NBA Mock Draft 2026: Final 2-round prediction with AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, and Darryn Peterson leading the way

NBA Mock Draft 2026: Final 2-round prediction with AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, and Darryn Peterson leading the way originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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This is it. With the draft almost here and after months of preparation, we have our final mock draft for the 2026 cycle. Several players have pulled their names out since the last time I did this in May, shaking up my board. But the top remains unchanged. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer will ensure that this is one of the best draft classes of the 2020’s. 

Here’s my last mock draft of the cycle, with predictions for all 60 picks. 

BIG BOARD: Ranking the top 60 players in 2026 NBA Draft

NBA Mock Draft 2026

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU

Dybantsa is the betting favorite to go No. 1 and has held that spot in my mocks throughout the cycle. Nothing has changed to move him out. 

Dybantsa was the best scorer in Division I basketball last season. The freshman wing out of BYU showcased elite skill, midrange mastery, and shot creation that should immediately carry over to the NBA. At 6-9, he has the size and two-way potential that every team is looking for. 

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas

Peterson has only met with the Wizards, believing himself to be worthy of the No. 1 pick. He has a strong argument. He’s outplayed Dybantsa in all of their high profile high school and college matchups. Peterson was considered the most talented player in this class by many before an odd freshman season where he experienced cramping issues that kept him out of big games and limited his explosiveness.

Those issues shouldn’t be permanent. He’s an ultra-talented scorer who projects to be a disruptive defender. That talent is too tempting to pass up on for Utah.

MORE:Darryn Peterson’s timeline of Kansas controversies

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke

This pick makes too much sense to happen. The Grizzlies have been an analytically-oriented organization when it comes to the draft, and Boozer just put up one of the great advanced statistical seasons ever. He explodes in draft models thanks to his tremendous production at a young age. 

Boozer does have some flaws as far as his athleticism and rim protection go. But he’s an extremely high feel player with great skill. He could easily end up being the best player in the class. 

MORE:Cameron Boozer is The Sporting News Player of the Year

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, SF/PF, North Carolina

The safest bet in the draft is that Caleb Wilson will go to the Bulls. He fits their scouting philosophy as a two-way athletic wing that will try to dunk everything and erase shots at the rim.

He does have some flaws though. He will need to clean up his defensive technique, and his 3-point shot isn’t where it needs to be yet. His upside makes him worth this selection though as a rim magnet who is impossible to stop without fouling.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

When the Clippers select at five, there will be a number of talented point guards who are the best players available. Keaton Wagler is arguably the best talent among them and definitely the best fit given the size constraints that Los Angeles is already facing with Darius Garland. 

Wagler is more than capable of playing off the ball and letting Garland utilize his strong passing. Wagler is a great shooter who connected on 40 percent of his six 3-point attempts per game at Illinois. He’s also a pick-and-roll savant who can make every pass with his size at 6-6. He may have some athleticism concerns, but his high feel is more important than how high he can jump. 

6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff, G, Arkansas

Acuff is the most talented offensive point guard in this class. He’s a lights-out shooter, a great playmaker, a brilliant lob thrower, and can get to the rim. The Nets need an engine to power their offense. Acuff is that guy. He’s not going to be a good defender in the league, but Jordy Fernandez is an excellent coach who can figure out ways to scheme around that deficiency.

MORE: Darius Acuff full scouting report

7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

The Kings are starting from scratch. They need a culture setter and a guy that can get everyone on the same page. Flemings’ intangibles are terrific. He’s an ultra-hard worker who signed up for a tough Houston environment where he would be held accountable for all of his mistakes.

There weren’t many of them to point out. Flemings was one of the rare freshmen who thrived under coach Kelvin Sampson. His speed, quick hands, and midrange jumper will remind Kings fans of De’Aaron Fox. He’s a brilliant floor general that should be a foundational piece in Sacramento. 

MORE: Kingston Flemings nearly died as a toddler; now he’s a first-rounder

8. Atlanta Hawks (from Pelicans): Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

The Hawks relied on veteran CJ McCollum to provide offensive and playmaking punch for them last season. McCollum is a free agent, and at age 34, he’s not a long-term solution even if the Hawks choose to retain him. 

Burries can fill that same role as a much younger, cheaper, more athletic, and more versatile option. He’s a dribble-pass-shoot guard who has a better defensive skillset than McCollum and can fit alongside Jalen Johnson as a secondary playmaker and stretch shooter. 

9. Dallas Mavericks: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan

Lendeborg was one of the best players in college basketball last season as a do-everything forward. If he were 19, he’d be a top five pick in this class. At age 23, he could be a steal at No. 9.

Lendeborg fits this Mavericks team nicely. He can shoot the ball to help space the floor for Cooper Flagg, add some badly-needed creation to Dallas’ offense, and switch capably across multiple positions. He’s already shown a willingness to adapt his game for whatever is needed, and that type of player is the one that Dallas should target next to Flagg. 

MORE: Yaxel Lendeborg full NBA scouting report

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville

Brown might be the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in this class. At his best, he’s a LaMelo Ball-type of point guard who can gun 3’s, make wildly creative passes, and has the size to not be a total liability in one-on-one matchups. At his worst, he’s a player that turns it over too often, doesn’t make enough shots to justify his reputation as a shooter, and plays indifferent defense.

The Bucks have to swing on high upside players though, with Giannis Antetokounmpo looking ready to depart and no prospects with star upside currently on their roster. Brown isn’t going to be the next Giannis, but he can be a fun point guard with All-Star potential. 

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11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara, PF, Michigan

Mara is a slick passer that fits extremely well with the split cuts that the Warriors love to run out of the post to get Stephen Curry open. He’s not a tremendous shot creator, which the Warriors don’t need. Instead, he’s a high feel big man whose monstrous size should give Golden State a new dimension.

Kristaps Porzingis showed last year how valuable that type of player could be. Porzingis hasn’t been healthy enough to stay on the floor and is a free agent who may be gone. Mara should thrive as a replacement who can’t shoot 3’s as well as KP but can anchor the paint and be a force on the glass. 

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers): Hannes Steinbach, PF/C, Washington

Steinbach has the best hands in this draft class. He uses those big mitts to snare every offensive rebound in sight. The league is trending bigger, and Steinbach gives the Thunder another body along with insurance in the event that Isaiah Hartenstein becomes too expensive to retain down the line. 

Steinbach is an opportunistic scorer who doesn’t need plays run for him in order to contribute. He can play a complementary role next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finishing plays as a roll man or getting easy putbacks. He’s not an explosive athlete, but he moves well for his size. 

13. Miami Heat: Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee

This pick could very well be going to the Bucks if the Heat pull off a much-anticipated Giannis trade. Ament fits both teams. He’s a high-ceiling forward, with the guard-like movement that every team is looking for with a 6-10 athlete. While he wasn’t particularly efficient at Tennessee, he did put up good production, averaging 16.7 points per game as a freshman. 

Ament is a raw player that needs some work to refine his shooting, ballhandling, and strength. But the tools are there, and he should be a lottery pick.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson, PF, Michigan

Johnson’s stock went up with a great combine performance that showed he had great measurables and potentially more shooting that he showed in college. He’s a tough-nosed defender with high energy that should give the Hornets the edge they’ve been looking for in order to take the next step defensively. On offense, he fits in well as a play finisher next to LaMelo Ball and a better decision-maker than Miles Bridges. 

SN AWARDS: Victor Wembanyama Player of the Year | Joe Mazzulla Coach of the Year

15. Chicago Bulls (from Blazers): Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas

Swain fits the Bulls’ SLAP draft philosophy of size, length, athleticism, and physicality. He’s a good defender and a great wing creator who showed real skill in getting to the basket at Texas last season.

Swain’s shot isn’t quite as reliable as the Bulls might like, particularly given that they’re already dealing with a starting lineup that has some poor shooters in it. But he’s the best player available, and the Bulls are so early in their rebuild that they need to prioritize talent first and foremost. 

16. Memphis Grizzlies (from Magic): Labaron Philon Jr., PG, Alabama 

Ja Morant might not be on the Grizzlies much longer. Philon isn’t going to be as good as a prime Morant, but he could be better than the injury-plagued version that was in Memphis last season.

The crafty guard stayed for his sophomore year at Alabama, and that turned out to be a wise decision. He vastly improved as a shooter while also showing that he had the passing and driving chops to be a lead playmaker. He should fit well into the fast, flow-based attack that Tuomas Iisalo wants to use. 

MORE: Labaron Philon Jr. NBA scouting report

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from 76ers): Karim Lopez, SF, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)

Lopez is a 3-and-D prospect that has the complementary skill set to fit in better with the Thunder’s more talented scorers. Oklahoma City should be prioritizing players that can survive in playoff settings. At 6-8, Lopez should be able to guard multiple positions and find ways to contribute through his rebounding, cutting, passing, and play finishing. 

18. Charlotte Hornets (from Suns): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor

Carr is a perfect fit for Charlotte’s high octane offense that took the league by storm in the back half of last season. He can rain down 3’s and throw down dunks with the best of them.

Carr struggles more when asked to create his own offense, but that won’t be an issue playing alongside the Hornets’ talented scoring trio of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller. And while Carr does have defensive issues, his plus rim protection will be useful for a roster that does have some weak perimeter defenders on it. 

19. Toronto Raptors: Jayden Quaintance, PF/C, Kentucky

The Raptors need some backup behind Jakob Poeltl, whose back issues limited his effectiveness last season. Quaintance has All-Defensive potential if his knee issues are behind him and is a better lob threat than Poeltl, possessing good athleticism. He can play multiple different types of coverages, giving Darko Rajakovic the kind of versatile defender that he has maximized in his systems. 

Quaintance doesn’t possess a ton of offensive skill, but he can play off the better creators on the team and fits the Raptors’ rugged style. 

20. San Antonio Spurs (from Hawks): Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa

The Spurs already have a glut of talented guards in De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle. What they don’t have from that group though is an electric shooter. Stirtz is that guy. He was automatic on his catch-and-shoot attempts throughout college, and he has the playmaking to get the ball to Victor Wembanyama in good spots. 

Stirtz will be a clear positive offensively, but his defensive issues are keeping him out of the lottery. The Spurs have the perfect infrastructure to cover up that weakness. He’ll have the best rim protector in the world behind him. 

MORE: Bennett Stirtz full scouting report

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21. Detroit Pistons (from Timberwolves): Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech

Anderson is the best shooter in this class, and I have him landing to the team that perhaps needs shooting more than anyone. The Pistons were an elite regular season team whose offensive weaknesses got exposed in the playoffs.

Anderson can drill 3’s and also pass with the best of them. He can give Cade Cunningham a rest and take over some of the playmaking duties on the team. 

22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Rockets): Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston 

Cenac is a talented athlete who can give the Sixers a totally different look from Joel Embiid or play alongside him as a power forward. Cenac can play more in transition, throw down dunks, and be more mobile as a defender.

Cenac may take a while to develop. He’s a raw, high upside player who can learn in spot minutes behind Embiid, growing into a starting role one day alongside a younger core of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. 

23. Atlanta Hawks (from Cavaliers): Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara

Quin Snyder has maximized toolsy forwards, and he should be able to squeeze the most out of Graves too. He’s an analytics darling that generates events on defense, has a high motor, and can make great decisions with the ball on offense. That is exactly the type of player that has thrived in Atlanta’s equal opportunity system. 

24. New York Knicks: Joshua Jefferson, PF, Iowa State

The Knicks don’t have a lot of avenues to add to their team given their second apron concerns. They should use this pick in order to get a player that can contribute immediately to their title defense. 

At 22 years old, Jefferson checks that box. He can do whatever a team needs of him with his all-around game. He’s a good passer that will keep the ball moving, he has size to defend well, and he understands the game at a high level. He’s not a terrific shooter, which is why he would still be available at this point in the draft. New York has such good shooters up and down its lineup though that they may be able to work around that particular weakness. 

MORE:Knicks end decades of heartbreak in the most dramatic fashion

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Tarris Reed Jr., C, UConn

Deandre Ayton was a disappointment for the Lakers this season. His low motor, lack of feel, and poor hands were frustrating to deal with in the playoffs.

Reed is a much more stable option. He’s going to give you winning plays all over the floor. He will come into the league with NBA strength and terrific rebounding. And while he can’t create his own shot, he will be able to finish when Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves set him up. 

26. Denver Nuggets: Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke

Denver has built a great offense without relying much on 3-pointers. What if they could take an even bigger step on that end of the floor?

Evans could provide that extra oomph. He’s a good shooter who should be able to drill wide open looks while playing off Nikola Jokic. He has the size to defend capably. And he’s a decent athlete who can attack closeouts well. 

MORE: SN media poll tabs Nikola Jokic as league’s ‘best’ player

27. Boston Celtics: Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford

Okorie has the fastest first step in this class. The Celtics need more rim pressure, and that was Okorie’s specialty at Stanford. He also fits their 3-point heavy approach, given his propensity to launch them as a freshman.

Okorie’s 6-1 height is going to be an issue, but Joe Mazzulla has gotten his guys to defend at a high level. The effort and coachability are there to make it work. 

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Pistons): Koa Peat, PF, Arizona

Peat’s power game should translate well to a Wolves team that plays with physicality and edge. He’s a battering ram with a football player’s build that gets to the rim. He’s also a massive winner, having earned four international gold medals at the junior level and four high school championships. The Wolves need those types of role players that find ways to impact the game in any way that they can as they compete for a title. 

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Spurs): Zuby Ejiofor, PF, St. John’s

Ejiofor doesn’t have a ton of offensive upside given how most of his scoring came from post ups in college that won’t be there for him in the NBA. He can certainly defend though. He’s a much better option over Thomas Bryant as a backup big man.

Ejiofor has a great frame, a fantastic motor, and is a good passer who will bring toughness every night. 

30. Dallas Mavericks (from Thunder): Meleek Thomas, SG/PG, Arkansas

Dallas needs more scorers on its roster. Thomas is never afraid to shoot it, and he has great talent as a 3-point threat, hitting 42 percent of his attempts last season. He’s not a plus defender yet, but he has decent tools and quick hands. He’s an upside swing, which the Mavericks should be taking as a young team with a late first-round pick. 

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Second round

31. Knicks: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

32. Grizzlies: Alex Karaban, SF/PF, UConn

33. Nets: Richie Saunders, SG, BYU

34. Kings: Emanuel Sharp, SG, Houston

35. Spurs: Sergio De Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia

36. Clippers: Maliq Brown, PF, Duke

37. Thunder: Otega Oweh, SG, Kentucky

38. Bulls: Izaiyah Nelson, PF/C, USF

39. Rockets: Ryan Conwell, SG, Louisville

40. Celtics: Braden Smith, PG, Purdue

41. Heat: Bruce Thornton, PG, Ohio State

42. Spurs: Quadir Copeland, G, NC State

43. Nets: Jaden Bradley, PG, Arizona

44. Spurs: Ugonna Onyenso, C, Kentucky

45. Kings: Dillon Mitchell, SF, St. John’s

46. Magic: Lamar Wilkerson, SG, Indiana

47. Suns: Jack Kayil, SG, Alba Berlin

48. Mavs: Baba Miller, SF, Cincinnati

49. Nuggets: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, G, Tennessee

50. Raptors: Aaron Nkrumah, SG, Tennessee State

51. Wizards: Alexandros Samodurov, C, Panathinaikos

52. Clippers: Nick Boyd, PG/SG, Wisconsin

53. Rockets: Tyler Bilodeau, PF, UCLA

54. Warriors: Felix Okpara, C, Tennessee

55. Knicks: Trevon Brazile, PF, Arkansas

56. Bulls: Nick Martinelli, SF, Northwestern

57. Hawks: Noam Yaacov, PG, BC Oostende

58. Pelicans: Tyler Nickel, SF, Vanderbilt

59. Wolves: Nolan Winter, PF/C, Wisconsin

60. Wizards: Nate Bittle, C, Oregon