The 2026 NBA Draft begins on June 23 with the Washington Wizards holding the first pick after they won the draft lottery. AJ Dybantsa, a freshman forward from BYU, led the nation in scoring with 25.5 ppg. Dybantsa is the projected #1 pick by the Wizards and the betting favorite at -375 odds, according to BetMGM.
The Utah Jazz own the second pick, followed by the Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Clippers to round out the top five.
While international talent defined recent drafts, American prospects dominate the draft board, and the incoming class of rookies is widely regarded as the deepest guard/wing class in years. The consensus top four includes Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and Caleb Wilson (North Carolina).
Here’s a mock draft of the first seven picks…
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Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa (F, BYU)
Pick #1 Odds: -375
Stats: 25.5 ppg, 6.8 rebounds
Dybantsa, a dominating 6-foot-8 forward, vastly improved throughout the season and solidified his status as a projected top pick. NBA teams have prioritized versatile forwards in the mold of Jayson Tatum and last year’s #1 pick, Cooper Flagg. Dybantsa fits that archetype. As a combo forward, he can play both small forward and power forward positions. He can distribute the ball as a point-forward and slide into the center position in a small-ball lineup. His combination of athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive versatility makes him the clear favorite to hear his name called first on draft night. Meanwhile, Darryn Peterson is +275 odds to become the #1 pick.
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Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson (G, Kansas)
Pick #2 Odds: -175
Stats: 20.2 ppg, 4.2 rebounds, 38% 3PT
Peterson entered the season at the top of many mock drafts and remains the most talented guard in the draft. His shot-making ability had drawn comparisons to Devin Booker. Peterson missed 11 games due to soft-tissue and cramping injuries, which raised concerns among several front offices. That uncertainty could cause him to slide a couple of spots, but there’s too much upside to ignore. If the Jazz pass on Peterson, Cameron Boozer (+275) is most likely an alternative favorite as the second pick.
Peterson visited the Wizards, but informed all other lottery teams that he wasn’t interested in meeting with them, including the Jazz. If the Wizards select Peterson instead of Dybantsa, Dybantsa is priced at +300 to join the Jazz as the second pick.
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Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer (F, Duke)
Pick #3 Odds: -225
Stats: 22.5 ppg, 10.2 rebounds, 39% 3PT
Grabbing Boozer at #3 would be a steal for the Grizzlies. The Duke star might not generate as much buzz as Dybantsa, and he might lack elite playmaking skills like Peterson, but he’s steady and consistent. He should be able to contribute right away. Boozer, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, has drawn comps to Paolo Banchero and Julius Randle. If Boozer is off the board and Peterson slides to third, then he’s +300 to join the Grizzlies.
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Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson (F, North Carolina)
Pick #4 Odds: -325
Stats: 19.8 ppg, 9.4 rebounds
North Carolina saw their title chances plummet when they lost Caleb Wilson to a thumb injury late in the season. The freshman was already battling a fractured left hand before injuring his right thumb. Wilson recovered from surgery and impressed scouts during pre-draft workouts. At 6-foot-10, Wilson has drawn comparisons to Pascal Siakam and Evan Mobley. Scouts love his defensive versatility and the ability to guard all five positions. The Bulls are loaded with guards, but they need frontline players with length and mobility like Wilson.
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L.A. Clippers: Mikel Brown, Jr. (G, Louisville)
Pick #5 Odds: +175
Stats: 18.2 ppg, 4.7 assists
Although almost everyone agrees on the four best prospects, the draft gets unpredictable around the fifth pick.
Mikel Brown missed 14 games with a back injury and tried to play through it. He sat out the last six games of the season and has since been cleared to practice. To let any skeptics know he’s fully recovered, Brown humorously carried his mother on his back down a long hallway in a workout video.
A lot of fans are still talking about the night Brown erupted for 45 points against N.C. State when he knocked down 10 3-pointers. Brown has drawn comps to CJ McCollum and Darius Garland. The Garland comparison is interesting because Garland is currently on the Clippers roster, so they might pivot and pursue Keaton Wagler (+240) or Darius Acuff (+350) instead of Brown at #5.
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Brooklyn Nets: Keaton Wagler (G, Illinois)
Pick #6 Odds: +275
Stats: 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 40% 3PT
Wagler emerged as one of the nation’s top freshmen after leading Illinois in scoring and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. Wagler was the engine behind one of college basketball’s most explosive offenses and helped guide Illinois to the Final Four.
Scouts heaped praise on Wagler with comparisons to Tyrese Haliburton and D’Angelo Russell because of his playmaking instincts and shooting touch. If Brown is off the board, Wagler and Acuff are essentially a coin flip here for the Nets at #6. Some mock drafts listed Wagler as high as the fifth pick.
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Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff, Jr. (G, Arkansas)
Pick #7 Odds: +170
Stats: 23.5 ppg, 6.4 assists, 44% 3PT
Acuff is the easy pick for the Kings at #7 if both Brown and Wagler are off the board. At 6-foot-2, Acuff has drawn comparisons to Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson for his scoring instincts and shooting range. He’s much smaller than other top guards in the class, but he’s a high-volume scorer. Acuff was a mad bomber for coach John Calipari at Arkansas, and he drilled 44% of his 3-point attempts. Acuff led the SEC in scoring (25.6 ppg), and earned conference Player of the Year honors.
Watch List: Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries
Trade rumors could shake up the lottery. Multiple reports linked the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks in a potential blockbuster trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown. The Atlanta Hawks have been mentioned as a possible third team in the deal. This is worth monitoring because the Hawks have the #8 pick and the Bucks are #10.
If the Hawks keep their pick, Kingston Flemings (PG, Houston) is a probable target. Flemings (16.1 ppg, 39% 3PT) has drawn comps to De’Aaron Fox. Flemings is the betting favorite (+325) to join the Hawks with the #8 pick.
Numerous mock drafts have Brayden Burries (G, Arizona) joining the Dallas Mavs as the #9 pick. There’s also speculation that the Golden State Warriors want to move up the board for Burries (16.1 ppg, 39% 3PT). Houston’s star point guard drew comps to Jamal Murray.
Michigan Champions: Yaxel Luxemborg, Aday Mara
Yaxel Lendeborg (PF, Michigan) was fun to watch during Michigan’s championship run. Michigan’s leading scorer (15.1 ppg, 6.8 rebounds) was also named Big Ten Player of the Year. Lendeborg turns 24 in September, and he’s one of the older prospects in the draft. He’s drawn comparisons to OG Anunoby for his two-way versatility. Although most projections have him going in the middle of the first round, don’t be surprised if Lendeborg climbs higher on draft night. He’s currently priced at +1000 to get picked by the Bucks with the tenth pick.
Aday Mara (C, Michigan) was an integral role player for Michigan’s national title squad, averaging 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. He’s the favorite to become the first true center selected in the draft, and scouts compared him to Isiah Haretnstein. The Hawks could add Mara (+375) to bolster their front line. He’s also +700 to join the Mavs.
Sleepers: Ament and Philon
Nate Ament (F, Tennessee) had a lot of hype as a projected Top 3 pick, but the 6-foot-9 freshman struggled during his first season in Knoxville. Ament still averaged 16.7 ppg and 6.3 rebounds despite some inconsistency. Scouts comp Ament to Jonathan Isaac or Matas Buzelis for his ability to play multiple positions. Ament’s best odds are +700 as the sixth pick if the Nets take a flier on him instead of a guard.
Labaron Philon (PG, Alabama) averaged 22.0 points and 5.0 assists per game. The combo guard is +650 to get selected by the Bucks at #10, and +1000 to land with the Mavs at #9. If Philon slips out of the Top 10, the Miami Heat would love to add him with the #13 pick. Philon is compared to Nickeil Alexander-Walker, but he drew raves from one gushing scout who said he’s like Tyrese Maxey.
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