The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft gets underway tonight! Monday night saw some early fireworks in the form of two trades, as the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Chicago Bulls agreed to a three-team deal that sent Julius Randle to Brooklyn. Using PFN’s NBA Mock Draft Simulator, let’s project what will happen tonight and tomorrow.
1) Washington Wizards
AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
While it would be a cool story to see AJ Dybantsa stay in Utah, he is the most talented player in the draft and has already shown that he puts in the work to improve as the season goes on. It will be exciting to see what he can do with NBA coaching.
In his lone season at BYU, he was nothing short of incredible, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, while displaying a terrific motor and high-IQ game on both sides of the ball. This could be the start of something special, or dare I say magical, for the Wizards.
2) Utah Jazz
Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
The second of the two true “blue-chip” prospects in this draft, Darryn Peterson will completely change the trajectory of the Utah Jazz overnight. The media went hard on Peterson throughout his freshman year, not cutting him any slack as he dealt with a scary full-body cramping incident and everything that came with that.
However, I am a supporter of Peterson’s game and think he could be the second coming of two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, immediately leading the Jazz offense and making everyone around him better.
3) Memphis Grizzlies
Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
While most outlets consistently have Cameron Boozer ahead of Caleb Wilson, I think Wilson, with his elite athleticism and seven-foot wingspan, is more in line with what Memphis looks for in a big man after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah.
Wilson is a willing and capable defender and rebounder, and is further along than most expected him to be at this point. He is a real gem and could form a modern version of Lob City if the Grizzlies decide to retain Ja Morant.
4) Chicago Bulls
Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
This may come as a surprise to some, and this isn’t a slight to Boozer. I really think Wilson and Boozer are the clear third- and fourth-best players in this class, and that they will be great players in this league.
Boozer’s father, Carlos, was a two-time All-Star who spent four seasons of his 13-year NBA career in Chicago. Boozer would be a fantastic fit with the Bulls as an immediate contributor who is intelligent, physical, a solid rebounder, and a smooth shooter from outside to fit in the modern NBA.
5) Los Angeles Clippers (via IND)
Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
When the Indiana Pacers traded their first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for Ivica Zubac, they didn’t anticipate it being a top-five pick, but the Clippers are happy with their fortune and land a talented player in Keaton Wagler.
Wagler broke out in the NCAA Tournament, leading Illinois to the Final Four with his blend of intelligent playmaking and knockdown shooting. He projects, to me, as the missing piece for the Clippers to take the next step forward in terms of their rebuild and playing a consistent brand of basketball.
6) Brooklyn Nets
Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
Brooklyn has made it no secret that they are spending a lot of time getting to know Mikel Brown Jr., and he could be the next great Nets guard. He is as good a scorer as there is in the draft, as shown in his 45-point barrage against NC State in February when he hit 10 3-pointers. He has the upside to lead this Nets offense and help Brooklyn right the ship.
7) Sacramento Kings
Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
This is a match made in heaven, as Darius Acuff Jr. is the type of polarizing figure that you select to bring excitement to the fans, hope on the court, and legitimate upside to your future. He was named the SEC Player of the Year, is one of the most exciting offensive prospects in basketball right now, and has already shown that he can be the guy. Fun fact: Scott Perry, who is Sacramento’s general manager, coached Acuff’s father in college.
8) Atlanta Hawks (via NO)
Kingston Flemings, G, Houston
In order to start at Houston under Kelvin Sampson, you have to be skilled, relentless, and ready for the moment. Kingston Flemings was this and so much more as a freshman. He is a bit undersized, but has a 40.5″ vertical and plays with elite speed that we very rarely see enter the league. Look for Flemings and Jalen Johnson to be a lot of fun in transition.
9) Dallas Mavericks
Karim Lopez, F, Mexico
While many are projecting one of the Michigan players to Dallas with Dusty May coming on board, I actually think this is a great opportunity to take a high-upside prospect and have him coached up by someone who made his name maximizing prospects’ potential. Karim Lopez is a brilliant player who handles the ball like a guard and is an energetic defender.
He plays hard, is a strong team player, and rebounds well. He makes up for his lack of strength with a smooth, fundamentally sound game without glaring holes. Lopez led his NBL team to a victory in the inaugural season of the Ignite Cup, and I think combining Lopez with Cooper Flagg could be a huge problem for the rest of the league.
10) Milwaukee Bucks
Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
With the Bucks moving on from Giannis Antetokounmpo and starting a rebuild, grabbing a 6-foot-10 microwave scorer who also has upside on the defensive side of things is a great first move following the trade. This would be an ideal landing spot for Ament, as he can find his place in the league naturally, as opposed to being forced into positions that he may not be ready for.
11) Golden State Warriors
Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
Brayden Burries is a complete guard who can shoot, finish, defend at a high level, and move the ball. Burries said at his workout with the Golden State Warriors that it would be an “honor” to play alongside Stephen Curry, and I’m sure Curry would love this upgrade as well.
In a game against Colorado, Burries showcased all of his talents, scoring 31 points while accumulating 7 rebounds and 5 steals. He seems like a good fit in Golden State and can inject some youth into a Warriors team with a number of key veterans.
12) Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
Aday Mara, C, Michigan
Aday Mara falling to the Thunder would be nothing short of a dream come true for Oklahoma City. Mara possesses an incredible 7-foot-3 frame and a 7-foot-6 wingspan. Chet Holmgren deserves respect for his defense in the paint, but you can’t teach size, and as big men get more skilled, size at this level is rapidly becoming more and more valuable. He was a national champion at Michigan last season and could very well go higher than this, as he’s arguably the biggest wild card in this draft.
13) Milwaukee Bucks (via MIA)
Hannes Steinbach, F/C, Washington
If you read my mock draft from the very beginning of the NCAA season, I had Hannes Steinbach in the 30s, noting that if he figured it out, he could be one of the bigger risers in this year’s draft. He did so very quickly and became a lottery pick for me in due time.
Even before the deal became official, rumors surfaced that the Bucks loved the idea of pairing Ament and Steinbach if they moved on from Antetokounmpo. Now that this is reality, bringing in intelligent players like Steinbach is a key factor in how long a team’s rebuild lasts. He is an excellent rebounder and pick-and-roll finisher, and can execute a gameplan at a very high level.
14) Charlotte Hornets
Morez Johnson Jr., PF, Michigan
At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, scouts have felt like Morez Johnson Jr. could fit in perfectly with the Charlotte Hornets as he has climbed draft boards. He is solid, consistently impacts the game, and anchors the defense even without elite size. For how powerful every other aspect of his game is, it is really impressive how he has such a soft touch. Even though the Hornets didn’t keep them, they developed Mark Williams and Nick Richards into solid centers in this league, and with more upside than either big man, look for the Hornets to develop Johnson and then keep him around for a change.
15) Chicago Bulls (via POR)
Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan
Yaxel Lendeborg was a key contributor during Michigan’s title run, and the only real knock, if you even want to call it that, is that he is an older prospect at 23 years old, so teams get nervous about his ceiling and whether they could miss out on an extended prime. Even so, Lendeborg has shown the ability to completely take over a game. He is a strong forward with a highly versatile offensive game.
16) Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns)
Dailyn Swain, F, Texas
Dailyn Swain is an extremely gifted player who gives the Memphis Grizzlies a high-upside wing with all of the tools to be an extremely productive player at the next level in time. He plays right into Memphis’ style, as he is strong at attacking the rim and can defend multiple positions. His biggest growth point is his shooting, but putting him in a developmental environment will help foster his success.
17) Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI)
Cameron Carr, G, Baylor
One underrated fit that I am not hearing a lot about is Cameron Carr joining the Thunder with this pick. He has the length and versatility that OKC seems to covet when drafting over the last few years, but I don’t think a Thunder draft pick has had the potential to shoot the lights out like Carr has the ability to in a very long time. He is also an incredible shot blocker for a guard, which further showcases the good positions he puts himself in.
18) Charlotte Hornets (via ORL)
Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech
For a Hornets team that loves to shoot, why not bring in one of the best shooters in the whole draft? It just makes sense. Christian Anderson brings a certain creativity to a team that is building around its young talent, and he showed a ton of promise in spurts last season. He would provide an excellent complement to LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel in the backcourt, even serving as a great spark off the bench as a sixth man, if that is how they chose to utilize him.
19) Toronto Raptors
Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama
Labaron Philon Jr. is a lead guard who excels at creating for his teammates, scoring at a high level, and playing with a level of maturity that makes his floor extremely high. However, he also has a ton of untapped potential to make the Toronto Raptors look really smart with this pick. He plays hard on both sides of the ball and is versatile enough to fit in alongside the Raptors’ current pieces.
20) San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)
Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara
Allen Graves gives the San Antonio Spurs another versatile forward who can wear many hats for Mitch Johnson in San Antonio. Graves is capable of making a huge impact without the ball in his hands, but also knows exactly what to do when it is his time to step up.
His high-energy game and attention to detail make him extremely valuable to a Spurs team that just won the Western Conference and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.
21) Detroit Pistons (via MIN)
Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa
Bennett Stirtz fills the 3-point shooting void that Malik Beasley left when a federal gambling investigation derailed his NBA career. Stirtz is a really good shooter, but he also gives Detroit a leader when Cade Cunningham is off the court or when they want to use him in off-ball settings. He would also bring maturity to a young team that sometimes shows its age. Stirtz can fill a role and has long-term upside, making him valuable at this stage of the draft.
22) Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU)
Koa Peat, F, Arizona
Koa Peat does what it takes to win. He offers a combination of positional versatility, strength, and athleticism to the Philadelphia 76ers late in the first round. On top of all of that, he is a skilled rebounder and scorer. He should transition quickly to the NBA, which should bode well for a team with a few aging stars that’s looking to stay competitive now. If he is able to unlock more skills on the offensive side of the ball, this could be a fantastic value pick for the 76ers.
23) Atlanta Hawks (via CLE)
Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
Chris Cenac Jr. gives the Hawks a talented big man with a lot of potential on both sides of the ball. He has prototypical size, mobility, and shot-blocking ability for the modern NBA, which is a blend that Atlanta has been desperately seeking for a while now.
24) New York Knicks
Tarris Reed Jr, C, UConn
With Mitchell Robinson hitting unrestricted free agency and facing uncertainty about his future in New York, bringing in Tarris Reed Jr. would give the Knicks an alternative option to do the dirty work, rebound, defend, and make hustle plays.
Regardless of Robinson’s status, Reed would be a great frontcourt pickup who can provide frontcourt depth. After winning an NBA championship, the Knicks need players who can make an impact now, even if their upside is not that of a star, and the 22-year-old Reed fits the bill.
25) Los Angeles Lakers
Isaiah Evans, G, Duke
Isaiah Evans may just be the steal of the draft, and he is only this low because of how loaded Duke was last season. Evans is a versatile 6’6″ wing. As a sophomore, Evans averaged 15.0 points and 2.7 made 3-pointers per game on 36.1% shooting from deep. His quick release, NBA-range shooting, and ability to score off the move or the dribble make him a dangerous perimeter threat with significant upside.
He will need to add some strength to be good enough defensively to have a prominent role on a good NBA team, but he has the length and feel for the game to become effective on that side of the court as well.
26) Denver Nuggets
Henri Veesaar, PF/C, North Carolina
Henri Veesaar fits with the way Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets like to play. He is smart, is a big man who can shoot, and he has a really strong feel for the game, which is important when playing with such an incredible distributor.
At 7-feet tall, he isn’t afraid to do the dirty work or put in the effort to fully finish plays. Denver is a perfect fit to allow Veesaar’s strengths to shine and hide his weaknesses.
27) Boston Celtics
Jayden Quaintance, PF/C, Kentucky
After missing out on Antetokounmpo, the Boston Celtics will likely look to the draft for size, and Jayden Quaintance is a steal this late in the draft due to his unfortunate ACL injury. He is incredibly talented defensively, but needs work offensively to reach his massive potential. He defends with great instincts and fits the modern NBA, defending multiple positions with athleticism and holding his ground. Look for Boston to shop this pick, but if they keep it, I like the bet on Quaintance’s upside.
28) Brooklyn Nets (via MIN)
Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas
Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas is a strong ballhandler with a lot of upside, and I like the idea of him pairing up with Mikel Brown Jr. and forming a dynamic duo in Brooklyn. Thomas draws fouls and hits his free throws, and if he continues to develop and plays with confidence at the next level, there’s no reason he can’t be a Devin Booker-type impact scorer for Brooklyn.
29) Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS)
Sergio de Larrea, G, Spain
A long and talented guard, Sergio de Larrea plays with strong playmaking sense and excellent vision. At this point in the draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t going to get someone who is fully ready to make a massive impact on Day 1.
But with his incredible feel for the game, especially in the pick-and-roll, I especially love his fit with Jarrett Allen to add another layer to their offense.
30) Dallas Mavericks (via OKC)
Ebuka Okorie, G, Stanford
Not many guards can give you 40 points one night, 13 rebounds another, and get 3 or more steals in huge conference wins. Ebuka Okorie can do this, and he is one of the youngest players in the draft. He can score at all three levels as well as create for himself or go downhill and take it to the rim. Okorie developing next to a point forward like Flagg would be very hard for opposing defenses to gameplan against.
Round 2
31. New York Knicks (via WAS): Alex Karaban, F, UConn
32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND):Â Jaden Bradley, G, Arizona
33. Minnesota Timberwolves: Zuby Ejiofor, PF/C, St. John’s
34. Sacramento Kings:Â Quadir Copeland, G, NC State
35. San Antonio Spurs (via UTA): Trevon Brazile, PF, Arkansas
36. L.A. Clippers (via MEM):Â Ryan Conwell, G, Louisville
37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via DAL):Â Jack Kayil, Germany
38. Chicago Bulls (via NOP):Â Baba Miller, PF, Cincinnati
39. Houston Rockets (via CHI):Â Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State
40. Boston Celtics (via MIL): Richie Saunders, SG, BYU
41. Miami Heat (via GSW):Â Fletcher Loyer, G, Purdue
42. San Antonio Spurs (via POR):Â Tyler Bilodeau, F, UCLA
43. Brooklyn Nets (via LAC):Â Dillon Mitchell, F, St. John’s
44. San Antonio Spurs (via MIA):Â Ja’Kobi Gillespie, G, Tennessee
45. Sacramento Kings (via CHA):Â Otega Oweh, G, Kentucky
46. Orlando Magic:Â Trey Kaufman-Renn, F, Purdue
47. Phoenix Suns (via PHI):Â Lamar Wilkerson, G, Indiana
48. Dallas Mavericks (via PHX):Â Keyshawn Hall, F, Auburn
49. Denver Nuggets (via ATL):Â Braden Smith, G, Purdue
50. Toronto Raptors:Â Aaron Nkrumah, G, Tennessee State
51. Washington Wizards (via MIN):Â Nick Martinelli, F, Northwestern
52. L.A. Clippers (via CLE):Â Izaiyah Nelson, PF, South Florida
53. Houston Rockets: Emanuel Sharp, G, Houston
54. Golden State Warriors (via LAL): Vsevolod Ishchenko, Russia
55. New York Knicks:Â Ugonna Onyenso, C, Virginia
56. Chicago Bulls (via DEN):Â Tobi Lawal, PF, Virginia Tech
57. Atlanta Hawks (via BOS):Â Felix Okpara, PF/C, Tennessee
58. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET):Â Bruce Thornton, G, Ohio State
59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via SAS):Â Seth Trimble, G, North Carolina
60. Washington Wizards (via OKC):Â Jaxon Kohler, PF, Michigan State
