NBA Mock Draft 2026: AJ Dybantsa Leads the Pack

AJ Dybantsa is the top pick in the 2026 NBA mock draft

Introduction to Draft The 2026 NBA draft picture is now clearer with the early-entry deadline having passed and the lottery less than two weeks away. This draft is expected to be one of the most significant in recent memory due to the high-impact talent at the top and the number of teams with a lot riding on this year's ping-pong balls. AJ Dybantsa has emerged as the favorite for the No. 1 pick, followed closely by Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. The early entry list for this class consists of just 71 players, which is the fewest in over 20 years, down from 106 in 2025. Many prospects opted to return to college, which has thinned the depth of this draft outside the lottery, as anticipated by NBA teams due to the impact of NIL, allowing D-I programs to spend competitively and retain talent. ## Top Prospects Analysis Only three players projected as first-rounders - Thomas Haugh, Braylon Mullins, and Motiejus Krivas - chose not to enter the draft, keeping the first-round picture relatively stable. The next month will be crucial in determining the depth of the class, with 16 of the 20 prospects projected in the 15-35 range still able to return to college if they choose. The NBA will convene in Chicago on May 10 for the lottery and combine, marking the beginning of a busy predraft cycle. These projections are based on ongoing conversations with NBA executives and scouts, as well as personal evaluations from attending games and watching film. The NBA draft lottery will take place on May 10, and the order will be determined then. ## Round 1 Picks The Washington Wizards are projected to pick first, with AJ Dybantsa being the likely choice. Dybantsa had an excellent finish to the season, and NBA executives widely view him as the probable No. 1 choice. However, there is no consensus, and the outcome depends on the decision-making process of the team that wins the lottery. Dybantsa has elite physical traits, significant scoring upside, and room to grow into a positive defender, checking all the boxes for a future star at a coveted position. Following Dybantsa, the Indiana Pacers are projected to pick Darryn Peterson, who remains a candidate for the No. 1 spot despite a strange season. The Brooklyn Nets are projected to pick Cameron Boozer, who lived up to his expectations and proved to be one of the most dependable freshman stars. The Utah Jazz are projected to pick Caleb Wilson, whose pair of hand injuries did not affect his standing on draft boards. ## More Round 1 Picks The Sacramento Kings are projected to pick Darius Acuff Jr., who has generated excitement with his torrid stretch in March and has the potential to leap into the top five. The Memphis Grizzlies are projected to pick Keaton Wagler, who led Illinois to the Final Four and has major long-term upside. The Atlanta Hawks, via the New Orleans pick, are projected to pick Kingston Flemings, who has explosive speed and winning intangibles. The Dallas Mavericks are projected to pick Mikel Brown Jr., who needs a positive spring to work his way up the board in a guard-heavy lottery. The Chicago Bulls are projected to pick Brayden Burries, who has a solid two-way game and room to grow as a scorer. ## Later Round 1 Picks The Milwaukee Bucks are projected to pick Nate Ament, who has slipped from an early top-five projection but still has plenty of intrigue around his opportunity to be selected later in the lottery. The Golden State Warriors are projected to pick Karim Lopez, who has a chance to help himself in predraft workouts and show progress as a perimeter shooter. The Oklahoma City Thunder, via the LA Clippers, are projected to pick Yaxel Lendeborg, who is set to benefit from his instrumental role in Michigan's title run. The Miami Heat are projected to pick Labaron Philon Jr., who helped himself by returning to school and will have a case in the late lottery as an option for any team in need of shot creation. ## Mid to Late Round 1 Picks The Charlotte Hornets are projected to pick Aday Mara, who played exceptionally well as Michigan rolled to the title and showcased his unique skill level. The Atlanta Hawks, via the Cleveland pick, are projected to pick Isaiah Evans, who has the makings of a quality wing shooter and starter-level upside. The New York Knicks are projected to pick Koa Peat, who opted to declare for the draft and has an opportunity to play his way up the boards with a strong predraft process. The Los Angeles Lakers are projected to pick Henri Veesaar, who comes off a productive season at North Carolina and offers sheer size and viable shooting. ## Round 2 Picks The New York Knicks, via the Washington pick, are projected to pick Alex Karaban. The Memphis Grizzlies, via the Indiana pick, are projected to pick Tyler Tanner. The Brooklyn Nets are projected to pick Juke Harris. The Sacramento Kings are projected to pick Zuby Ejiofor. The San Antonio Spurs, via the Utah pick, are projected to pick Tounde Yessoufou. The LA Clippers, via the Memphis pick, are projected to pick Luigi Suigo. The Oklahoma City Thunder, via the Dallas pick, are projected to pick Milan Momcilovic. The Chicago Bulls, via the New Orleans pick, are projected to pick Sergio de Larrea. ## Remaining Round 2 Picks The Houston Rockets are projected to pick Ryan Conwell. The Boston Celtics, via the Milwaukee pick, are projected to pick Braden Smith. The Miami Heat, via the Golden State pick, are projected to pick Tarris Reed Jr. The San Antonio Spurs, via the Portland pick, are projected to pick Matt Able. The Brooklyn Nets, via the LA Clippers pick, are projected to pick Malachi Moreno. The San Antonio Spurs, via the Miami pick, are projected to pick Baba Miller. The Sacramento Kings, via the Charlotte pick, are projected to pick Richie Saunders. The Orlando Magic are projected to pick Flory Bidunga. The Phoenix Suns, via the Philadelphia pick, are projected to pick Jaden Bradley. ## Final Round 2 Picks The Dallas Mavericks, via the Phoenix pick, are projected to pick Trevon Brazile. The Denver Nuggets, via the Atlanta pick, are projected to pick Rueben Chinyelu. The Toronto Raptors are projected to pick Ugonna Onyenso. The Washington Wizards, via the Minnesota pick, are projected to pick Billy Richmond III. The LA Clippers, via the Cleveland pick, are projected to pick Kylan Boswell. The Houston Rockets are projected to pick Bruce Thornton. The Golden State Warriors, via the Los Angeles pick, are projected to pick Andrej Stojakovic. The New York Knicks are projected to pick Emanuel Sharp. The Chicago Bulls, via the Denver pick, are projected to pick Tyler Bilodeau. The Atlanta Hawks, via the Boston pick, are projected to pick Ja'Kobi Gillespie. The Minnesota Timberwolves, via the San Antonio pick, are projected to pick Milos Uzan. The New Orleans Pelicans, via the Detroit pick, are projected to pick Tamin Lipsey. The Washington Wizards, via the Oklahoma City pick, are projected to pick Felix Okpara.