2026 NBA Mock Draft: Gary Parrish’s Final Projections After Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade

The 2026 NBA Draft is finally here, with the first round set to unfold later on Tuesday. When it does, commissioner Adam Silver will announce the names of 30 men who will, in that moment, have what was once surely a dream become a reality.

It's a cool experience every year.

And this year is even better than most, I think, because as many as four teams, and possibly more, can reasonably believe they are adding a future face of the franchise from this draft. The only question is in which order AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson will come off the board. And what you'll find below in my latest and final mock is that I remain unchanged at the top.

Lots of noise.

Lots of reports.

Regardless, in the end, I'll be surprised if we're surprised. In other words, I still expect Washington to select AJ Dybantsa at No. 1, Utah to draft Darryn Peterson at No. 2, Memphis to get Cameron Boozer at No. 3 and Chicago to grab Caleb Wilson at No. 4. Then we'll get to see what the Clippers will do at No. 5. Or if they'll even keep the pick.

Breaking news on Monday and over the night also has added some intrigue to this draft. Michigan coach Dusty May left Ann Arbor for the Dallas Mavericks opening . Will that change what the Mavs do at No. 9 with three of his National Champion Wolverines still on the board at that point?

Why Dusty May leaving Michigan and college basketball behind in June isn't remotely surprising Matt Norlander

And then the big news we have all been waiting for: Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis traded to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro , Kel'el Ware , Jaime Jaquez Jr. , Kasparas Jakucionis and three first-round picks. Miami gets Milwaukee's No. 13 pick on Tuesday night. Does that change what we expect to happen at that point in the draft?

But back to the top of the draft. Am I convinced Dybantsa will be the best player from this draft?

Not necessarily.

But of the four players who should be under serious consideration for the top spot -- Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Wilson -- I simply believe the 6-foot-9 forward from BYU who led college basketball in scoring this past season is the best combination of a high-ceiling/high-floor prospect. Peterson's ceiling might be higher -- but he seems riskier because of the way his one season unfolded at Kansas. Boozer's floor might be higher -- but even fans of his wonder exactly how high the ceiling really is. And, fairly or unfairly, Wilson is widely considered to be the biggest gamble of the four, in part because of a lack of a perimeter shot.

In my mind, that leaves Dybantsa as the top option for the top pick. This mock draft is me betting the Wizards will agree when it's time to announce things.

Mock Draft Round 1

Round 1 - Pick 1

AJ Dybantsa

SF

BYU

• Fr • 6'9" / 217 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

25.5

RPG

6.8

APG

3.7

3P%

33.1%

Dybantsa has moved to -550 in the betting markets to be the first pick, which is even bigger odds than he had before some reports started connecting Washington to Peterson. There's probably a lesson in there somewhere. Either way, what the Wizards are getting is a jumbo-wing and natural scorer who led the EYBL in points per game after his freshman season of high school and the entire nation in points per game during his freshman season at BYU. Based on that trajectory, and Dybantsa's awesome physical tools, it will not be surprising if he also someday leads the NBA in scoring. His presence should make the Wizards interesting for the first time in a while. Alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis, Dybantsa could help Washington reach the postseason next year for the first time since 2021.

Round 1 - Pick 2

Darryn Peterson

PG

Kansas

• Fr • 6'5" / 200 lbs

Projected Team

Utah

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

20.2

RPG

4.2

APG

1.6

3P%

38.2%

As noted, I believe Peterson's theoretical ceiling is the highest of any player's in this draft. The talent is undeniable. But there are questions about whether he'll maximize his gifts because of the way his one season at Kansas unfolded. He was special in spots and at times looked like the best player in college basketball. But Peterson was also in and out of the lineup a lot -- sometimes by his own choice -- and that fact has raised concerns in some corners. Regardless, he won't have to wait long to hear his name called. Assuming it's by Utah, Peterson also shouldn't have to wait long to be in the playoffs, as the Jazz are positioned to compete in the West with a core of Peterson and former (but still young) All-Stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr..

Round 1 - Pick 3

Cameron Boozer

PF

Duke

• Fr • 6'8" / 250 lbs

Projected Team

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

22.5

RPG

10.2

APG

4.1

3P%

39.1%

The Grizzlies have traded Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the past year; Ja Morant is expected to go next. So the hope in Memphis is that the third pick in this draft delivers a new face of the franchise -- and, assuming he's available, it'll likely be Boozer. Given how the so-called Morant Era went off the rails with multiple suspensions before the franchise decided to pivot, selecting Boozer is the most sensible move here. All he's ever done is be awesome -- both on and off the court -- and win, win, win. If the Grizz grab him, their starting frontcourt on Opening Night should feature the 2023 and 2024 CBS Sports National Player of the Year (Zach Edey) and the 2026 CBS Sports National Player of the Year (Boozer).

Round 1 - Pick 4

Caleb Wilson

PF

North Carolina

• Fr • 6'9" / 210 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

19.8

RPG

9.4

APG

2.7

3P%

25.9%

Wilson to the Bulls is, in some people's eyes, the safest prediction in the top five, as he is widely viewed as the fourth-best prospect in a clear-cut top four. Great athlete. Terrific competitor. But Wilson is also a non-shooter headed to a league that values it, which is not ideal for a top-five pick. But the other stuff is too great to pass on. So, barring a twist, Wilson will play home games at the United Center.

From Indiana Pacers Round 1 - Pick 5

Keaton Wagler

PG

Illinois

• Fr • 6'5" / 188 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Clippers

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

17.9

RPG

5.1

APG

4.2

3P%

39.7%

The Clippers are an obvious candidate to trade down. And there are franchises reportedly trying to get into the top five. So don't be surprised if this pick gets moved. If it doesn't, though, Wagler makes a lot of sense as a jumbo lead guard who can play on or off the ball. Most importantly, the Clippers need a bigger guard beside Darius Garland, who is only 6-1 and under contract with Los Angeles for two more years, and Wagler is the tallest option among the guards expected to go in this range.

Round 1 - Pick 6

Mikel Brown Jr.

PG

Louisville

• Fr • 6'4" / 190 lbs

Projected Team

Brooklyn

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

18.2

RPG

3.3

APG

4.7

3P%

34.4%

The Nets took four guards in last year's draft, but none of them really did anything too encouraging as rookies for a 20-win team, which obviously isn't a great sign. Either way, that's my way of suggesting Brooklyn shouldn't hesitate to take a big swing on another guard here -- and the biggest swing they can take might be Brown, the one-and-done star from Louisville who was great when he played but limited to just 21 appearances because of a back issue. His best performance came in early February, when Brown made 10 3-pointers and finished with 45 points in a win over NC State. On that day, he looked like a top 10 pick. Tonight, he should be one.

Round 1 - Pick 7

Darius Acuff Jr.

PG

Arkansas

• Fr • 6'2" / 185 lbs

Projected Team

Sacramento

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

23.5

RPG

3.1

APG

6.4

3P%

44%

Acuff and the Kings have been connected publicly for weeks with most indications suggesting this is the floor for the reigning SEC Player of the Year who just became the first man to lead that conference in points and assists since Pete Maravich did it at LSU in 1970. Special talent. Fun player. Would it be better if he were taller? Yes. Would it be better if he weren't a negative-defender? Also yes. But the offensive skill-set is special, and the potential for stardom seems present.

From New Orleans Pelicans Round 1 - Pick 8

Kingston Flemings

PG

Houston

• Fr • 6'3" / 183 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

16.1

RPG

4.1

APG

5.2

3P%

38.7%

The Hawks are in need of backcourt help after moving on from Trae Young last season. Flemings could provide it. The point guard prospect wasn't the highest-rated recruit in Houston's freshman class but emerged as the program's best player while helping the Cougars win 30 games and advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. He's the rare 19 year-old who is both a top-tier athlete and strong shooter. It's not hard to imagine him helping a playoff team in Atlanta, even as a rookie.

Round 1 - Pick 9

Brayden Burries

SG

Arizona

• Fr • 6'4" / 215 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

16.1

RPG

4.9

APG

2.4

3P%

39.1%

The Mavericks created a big headline on the eve of the draft by luring Dusty May from Michigan to be their next coach. I'd be surprised if it's not a successful partnership, and a part of that will be tied to how things go with this pick. For a while now, I've had Burries slotted here -- and I'll stick with that even if May's hire has caused some to speculate that Dallas could grab one of the players who just helped him guide the Wolverines to the national championship, as Morez Johnson and Aday Mara would both be reasonable options for the Mavericks given where they're picking and the plan in place to build around reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. Trading down is also an option believed to be under consideration.

Round 1 - Pick 10

Nate Ament

PF

Tennessee

• Fr • 6'10" / 211 lbs

Projected Team

Milwaukee

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

16.7

RPG

6.3

APG

2.3

3P%

33.3%

It remains unclear which direction the Bucks are headed, but most indications are that Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the way out. If so, it'll be rebuild-time in Milwaukee, at which point taking a huge swing on Ament would be defensible. The wing with size had an up-and-down freshman season for the Vols -- but the upside isn't hard to spot. Less than a year ago, the 2025 McDonald's All-American was considered a possible top-five pick. So getting Ament here would be nice for a Bucks franchise that will likely finish outside of the top 10 in the East next season in the absence of their former MVP.

Round 1 - Pick 11

Aday Mara

C

Michigan

• Jr • 7'3" / 260 lbs

Projected Team

Golden St.

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

12.1

RPG

6.8

APG

2.4

3P%

30%

Mara kind of splits the difference between a player ready to contribute and a prospect with plenty of room to grow, which makes the 21 year-old an obvious option for Golden State. In the Western Conference, the Warriors are now looking up at giants like Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and Rudy Gobert. So using this pick on a 7-3 center who can more or less look them eye-to-eye would be logical. Mara sees the floor well from way up there, passes effectively and finishes with both hands. But his real strength is on defense, where he blocked and altered shots all NCAA Tournament while helping the Wolverines win the nati

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2026-nba-mock-draft-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade/)._