NBA Mock Draft 2026, Post-Lottery Edition: Wizards, Jazz Snag Future Stars; Who Will Celtics Pick?

Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa

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1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU

Whether he's rising up over defenders for a midrange jumper or utilizing his elite length to finish at the rim, Dybantsa operates with an offensive fluidity that makes him a nightmare to guard. He gives the Wizards the rare combination of a high floor and perennial All-Star ceiling.

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas

Utah made a big splash during the 2025-26 regular season by acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. to pair with Lauri Markkanen in the frontcourt. Throw Peterson, one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball, next to Keyonte George and Ace Bailey in the backcourt, and the Jazz suddenly become a much more intriguing team in the Western Conference.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina

Wilson is a one-of-one athlete whose natural talent and versatility make him the prospect with possibly the highest upside in this entire class. The 6-10 forward has earned comparisons to a young Giannis Antetokounmpo because of his explosiveness in the paint and transition.

4. Chicago Bulls: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke

At 6-9 and 250 pounds, Boozer can flex his muscles near the rim and stretch the floor (39.1 percent from 3-point range at Duke). Whether he's facilitating from the high post or dominating the glass, Boozer's elite feel for the game might make him the most pro-ready prospect in the lottery.

5. Los Angeles Clippers (from Pacers): Keaton Wagler, SG, Illinois

While Darius Acuff Jr. could be the pick here, Los Angeles already has a starting point guard in Darius Garland. Enter Wagler, who enjoyed a meteoric rise as a freshman, averaging 17.9 points per game while shooting 39.7 percent from deep.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas

Acuff, who averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game at Arkansas, is one of the best guards that John Calipari has ever coached. While undersized at 6-3 and 190 pounds, his elite shot-making gives him undeniable star gravity.

7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

The 6-4 guard is lightning in a bottle, possessing a first step and open-court speed that draws comparisons to a young De'Aaron Fox or Ja Morant. Flemings isn't just a burner, though; he is a refined floor general who averaged 16.1 points and 5.2 assists per game.

8. Atlanta Hawks (from Pelicans): Mikel Brown Jr. PG, Louisville

After trading Trae Young, Atlanta is searching for its point guard of the future, and Brown fits that mold perfectly. He gives the Hawks a high-IQ floor general with the ability to manipulate help defenders and deliver pinpoint passes.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona

While Koa Peat got plenty of attention at Arizona, Burries is the first Wildcat off the board in this mock draft. He can be another contributor in a backcourt rotation that already features Kyrie Irving, and he would be an ideal complementary piece next to Cooper Flagg on both ends of the floor.

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10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, PF, Tennessee

The Bucks appear to be on a rebuilding path with trade rumors swirling around Antetokounmpo, so they land a young prospect with a lot of raw talent in Ament. He will need to work on scoring consistency and add muscle to his frame, but he should be able to develop in Milwaukee.

11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan

The Warriors remain in win-now mode with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler returning, and Steve Kerr has signed a new deal. The 23-year-old Lendeborg is a great fit here as a versatile, mature prospect coming off a national championship run with Michigan.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers): Aday Mara, C, Michigan

If Oklahoma City declines the team option on Isaiah Hartenstein's contract, the Thunder can replace him with another monster in the middle. Mara was stellar throughout the NCAA Tournament, scoring a career-high 26 points against Arizona in the Final Four.

13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon Jr., PG/SG, Alabama

Philon made a huge leap as a sophomore, averaging 22.0 points per game at Alabama. The Heat desperately need some outside scoring, and Philon provides that; he also became a better distributor, dishing out 5.0 assists per game in 2025-26.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach, PF/C, Washington

While there are some questions about how his game will translate to the next level, Steinbach averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game at Washington. The Hornets already have plenty of scorers with LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller in the rotation, so Steinbach can focus on developing in his role for a playoff hopeful.

15. Chicago Bulls (from Trail Blazers): Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky

Quaintance, who transferred from Arizona State to Kentucky for his sophomore year, saw his stock fluctuate because of a knee injury that limited him to just four games in 2025-26. However, when healthy, he is a defensive menace with a massive 7-5 wingspan.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (from Suns via Magic): Christian Anderson, SG, Texas Tech

Memphis can snag a guard in this spot after taking Wilson at No. 3. The Grizzlies desperately need shooting, and Anderson has shown the ability to light it up on any given night (41.5 percent from 3-point range on 7.9 attempts per game).

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from 76ers): Karim Lopez, PF, New Zealand Breakers

Lopez is the first non-college selection, and he goes to a team with plenty of experience developing young prospects. He has the length and skill to slide right into the Thunder's system and emerge as their next great 3-and-D option.

18. Charlotte Hornets (from Magic via Suns): Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor

While Carr lacks the typical on-ball playmaking of someone who averaged nearly 19 points per game, he flashed a high ceiling at Baylor. As a high-volume 3-point shooter, he would have the green light for a Charlotte squad that launched the second-most 3-point attempts per game during the regular season.

19. Toronto Raptors: Chris Cenac Jr., PF, Houston

Cenac gives the Raptors another big man who is ready to compete on both ends of the floor. There wouldn't be much pressure on Cenac with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram handling playmaking duties, so he could be a solid defender, rebounder and finisher at the rim as a rookie.

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20. San Antonio Spurs (from Hawks): Koa Peat, PF, Arizona

While Peat will need time to develop into an all-around threat, he can grow with the Spurs' young core as a multi-positional scorer and defender. The swing skill for Peat will be his 3-point shot.

21. Detroit Pistons (from Timberwolves): Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa

The Pistons need scoring outside of Cade Cunningham, so they should select Stirtz, who averaged 19.8 points per game in his only season at Iowa. Whether he's playing with or without the ball, Stirtz has shown the ability to be lethal from deep.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Rockets via Thunder): Morez Johnson, PF/C, Michigan

What makes Johnson a perfect fit for Philadelphia is his versatility; he possesses the 7-3 wingspan and 250-pound frame to anchor the paint as a small-ball five. Johnson is a pro-ready defender who can impact the game without touching the ball.

23. Atlanta Hawks (from Cavaliers): Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke

The Duke star is capable of creating his own shot and taking advantage of a mismatch. As Hawks fans have seen with Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Quin Snyder knows how to utilize wings with skill and length.

24. New York Knicks: Tarris Reed Jr., PF/C, UConn

Mitchell Robinson might leave in free agency, so the Knicks could need a big man. Reed's pure power and rebounding make him attractive at this spot. After two years with Dan Hurley, the experienced Reed can turn into a reliable piece for a Knicks team in its championship window.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara

Graves is one of the more intriguing draft stories, starting only four games at Santa Clara after being an overlooked recruit. Regardless of what happens with LeBron James, Los Angeles needs some scoring at forward, and Graves provides that.

26. Denver Nuggets: Joshua Jefferson, PF, Iowa State

Jefferson averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game as a senior at Iowa State. He is a plug-and-play option for a Nuggets team looking to win right now with Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.

27. Boston Celtics: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

The Celtics had a center rotation of Neemias Queta, Nikola Vucevic and Luka Garza throughout the postseason, but they won't find a long-term answer in that group. Veesaar could bring stability at the position. At UNC, he was one of the team's top scoring options alongside Wilson, and he can help generate better shots as a post passer.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Pistons): Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas

At 6-8, Swain has the ideal size for a wing and boasts the athleticism that makes him a great fit in Minnesota. Even in limited minutes, Swain could impact the game on both ends of the floor for Chris Finch.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Spurs via Hawks): Tounde Yessoufou, SF, Baylor

Yessoufou is a violent, downhill slasher who finishes through contact with ease, and he possesses the lateral quickness to guard multiple positions. His outside shot is still a work in progress, but he has a high motor.

30. Dallas Mavericks (from Thunder via Wizards and 76ers): Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford

Dallas still has Irving for at least one more year, so Okorie can develop under him to become the point guard of the future. Jason Kidd can also serve as a mentor for the shifty, high-volume scorer.

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