With the 2025-26 NBA Season now underway, it remains to be seen if teams like the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers can maintain their tiny sample size of success, but it is nice to see some of these young players flashing their potential on the grand stage. To get off to a start like that is the hope for everyone listed below, who we expect to be drafted into the NBA after this season.
One important note is that there are only 59 draft picks in the 2026 NBA Draft because the New York Knicks had to vacate their second-round pick as punishment for breaking the rules on tampering when recruiting Jalen Brunson to join the team.
College teams have begun playing exhibitions and are set to begin their regular season in just a week, so we have seen some players make unofficial debuts. However, we look forward to seeing them compete head-to-head and adjust these mock drafts accordingly.
1) Brooklyn Nets
Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Darryn Peterson fits the mold of a modern-day NBA point guard and has received comparisons to the NBA’s reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with his footwork, frame, feel for the game, and maturity. He may be a better shooter from beyond the arc than Gilgeous-Alexander was at this age, too. Peterson is an elite prospect, and Brooklyn would be wise to go with him with this draft’s top pick.
The Brooklyn Nets showed their toughness last season, and while they didn’t win many games, they showed a lot of potential defensively and lacked offense with Cameron Thomas missing a lot of time. At 18, Peterson fits right in with his impressive physicality, elite athleticism, and the poise to be an elite guard for years to come. He offers the skills to come in and be an impact starter in the NBA immediately, with an extremely high floor.
2) Atlanta Hawks (via NO)
A.J. Dybantsa , F, BYU
The Atlanta Hawks could have made one of the most lopsided trades in NBA Draft history when they acquired this pick with the 23rd overall pick in last year’s draft for the Pelicans to trade up and draft Maryland F Derik Queen.
First-year phenoms 🤩@TheAndyKatz ranks the 🔟 best freshmen in the nation 👀 pic.twitter.com/Wt5nNybsR7
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 28, 2025
Bringing in a player like A.J. Dybantsa, who impacts the game on defense with energy, switchability, and vocal leadership, is the perfect piece to complete this puzzle to make the Hawks elite on that side of the ball. He defends multiple positions, pressures the ball full court, and forces turnovers with his size and quickness. His competitive motor and willingness to lead set him apart from other elite prospects.
Even if he were a defensive-first prospect, he would still be elite in that regard, but Dybantsa is also an elite prospect on offense. At 6-foot-10, he has all of the physical attributes of a modern wing while scoring at all three levels, creating off the dribble, and finishing above the rim. This elite prospect could immediately push the Hawks into the top half of the Eastern Conference.
3) Indiana Pacers
Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
Just one year removed from an incredible NBA Finals run, in which they fell just short to the Oklahoma City Thunder, life without PG Tyrese Haliburton has been rough in the early goings. With Haliburton expected to make a full recovery, and C Myles Turner leaving for the Milwaukee Bucks, getting a new cornerstone player to run with a fully healthy Pacers squad would go a long way to allowing them to make this run into dominance in the East for a long time.
Cameron Boozer is the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer. He is versatile offensively, rebounds at an extremely high level, and is a super unselfish playmaker with real shooting touch. He sounds like a chip off the old block. He plays a high-IQ game and defends at a high level. In this day and age, everyone shoots threes, so his skills and ability to stretch the floor make him an excellent prospect with an extremely high floor.
His feel for the game and his steady production whenever he’s asked to contribute make him an intriguing piece for Indiana to fill in for Myles Turner nicely, with arguably more upside than he ever had.
4) Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX)
Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
Nate Ament possesses elite guard skills for a 6’9″ forward. He handles the ball smoothly and makes incredible shots. His shooting skills at a very high release point with a repeatable motion and constantly improving playmaking make him a perfect fit next to Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., in that he doesn’t need to lead the offense right away. Still, he has the skill set to take over at any time.
Defensively, Ament uses his length to disrupt passing lanes and rotate as a help defender. He projects as a switchable wing but must bulk up and stay aggressive in physical matchups. His slight frame and occasional passivity are areas for development as he transitions to the pro level, but playing next to a player like Jackson Jr. will allow him to ease into having significant defensive responsibilities.
With a pick this high, you are hoping to get a difference maker for years, and with the skill set he already has, combined with his massive upside, he is a hard player to pass on at this stage of the draft.
5) Toronto Raptors
Jayden Quaintance, F/C, Kentucky
With this draft lacking talented big men, I expect the Raptors to grab Jayden Quaintance to be their center of the future. He has a knack for shot-blocking, as evidenced by his 2.6 blocks per game as a freshman last season. He is also an elite rebounder who utilizes his athleticism and body very well to get great position on the glass.
He transferred to Kentucky for his sophomore season, and there isn’t a much better platform to showcase your skill than on the Wildcats, so I think the masses will learn and love his game very quickly. To get to this fifth spot, see him more involved in the offense, flash his offensive potential, and dominate the offensive glass.
He is an excellent fit with the Raptors’ core, and playing alongside ball-dominant players like Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley could be good for him to contribute with his skill set now and work on becoming more of an offensive force as time goes on. He could work on being more decisive, but the maturity in his game, combined with his upside on both sides of the floor, makes him a great pick at five here for Toronto.
6) Memphis Grizzlies (via ORL)
Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)
I think Memphis will be thrilled to see Lopez here as their second pick of the early first round. Karim Lopez is a brilliant player who has handled 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 by having a smooth, fundamentally strong game without glaring holes.
Lopez’s season is underway in New Zealand, and he continues to flash his potential. However, he also shows that he is not a finished product, which would be an unfair expectation for a young player.
In this scenario, Nate Ament and Karim Lopez are dream players for a retooling team. They have incredibly high upside and very different skill sets. At just 18 years old, Lopez is an exciting prospect and a great fit in Memphis if this scenario plays out.
7) San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)
Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina
Caleb Wilson is a great player to consider at seven. With the core starting to come together, adding an anchor to the team like Wilson will improve everyone. He is 6’9″ with a 7’0″ wingspan and will fit next to Victor Wembenyama.
He operates as a secondary scorer and an excellent decision maker, but his calling card is his defense. He never takes any plays off, can guard multiple positions, and makes good decisions on the court.
Offensively, while I mentioned that he is a secondary scorer, with some NBA coaching and time to work on it, he potentially has the smooth athleticism to develop a shot in the future.
8) Dallas Mavericks
Dash Daniels, G, Melbourne United (NBL)
The Dallas Mavericks struck gold with consensus top-pick Cooper Flagg in last year’s NBA Draft, and now they have a chance to solidify the roster around their core. Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving will be under contract next season, but beyond that, Thompson is a free agent, and Irving has an option year, so their guard rotation could look very different.
Dyson Daniels is almost a carbon copy of his brother, Hawks G Dyson Daniels, with the only difference being that he is two inches shorter. Like his brother, he is long, strong, and intense and wreaks havoc on opponents on both sides of the ball.
He has the potential to score at all three levels, and I think if he flashes that potential again, he will find himself living out a childhood dream. His U19 FIBA World Cup performance put him on the map as a potential impact player in the future, and adding someone with this kind of defensive upside to a very offensively gifted team could go a long way for Dallas.
9) Boston Celtics
Braylon Mullins, G, UConn
Considering the Celtics’ shooting style and Braylon Mullins’ shot being the best in the draft, this match was made in heaven. Mullins is a 6’5″ shooter with a quick release, seemingly limitless range, and is decisive with the ball in his hands. He finishes nicely at the rim, even without elite athleticism, but I don’t know how much he will need to finish at the rim in Boston.
He is also a solid defender, with a very high competitive level and the skills to grow into a great 3-and-D player who could make a lasting impact alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who is expected to be fully ready for the 2026-27 NBA Season.
10) New York Knicks (via WSH)
Tounde Yessoufou, F, Baylor
I don’t expect the Knicks to remain in the lottery, but for now, let’s explore what they would do if they did. They are set at the point and at center, so I would expect them to get a wing with strength, athleticism, and two-way upside. Look no further than Tounde Yessoufou.
At 6’5″, the Baylor commit brings relentless energy and a pro-ready frame that thrives in transition and physical half-court play. The Knicks love to play hard, and it seems like a nightmare for opponents to have Yessoufou join Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
While offensively, Yessoufou is a work in progress, he is the definition of a slasher. He blows by defenders with his burst and overpowers them with his strength. His shot has potential.
Defensively, Yessoufou stands out with his switchability, motor, and anticipation. He can guard wings and forwards, using his physicality and lateral quickness to disrupt plays. His high energy and willingness to compete on every possession make him an ideal fit for Memphis’ gritty defensive identity.
11) Sacramento Kings
Mikel Brown, G, Louisville
The Kings traded away De’Aaron Fox last year and have yet to replace his athleticism. That makes this a perfect fit. Mikel Brown Jr. is a super athletic point guard who is creative with the ball and a perfect fit for a team that is itching to fill those shoes.
Brown’s vision and IQ make him a top pick to this degree, as he can utilize his versatile offensive skill set to whatever the defense gives him and his team to work with. He has the potential to be an outstanding offensive player and is working to get stronger to improve defensively, but I wouldn’t call him a liability on defense either.
This season is big for Brown, and I think the 9-14 range is a safe spot to expect him to land. Expect the world to learn his name at Louisville, and while the players above him are better prospects for those teams, to me, there is no better floor general in the draft, which holds a ton of weight to me.
12) Oklahoma City Thunder (via HOU)
Nikolas Khamenia, SF, Duke
The NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder are currently projected to have a pick in the lottery, and they have a master drafter in the form of Sam Presti. With that, Nikolas Khamenia will be the next entrant into the Thunder dynasty. With a 6’8″ frame, he has excellent court vision and a fantastic shot fake to go along with being decisive with the ball.
Defensively, he won’t win any accolades, but he won’t cost the team any games. He has average athleticism and can guard multiple positions, which is needed in an already deep system like the Thunder. They don’t need him to be a star, but this high-floor asset is perfect for the Thunder or another championship-caliber team and will make for the best career for him, where he can settle into a role and own it.
13) Minnesota Timberwolves
Darius Acuff, PG, Arkansas
I am sticking with this pick from the last mock, as it makes too much sense for Acuff to end up in Minnesota. Acuff has the potential to be a fantastic point guard in the NBA and would be a perfect complement to Anthony Edwards. He is a hard-nosed, gritty driver to the rim and can score at all three levels. With Mike Conley coming off the books after the 2025-26 season, this pick is a match made in heaven.
First-year phenoms 🤩@TheAndyKatz ranks the 🔟 best freshmen in the nation 👀 pic.twitter.com/Wt5nNybsR7
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 28, 2025
He has excellent speed, works well in the pick-and-roll, and has the potential to be a top rebounding guard. The Timberwolves could use some young energy on this team, as even with Edwards, they have a lot of older players who slow the game down, which I feel lowers the ceiling for what they can do offensively. Acuff would be a breath of fresh air, and his potential highlight reel with Edwards would be worth SportsCenter’s attention.
14) Los Angeles Lakers
Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
With DeAndre Ayton in town, the center position is held down for now, but bringing in a talent like Chris Cenac Jr. would make the Mark Williams trade falling through end up being a blessing in disguise. With Ayton in town, it will push him to get better, but also not force him to take on a big role out of the gates. I do see a future where he takes over the starting role, but it would be nice for L.A. to have two capable options.
Cenac runs the floor well, switches well defensively, and protects the rim at a very high level. These are all things that the Lakers are clearly missing from Anthony Davis, albeit he is not the offensive player Davis is; that is not needed from him with Luka Doncic running the show.
His offensive game is developing, and I don’t see him pushing his range out beyond the arc, but he looks to have the potential to have an excellent mid-range shot and be an impact player here for a long time.
15) Charlotte Hornets (via MEM)
Thomas Haugh, PF, Florida
Thomas Haugh was a key player in the Gators’ national championship run and has showcased a mature, Swiss Army knife-like skill set that Charlotte could use on the wing. He draws fouls and assists at a very high level, and the only real knock on him is his age, and that doesn’t bother me.
The Hornets developed Nick Richards and Mark Williams nicely, and I trust their ability to show him the ropes of being an impact NBA player. His championship pedigree, maturity, and high care level for the ball could help Charlotte step forward as a team.
16) Detroit Pistons
Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa
The Pistons are missing Malik Beasley’s three-point presence and 9.3 attempts from beyond the arc per game in the flow of their offense. Bennett Stirtz is a perfect fit here, as he is not shy about shooting from beyond the arc in high capacity and hits at a very high rate.
This trade-off could be a gain, as while Beasley averaged just 1.7 assists per game, Stirtz is a great facilitator to complement the shooting. That could unlock a new dynamic in this Pistons offense, where Cade Cunningham can sometimes play off the ball.
17) Chicago Bulls (via POR)
Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
Lendeborg transferred to Michigan to try and get that first-round assurance he is looking for, as he considered entering the 2025 NBA Draft, but decided to transfer instead. With Danny Wolf’s and Vladislav Goldin’s losses, he will have plenty of opportunity to show that an impressive Combine performance was no fluke to a much bigger audience.
He has shown the ability to take over a game completely, as he showed in the American Tournament with 30 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and four blocks against Wichita State. He is a strong power forward with a highly versatile offensive game.
He is okay defensively. His primary defensive skill is his nose for steals, as he averaged 1.7 per game last year, which is very impressive for a forward. I think he has room to grow at the next level, but with how well-rounded his offensive game is, he should be a first-round lock this time.
18) Milwaukee Bucks
Cayden Boozer, PG, Duke
Cayden Boozer will be the second son of NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer to be drafted in the first round. He is a perfect fit next to Giannis in Milwaukee as he is an elite passer for his age, and defends at a very high level with a lot of intensity. Boozer has outstanding basketball IQ and is an advanced playmaker as a result.
While he isn’t as big as his brother, he has a solid frame for a guard, and he has gotten better each year from beyond the arc, suggesting that continued work on the shot will make for continued progress with it.
He has an incredible feel for the game and uses that on both sides of the floor, which is important because he doesn’t have much speed but still successfully uses his body and anticipation to be a solid defender.
19) New York Knicks
Isiah Harwell, G, Houston
Isiah Harwell is a typical Houston player: Fundamentally polished, tough, and skilled. The transition from how Houston plays under Kelvin Sampson to the Knicks will be seamless. He is comparable to the defensive prospect Isaac Okoro was when Cleveland drafted him, but with a lot more skill and upside offensively. Also, Josh Hart would be a fantastic role model to help him carry his motor over to the next level, and do it correctly.
20) Oklahoma City Thunder (via UTA)
Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke
The champs have another pick here, and I love the idea of them going back to the Duke well and drafting Patrick Ngongba II here. The 2026-27 NBA Season will be the last on Isaiah Hartenstein’s contract, and with a year behind him, I think Ngongba can fit right into that role without the Thunder having to pay close to $30 million a year with the extensions for their young core kicking in.
In the flashes he has played, Ngongba has shown the potential to be an elite two-way center who takes good shots, protects the ball, and can pass a bit. He seems like a seamless fit next to Chet Holmgren inside as the Thunder continue their dynasty.
21) Charlotte Hornets
Dame Sarr, SG, Duke
Sarr is a 6’6″ wing with a 7-foot wingspan. He is highly athletic and uses that to his advantage. He is very experienced for his age, having played professional basketball in Europe from 2021-22 at age 15. If this is their draft class, I expect the Hornets to look for polished players as their core matures and take a big step in 2026-27.
Considering his size, length, and athleticism, he struggles with consistency in his jumper and often makes poor decisions with the ball. Look for some NBA coaching to polish an extremely raw offensive prospect. Defensively, he is NBA-ready, disruptive, and plays with a high motor and poise beyond his years.
22) Miami Heat
Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke
Isaiah Evans is my steal of the draft, and is only this low because of how loaded Duke is, but I think he may be. Evans is a versatile 6’6″ wing. As a freshman, Evans averaged 6.8 points in under 14 minutes, shooting 41.6% from three. His quick release, NBA-range shooting, and ability to score off movement or the dribble make him a dangerous perimeter threat with high-upside scoring potential.
The only reason he is falling this low is that the prospects he is behind are being drafted ahead of him. Whoever drafts Isaiah Evans is getting a player who has been part of winning teams and will still be hungry to show what he can do beyond his time at Duke. Evans should get a chance to be the top offensive option on the second unit and become an elite duo with Tyler Herro when the team needs points.
He will need to add some strength to be good enough defensively to have a prominent role on a good team in the NBA, but he has the length and feel for the game to become good on that side of the ball if so. If he carves out a bigger role at Duke this year, we may see him rise on this board very quickly, and that wouldn’t be surprising.
23) Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
Karter Knox, F, Arkansas
Karter Knox is a perfect second pick for the Thunder, as he is a project, but he has the frame and has shown flashes that he can be a great player. He started to come alive in the second half of the season, showing he already has the size and athleticism to be an NBA defender. However, his offense will be the key to whether he’s just a player in blowouts or a critical piece of a perennial contender.
24) Denver Nuggets
Labaron Philon, G, Alabama
Labaron Philon may be the biggest toss-up of a prospect among outlets. I have seen him as high as 16th-overall and as low as a mid-second round pick. What is for sure is that when Philon’s number is called, he delivers. He proved this true in Alabama’s Elite 8 game vs. Duke, where he led the team with 16 points and three assists.
I know they aren’t the same kind of player, but I think his offensive rebounding is underappreciated. He can fill the gap that Michael Porter Jr.’s trade to Brooklyn has left. They have a solid team, and Philon would fit right in.
25) Golden State Warriors
Alex Karaban, F, UConn
Alex Karaban has returned for his senior season as a two-time champion with UConn, and I think he is widely underrated in NBA Draft mocks. Besides having been there and done that, Karaban has been an impact player for the Huskies for three years now. He takes care of the ball and is reliable in making good decisions, so I think he is a perfect match to join the Warriors’ championship culture.
26) Atlanta Hawks (via CLE)
Tahaad Pettiford, G, Auburn
For what Tahaad Pettiford lacks in size and the obvious defensive challenges that come with it, there is a specific gene that can’t be explained. When the offense stalls and one player puts the entire load on getting the team back in the game in the most pivotal moments, Pettiford already showed this at an advanced level as a freshman at Auburn. With that confidence, the sky is the limit for him offensively.
Pettiford fits the bill for instant offense. He showed a quick first step, was nifty with his finishing, and showed flashes of what his elite playmaking could look like when fully developed.
27) Chicago Bulls
JoJo Tugler, PF, Houston
JoJo Tugler would bring an undersized but incredibly tough and skilled rebounder to Chicago. They have Nikola Vučević, but there could not be a bigger contrast between their playstyles. Adding Tugler could be good when the Bulls need to tighten up on defense or want someone next to him to be more physical with an opponent. I think the Bulls feel good about building their team, and adding a physical presence would bring a new dynamic to this team.
28) Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI)
Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas
Freshman guard Meleek Thomas is a strong ballhandler with a lot of upside whose stock will shoot up this year. But for where he stands now, I like him here in Oklahoma City, where they can focus on him perfecting his craft and reaching his highest potential peaks. Thomas draws fouls and hits his free throws, but teams will start salivating over him if he shows the same aggressiveness and success.
29) Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS)
Darrion Williams, SF, NC State
Darrion Williams is a perfect fit for a team ready to win now, looking to play strong offensively, and who shares the ball. Cleveland is a dream match here. He takes care of the ball, finds his teammates good shots, and plays the game correctly. Wherever the Cavaliers pick, they need to look to bring Williams in, because upside is essential, but there are plenty of late bloomers out there, and this is one of them.
30) Washington Wizards (via OKC)
Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington
For the second straight mock, I have Steinbach going to Washington. This one may surprise some, but this could be too late for Steinbach to go off the board come draft time. He has developed nicely physically and needs to put on some more muscle to be a real threat defensively.
Still, Steinbach’s already above-average rebounding, excellent positioning, and impressive footwork on defense make him seem like a legitimate prospect. He has experience playing in Germany, and he now heads to the NCAA to play legitimate minutes to showcase these skills against more of the nation’s best prospects.
2026 NBA Mock Draft | Round 2
31) Memphis Grizzlies
Nekolis Avdalas, F, Greece
32) Boston Celtics
JT Toppin, PF, Texas Tech
33) Brooklyn Nets
Otega Oweh, SG, Kentucky
34) Atlanta Hawks
Milos Uzan, G, Houston
35) Oklahoma City Thunder
Boogie Fland, G, Florida
36) Brooklyn Nets
Kam Williams, F, Kentucky
37) Boston Celtics
Flory Bidunga, C, Kansas
38) Toronto Raptors
Coen Carr, F, Michigan State
39) Washington Wizards
Silas Demary Jr., G, UConn
40) Houston Rockets
Dailyn Swain, F, Texas
41) Sacramento Kings
Dwayne Aristode, F, Arizona
42) New York Knicks
Magoon Gwath, C, San Diego State
43) San Antonio Spurs
Hugo Facorat, F, France
44) Orlando Magic
Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
45) Portland Trail Blazers
Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
46) Toronto Raptors
Elyjah Freeman, F, Auburn
47) Washington Wizards
Paul McNeil Jr., G, NC State
48) Charlotte Hornets
Tyrone Riley, SF, USG
49) Los Angeles Clippers
Johann Grunloh, PF/C, Virginia Tech
50) San Antonio Spurs
Noa Kouakou-Heugue, F, France
51) Sacramento Kings
Ian Jackson, F, St. John’s
52) San Antonio Spurs
Donnie Freeman, F, Syracuse
53) New York Knicks
Braden Smith, G, Purdue
54) Cleveland Cavaliers
Miles Byrd, G, San Diego State
55) Phoenix Suns
Jalen Haralson, F, Notre Dame
56) Houston Rockets
Mouhamed Faye, C, Senegal
57) Minnesota Timberwolves
Daylin Sawin, F, Texas
58) Washington Wizards
Aday Mara, C, Michigan
59) Washington Wizards
Billy Richmond, G, Arkansas
