcourt depth. |
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| 24 |
 |
Tarris Reed Jr. | C | |||
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With Mitchell Robinson going into free agency this year, it makes sense for the Knicks to go big here. Reed was as good as any big man in the NCAA Tournament and followed that up with a strong combine performance, which makes him the best available five-man at this point. He's long, powerful, has interior skill, underrated face-up ability, and sneaky defensive switch-ability. |
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| 25 |
 |
Henri Veesaar | C | |||
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The Lakers are another team that is likely to look for a big man here, and while they may prefer a more defensive-oriented one, Veesaar's combination of size and skill could be too much to pass up on. A stretch-five who shoots it with ease out to the three-point line, Veesaar can play out of dribble hand-offs, pass, and still space the floor vertically, but has to be more consistent defensively and on the glass. |
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| 26 |
 |
Dailyn Swain | SF | |||
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Swain is a polarizing prospect. At 6-foot-7, he can play off the bounce, create for himself and others, and has real defensive tools. The shooting is a major swing skill for Swain, and while it improved last season at Texas, his showing at the combine only illustrated that there's a long way to go before it becomes consistent. With Peyton Watson entering restricted free agency and Bruce Brown expiring, he would make sense in Denver. |
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| 27 |
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Joshua Jefferson | PF | |||
| 28 |
 |
Isaiah Evans | SG | |||
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Evans looks like the type of shooter you can run plays for in the NBA after proving he could make quick-released movement threes his year at Duke. He's made gradual strides diversifying his game, but physicality, defense, and rim pressure are all swing variables. The bottom line, though, is that what he does best can be fully utilized to create space around Anthony Edwards. |
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| 29 |
 |
Allen Graves | PF | |||
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Graves is an analytic darling who has elite BPM metrics and a rare overlap of defensive playmaking, passing, ball-security, and offensive rebounding. In addition to his combination of physicality and feel, Graves also has great hands and touch to stretch the floor. There is also a chance he could return to college, but would likely stay if he knew he would land in the first round. |
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| 30 |
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Zuby Ejiofor | C | |||
| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Darryn Peterson | PG | |||
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Peterson has been my No. 1 player since the start of the 2026 draft cycle last summer. Yes, there are concerns about Peterson after an up-and-down season at Kansas, but I'm still buying all the stock on him being the best player in the class. The Wizards can go in several directions with this pick -- including a trade with Utah -- but Peterson is the best option. If it were up to me, Peterson would be off the board first. He has legit superstar potential. |
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| 2 |
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AJ Dybantsa | SF | |||
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This would be Utah's dream scenario. Being able to draft a player who played his senior year of high school basketball at nearby Utah Prep and last season at BYU would make Dybantsa immediately the most popular man in the state of Utah. Dybantsa still has a very strong case to go No. 1. If somehow the Wizards decide to roll with Peterson, or even Boozer at No. 1, I have a hard time believing Dybantsa would fall past this pick. He was the best scorer in college basketball and has the upside to be one of the best scorers in the NBA by the end of this decade. |
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| 3 |
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Cameron Boozer | PF | |||
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As we get deeper into the draft cycle, more people are underestimating Boozer. He produced one of the best statistical one-and-done seasons in college basketball history and has a history of winning everywhere he goes, yet he is the consensus No. 3 prospect among many. It's a testament to how good the top of the draft is. Boozer has an elite basketball IQ and rebounds and passes at a very high level. The frontcourt of Zach Edey and Boozer would be lethal on the glass. |
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| 4 |
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Caleb Wilson | PF | |||
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The Bulls have the easiest decision to make on draft night. Whatever player between Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, or Wilson is available here, that's the pick. There's no need to overthink it. There's a clear tier break after this pick. Wilson would be a foundational building block for Chicago as the franchise enters a new era. |
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| 5 |
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Keaton Wagler | PG | |||
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Pick No. 5 is where the draft starts. Wagler has been a player connected to the Clippers over the last few weeks and it's easy to see why. Wagler can play off the ball and would complement Darius Garland in the backcourt, if that's the direction Los Angeles wants to go in. It's also possible the Clippers shop this pick and let the highest bidder come up to No. 5. If the Clippers keep their pick, Wagler is the best fit. |
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| 6 |
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Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | |||
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Mock Trade from: SAC We have a trade! It's the worst-kept draft secret that the Kings are big fans of Darius Acuff Jr. Although I think there's a real possibility Acuff falls to No. 7 and the Kings don't have to trade up, it's also possible another team equally values Acuff and jumps Sacramento for him. The price to move up one spot would likely be a handful of second-round picks or some combination of a protected first-round pick and/or pick swap, depending on the demand. I've been on record to say Acuff is a tier above the other guards in this range. He's an elite scorer, facilitator and shooter. He is exactly what Sacramento needs. |
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| 7 |
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Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | |||
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Mock Trade from: BKN Brown has one of the highest upside potentials in the class. The raw shooting numbers (34.4% from 3) don't represent how good of a shooter he actually is. If Brown's medicals come back clean from a lingering back issue that limited him to 21 games at Louisville, he should be locked somewhere in the top 10. |
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| 8 |
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Kingston Flemings | PG | |||
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In this scenario, the two players Atlanta should consider are Kingston Flemings and Aday Mara. If the Hawks opt for Flemings, he would provide scoring and defense to Atlanta. Flemings is an elite mid-range shooter and uses his speed to put pressure on the defense. |
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| 9 |
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Aday Mara | C | |||
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Mock Trade from: OKC Another trade! Oklahoma City has a treasure chest of draft picks and only a few roster spots (pending any offseason moves). It would make sense for OKC to consolidate picks No. 12, 17 and another future pick to move up inside the top 10. If OKC does move up, Mara makes a ton of sense if the organization declines Isaiah Hartenstein's $28.5 million team option this summer. Mara was one of the best shot blockers in college basketball and was efficient around the rim. |
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| 10 |
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Nate Ament | PF | |||
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Ament remains one of the most polarizing prospects in the class. He entered the year as a potential top-five pick, but his stock took a hit after an up-and-down season at Tennessee. His efficiency wasn't great at Tennessee. He shot under 40% from the field and 33.3% from 3. Still, someone will take a chance on him in the early/mid-first round. |
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| 11 |
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Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | |||
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When it's all said and done, Lendeborg will comfortably be a top 10 prospect on my personal board. His combination of size, strength and athleticism is hard to pass on in the late lottery. Yes, his age is a question mark, but it won't be as big a deal if he joins a win-now team like Golden State. Lendeborg will slot into any NBA rotation immediately and make an impact. |
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| 12 |
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Brayden Burries | SG | |||
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Mock Trade from: DAL In this scenario, the Mavericks take someone at 12 (Burries) that they should be considering at 9, too. Arizona wasn't a great 3-point shooting team last season, but Burries was by far its best shooter. He's an older freshman and will turn 21 before the start of the NBA season. Still, I'm a big believer in his talent, which is exactly what Dallas needs as it looks to build a roster around Cooper Flagg. |
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| 13 |
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Labaron Philon | PG | |||
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Philon is coming off a breakout season at Alabama in which he averaged 22 points and 5 assists while shooting just under 40% from the 3-point line. I can see Philon going higher than 13 on draft night, but in this mock, Miami doesn't let Philon fall past them. |
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| 14 |
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Morez Johnson Jr. | PF | |||
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Johnson has been one of the biggest risers throughout the last month. He's a versatile forward who can defend at a high level inside and outside the arc and also exploits mismatches on the offensive end. It's becoming a real possibility that Michigan's entire starting frontcourt gets selected in the lottery. |
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| 15 |
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Cameron Carr | SG | |||
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After playing just 41 minutes total last season at Tennessee, Carr transferred to Baylor, where he blossomed into the Bears' leading scorer. He averaged 18.9 points on 49.4/37.4/80.1 shooting splits. His offensive upside is worth the swing here for Chicago. It also wouldn't be surprising if he went in the mid- to late teens. |
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| 16 |
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Ebuka Okorie | PG | |||
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Okorie made the right decision to remain in the NBA Draft. He is one player who will go higher than expected. He was one of the best scorers in college basketball and his ability to get to the rim as a guard is special. The Grizzlies don't necessarily need to take a point guard here, but I like the fit if it happens. |
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| 17 |
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Jayden Quaintance | C | |||
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Mock Trade from: DAL Quaintance is one of the most unique prospects in this year's class. His defensive tape from his freshman season at Arizona State was unbelievable. However, he played in just four games due to knee swelling from a torn ACL suffered last season. If the medicals come back clean, it's worth the swing for Dallas after trading back with Oklahoma City. |
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| 18 |
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Bennett Stirtz | PG | |||
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Stritz is an efficient point guard who plays at his own pace. He has had an incredible rise from Division II basketball to being a likely first-round pick. After taking Johnson with their first pick, Charlotte goes with a point guard at No. 18. |
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| 19 |
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Karim Lopez | PF | |||
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With so many players going back to school instead of staying in the draft, it's possible that Lopez won't be the only international prospect to crack the first round. However, in this mock draft – and the previous three I've done – Lopez is the only non-college player selected in the first round. |
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| 20 |
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Hannes Steinbach | PF | |||
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Steinbach has some of the best hands in college basketball and was a double-double machine during his time at Washington. The Spurs have a deep roster, but getting some big man depth behind Victor Wembanyama wouldn't hurt. I could also see Steinbach and Wemby co-existing in certain lineups. |
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| 21 |
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Allen Graves | PF | |||
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Graves is an analytic darling. He didn't post eye-popping numbers at Santa Clara, but his advanced numbers told a different story. He could've returned to college basketball and cashed in on a huge NIL payday. Instead, he will capitalize on the hype and stay in the draft. Graves should join Jalen Williams and Brandin Podziemski as the latest first-round pick to come out of Santa Clara in the last five drafts. |
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| 22 |
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Koa Peat | PF | |||
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Peat had the biggest stay-or-go decision to make of anybody. Time will tell if it was the right one, but it's hard to see Peat falling out of the first round after so many people in his draft range went back to school. My biggest concern about Peat is the jumper. It appears he has completely altered his jumper mechanically since the end of the season. Peat doesn't need to be a knockdown shooter to make an impact at the NBA level, but it definitely wouldn't hurt. |
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| 23 |
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Dailyn Swain | SF | |||
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Swain was really good during his lone season at Texas. Still, he's going to be an even better NBA player, in my opinion. Every NBA decision maker covets his archetype. Swain was elite as an isolation player this season. |
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| 24 |
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Christian Anderson | PG | |||
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Anderson is a true point guard who doubles as a knockdown shooter. Sixty-five of Anderson's 108 3-point shots were non-catch-and-shoot makes, which showcases his ability to create his own shot. He will be a top 25 pick. |
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| 25 |
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Chris Cenac Jr. | PF | |||
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One of the Lakers' biggest needs heading into the offseason is a center. Cenac has untapped potential because of his frame, athleticism and motor. Cenac is going to be a very impactful player in the league if he lands in the right situation. |
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| 26 |
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Isaiah Evans | SG | |||
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Evans went from almost strictly a pure catch-and-shoot 3-point specialist at Duke during his freshman year to a legit No. 2 scoring option on the No. 1 overall seed in college basketball. Evans almost doubled the amount of 3-pointers he took from this year to last and still knocked them down at a 36.1% clip. He will be a Day 1 pick somewhere in the 20s. |
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| 27 |
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Henri Veesaar | C | |||
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I was surprised that Veesaar entered the draft instead of returning to North Carolina or even entering the portal. However, with several centers (Motiejus Krivas, Patrick Ngongba II, Alex Condon, etc.) going back to school, it helps his case to be a first-rounder. His floor is somewhere in the late 20s. |
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| 28 |
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Meleek Thomas | SG | |||
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Thomas is one of my favorite players in the draft. The duo of Thomas and Acuff at Arkansas was reminiscent of a duo John Calipari had at Kentucky years before: Malik Monk and De'Aaron Fox. Monk isn't a perfect comp for Thomas, but I see him having that kind of impact in the NBA. |
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| 29 |
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Tarris Reed Jr. | C | |||
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Reed had one of the most dominant NCAA Tournament runs of any big man in the modern era. He is a throwback big man who thrives in the post and causes havoc on the defensive end. He averaged a career-high 2.0 blocks per game in his final season of college basketball. |
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| 30 |
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Zuby Ejiofor | C | |||
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Ejiofor has a strong case to go at the end of the first round. He was one of the best defenders in college basketball this past season. If Ejiofor doesn't hear his name called at the end of the first, he will be one of the first five picks of the second round. |
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| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
AJ Dybantsa | SF | |||
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Partly because he had an incredible freshman year, partly because Peterson did not, Dybantsa, again, has emerged as the favorite in the betting markets to be selected first next month. He's a jumbo-wing and natural scorer who led the EYBL in points per game after his freshman season of high school and the entire nation in points per game during his freshman season at BYU. Based on that trajectory, and Dybantsa's awesome physical tools, it should surprise nobody if he also someday leads the NBA in scoring, and suddenly the Wizards have a chance to be interesting next season with Dybantsa in a starting lineup alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis. |
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| 2 |
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Darryn Peterson | PG | |||
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Peterson's talent is undeniable but there are questions among some front offices about his ability to maximize his gifts because of the way his one season at Kansas unfolded. He was special in spots, clearly. But Peterson was also in and out of the lineup a lot -- sometimes by his own choice -- and that fact has raised concerns in some corners that the electric playmaker will need to alleviate in the pre-draft process to ensure he remains an option at No. 1 and solidifies a spot in the top two. Either way, Utah's rebuild should officially be over with a core of Peterson, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. |
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| 3 |
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Caleb Wilson | PF | |||
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The Grizzlies advanced three spots from where they were slotted, making the tough "moving forward" portion of the season that fans endured more than worth it. Needless to say, Cameron Boozier is an option here -- and he very well could be the pick. But after dealing Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., and with Ja Morant also expected to be moved, Memphis needs a star, and I simply believe Wilson is the best swing-for-a-star option after Dybantsa and Peterson are off of the board. |
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| 4 |
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Cameron Boozer | PF | |||
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Boozer has low bust-potential, I think, given how he's never not been awesome in a way that impacts winning at every level at which he's played. He was the national high school player of the year in 2026, then the national college player of the year in 2026. There are no shortage of accolades connected to Boozer. That said, some do worry that his star-potential is also low in part because he's mostly a below-the-rim forward who can struggle with the type of size and athleticism he'll consistently face in the NBA. As always, we'll see. But if Boozer does fall to this spot, the Bulls could snatch him up and make him the face of their rebuild in the post Billy Donovan era. |
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| 5 |
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Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | |||
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Acuff just became the first player to lead the SEC in both points and assists since Pete Maravich did it at LSU in 1970. Special talent. Fun player. Do I wish he were taller? Yes. Do I wish he weren't a negative-defender? Also yes. But the offensive skill-set and deadly jumper are too much to pass on at this point in this draft, and that's why I expect Acuff to become the 12th player in history to become a top-five pick after a season with John Calipari, making him the prize of the Clippers' decision to trade Ivica Zubac to the Pacers at the deadline. |
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| 6 |
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Keaton Wagler | PG | |||
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Any franchise that's averaged just 26 wins over the past three seasons needs to focus on the best prospect available -- and, at this point in this mock, that's Wagler. The big lead-guard went from a sub-100 prospect in the Class of 2025 to a definite top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, all in less than a year, thanks to his great positional size, ability to process things and reliable perimeter jumper. Wagler is very different than Acuff, and they could come off the board in any order, meaning the Nets might just take whichever one drops to them, assuming at least one of them will and does. |
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| 7 |
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Kingston Flemings | PG | |||
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The Kings were unlucky on lottery day, dropping two spots from their slot in a way that will make landing the star the franchise needs harder to obtain. Still, there are potential stars available at No. 7, and Flemings is among them. The point guard prospect wasn't the highest-rated recruit in Houston's freshman class -- but he emerged as the program's best player while helping the Cougars win 30 games and advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. He's the rare 19 year-old who is both a top-tier athlete and strong shooter. If Sacramento ever turns things around, Flemings could be the face of it. |
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| 8 |
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Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | |||
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This is where the draft breaks, at least in my mind, but perhaps only because Brown played just 21 games in his one season at Louisville. His back was an issue over the past year. Will it be moving forward? That's for the doctors to determine. But, if not, Brown is a top-five-ish talent available outside of the top five, and he could join a roster in Atlanta that should be positioned to compete for a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight season. |
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| 9 |
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Brayden Burries | SG | |||
|
Koa Peat was the talk of Arizona's freshman class early -- especially after he got 30 points in that season-opening win over Florida. But it was Burries, also a first-year player, who emerged as the leading scorer for a team that won the Big 12's regular-season title and advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. He's a physical guard who can shoot and rebound. He'd fit nicely in Dallas next to franchise centerpiece Cooper Flagg. |
||||||
| 10 |
|
Nate Ament | PF | |||
|
Ament had an up-and-down freshman season for the Vols -- but the upside isn't hard to spot. Less than a year ago, the 2025 McDonald's All-American was considered a possible top-five pick. So getting Ament here would be nice for a Bucks franchise that seems on the verge of rebuilding after presumably tradiing Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. |
||||||
| 11 |
|
Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | |||
|
Lendeborg transferred from UAB to Michigan and was the best player on a team that won the NCAA Tournament one year after he didn't even win Player of the Year honors in the sport's 11th-best conference (American). Just an awesome story. That he's already 23 years old will turn some franchises off -- but if Golden State is still all-in on trying to put pieces around Steph Curry, Lendeborg's age should mostly be irrelevant to the decision-making process. |
||||||
| 12 |
|
Aday Mara | C | |||
|
Mara transferred to Michigan after two years at UCLA and was among the biggest reasons the Wolverines won the Big Ten regular-season title outright and then also the national championship. At a time when being big is back in style in the NBA, Mara has great positional size and is constantly altering shots on defense. On offense, he's a high-end passer and efficient scorer. With Isaiah Hartenstein's future unclear in OKC, Mara could be an inexpensive replacement if the Thunder don't want to exercise the $28.5 million team-option on their starting center. |
||||||
| 13 |
|
Labaron Philon | PG | |||
|
Not every prospect who returns to college actually enhances his draft stock -- but Philon definitely did. The sophomore guard played more on-the-ball for Alabama than he did in the previous season, and the result was better assist numbers and a 3-point percentage that jumped to 39.9. The unusual amount of top-shelf lead guards available this year will push Philon down further than he'd go in most drafts, but that just makes him a value-pick at this point for the Heat. |
||||||
| 14 |
|
Morez Johnson Jr. | PF | |||
|
Johnson has left the door open to return to Michigan but is expected to remain in the draft as an assumed lottery pick. He's one of three projected top-15 prospects who helped the Wolverines win the NCAA Tournament. The 6-9 forward shot above 60% from the field as one of the Big Ten's best players -- but his real value is on the other end, where Johnson anchored college basketball's best defense in his first year at Michigan after transferring from Illinois. |
||||||
| 15 |
|
Hannes Steinbach | PF | |||
|
You might've noticed this mock is light on prospects currently playing overseas, and that's because lots of the top international names have been lured stateside via big NIL/revenue-share payments. Steinbach was one such player. The 20-year-old German proved to be an elite rebounder on both ends in his one season at Washington. The Bulls need help everywhere in an aknowledged rebuild. Getting Boozer and Steinbach in the top 15 could expedite the process. |
||||||
| 16 |
|
Christian Anderson | PG | |||
|
Anderson went from an intriguing freshman at Texas Tech to one of the Big 12's stars and best prospects. The sophomore from Atlanta kept the Red Raiders relevant even after JT Toppin, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, went down with a torn ACL in February. Anderson has been described as the best shooter in this class after making 41.5% of the 7.9 3-pointers he attempted this season. In theory, he could offset some of the shooting Memphis sent to Orlando when it traded Desmond Bane last summer. |
||||||
| 17 |
|
Karim Lopez | PF | |||
|
Lopez should be the first non-college player off the board. (Sidenote: the idea that the first non-college player off the board could go in the late teens speaks to the level of talent NIL is luring and keeping in college.) He's a physical wing from Mexico with lots of positives. If the 3-point shot comes around, and as long as he doesn't prove to be a liability on defense, Lopez would be a terrific snag here for an Oklahoma City franchise just stockpiling talent. |
||||||
| 18 |
|
Cameron Carr | SG | |||
|
Carr emerged as a real first-round option after transferring from Tennessee to Baylor and having one of the biggest breakout years in the sport while averaging 14.1 more points per game with the Bears than he averaged previously with the Vols. The 21 year-old has long arms and a solid-enough jumpshot to where it's not hard to imagine him, even as a rookie, helping Charlotte make the Eastern Conference Playoffs once again next season. |
||||||
| 19 |
|
Jayden Quaintance | C | |||
|
Mark Pope might be less on the hot seat at Kentucky heading into next season if Quaintance had been available more this season. He cost a lot of money and did little while rehabbing a torn ACL that limited him to just four appearances. Regardless, I saw Quaintance up close at the CBS Sports Classic, and he made an obvious impact immediately in that game. Unless the medicals are scary, Quaintance should not fall much further than this -- and he could go much higher. |
||||||
| 20 |
|
Chris Cenac Jr. | PF | |||
|
Cenac will not be selected in this draft in a way that correlates with where he was ranked coming out of high school -- but he's still a possible top-20 pick after starting for a Houston team that finished 30-7. Some have argued he should've done another year at Houston, and I get that. But there's little risk of Cenac falling out of the first round, and a future in San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama sounds appealing. |
||||||
| 21 |
|
Bennett Stirtz | PG | |||
|
It's rare for somebody to end up as a first-round pick after starting a college career at the Division II level, but Stirtz has a real chance to do it. Concerns about how he'll defend in the NBA are valid. But Stirtz is a lead guard with a good assist-to-turnover ratio and reliable jumper. If I were running a franchise, I wouldn't overthink this one. He can play and will be in the NBA for a long time. |
||||||
| 22 |
|
Koa Peat | PF | |||
|
Peat impacts winning in a variety of ways and was among the reasons Arizona won the Big 12's regular-season championship before advancing to the Final Four. Good size. Good body. Intriguing prospect. The issue is that he's a 6-8 wing who doesn't really shoot, evidence being that Peat only took 20 3-pointers in 36 games with the Wildcats. That's not ideal for the modern-NBA and why Peat's draft-range seems vast. |
||||||
| 23 |
|
Tarris Reed Jr. | C | |||
|
If Mara helped himself more than any other prospect in the NCAA Tournament, Reed isn't far below him on the list. The UConn big averaged 19.5 points and 13.2 rebounds in the Big Dance while helping the Huskies reach the championship game. He could add depth to an Atlanta frontcourt that needs reinforcements. |
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| 24 |
|
Allen Graves | PF | |||
|
Seemingly every year now there's an off-the-radar prospect who generates attention largely because of an interesting statistical profile. Graves is that player in this draft. The 6-9 forward was a zero-star prospect in the Class of 2025 but is now a 19 year-old with options. He could return to college at a new school for lots of money or remain in the draft, where his ability to make shots and rebound with a good body will secure him a guaranteed contract. |
||||||
| 25 |
|
Isaiah Evans | SG | |||
|
Evans is a high-volume 3-point shooter with good positional size who shot 38% from beyond the arc in two seasons with one of the best brands and teams in college basketball. That's a good place to start his evaluation. The 20-year-old wing could be a nice piece for a Lakers franchise still building around Luka Doncic. |
||||||
| 26 |
|
Joshua Jefferson | PF | |||
|
Jefferson spent four years in college and went from a role player at Saint Mary's to a star at Iowa State, where he was an All-American this season while helping the Cyclones win 29 games. He's a big forward who just gets things done. He projects as a versatile option that could fit well in Denver's rotation in between Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. |
||||||
| 27 |
|
Henri Veesaar | C | |||
|
Michael Malone's first year at UNC would've been a lot simpler if he could've kept Veesaar in school, but the talented big decided to forgo his final year of eligibility in favor of a professional career. Did Veesaar leave money on the table with this move? Perhaps. But it's a move that made the draft deeper after other first-round prospects like Braylon Mullins and Thomas Haugh decided to remain in college, and the Celtics could be the franchise that benefits from it. |
||||||
| 28 |
|
Dailyn Swain | SF | |||
|
Swain followed his coach, Sean Miller, from Xavier to Texas and emerged as the Longhorns' leading scorer. The 20 year-old from Ohio is more of a driver than a shooter -- and he probably needs to become a better shooter to justify a first-round grade. But there's definitely stuff here for Minnesota to work with, starting with the fact that Swain is an explosive athlete who impacts things on both ends. |
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| 29 |
|
Tounde Yessoufou | SF | |||
|
Like several others, Yessoufou has options to return to college for a big number -- and he might actually do that. But if the dynamic scorer remains in the draft, he's an obvious option late in the first round. There are concerns about his 3-point percentage that finished below 32% in his one season at Baylor. But the level of production the 20 year-old former McDonald's All-American has displayed since high school should not be ignored by evaluators. |
||||||
| 30 |
|
Ebuka Okorie | PG | |||
|
Kyrie Irving remains under contract in Dallas for at least another year -- but that doesn't mean the Mavericks shouldn't explore lead-guard options. Okorie should be among them if he's still available here. The 19 year-old led the ACC in scoring and tallied at least 33 points five different times this season, including a career-high 40 in a win over Georgia Tech. |
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| # | Team | Player | Pos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
AJ Dybantsa | SF | |||
|
Darryn Peterson is my top-rated prospect, but the margin of separation is thin. Drafting for fit can get you in hot water, but not in this spot. Dybantsa fits like a glove with a Wizards outfit that wants to make a surge in the Eastern Conference. Dybantsa's combination of real-deal wiggle and advanced footwork helps him put loads of pressure on the rim. Over 40% of Dybantsa's shots came at the rim this past season at BYU. That should translate to the league. He's the big, explosive, powerful wing that this Washington roster needs to complement point guard Trae Young, big man Anthony Davis and a quartet of intriguing youngsters in Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley and Bub Carrington. |
||||||
| 2 |
|
Darryn Peterson | PG | |||
|
Utah can expedite its rebuild in a hurry with a Darryn Peterson addition. The 6-foot-6 combo guard can play on or off the ball next to Keyonte George, and Utah coach Will Hardy can use Peterson in a host of ways. Don't be surprised if it's a blend of the off-movement, net shredder that we saw at Kansas with an on-ball primary creator that we saw in high school at Prolific Prep. That malleability makes Peterson so attractive because he can wear a ton of different hats depending on the personnel. With the cramping fiasco hopefully in the rearview mirror for good, Peterson is primed to be a Day One difference-maker. |
||||||
| 3 |
|
Cameron Boozer | PF | |||
|
Boozer-or-Caleb Wilson will be a heated debate for some, but not in these parts. Boozer has the attractive combination of excellent positional size (6-8.25 barefoot, 252 pounds, 7-1.5 wingspan) and sweet shooting (41% on 98 catch-and-shoot 3s). Boozer's sky-high IQ is the cherry on top that may prove to be his go-to asset. Boozer was one of the best-passing big men in college basketball last season. Size, shooting and feel trump some of the small concerns about Boozer's heavy feet, which flare up semi-routinely on both ends of the floor. Boozer would also mesh nicely next to Memphis center Zach Edey. That duo would just evaporate teams on the glass, raising the floor for the Grizzlies considerably. |
||||||
| 4 |
|
Caleb Wilson | PF | |||
|
Undertaking a massive overhaul like this isn't for the faint of heart, but picking fourth in this draft is a jolt for new Chicago Bulls general manager Bryson Graham. He has to take the best player available. Illinois point guard Keaton Wagler, Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. or Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. should get a real sniff, but Wilson is the play here. The motor is the superpower. The 6-foot-9 wing should get busy in transition from the jump. Wilson has vertical explosiveness that rivals Blake Griffin, and he plays ridiculously hard every night. Wilson is not a good defender yet, but he strikes all the notes of a future difference-maker on that end with the right development. There's enough here to buy into the future of the jumper and the playmaking, too. |
||||||
| 5 |
|
Keaton Wagler | PG | |||
|
Wagler is a special shooter. The 6-foot-6 point guard has a clean, repeatable, gorgeous strap from downtown, and it's easy to see why this fit would tantalize the Clippers. If they keep this pick, Wagler is the no-brainer choice. Wagler's shooting prowess allows him to play off the ball when it's time for Darius Garland or Kawhi Leonard to rock, but his value skyrockets because he has all the tools to toggle to an on-ball role as well. Wagler isn't a blow-you-away athlete, but his underrated strength, rhythm, balance and body control make him such a tough cover. Wagler is programmed to make the right play over and over again. He rebounds well for his position, including getting after it on the offensive glass. He has the length and IQ to be a useful defender down the road, which unlocks some Derrick White-like outcomes in his projection, with room for even more. |
||||||
| 6 |
|
Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | |||
|
Acuff has every answer to the test in pick-and-rolls. He could very well be the No. 1 ball-screen navigator in this draft. The craftsmanship is clear as day. The pace and precision, combined with his broad shoulders and a 6-foot-7 wingspan, does give off some Deron Williams or Dame Lillard vibes. Even with significant defensive questions, Acuff's ability to shoot off the dribble, navigate into the paint at will, create easy shots and make tough ones is so coveted. Brooklyn drafted a handful of guards last year, but that shouldn't stop this Nets' braintrust from adding a potential face of the franchise point guard. |
||||||
| 7 |
|
Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | |||
|
Based off the feedback in Chicago, Mikel Brown Jr. has a chance to be a major riser. The 6-foot-5 point guard has logo range, a smooth shooting stroke and major upside as a playmaker. Brown checks off the boxes when it comes to positional size and shooting, plus there's a dynamic creator in here somewhere. Brown is a terrific push-ahead passer who is always trying to press the gas and create easy buckets in transition. The Kings certainly need more of that. If Brown can start taking the singles instead of trying to consistently smash grand slams with audacious reads in pick-and-rolls, he could outplay his draft slot. |
||||||
| 8 |
|
Aday Mara | C | |||
|
Atlanta needs point guard help, but Mara to the Hawks is mouth-watering. The 7-foot-3 Michigan center has a 7-foot-6 wingspan and improved his mobility tremendously. Mara has elite size for the position, and he'd be one of the top shot-blockers in the NBA from the jump. He got tougher at Michigan and also showed additional defensive versatility, along with his unique feel as a top-of-the-key playmaker who can make reads in DHOs or backdowns. Atlanta could trot out some hellacious defensive lineups with Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Mara. |
||||||
| 9 |
|
Kingston Flemings | PG | |||
|
Kingston Flemings' ability to get his shoulders past defenders is a coveted trait that every team needs. Flemings doesn't have terrific length (6-3.5 wingspan), but he's an outstanding athlete who can change directions on a dime, explode vertically and absolutely fly in the open floor. He has jet packs attached to his feet. Flemings has some mechanical tweaks to make on his jumper, but the trio of elite work ethic, elite attention to detail and elite winning habits make him a no-brainer bet to maximize his skillset. You just want Flemings in your building, and boy, that transition game of Flemings and Cooper Flagg would be something. Vroom vroom. |
||||||
| 10 |
|
Nate Ament | PF | |||
|
This is the logical spot for Ament, especially amid the speculation that Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the trade block, kickstarting a massive rebuild in Milwaukee. Ament's skillset is exactly what the NBA continues to prioritize. He is all of 6-foot-10 with perimeter skills and a soft jumper. As Ament continues to develop, he will likely become closer to a stretch 4 who can attack long closeouts rather than this jumbo wing handler, but the jury is still out on that front. Ament's defense is another key variable. Can he become one of the A+ defenders from this class? It's in the range of potential outcomes. I think the defense will be ahead of the offense for the not-so-distant future. |
||||||
| 11 |
|
Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | |||
|
Lendeborg could have played in any NBA rotation … a year ago at this time. He was a NBA player just housed in Ann Arbor a year leading the Wolverines to the National Championship. The Warriors need a ready-to-play piece to sop up minutes while Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody recover from injuries. Lendeborg fits the bill. The 6-foot-9 wing has an enormous 7-3 wingspan and is a straight five-tool player. He can pass, dribble, shoot, cut and defend. Oh, and he's an absolute monster in transition. The Dominican LeBron nickname was well-deserved. Lendeborg's surplus of size and athleticism would stick out like a sore thumb on this creaky Golden State roster. |
||||||
| 12 |
|
Morez Johnson Jr. | PF | |||
|
Morez Johnson is a problem-solver on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward is enormous, athletic and a dirty-work menace. The NBA craves physical thumpers who can fly up and down the floor in transition. Johnson embodies all of that, and there's burgeoning skill on the table here. Johnson's unselfish brand of basketball would fit right in with an OKC roster that could use another enforcer, especially if the Thunder choose not to pick up Isaiah Hartenstein's $28.5 million team option. |
||||||
| 13 |
|
Brayden Burries | SG | |||
|
If this is how the draft board shakes out, Miami would continue its pattern of just scooping up the best player available who somehow slips into its range. This time, it's Burries. The potential top-10 pick has plus positional size, and he can play drive-and-kick basketball as well as any guard in this range. Burries' motor is revving at all times. He plays hard every single game, and he sticks his face in the fan on the glass without fail. Burries can toggle between so many different roles, but he might be at his best as a light-it-up transition bucket-getter. There's defense, a little creation, some three-level scoring habits and a whole lot of hustle plays in this portfolio. What's not to love? Burries being on the board at No. 13 would be an outstanding draft night development for the Heat. |
||||||
| 14 |
|
Jayden Quaintance | C | |||
|
Quaintance comes with serious injury baggage, but the idea of what he could become is salivating. The 6-foot-9 big man owns a go-go gadget, 7-5 wingspan. He was one of the special defensive big men in college basketball as a 17-year-old freshman at Arizona State. It's silly how many jumpers that Quaintance could not only contest but also just outright swat away. He just moves … differently. The ability to shuttle with guards on the perimeter and envelop shots at the rim makes the Robert Williams comparison pretty apt. Is there anything else in the tank offensively? Quaintance has some untapped perimeter skills and the ability to deck it, but those are still more theoretical at this point. Quaintance also fills a major void in a Charlotte frontcourt picture that could use a high-upside option to pair with Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate. |
||||||
| 15 |
|
Cameron Carr | SG | |||
|
Size, athleticism and shooting. Carr checks off those three boxes. While processing and decision-making remain a concern for some scouts, Carr has a skillset that very few can rival at this stage of the draft. The Baylor product projects to be one of the top movement shooters in this draft class, and that's a major need for a Bulls roster that is light on shot-makers. Carr can jump super high and has a 7-0.75 wingspan that makes Twitter erupt, but the development with both his handle and his mind could make-or-break his chances of reaching the highest peak of his range of potential outcomes. |
||||||
| 16 |
|
Labaron Philon | PG | |||
|
Philon slithers to his spots at will, and there's not much you can do to stop it. The Alabama guard showed vast improvement with his pull-up jumper and proved he can get buckets in his sleep. He was one of the most dangerous isolation bucket-getters in all of college basketball last season, making even the most mobile defensive bigs so uncomfortable with his barrage of in-and-out dribbles to set up a stepback J or a knockdown floater. The challenge will be finding ways to blend all the delightful role-player traits that he showcased as a freshman back into his game. Philon has more in the tank defensively. He has more in the tank as a connect-the-dots role player who can smash advantages created by a true alpha guard. |
||||||
| 17 |
|
Dailyn Swain | SF | |||
|
Swain is built to thrive in the drive-and-kick basketball that OKC plays. Swain is a slippery, creative driver with a plethora of counters in his bag to get to the cup. Nearly 60% of his shots this past season at Texas came at the rim, and Swain shot a promising 63% at the rim, per Synergy. Swain doubles as one of the better passing wings in this class, and it's easy to see him scaling down to fill a role for the Thunder. Swain was a defense-first option at Xavier before turning into a primary fulcrum at Texas. If defense is what's required to carve out minutes, Swain will be able to buy into that. The jumper may not ever be a major strength, but Swain's jumbo creation is hard to pass up at this slot, especially for a Thunder roster that loves to accumulate as much skilled size as possible. |
||||||
| 18 |
|
Hannes Steinbach | PF | |||
|
Even though Charlotte took Jayden Quaintance at No. 14, the Hornets could be in the market to double-dip on frontcourt pieces. Quaintance is a gamble. Steinbach looks much more durable and reliable. He is right up there with Houston's Chris Cenac and Duke's Cameron Boozer as the top rebounder in this entire class. Steinbach doesn't just have good hands. He has great paws. He catches anything and everything. That should earn him some grace with this Charlotte coaching staff. Steinbach has some holes in his game. He's not a great defender in space or rim protector, but pairing Steinbach with a switchable monster athlete like Quaintance could cover up some of those issues. |
||||||
| 19 |
|
Bennett Stirtz | PG | |||
|
Toronto rated near the bottom of the league in 3-point rate, and Stirtz would help flip that a tad. The Iowa product is one of the top net-shredders in the draft. Stirtz's moonballs can nearly touch the rafters before tickling the twine. Stirtz drained 92 treys at a 36% clip this past season on an exceptionally tough shot diet. Oh, and the dude can run a pick-and-roll in his sleep. Stirtz would provide the Raptors with another on-ball threat who can still provide value as an off-ball spacer when it's time for Scottie Barnes to initiate the offense. Stirtz isn't brimming with burst, but the jumper provides plenty of high-floor outcomes. |
||||||
| 20 |
|
Karim Lopez | PF | |||
|
San Antonio has its bookends in place with jaw-dropping big man Victor Wembanyama and breakout rookie Dylan Harper, so it's all about finding complementary pieces to fill in the gaps. Lopez is a sturdy, 6-foot-8 wing who has played the 3 and the 4 for the New Zealand Breakers. He's not a 3-and-D player yet (both the 3 and the D need to develop), but there's enough to like here as a yoked connector to take a swing at No. 20, especially if other wings like Swain and Carr are off the board. |
||||||
| 21 |
|
Ebuka Okorie | PG | |||
|
Think of the speed that Detroit could add to the holster by drafting Okorie. The Stanford product has ridiculous end-to-end velocity, and he can stop on a dime to send defenders careening into the abyss. Okorie shot over 35% from 3-point range on high volume, but his ability to knife to the rim over and over again while playing clean basketball can feed families. Okorie is a little on the smaller end, measuring under 6-foot-2 without shoes at the NBA Draft Combine, but his 6-7.75 wingspan gives him a needed escape valve to finish over the trees. He'd provide a much-needed changeup to give Cade Cunningham some chances to move off the ball and not have to create literally everything. |
||||||
| 22 |
|
Koa Peat | PF | |||
|
The Sixers are going to play with a ton of pace when Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are on the floor together. That meshes almost flawlessly with what Peat needs to thrive. The much-maligned Arizona product can impact winning as a connector who can make reads in the open floor. Peat running stride-for-stride with burners like Edgecombe and Maxey is a scary proposition and eases the runway into the league. Scoring in the halfcourt is going to be a challenge for Peat, who relies heavily on brawn and power to go through defenders, but he may not be asked to do that too often if he's next to an All-Star like Joel Embiid, who could accentuate Peat's cutting and play-finishing. Peat's situation will be an important variable while he fixes his out-of-sync jumper. The Philadelphia situation certainly makes a lot of sense. |
||||||
| 23 |
|
Christian Anderson | PG | |||
|
In this exercise, the Hawks passed on Kingston Flemings at No. 8 to add Aday Mara, but Atlanta isn't leaving this draft without a point guard. Anderson provides a strong "get out of jail free" card for the Atlanta braintrust at No. 23. The Texas Tech star is a born-and-bred assassin. Anderson deposited 108 triples last year, shooting over 41% from beyond the arc. He has some physical development to make with his body to become more of a rim-pressure threat, but the jumper is automatic. Atlanta has a host of elite defenders on this roster, so Anderson wouldn't be asked to do too much on that end. There will always be a place in the league for a guy who has a jumper that seemingly always goes in. |
||||||
| 24 |
|
Henri Veesaar | C | |||
|
Veesaar is all of 7-feet, and he has plenty of skill in his bag. For all intents and purposes, Veesaar is hands-down the top stretch big on the board. The UNC big man drilled 40 3-pointers last season. No other 7-footer in this class can match that feat. The passing is an asset, and Veesaar will be a high-energy offensive rebounder for his entire career. He's got some snarl as well, especially when he ditches the pick-and-pops for a thunderous roll down the middle of the lane. The Knicks' offensive identity wouldn't change all that much when Karl-Anthony Towns needs a blow, and Veesaar has the mobility to play the 4 if New York wants a double-big lineup. |
||||||
| 25 |
|
Tarris Reed Jr. | C | |||
|
The Lakers need to add some venom to their frontcourt, and Reed has the chops to handle a heavy workload. The 6-foot-10, 263-pound center is a space-eater in the paint, who can carve out room to operate like it's nothing. Reed was asked to do a ton of jobs for UConn's layered offense. He can play in DHOs, get in and out of pick-and-rolls and create advantages with bouldering screens. He's a voracious rebounder in his own right, and the improvement with his frame is noticeable. If he could handle Dan Hurley's advanced playbook, there's a good chance he could execute what JJ Redick requires. What a life it'd be to be Luka Dončić's pick-and-roll partner. |
||||||
| 26 |
|
Chris Cenac Jr. | PF | |||
|
The Nuggets need to add some young bouncy legs to this frontcourt formula. Cenac is raw but toolsy. The Houston big man has a 7-foot-5 wingspan and was one of the best per-minute rebounders in the country. He gobbles up boards outside of his zip code time and time again. Cenac's decision-making is still a major work in progress and the speed of the college game seemed too much for him on some nights, but the former five-star recruit projects to be a long-term piece with the rebounding and shooting potential at the forefront of the evaluation. |
||||||
| 27 |
|
Joshua Jefferson | PF | |||
|
Boston needs to create easier shots, and Joshua Jefferson can help the Celtics do just that. He is one of the top processors in this draft. The 6-foot-9 burly forward is pound-for-pound as good a passer as anybody, and Jefferson's jumper has improved every single season. Jefferson isn't some jump-off-the-tape athlete, but the basketball IQ, passing and defense forms a connective tissue that all good teams have. Jefferson won at Saint Mary's and won at Iowa State and will likely contribute to winning in the NBA. |
||||||
| 28 |
|
Allen Graves | PF | |||
|
Minnesota would lick its chops to add a do-it-all connector like Graves to its already loaded mix of high-impact role players. Graves is a deflections machine, which fits the ethos of T-Wolves basketball to a T. He also impacts the game positively with his playmaking, shot-making and cutting while projecting as a potential replacement for Julius Randle down the road. But Graves is a tweener. While he was at his best offensively at the 5-spot, Santa Clara was at its worst defensively. While he was at his best defensively at the 4, his team was at its worst offensively. That's a bit of a conundrum. There's no shot Graves is quite big enough to play a small-ball 5 in the NBA. He will need some time to trim down his body to be a full-time power forward. |
||||||
| 29 |
|
Amari Allen | SF | |||
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Amari Allen's compilation of high-feel passing, shooting, defense and a tablespoon of on-ball responsibilities makes him an intriguing bet at the end of the first round, especially for a Cleveland roster that could use a bit more help on the wing. Allen didn't sniff the 6-foot-8 measurement that he was given at Alabama, but evaluators are still big fans of a 6-foot-6 jumbo guard who can pass, dribble, shoot, defend and cut. The big question is whether he will stay in the NBA Draft or return to Alabama for what is primed to be a huge sophomore season. |
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| 30 |
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Isaiah Evans | SG | |||
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If Dallas plucks Kingston Flemings at No. 9, it will need some rangy shooters to complement Flagg, Flemings and Kyrie Irving. Evans provides that 6-foot-6, 180-pound movement shooter who could fill some of Klay Thompson's minutes in the not-so-distant future. Evans rounded out the rough edges of his game, showcasing an ability to curl off pindowns, get downhill and finish with authority. He also took noticeable strides on the defensive end of the floor. There will be some creation questions with Evans, and his frame still needs to fill out to survive the avalanche of big, strong, fast athletes. But still, there's plenty of room at the inn for a 6-foot-6 shooter of this ilk. |
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1:31Draft Board Riser: PG Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)
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1:44Draft Board Faller: Illinois' Keaton Wagler
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1:59No. 1 Overall Debate: A.J. Dybantsa vs. Darryn Peterson
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1:07Wizards' 2026 No. 1 Pick: Is AJ Dybantsa a Lock?
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1:562026 NBA Draft: Best Fit for BYU'S AJ Dybantsa
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1:032026 NBA Draft: Best Fit for Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr.
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1:202026 NBA Draft: Best Fit for Kansas' Darryn Peterson
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1:072026 NBA Draft: Best Fit for Houston's Kingston Flemings
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1:082026 NBA Draft: Best Fit for Louisville's Mikel Brown
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1:042026 NBA Draft: Best Fit for Illinois' Keaton Wagler
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1:242026 NBA Draft: Best Fit for UNC's Caleb Wilson
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1:192026 NBA Draft: Best Fit for Duke's Cameron Boozer
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0:302025 NBA Draft Round 2 Gems: PG Javon Small (West Virginia)
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1:132025 NBA Draft Round 2 Gems: G Alijah Martin (Florida)
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1:122025 NBA Draft Round 2 Gems: G Chaz Lanier (Tennessee)
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1:322025 NBA Draft Round 2 Gems: F Koby Brea (Kentucky)
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1:46NBA Draft Trades Recap: Grizzlies Trade Up To Select Cedric Coward
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4:11Cooper Flagg Selected No. 1 Overall by Mavericks | 2025 NBA Draft Grades and Instant Reaction
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3:24Dylan Harper Selected No. 2 Overall by Spurs | 2025 NBA Draft Grades and Instant Reaction
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4:51Kon Knueppel Selected No. 4 Overall by Hornets | 2025 NBA Draft Grades and Instant Reaction