Matt Johnson
The 2026 NBA Draft class could go down as one that’s remembered for generations, with multiple star-caliber prospects sitting at the top of draft boards. All of that comes before March Madness, an opportunity for a deep pool of prospects to become household names along with Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Darryn Peterson. Why are so many NBA teams tanking this season? You’ll understand why with this draft class.
Let’s dive into our first 2026 NBA mock draft ahead of March Madness, looking at how the first 14 picks could unfold. We’ll have a full mock with risers and fallers after the NCAA Tournament.
1. Indiana Pacers: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson is still viewed by many as the best prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft, but it’s now a real debate. Where things could get interesting during the pre-draft process is if Peterson’s camp opts not to provide his medicals for certain teams, as we’ve seen from some players of his caliber in the past. That wouldn’t be an issue for the Indiana Pacers.
This would be the perfect pairing for Peterson. The 6-foot-5 guard brings a shot-making ability that would pair beautifully in a backcourt shared by Tyrese Haliburton. Peterson finished the regular season averaging 20 PPG, shooting 38.3 percent from the perimeter (2.6 three-pointers made per game) with a 53.6 effective field goal percentage. We do believe he’ll regain the elite explosiveness that he showed consistently in high school, and the Pacers have the spacing to further maximize his ability to drive to the rim. If he stays healthy and gets drafted by Indiana, Peterson would have his best chance to reach his ceiling as a perennial All-NBA guard.
2. Sacramento Kings: AJ Dybantsa, Wing, BYU
Even if the Sacramento Kings land the first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, they might not take Darryn Peterson. Numerous prospects have withheld their medical information and opted not to work out with the Kings’ organization; that could happen here. Sacramento could still come out of this class with an elite prospect. BYU Cougars wing AJ Dybantsa has arguably been the most impressive freshman in college basketball this season. Not only that, he’s turned from a player with a lot of promise and a high ceiling into someone who is more polished than many anticipated.
The 6-foot-9 wing already brings physical tools that are only comparable to the best NBA players at his position, and he’s advanced nicely as a passer with improved basketball IQ at just 19 years old. Dybantsa would fill a need at the wing that has plagued Sacramento for more than a decade now, and he’s the caliber of player who the next era of the franchise can be built around. Coming off a regular season where he led the nation in scoring (25.3 PPG on 51.3 percent shooting from the field), Dybantsa could elevate himself above Peterson if BYU makes a deep run in March Madness.
3. Washington Wizards: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
The son of former All-Star forward Carlos Boozer, Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer has done nothing but impress this season on the big stage. At only 18 years old, the 6-foot-9 forward is coming off a regular season where he earned First-Team All-American honors (TSN) and was the ACC Player of the Year. He scored 30-plus points four times during the regular season and had a double-double in 18 of 32 games, all the while shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from beyond the arc (1.5 3PM per game). While he might not be as athletic as Paolo Banchero, his offensive skill set and basketball IQ at this age make him a better prospect with a higher ceiling.
If the Washington Wizards have the third overall pick—with both Peterson and Dybantsa off the board—there’s no question what they should do with the pick. It seems evident that Anthony Davis doesn’t want to play for Washington anyway, so the Wizards can just roll with a frontcourt of Boozer and Alex Sarr. Disregard any talk about how Boozer fits with the team next season; players of this caliber are rare, and you don’t pass on them.
4. Brooklyn Nets: Caleb Wilson, Wing, North Carolina
It’s a shame that North Carolina Tar Heels wing Caleb Wilson suffered a season-ending thumb injury, because he could’ve lit it up in March Madness and demonstrated why his draft stock has soared this season. Prior to the injury, Wilson averaged 20.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in his last 15 starts, shooting an outstanding 61.6 percent from the field. What he brings to the table, beyond great athleticism for his size at 6-foot-10, is a non-stop motor on both ends of the court with the length and instincts to rack up stocks. Plus, he plays well above the rim and is a capable passer. Right now, he’s a question mark (0.3 3PM per game on 25.9 percent shooting) from the perimeter.
The rebuilding Brooklyn Nets could pair him next season with Michael Porter Jr., assuming he’s not traded, and see what a frontcourt looks like with Wilson at the four and Nic Claxton at the five. It’s not the ideal scenario for Brooklyn, who would probably be elated to land Peterson, but the fourth-best prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft is a contender for a top-two pick in normal years.
5. Utah Jazz: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
The Utah Jazz, specifically the fan base and owner Ryan Smith, would love nothing more than to win the 2026 NBA Draft lottery and keep Dybantsa in the state. If that doesn’t happen, Utah could tap into its war chest of future firsts (2027 Los Angeles Lakers, top-four protected; 2027 Jazz; and 2031 Phoenix Suns) to try and move up, but it would likely be unsuccessful. So, the franchise pivots to finding its new point guard in our NBA mock draft, and it gets a great one.
Kingston Flemings, a former four-star recruit, has blossomed this season with the Houston Cougars. The 6-foot-4 point guard just turned 19 years old in January, but he earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors following a regular season where he averaged 16.5 points and 5.3 assists per game. Flemings’ explosiveness has fit perfectly in Kelvin Sampson’s offense, showcasing the teenager’s ability to drive to the rim. What makes him so dangerous when he drives is that he has the vision and passing ability that makes it just as easy for him to pop it out to an open teammate on the perimeter as it is to lay it in. He might not be the dream target for Utah, but he would be an exciting fit next to Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and Jaren Jackson Jr.
6. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
With the unprotected first-round pick acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans, the Atlanta Hawks secure their Trae Young replacement. Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler has certainly stood out during the 2025-26 season, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. What’s truly remarkable is that a year ago, few in the NBA had Wagler on their radar, as he wasn’t even a consensus top-100 recruit coming out of high school. He moved to point guard on Dec. 8 and averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 41.6 percent from the perimeter, including 2.7 made three-pointers per game. He doesn’t have the prototypical athleticism for an NBA point guard, but his size (6-foot-6), perimeter shooting, feel for the game, and playmaking ability more than make up for it.
7. Dallas Mavericks: Mikel Brown Jr, PG, Louisville
It is time to start building this team around Cooper Flagg. For the Dallas Mavericks, there are two strong options at point guard here with Darius Acuff Jr. and Mikel Brown Jr. We went with the 6-foot-5 Louisville guard, in part because of the added length he brings to the court, and we think his defensive awareness paired with that gives him a higher ceiling as a two-way player. Plus, the idea here is to pair Flagg with a true point guard who excels at creating for others. Brown also proved to be a very effective perimeter scorer when healthy, which is another area of his game that fits well with the Mavericks’ long-term vision. There is risk here for Dallas, but Brown is also one of the few players in his class with the potential to be a high-level playmaker throughout his career.
8. Memphis Grizzlies: Darius Acuff Jr, PG, Arkansas
The Memphis Grizzlies will be turning the page on Ja Morant this offseason, looking to find anyone who wants to take a chance on the star point guard. It will finally allow this franchise to make a fresh start, finding a playmaker to pair with Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward, and Zach Edey. Enter 19-year-old guard Darius Acuff Jr., who just earned the coaches’ vote for SEC Player of the Year to go along with his SEC Freshman of the Year honors. While Acuff’s defense is a concern going forward, what matters is that he simply knows how to put up points. To that point, he scored a season-high 49 points on Feb. 18 against Alabama, and he finished the regular season with 27-plus points in eight games and seven-plus assists in 12 starts. Whether he is getting a bucket himself or setting a teammate up for a clean look, Acuff Jr. will put up points immediately in his career
9. Chicago Bulls: Nate Ament, Wing, Tennessee
Coming into the season, there was some outside hope that Tennessee forward Nate Ament would elevate his game and become a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. However, the former five-star recruit was also one of the least-polished players in his class, and that showed throughout this season at Tennessee. He got off to a slow start, but then everyone saw a stretch in SEC play where he looked like a future NBA star. During a 13-game stretch from mid-January through February, he averaged 21.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 38.9 percent from the perimeter. Ament then suffered a leg injury late in the year, but he is back for March Madness with a shot to prove himself on the biggest stage. For the Chicago Bulls, Ament is an upside pick, with the organization betting on him being able to add more strength to his 6-foot-10 frame. Chicago would need to be patient with Ament, but over time, his flashes of excellence could make him into an All-Star forward.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
The good news for the Milwaukee Bucks amid all the long-term uncertainty surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, is that they may wind up with a top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, there are prospect tiers in this class, and there is a noticeable dip outside of the top nine. Arizona guard Brayden Burries isn’t a consolation prize, to be clear. He has catapulted his draft stock this season, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors, thanks in part to a 14-game stretch to end the regular season where he averaged 18.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 41 percent from the perimeter. Burries can be an above-average rebounder as a guard in the NBA who can also operate off the catch-and-shoot. There isn’t All-Star upside here, but Burries could become a quality starter.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Thomas Haugh, Wing, Florida
With the Portland Trail Blazers seemingly getting closer to becoming a Play-In team and welcoming back Damian Lillard next season, it makes sense to bring in someone who is more NBA-ready. Standing at 6-foot-9, Florida Gators wing Thomas Haugh is a more well-rounded and polished prospect than some of his peers who are in contention to be a lottery pick. Haugh plays with non-stop energy on the court and his athleticism should translate very well to the next level. He can be a decent three-point shooter, but it’s certainly not a strength of his game; he is a player who can play the three or the four in Portland and play a meaningful role in the rotation immediately as a rookie.
12. Golden State Warriors: Koa Peat, Wing, Arizona
For the Golden State Warriors, getting Koa Peat in this spot is about providing coach Steve Kerr with someone whom he could actually trust to put on the court quickly in his NBA career. He’s an excellent rebounder for his size at 6-foot-8; he knows how to create for others when he has the ball in his hands, and he’s a capable scorer around the paint. Peat has won at every level from high school to college ball, seamlessly fitting into whatever role he’s needed for. After Golden State’s more recent history of striking out on high-upside prospects who never really had time to develop, Peat would be a safe pick.
13. Charlotte Hornets: Jayden Quaintance, Big, Kentucky
The Charlotte Hornets have an outstanding core to build around with LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller. There is, obviously, room to improve the frontcourt. Kentucky Wildcats big man Jayden Quaintance, who stands at 6-foot-10, hasn’t seen the court much this season. That’s because he is still working his way back from an ACL tear suffered in February 2025 and has dealt with recurring swelling in his knee lately. When healthy, he averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game at Arizona State, and he has shown similar defensive and rebounding capabilities in very limited minutes for Kentucky. Charlotte would be taking a risk here given Quaintance’s durability issues, but the upside is a potentially excellent defensive center who can also help the Hornets’ rebounding.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Braylon Mullins, G, UConn
UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins is one of the most intriguing names to watch in March Madness, as his performance could determine whether he enters the 2026 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-5 freshman is coming off a stretch to end the regular season where he averaged 12.9 points per game, making 2.7 treys per contest on 36 percent from the perimeter. There are legitimate questions regarding his defensive ability, especially against the length and athleticism in the NBA. What he can do is shoot from the perimeter; he knows how to find his spots and operate effectively off-ball. For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Mullins could provide some perimeter scoring off the bench while they keep developing his game further in practice.
