The NBA regular season has concluded, setting the stage for the 2026 draft lottery. AJ Dybantsa, Darius Acuff Jr., and Yaxel Lendeborg are projected to be top picks in a highly talented draft class.
Key points
NBA regular season has ended
2026 draft lottery order is set
Top four picks include AJ Dybantsa and Darius Acuff Jr.
Draft class is noted for its high talent level
Lottery scheduled for May 10
AJ DybantsaDarius Acuff Jr.Yaxel LendeborgCameron Boozer
The NBA regular season is over, and the order of the lottery is set. This has been one of the worst displays of tanking in the league's history, and it's because this draft class is so uniquely good through the top four. Even beyond that range, the first nine picks are full of an unusually high amount of talent.
Some teams have been working the entire year to get into that bottom four, and the reward is coming for their painful campaigns. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson would all be No. 1 picks in many years. We have one more data point in the NCAA championship game since we did this activity the last time, but that top four remains unchanged.
Now that we know where the teams outside of the lottery are selecting and where the other teams all rank for the big drawing day on May 10, it's a worthwhile time to take a look at where our mock draft stands. Here's an updated version for the end of the regular season.
Note: Order based on end of season NBA standings before the draft lottery
Dybantsa has separated himself from the field with his elite shot creation and defensive tools at his 6-9 height. The need wing scoring alongside and , and Dybantsa was the leading scorer in Division I basketball. He should slide right in for now and be able to take the reins from those two veterans in a few years.
Q&A
What are the top projected picks in the 2026 NBA Draft?
AJ Dybantsa, Darius Acuff Jr., and Yaxel Lendeborg are among the top projected picks.
Why is the 2026 NBA Draft class considered uniquely talented?
The draft class is noted for its depth, with multiple players capable of being No. 1 picks in other years.
When is the 2026 NBA Draft lottery scheduled?
The 2026 NBA Draft lottery is scheduled for May 10.
How did tanking impact the 2026 NBA Draft order?
Several teams intentionally performed poorly to secure better positions in the draft order due to the high talent level of this draft class.
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Peterson's motor has been questioned due to his injuries at Kansas, but it was one of his strengths in high school. He can get back to that style playing under Rick Carlisle in Indiana, where he can help juice up an already potent offense and provide instant help to a team that is one year removed from the Finals.
While critics point to his lack of elite vertical explosiveness, Boozer's basketball IQ, polished post-game, and ballhandling skills undeniably lead to high-level production. He can anchor an NBA frontcourt through sheer strength and skill.
Wilson's 6-10 frame and 22.8 points per game as a freshman would make him a No. 1 pick in a lot of drafts. He could break into the top three, but the Jazz luck out by having him fall to them, giving them a huge lineup. This roster's plus shooting can also make up for his one major weakness. With the floor spread for him, he should be able to maximize his terrific athleticism.
Acuff is as pure of a bucket-getter as it gets in college basketball. The Kings could use that infusion of young talent and scoring. He's a deadly 3-point shooter, knows how to get to his spots, and can spray the ball all over the floor. Sacramento needs a cornerstone point guard. They get the most exciting one in Acuff.
Burries can fit in off the ball if the Grizzlies do choose to retain Ja Morant, or play more as a facilitator if Morant gets traded during the offseason. He has the physicality, defensive rebounding, passing, and efficient scoring that defines Grizzlies draft picks.
Wagler proved his mettle as a big-time shot-maker during Illinois' Final Four run. He's not a great athlete, but he has extraordinary feel and shooting. Those are the types of lead ballhandlers that Quin Snyder has made the most of. Wagler is a perfect fit for the Hawks' system and should complement point forward Jalen Johnson nicely.
Dallas needs a point guard to eventually replace 34-year-old Kyrie Irving, and the priority needs to be a fit with Cooper Flagg. Flemings is that guy. His top-tier speed should get a rebuilding Mavericks team in transition, and his midrange shooting mastery will give them some badly-needed shot creation, relieving the load that Flagg had to carry in that department.
Mara has been skyrocketing up draft boards due to Michigan's impressive tournament performance. He moves up another three spots in our latest mock.
The Bulls should have a new drafting philosophy after firing their lead decision-makers with a week left in the regular season. They do still need to address a glaring hole at center, where they have zero high-level prospects or players. Mara should be their Day 1 starter. His massive size can shore up Chicago's rim protection issues, he's a terrific outlet passer who will help them lean into their fast-paced offense, and he's a good passer that fits into their egalitarian approach.
Will Giannis stay or will he go? Nobody is quite sure yet. The Bucks can thread the needle between taking a prospect with upside who can also contribute immediately by adding Lendeborg, who is 23 years old but still finding ways to improve due to a late start to his basketball career. The all-around forward is a winning player who can fill the many holes on this Milwaukee roster.
Brown's creative passing should shine in a Warriors system that is predicated on movement and great reads. He didn't shoot a great percentage in college, but he's a talented off-the-dribble shooter who can learn from the best.
The Thunder are going to face extreme tax issues for the foreseeable future. Steinbach gives them a cheap replacement in case they lose Isaiah Hartenstein to free agency next summer. The big man with soft hands and great touch should be a natural pick-and-roll partner for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while also doing the dirty work on the glass.
The Heat need to take a swing at a talent with the most upside. Ament is clearly that guy if he falls this low. The fluid forward had some big scoring games as a freshman but also disappeared at times due to his raw skill set. The Heat have the perfect player development system to fix his shooting and capitalize on his plus defensive tools.
The Hornets have two good low-end starters in energy big man Moussa Diabate and mammoth shot-blocker Ryan Kalkbrenner. Quaintance provides a different look as a more versatile defender who can slam down lob passes from LaMelo Ball. His All-Defensive potential could be the last piece for a team that looks like it's figured out the offensive side of the floor.
Forget the fact that the Bulls have 700 guards on their roster. Many of them aren't coming back next season, and a new general manager means that the Bulls aren't committed to any of them long-term.
The team is on ground zero of their rebuild. They can and should aim higher than Josh Giddey, who is a nice starting point guard that will never be a top 20 player. Philon might be. His handle and craft are special. He figures out ways to snake into the paint, winning with his unique shiftiness. And he's proven himself as a 3-point shooter capable of fitting into the Bulls' run-and-gun approach.
Peat is another jack-of-all-trades player for the Grizzlies. His high motor, passing, size, and athleticism makes him a seamless fit as a bowling ball scorer with great touch at the rim who can also defend. More consistent shooting will be his swing skill.
17. Charlotte Hornets (from Suns): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
How can we make the Hornets' offense even more fun? How about adding one of the most electric dunkers in college basketball? Carr can jump out of the gym at 6-5. He's also a solid 38.5 percent 3-point shooter. He will need to add strength defensively, but his long arms give him some two-way potential at the wing.
The Thunder can always use another shooter to stretch the floor for SGA. Stirtz' percentages weren't amazing this season at Iowa, but dig more into the numbers and he was automatic on catch-and-shoot jumpers. He should provide some great secondary playmaking and be ready to contribute immediately to a championship-level roster.
19. San Antonio Spurs (from Hawks): Karim Lopez, SF, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)
Everybody in the NBA is looking for athletic two-way wings. Lopez is the best international prospect who fits that bill. He's already been productive playing against grown men in the NBL, showing a blend of shooting, defensive tools, and playmaking. He's the perfect role player to put next to Victor Wembanyama.
The Raptors are forming an identity as a tenacious defensive team. Johnson will add to that reputation. He gives Toronto even more switchability and the type of high energy that Darko Rajakovic loves. He's a relentless rebounder who has shades of Isaiah Stewart in his game.
Swain should take some pressure off Cade Cunningham and give the Pistons another downhill threat who can create his own shot. He's got great size at 6-8, excelling in getting to the rim and playmaking when defenses load up on his drives. His length and rebounding should help an already-stout Detroit defense.
22: Atlanta Hawks (from Cavaliers): Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona
The Hawks need some bigger bodies on their roster after trading away Kristaps Porzingis. Krivas certainly provides that at a massive 7-2 and 260 pounds. He's a great change-of-pace from undersized starter Onyeka Okongwu. While Okonkgwu can guard out on the perimeter and bang 3's, Krivas can pound teams inside, providing exceptional rim protection and rebounding.
23. Philadelphia 76ers (from Rockets): Patrick Ngongba, C, Duke
Ngongba gives the Sixers a reliable fill-in for the inevitable time that Joel Embiid misses next season. The do-it-all big man from Duke can play a good supporting role for Philadelphia's explosive guards, finishing plays off their passes, utilizing his high feel, and contributing good defense with his 7-4 wingspan.
Mullins didn't shoot a great percentage as a freshman an UConn, hitting a mediocre 33.5 percent of his 3's. If he stays in the draft, this is a great buy-low opportunity on a deadly high school shooter who can fly off screens and had his numbers dragged down by a late-season slump. With some added strength, he's a highly-skilled shot-maker with good positional size.
Cenac is a monstrous rebounder who should provide some vertical spacing for Luka Doncic. His length, strength, and fluidity provide a different look from Deandre Ayton, and he has a much better motor than any of the other bigs on their roster.
The Lakers need a big man who can fill a simplified role of screening, rebounding, providing some defensive versatility, and playing hard. Cenac checks all of those boxes, with some upside to do more down the line should he develop more of his raw skillset.
Haugh is a plug-and-play NBA forward who should be an immediate contributor on the defensive end. He doesn't need the ball to be an effective scorer, finding smart ways to cut or clean up misses. If he can become a little bit more consistent on his 3's, then he should be a solid role player next to Nikola Jokic.
It's looking more likely that Tanner returns to school after signing with CAA for NIL representation. If he does stay in the draft, Boston could get a tough undersized point guard with great defensive instincts. That emulates the type of player that coach Joe Mazzulla was at West Virginia, except that Tanner is a far superior athlete, shooter, and scorer.
28: Minnesota Timberwolves (from Pistons): Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech
Anderson gives the Wolves a high-feel point guard with terrific shooting numbers who can play with or without Anthony Edwards. The sophomore guard shot 41.5 percent from 3 last season while leading Texas Tech with 7.5 assists per game. Minnesota has been searching for the guy to fill Mike Conley's role, and Anderson could be it.
The Cavs are always looking for more depth on the wing. Allen provides that at 6-8 with strong two-way potential. A late-season slump hurt his shooting numbers, but he's a capable 3-point shooter who tries hard on defense and can guard multiple positions.
30: Dallas Mavericks (from Thunder): Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
Graves is another prospect who may or may not stay in the draft. If he does go somewhere in the first round, then he has a very good shot to be the sleeper of this class. He's an analytics darling that put up great production and efficiency, including terrific steal and block rates. He has good feel and size at 6-9, but lacks the top tier athleticism to be near the top of the draft. He could follow in the footsteps of Jalen Williams and Brandin Podziemski, coming out of a mid-major and holding his own against NBA competition.
