2026 Lottery Mock Draft

General Overview:

With Adam Silver and the NBA cracking down on tanking and teams having a harder time getting good odds to obtain a top pick. So, with the last draft using the old rules also being the most anticipated in recent years it puts even more pressure on these organizations to hit on these picks. This year’s draft itself has an immense amount of talent and potential throughout the lottery and throughout the 1st round. The players coming out of this draft are expected to become all time greats and should provide many teams with good opportunities to make something happen in the future.

#1 Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

AJ Dybantsa can play in any system that the Wizards put him in while developing his crafty playmaking from one of the league’s best, Trae Young. As well as learning from AD on how to more effectively stretch the floor while still being a positive on the defensive side. They’ve spent all year tanking, giving their young guys full control to grow at the expense of losing as many games as possible. The Wizards are on path to begin to come out of their rebuild at seemingly the best time possible, with the 2026 draft class being one of the most anticipated drafts in recent history. They simply must draft the best player, AJ Dybantsa.

#2 Jazz: Darryn Peterson

The Jazz has two general directions to go, the riskier and more expected route with Darryn Peterson or go with a different talent in this loaded draft. From all the different injuries to his hospital stint of full body cramping from high creatine doses to his blank stare when he sits out for half of the game. Peterson has come from a clean cut #1 pick to a generational talent that might have too much risk involved to warrant a team to build around him. Undoubtedly though, the Jazz should be every bit prepared to try to make Peterson fit even if they have another young promising shooting guard in Ace Bailey.

If they decide not to go with Peterson, they still have a plethora of options to choose. However, they should still stay with a guard pick because of the frontcourt talent they already have. So, unless they trade away enough of their frontcourt to make room for a developing talent, don’t expect them to draft guys like Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson. Instead, expect them to go with Darius Acuff Jr. or Keaton Wagler, both talented young guards that can help facilitate an offense that has many moving parts.

#3 Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer

The Grizzlies have an interesting off season ahead of them, with the trading of Ja Morant and entering a full rebuild being inevitable. The 2026 draft could make them immediately bounce back by finding a player to solidify and lead their core of Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, and Zach Edey. There’re two forwards talented enough to do that, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. Caleb Wilson fits more as a secondary scorer and feeds off other players’ gravity, which the Grizzlies just don’t have yet. Boozer is the perfect fit to be the main offensive engine as well as keeping that high defensive production and paint protection along side Edey.

#4 Bulls: Caleb Wilson

With a new GM, Bulls fans are hoping that this draft can start their resurgence back into the playoff light. They have many options to choose from, but assuming Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer aren’t available, Caleb Wilson is expected to be what they go for. With Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Matas Buzelis, and Anfernee Simons providing offensive juice. Wilson’s two-way abilities will be able to fill in the gaps well. But if the Bulls want to fully start over and build a new core, don’t be surprised if they decide to go with a guard like Darius Acuff Jr. or Keaton Wagler.

Although there is a lot of pressure to come with this long-awaited top 4 pick, the Bulls shouldn’t feel the need to risk this pick with a player that might give them immediate production. Instead, they should focus on consolidating their assets and use this pick to propel them into a rebuild.

#5 Clippers: Keaton Wagler or Trade

To combo with the likes of Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard the Clippers should be looking for someone that could fit alongside them or take the load off Bennedict Mathurin on the bench unit. Like many picks before this, the Clippers have many options to fill the role they desire. Going with a guard like Darius Acuff Jr, Keaton Wagler, or Kingston Flemings would take a good amount of offensive creation from Bennedict Mathurin and could open possibilities with developing a nice pic & roll game with John Collins, Brook Lopex, or Derrick Jones Jr. The problem with taking a guard is that it could hinder Garlands role and potential on the Clippers and take away from what they were trying to build last year when they were both healthy.

The second option is trying to counteract the old front court of Leonard and Lopez with a young, springy forward. Leading that pack is Nate Ament, but his inefficient shooting and overall risky outlook has him as a more long-term investment and probably not something the Clippers should be buying into. The other forwards worth looking at are Yaxel Lendeborg, Karim Lopez, and Thomas Haugh. Who isn’t exactly on par with the talent you want to get from a 5th overall pick.

The last option, and maybe the best, for the Clippers is to trade this pick to get someone who can fill the offensive bench gap and make them younger. Some potential trades could be Nicolas Batum + 2026 5th overall pick for Jaime Jaquez Jr, Nicolas Batum + 2026 5th overall pick Kevin Porter Jr, Bradley Beal + 2026 5th overall pick and cash (~93k) for Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. There are other players that they could package this pick with too, like Brook Lopez or Bogdan Bogdanovic. But they shouldn’t feel the need blow up their roster because when they were healthy last year, or at least when Kawhi Leonard was, the Clippers showed that they could compete and win against the best in the league.

#6 Nets: Kingston Flemings

Like most rebuilding teams there is a lot of pressure to hit on this year’s draft, there might be a little less pressure for the Nets though because of the amount of 1st round picks they have looming within the next couple years. But at pick #6 there should still be a lot of talent to build around. Mainly the guards in Darius Acuff Jr, Keaton Wagler, and Kingston Flemings, which all have tremendous potential and should develop nicely into the centerpiece of their offense. All three of these guards have shown good playmaking ability, whether it’s creating for themselves or others. None of them show exceptional two-way talent but all three won’t be a liability on defense either. Pairing them with a good 3 & D guard to help relieve pressure on the defensive side should prove best. Bringing in a frontcourt that excels at rim running and pic & roll plays as well as capitalizing on the extra space that these guards create will have them looking like a very capable offense.

Although Darius Acuff Jr. might have the most upside of these 3 players, he does lack the size to be a versatile guard defensively. If the Nets bring in or develop players that can counteract this while keeping the offense consistent, it can work but it will take a longer rebuild and more precision. Keaton Wagler and Kingston Flemings have a greater opportunity to develop that defensive versatility and consistency, so they might be the safer pick.

#7 Kings: Darius Acuff Jr.

The Kings are spiraling out of control with what they want to accomplish for the foreseeable future. But they finally came to their senses and committed to tanking this season in hopes of pulling themselves out of the gutter. As a fan, you must hope that they blow up the roster and use this pick to start giving fans a reason to watch again. The Kings roster doesn’t have time or space to develop a young talent into something great with so many high usage guys. Their roster is super old but it’s not getting any younger unless they move most of their players around. If they can do that, they have a good chance of success with almost anybody they pick, from any of the high potential guards I mentioned before to the bigs like Nate Ament, Yaxel Lendeborg, or Aday Mara. They just need someone to give them a chance at seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Assuming they go through with blowing up their roster, Darius Acuff Jr. would be the perfect fit for a long-term investment. They’ll have all the time in the world to develop and build around Acuff as long as they get rid of the high usage guys and trust the rebuild.

#8 Hawks: Nate Ament

The Hawks are in the ideal position to make a deep playoff run within the next couple of years. Their roster just proved that they could remain competitive in the playoffs while retaining a top pick. They must capitalize by picking someone who can provide more off the bench depth while also providing more space when they run more offensive heavy lineups with McCollum, Alexander-Walker, and Johnson. One of the many guard options that have been mentioned before could work great, but the best potential fit will most likely be Nate Ament. Even though his efficiency isn’t great he is a two-way talent that will fit well off the bench next to Kuminga. These young, high flying forwards can come in as a spark plug off the bench and Ament can be used to space the floor as he won’t be pressured to force shots with so many shot creators already in the lineup.

#9 Mavs: Brayden Burries

The Mavericks could shape up to be quite the force within the next year or two, with Cooper Flagg looking like a perennial all star while still growing into his potential. To combat the offensive powerhouse that could become of a duo like Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, the Mavs should be looking at a 3 & D guard that will provide good spacing and will balance out Irving on the defensive side. Brayden Burries is the exact guy that they’re looking for, the two-way guard out of Arizona showed off his potential with good efficiency from beyond the arc and defensive upside. Even though he doesn’t show amazing playmaking ability it isn’t a standout weakness, he was still the main facilitator in the dominant Wildcat offense.

#10 Bucks: Thomas Haugh

The Bucks are in this weird gray area where they need to decide on if they’re going to commit to a rebuild or try to contend again. Ultimately this decision comes down to what they do with Giannis Antetokounmpo. But whether a trade is incoming or not, the Bucks could draft any player at pick #10 and make a case for the pick. They don’t exactly have a lot of room to develop a player even from the bench with quality minutes still coming from Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr, and AJ Green. But what it comes down to, regardless of whether Giannis is traded, is who is the best player available. Although expect the Bucks to lean toward more backup forward help with players like Yaxel Lendeborg or Thomas Haugh, if Giannis doesn’t get traded. And expect a center or guard like Aday Mara or Labaron Philon Jr if Giannis does.

#11 Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg

Warriors’ fans might be providing the most pressure on their front office with frustrations of nonaggressiveness with trades and other roster/staff changes. Adding to the fact that Curry and Butler are aging super stars and they have much time left to make a deep playoff run, the Warriors need to hit on this draft. With so much guard play, the Warriors should be looking for a forward or center that can capitalize on the space provided by Curry’s gravity but can also provide some defensive paint presence while making up for the old bigs of Green, Porzingis, and Horford.

Additionally, Butler is questionable to start the season healthy, and the rest of the roster will be on load management for the whole season, this pick also needs to show some shot creation and versatility on the offensive side. Both Michigan top prospects, Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara, are potential fits to provide that much need paint presence. Lendeborg is the objectively correct choice though because of his offensive creation and floor spacing. Another plus is that the Warriors might be the only team with a lottery pick that’s looking for an 18 or 19-year-old, they need someone that will give immediate impact, someone that already has developed a little and has a high understanding of the game to fit into the Warriors motion offense. Yaxel Lendeborg will be their guy.

Another option that’s been subtly reported is trading this #11 pick. With this being a very high value draft class, the Warriors could package this pick to get a much-needed forward or center that can fill the gaps of paint control and offensive creation without Steph Curry.

#12 Thunder: Aday Mara

The Thunder can do just about anything and be the favorite to win the title for the foreseeable future even after the guaranteed max contracts to Chet Holgrim and Jalen Williams. The only issue they have is having too many picks in the next couple years, looking at those picks almost all of them probably won’t end up in the lottery, so this year’s pick might be the highest individual value of all of them. That doesn’t exactly solve the problem though, they don’t have any incentive to use this pick because their roster is basically perfect. The only reason for them to take this pick seriously is for when SGA, Holgrim, and Williams’ contracts kick in next year and they will have to sell some important role players to get under the salary cap. If any sort of weakness exists in their lineup it’s their backup center minutes, so drafting Aday Mara is the exact pick for them. Even if he doesn’t end up getting any minutes.

#13 Heat: Labaron Philon Jr.

Looking at their roster alone, the Heat’s main weakness is their backup guard minutes. With a strong backcourt in Davion Mitchell and Tyler Herro they should be looking for a good backup that doesn’t have to rely on Jaime Jaquez Jr and Kel’el Ware for offensive production. Labaron Philon Jr is an offensive unit within himself and effective from just about everywhere on the floor while keeping good playmaking abilities. On the defensive side, he shows potential with good anticipation and ability to get within the passing lanes. Having the freedom to take a bigger role off the bench will provide good development and help him learn how to run an NBA offense while still being positive on the defensive end. With Philon Jr. being a quick decision maker and being used to a fast offense at Alabama, he should have no problem fitting in with the Heat, the highest pace of play team in the NBA.

#14 Hornets: Karim Lopez

The Hornets have a young, talented roster all throughout and are looking to be a dangerous team within the next year or two. To help them out they need to solve their backup forward minutes with a bigger paint presence and a good finisher. The obvious pick is Thomas Haugh, who provides good finishing and rim running as well as a defensive contributor. He will fit in well with the young Hornets roster by pushing the pace of play while keeping turnover low and not making many big avoidable mistakes that young players often make.

The other potential draft pick for the Hornets is Karim Lopez, who is from Mexico and played in the NBL for the New Zealand Breakers. He is not as well known and scouted as the other prospects in this draft, but he still shows promise, especially on the defensive side. Which can notably help Charolette’s struggling defense at times. Lopez might prove to be the most NBA ready because of the time he’s spent in the NBL that some NBA level talent has spent the last years of their careers in.