The 2026 NBA Draft is one day away, airing Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, and the picture is beginning to sharpen at every level of the board. The sharpest intrigue sits at the very top, where the Washington Wizards face a tight call between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson with the No. 1 pick.
Meanwhile, a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade continues to stall the broader transaction market. The Milwaukee Bucks have much of the league in a holding pattern as they weigh a franchise-altering decision.Shams Charania reported in May that Milwaukee was open to moving the two-time MVP, with a resolution expected before the draft.
The projections below are informed by league sources and prospect evaluations gathered across the season. These are not personal prospect rankings.
First Round
1. Washington Wizards — AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU (Freshman)
As reported last week, Washington has narrowed its decision to Peterson or Dybantsa. The margin between the two is viewed league-wide as razor-thin. Dybantsa‘s downhill scoring and physical tools contrast with Peterson‘s perimeter shot creation and 3-point shooting. Fit could become the deciding factor.
Dybantsa would give Washington a scorer who generates consistent paint pressure, something currently absent from the roster. His presence would, however, affect the development arc of younger wings including Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson.Brian Windhorst reported that Trae Young is expected to sign long-term in Washington even after opting out. Peterson‘s shooting would meaningfully improve spacing around Young. Dybantsa visited both the Wizards and Utah Jazz, while Peterson visited only Washington. Rival teams still consider Dybantsa the favorite.
2. Utah Jazz — Darryn Peterson, PG/SG, Kansas (Freshman)
Peterson chose to visit only Washington, conducting multiple workouts and making his preference for the No. 1 spot clear. If the Wizards pass, the Jazz are expected to take him without hesitation. Sources say his medicals have not raised significant concerns, clearing his path as a top-two pick. Despite a difficult season at Kansas hampered by serious cramping issues, he has long been viewed as a legitimate No. 1 candidate. He rates as the top prospect in this class, a major offensive talent with star-scorer potential. Cameron Boozer is also held in high regard by Utah, but rival teams have long operated under the assumption that Dybantsa and Peterson go first and second.
3. Memphis Grizzlies — Cameron Boozer, PF/C, Duke (Freshman)
Not much has changed for Boozer. Sources say he visited Memphis last week and previously visited Chicago and Utah. Though he is under consideration in Utah, where his father is part of the front office, rival teams believe the Jazz will not pass on Dybantsa or Peterson. The Grizzlies, one of the more analytically driven front offices in the league, project Boozer atop their draft models. Memphis moved up three spots in the lottery draw, and Boozer‘s addition would represent a major shift for the franchise, especially with Ja Morant potentially on the move. His perimeter comfort makes him a compelling frontcourt partner for Zach Edey.
4. Chicago Bulls — Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina (Freshman)
Wilson took his only predraft visit with Chicago, working out solo last week and spending time with Bulls brass. Chicago is thought to be his preferred landing spot, and most expect him to be available at No. 4. His body of work is thinner than the three prospects ahead of him, but his productivity spike at North Carolina, paired with exceptional quickness and an improved motor, has significantly raised his stock. Most evaluators view this as one of the lower-pressure selections in the lottery.
5. LA Clippers (via Indiana) — Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois (Freshman)
The second stage of the draft begins here. The Clippers have been at the center of trade rumors this past week, and rival teams say options include moving back. LA has signaled publicly that it intends to pick here, but this spot remains fluid. Wagler and Mikel Brown Jr. are considered the two most likely candidates if the Clippers stay put.
Wagler is a natural fit alongside Darius Garland, who can handle primary creation duties while Wagler develops into a higher-usage playmaker. He visited only the Bulls and Clippers, canceling trips to Brooklyn and Sacramento, suggesting comfort with his standing. His broad market makes him a credible trade-in target. Mikel Brown Jr. also worked out for LA on Thursday. Sources say the Clippers have interest in Darius Acuff Jr., though his fit alongside a similarly sized guard in Garland complicates things.
6. Brooklyn Nets — Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville (Freshman)
Brown has built momentum on the workout circuit, with Nets executives visiting him in Orlando and bringing him in for a workout in Brooklyn. His size, deep shooting range and footwork give him star potential and help offset concerns from an inconsistent freshman season. He opted not to visit Sacramento late in the process, suggesting confidence in his other options. Nate Ament is also in the conversation here. Brooklyn carries a projected $34 million in cap space, though free agent plans could influence the draft direction.
7. Sacramento Kings — Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas (Freshman)
Strong mutual interest exists between Acuff and Sacramento, with the Kings appearing content to wait and see if he reaches their pick. They have examined other guards in this range but show no urgency to move up. Acuff is drawing looks from the Clippers and Nets, but recent signals point to him landing at his preferred destination. He would plug in immediately as Sacramento‘s point guard of the future.
8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans) — Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston (Freshman)
The Hawks‘ pick has become a major inflection point, with Atlanta said to be weighing various trade options. If they keep the pick, Flemings and Aday Mara are the names most associated with this slot. Flemings‘ range has narrowed, with the Hawks and Bucks feeling most realistic. The Kings are a fallback if Acuff is gone at No. 7. Despite being the least polished jump shooter among the freshman guards, his explosiveness and intangibles have kept him prominent in lottery conversations.
9. Dallas Mavericks — Nate Ament, SF/PF, Tennessee (Freshman)
Ament‘s range has stayed wide. The Nets at No. 6 represent the ceiling, while scenarios exist where he falls into the second half of the lottery. He has been selective about workouts, declining visits with multiple top-10 teams. The Mavericks and Bucks are two plausible landing spots. Dallas also appears open to moving back, with GM Masai Ujiri taking over in May and the franchise building around Cooper Flagg. The team has signaled it plans to retain Kyrie Irving into next season.
10. Milwaukee Bucks — Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona (Freshman)
Teams and agents view an Antetokounmpo trade as the offseason’s first domino, with the wider transaction market stalled until Milwaukee acts. The Bucks appear headed toward a retool and have signaled they expect to finish draft night with multiple first-round picks. Burries slots into a narrow range between Nos. 8 and 11, with Dallas frequently mentioned and Golden State as his backstop. He would give Milwaukee an interchangeable perimeter option and an immediate backcourt fit. The Bucks have quietly worked out or visited with nearly every player in this range, which rival teams read as directly connected to the Antetokounmpo situation.
11. Golden State Warriors — Aday Mara, C, Michigan (Junior)
Mara sits in the 8-to-12 range. His size and offensive skill create a profile that multiple teams covet, and he would be a natural fit in Golden State given the Warriors‘ lack of frontcourt depth and Steve Kerr‘s ball-movement offense. Rival teams believe Golden State wants a rotation contributor this season, aiming to maximize Stephen Curry‘s remaining years. Mara, Burries if he falls, and Yaxel Lendeborg are all in play. The Warriors could also trade back if their preferred targets are gone.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers) — Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan (Sophomore)
There is a wide market for Johnson, with broad interest across the mid-to-late lottery. At just 20 years old, his physical, plug-and-play profile appeals to a range of teams. The Thunder made a relevant roster move on Sunday night, sending Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks‘ traded player exception for two second-round picks. That transaction cleared a 15th projected roster spot, giving OKC added flexibility. They can pick at No. 12 and look to trade No. 17 for a future asset.
13. Miami Heat — Karim Lopez (Mexico), SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers
Rival teams believe the Heat are the primary suitor for Antetokounmpo, a dynamic that has suppressed activity across the league. Whatever Miami ultimately does, this pick is considered movable as the Heat monitor contingencies. Lopez is an option here and for the Bucks if they pick in this range. His physical tools, versatility and intangibles make him a moldable long-term prospect.
14. Charlotte Hornets — Hannes Steinbach, PF/C, Washington (Freshman)
Steinbach has generated positive predraft momentum and interest across the back portion of the lottery, as high as Atlanta and Dallas. Combine measurements confirmed he has adequate size to play center despite limited vertical shot-blocking ability. He is considered ready to contribute but is best suited alongside a more athletic frontcourt partner. Steinbach and Morez Johnson are widely linked to the Hornets, who are pursuing frontcourt upgrades via both draft and trade. Charlotte has movable expiring contracts, including Miles Bridges, giving them deal-making capacity.
15. Chicago Bulls (via Portland) — Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/SF, Michigan (Senior)
Lendeborg is an option for every team in the 11-to-16 range. He holds greater appeal for teams looking to compete immediately, and his final landing spot depends partly on decisions made by the Warriors and Thunder. The Bulls, in their first offseason under new leadership, have cap space and have signaled openness to all types of moves involving this selection.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Phoenix) — Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech (Sophomore)
Anderson earned a first-wave green room invitation and is trending up as he competes for position among a tier that includes Bennett Stirtz, Labaron Philon Jr. and Ebuka Okorie. He has interest from multiple late-lottery teams and has a realistic path to being the first guard taken from that group. With Ja Morant‘s future uncertain, the Grizzlies can pursue backcourt help here. Memphis also holds a massive $28.8 million trade exception created in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade and a wide range of future assets, making them a legitimate draft-night deal threat.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia) — Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa (Senior)
Stirtz has significant top-20 interest. His landing spot depends partly on whether the Mavericks or Warriors trade back from lottery positions. His half-court organization and shooting are genuine assets, though his age and average athleticism make him a more situational fit. Rival teams view this Thunder pick as a trade candidate given OKC‘s roster constraints. Last year, they moved out of No. 24 for a protected future first and could pursue something similar here. If Oklahoma City retains Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort and Kenrich Williams while picking at 12, another roster spot would need to be cleared to carry this selection.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via Orlando) — Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor (Sophomore)
The Hornets are treating both first-round picks with flexibility, viewing this selection as a potential trade chip. If Charlotte targets a big at No. 14, this slot becomes a perimeter pick. Carr is projected to come off the board between Nos. 13 and 19. His explosiveness and shotmaking give him a distinct profile in a draft short on wings of his mold.
19. Toronto Raptors — Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara (Freshman)
Graves projects in the 16-to-22 range. His analytic profile, feel for the game and positional versatility at the 4 have made him appealing to the Raptors, among others. Average athleticism and a limited resume against elite competition have divided evaluators. Toronto has been tied primarily to guards with this pick but can go best-available if the board delivers a fit like Graves, whose versatile profile matches what the Raptors historically value.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta) — Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas (Junior)
Swain‘s range opens just outside the lottery and runs into the early 20s, aided by the draft’s scarcity of multi-tool wings. Coming off a finals appearance, the Spurs‘ most pressing need is frontcourt depth, with Chris Cenac Jr. and Jayden Quaintance drawing consideration. Swain doesn’t directly address that void, and he isn’t an elite perimeter shooter, but his length, rebounding and defensive discipline can shore up rotation margins.
21. Detroit Pistons (via Minnesota) — Labaron Philon Jr., PG/SG, Alabama (Sophomore)
Philon is drawing looks across the board, with a wide range driven by the volume of guards at his level and how many teams will actually take one. He worked out for the Timberwolves at No. 28 last week, which could signal a potential slide. Rival teams expect the Pistons to target an offensive-minded player here, with shooting a glaring need exposed in the postseason. A ball handler who can take pressure off Cade Cunningham would also be prudent, and Philon addresses both.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Houston) — Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford (Freshman)
Okorie has worked out widely across the league and earned a green room invitation, with some teams interested as high as the teens. His elusiveness off the dribble and scoring ability draw praise, though concerns about size persist. Whether he leaps Anderson, Philon or Stirtz in the point guard pecking order on draft night remains uncertain. The 76ers can go best-available in new president Mike Gansey‘s first draft at the helm. With significant salary committed to Joel Embiid and Paul George, finding depth contributors is a priority.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland) — Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston (Freshman)
Cenac is solidly in the first round, but teams in the 20s are beginning to wonder if he’ll be available to them as other prospects push into the teens. He is still developing his identity, and immediate contribution is unlikely. His physical stature and skill level at just 19 years old separate him in predraft evaluations. The Hawks have flexibility with this second pick and don’t need to roster two rookies next season. In this scenario, they take a guard at No. 8 and a big here.
24. New York Knicks — Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina (Junior)
Veesaar‘s perimeter shooting and size project him toward early rotation minutes and have put him in play for first-round teams needing center depth. The Knicks are reportedly seeking frontcourt reinforcement with Mitchell Robinson a pending free agent. New York also holds the No. 31 pick, creating bookend selections in this range and a path to adding two potential rotation players cost-effectively. The 31st pick now carries elevated trade value due to the draft’s two-day format.
25. Los Angeles Lakers — Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke (Sophomore)
Evans‘ long-range shooting has sustained first-round interest. He measured 6-foot-5½ barefoot at the combine, giving him usable size for a wing shooter. His ability to score off movement is genuinely rare and valued league-wide. He projects more as a play finisher and spacer than a creator, but that role has real value on a team like the Lakers, who are managing new contracts for LeBron James and Austin Reaves while building around Luka Doncic.
26. Denver Nuggets — Koa Peat, PF/SF, Arizona (Freshman)
Peat did not receive a green room invitation, but interest in the 20s remains real. Shooting mechanics have been the central concern since the combine. His physicality and defensive versatility could appeal to the Nuggets, who have shown an ability to fit varied skill sets around Nikola Jokic and need more athleticism up front. Denver faces cap constraints with Peyton Watson hitting restricted free agency, a dynamic that could push them to move a veteran to free up room.
27. Boston Celtics — Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky (Sophomore)
Quaintance did not earn a green room invite, and teams continue to flag concern about his injured knee, with multiple sources fearing he could miss time next season. He had knee surgery in March 2025 after tearing an ACL at Arizona State and appeared in just four games at Kentucky last season while managing the injury. Despite that, his physical tools and upside as a vertical spacing 5-man draw genuine enthusiasm. A patient team like the Celtics can afford to wait, and his talent makes a full first-round drop difficult to see.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit) — Meleek Thomas, PG/SG, Arkansas (Freshman)
Thomas has worked out across the first round and projects most likely in the 20s. His size, scoring and improving defense have stood out in workout settings. Minnesota is known to be targeting backcourt depth to support Anthony Edwards, and this pick, like most in the 20s, is considered available in trades.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via San Antonio) — Tarris Reed Jr., C, UConn (Senior)
Reed put up three 20-plus-point games in the NCAA tournament, building real momentum on the workout circuit and trending toward the late first round. His length, physical presence, rebounding instincts and offensive skill make him an attractive plug-and-play role player for contending teams. Frontcourt depth is an evident area of need for the Cavaliers as they maximize their current window, though they can also go best-available depending on who falls here.
30. Dallas Mavericks (via Oklahoma City) — Sergio de Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia, Spain
De Larrea stayed in the draft ahead of last Saturday’s deadline, indicating a likely landing spot in the 25-to-35 range. He is open to remaining in Spain next season in the right situation, offering a stash option that could ease cap and roster pressure for a first-round team. He measured at 6-foot-6 barefoot with a 6-9 wingspan, and he shot just under 40% from 3 last season on a strong Valencia team. Though not particularly quick, his playmaking feel and size give him clear growth potential. Addressing the long-term point guard position is an attractive path for Dallas, especially if Kyrie Irving remains on board next season.
Second Round
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School / Club | Class / Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | New York Knicks (via Washington) | Joshua Jefferson | SF/PF | Iowa State | Senior |
| 32 | Memphis Grizzlies (via Indiana) | Zuby Ejiofor | PF/C | St. John’s | Senior |
| 33 | Brooklyn Nets | Richie Saunders | SG/SF | BYU | Senior |
| 34 | Sacramento Kings | Alex Karaban | SF/PF | UConn | Senior |
| 35 | San Antonio Spurs (via Utah) | Braden Smith | PG | Purdue | Senior |
| 36 | LA Clippers (via Memphis) | Baba Miller | PF/C | Cincinnati | Senior |
| 37 | Oklahoma City Thunder (via Dallas) | Jack Kayil | PG/SG | Alba Berlin | Germany |
| 38 | Chicago Bulls (via New Orleans) | Ryan Conwell | SG | Louisville | Senior |
| 39 | Houston Rockets (via Chicago) | Emanuel Sharp | SG | Houston | Senior |
| 40 | Boston Celtics (via Milwaukee) | Felix Okpara | C | Tennessee | Senior |
| 41 | Miami Heat (via Golden State) | Ja’Kobi Gillespie | PG | Tennessee | Senior |
| 42 | San Antonio Spurs (via Portland) | Dillon Mitchell | PF | St. John’s | Senior |
| 43 | Brooklyn Nets (via Clippers) | Bruce Thornton | PG/SG | Ohio State | Senior |
| 44 | San Antonio Spurs (via Miami) | Izaiyah Nelson | PF/C | South Florida | Senior |
| 45 | Sacramento Kings (via Charlotte) | Trevon Brazile | PF | Arkansas | Senior |
| 46 | Orlando Magic | Ugonna Onyenso | C | Virginia | Senior |
| 47 | Phoenix Suns (via Philadelphia) | Jaden Bradley | PG/SG | Arizona | Senior |
| 48 | Dallas Mavericks (via Phoenix) | Tre Donaldson | PG | Miami | Senior |
| 49 | Denver Nuggets (via Atlanta) | Vsevolod Ishchenko | SG/SF | Lokomotiv Kuban | Russia |
| 50 | Toronto Raptors | Tobe Awaka | PF | Arizona | Senior |
| 51 | Washington Wizards (via Minnesota) | Milos Uzan | PG | Houston | Senior |
| 52 | LA Clippers (via Cleveland) | Aaron Nkrumah | SG | Tennessee State | Senior |
| 53 | Houston Rockets | Quadir Copeland | SG | NC State | Senior |
| 54 | Golden State Warriors (via Los Angeles Lakers) | Tobi Lawal | PF | Virginia Tech | Senior |
| 55 | New York Knicks | Tyler Nickel | SG | Vanderbilt | Senior |
| 56 | Chicago Bulls (via Denver) | Bryce Hopkins | SF/PF | St. John’s | Senior |
| 57 | Atlanta Hawks (via Boston) | Nick Martinelli | SF/PF | Northwestern | Senior |
| 58 | New Orleans Pelicans (via Detroit) | Maliq Brown | PF/C | Duke | Senior |
| 59 | Minnesota Timberwolves (via San Antonio) | Noam Yaacov | PG | Oostende | Denmark |
| 60 | Washington Wizards (via Oklahoma City) | Tyler Bilodeau | PF | UCLA | Senior |
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