2026 NBA Mock Draft: Clippers take a huge swing at No. 5, Darius Acuff falls to Kings at pick No. 7
TL;DR
The 2026 NBA Draft order is set, with the Washington Wizards holding the No. 1 pick. The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to make a bold selection at No. 5 after acquiring the pick from the Indiana Pacers.
Key points
- 2026 NBA Draft order is confirmed
- Washington Wizards hold No. 1 pick
- Los Angeles Clippers have No. 5 pick
- Clippers acquired pick from Indiana Pacers
- Top four picks likely include AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson
Getty Images
After one of the most high-profile tank races in league history, we now know the order of the 2026 NBA Draft. All eyes will be on the Washington Wizards next month when the franchise is on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick. Washington will be making its first No. 1 pick since 2010, when the franchise selected John Wall.
For the most part, there should be little drama on draft night on who the first four picks will be, but the order of those picks is certainly not set in stone, which makes the 2026 version of the NBA Draft extremely intriguing As of Tuesday, it appears the Wizards will likely target BYU star AJ Dybantsa at No. 1, followed by the Utah Jazz selecting Kansas star Darryn Peterson with the second pick.
At picks No. 3 and 4, held by the Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls, respectively, all indications point to Duke forward Cameron Boozer and UNC forward Caleb Wilson going off the board next. The Los Angeles Clippers at pick No. 5 is where the drama could start, and testing numbers coming out of the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago ignited a change and bold move here. The Clippers will have a top-five pick after trading for it at last season's trade deadline, which sent Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers.
With the lottery set, let's dive into my first post-lottery mock, starting with Washington at No. 1.
Mock Draft
Round 1
| Round 1 - Pick 1 team logo team logo player headshot AJ Dybantsa SF BYU • Fr • 6'9" / 215 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 2 team logo team logo player headshot Darryn Peterson PG Kansas • Fr • 6'6" / 205 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 3 team logo team logo player headshot Cameron Boozer PF Duke • Fr • 6'9" / 250 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 4 team logo team logo player headshot Caleb Wilson PF North Carolina • Fr • 6'10" / 215 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Indiana Pacers Round 1 - Pick 5 team logo team logo player headshot Aday Mara C Michigan • Jr • 7'3" / 255 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 6 team logo team logo player headshot Keaton Wagler PG Illinois • Fr • 6'6" / 185 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 7 team logo team logo player headshot Darius Acuff Jr. PG Arkansas • Fr • 6'3" / 190 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From New Orleans Pelicans Round 1 - Pick 8 team logo team logo player headshot Kingston Flemings PG Houston • Fr • 6'4" / 190 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 9 team logo team logo player headshot Mikel Brown Jr. PG Louisville • Fr • 6'5" / 190 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 10 team logo team logo player headshot Yaxel Lendeborg PF Michigan • Sr • 6'9" / 235 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 11 team logo team logo player headshot Brayden Burries SG Arizona • Fr • 6'4" / 205 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 - Pick 12 team logo team logo player headshot Labaron Philon PG Alabama • Fr • 6'3" / 175 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 13 team logo team logo player headshot Jayden Quaintance C Kentucky • Soph • 6'10" / 255 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 14 team logo team logo player headshot Nate Ament PF Tennessee • Fr • 6'10" / 207 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Portland Trail Blazers Round 1 - Pick 15 team logo team logo player headshot Cameron Carr SG Baylor • Soph • 6'5" / 190 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Phoenix Suns Round 1 - Pick 16 team logo team logo player headshot Karim Lopez PF Mexico • 6'8" / 224 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Philadelphia 76ers Round 1 - Pick 17 team logo team logo player headshot Chris Cenac Jr. PF Houston • Fr • 6'11" / 240 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Orlando Magic Round 1 - Pick 18 team logo team logo player headshot Bennett Stirtz PG Iowa • Sr • 6'4" / 190 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 19 team logo team logo player headshot Hannes Steinbach PF Washington • Fr • 6'11" / 229 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Atlanta Hawks Round 1 - Pick 20 team logo team logo player headshot Koa Peat PF Arizona • Fr • 6'8" / 235 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Minnesota Timberwolves Round 1 - Pick 21 team logo team logo player headshot Allen Graves PF Santa Clara • Fr • 6'9" / 225 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Houston Rockets Round 1 - Pick 22 team logo team logo player headshot Isaiah Evans SG Duke • Soph • 6'6" / 180 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Cleveland Cavaliers Round 1 - Pick 23 team logo team logo player headshot Morez Johnson Jr. C Michigan • Soph • 6'9" / 250 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 24 team logo team logo player headshot Dailyn Swain SF Texas • Jr • 6'8" / 225 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 25 team logo team logo player headshot Henri Veesaar C North Carolina • Jr • 7'0" / 225 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 26 team logo team logo player headshot Ebuka Okorie PG Stanford • Fr • 6'2" / 185 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| Round 1 - Pick 27 team logo team logo player headshot Amari Allen SF Alabama • Fr • 6'8" / 205 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Detroit Pistons Round 1 - Pick 28 team logo team logo player headshot Christian Anderson PG Texas Tech • Soph • 6'3" / 178 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From San Antonio Spurs Round 1 - Pick 29 team logo team logo player headshot Tounde Yessoufou SF Baylor • Fr • 6'5" / 215 lbs | --- | --- | --- | ||||
| From Oklahoma City Thunder Round 1 - Pick 30 team logo team logo player headshot Meleek Thomas SG Arkansas • Fr • 6'5" / 185 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
Q&A
Who has the first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
The Washington Wizards have the first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Which players are expected to be selected in the top four of the 2026 NBA Draft?
The top four picks are likely to include AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson.
What trade led to the Clippers acquiring the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
The Clippers acquired the No. 5 pick by trading Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers at last season's trade deadline.
What impact could the NBA Draft Combine have on the Clippers' selection at No. 5?
Testing numbers from the NBA Draft Combine could influence the Clippers' decision-making and lead to a bold selection at No. 5.
