2026 NBA Mock Draft: Giannis Trade Creates Chaos; Wizards Pick Peterson No. 1

There is going to be drama during the 2026 NBA Draft . At this point, it's almost guaranteed. While the rest of the NBA world waits for a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, all eyes are on the NBA Draft, where the Washington Wizards control the board with the No. 1 overall pick.

Washington has a big decision to make that will be franchise-altering. The two main options appear to be Kansas ' Darryn Peterson and BYU's AJ Dybantsa . In this mock draft -- that will be chaotic throughout with trades and bold predictions -- Peterson, not Dybantsa, goes No. 1. That would presumably leave Dybantsa available for the Utah Jazz, a franchise very familiar with the BYU product.

If the Bucks do trade Antetokounmpo before the draft, acquiring at least one more pick in this loaded draft class would help kickstart the reset. The Miami Heat have been the team linked to Antetokounmpo the most for the better part of the last year. Notably, Miami holds the No. 13 pick in the NBA Draft, but in this mock, Miami traded that pick to Milwaukee along with Tyler Herro ,  Kel'El Ware  and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

2026 NBA Draft Roundtable: Who goes No. 1 overall? Experts favor AJ Dybantsa over Darryn Peterson Cameron Salerno

In this mock draft, the Bucks selected Tennessee star Nate Ament -- a player the franchise has been heavily linked to at pick No. 10 -- and Washington big man Hannes Steinbach at No. 13.

Other trades that happen in this chaos mock draft (based on rumors around the league) include Oklahoma City packaging its picks (No. 12 and No. 17) together to move up for Aday Mara and the Minnesota Timberwolves moving up 10 spots to secure Alabama star Labaron Philon Jr.

Let's dive in!

Mock Draft Round 1

Round 1 - Pick 1

Darryn Peterson

PG

Kansas

• Fr • 6'5" / 200 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

20.2

RPG

4.2

APG

1.6

3P%

38.2%

This pick should come down to Peterson or Dybantsa. The Wizards can't go wrong with either prospect. Like I've said for the last calendar year, I strongly believe that Peterson is the best player in the class. It might be a shocker to some if Peterson goes here, but I personally think he is a better fit in Washington than Utah.

Round 1 - Pick 2

AJ Dybantsa

SF

BYU

• Fr • 6'9" / 217 lbs

Projected Team

Utah

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

25.5

RPG

6.8

APG

3.7

3P%

33.1%

The Jazz would have their vision fulfilled when Dybantsa arrived to the state of Utah as a high school senior at Utah Prep if he is available here. If Peterson is off the board, Dybantsa would be the most logical pick at 2. It's hard to see Utah passing on him.

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%

Boozer had one of the best one-and-done seasons in college basketball history at Duke and would add playmaking, rebounding and scoring to Memphis. Boozer has almost become underrated this draft cycle. He would be the clear-cut No. 1 pick in most draft classes.

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%

The Bulls have the easiest decision to make on draft night. Whatever prospect of the "Big Four" is available, that's the pick. Wilson to Chicago seems like one of the most likely pairings on draft night. Wilson has untapped potential on the offensive end of the floor and would add athleticism and defense to a franchise looking for a 1A-type player.

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%

For me, this is where the draft starts. The Clippers can swing the draft by taking any of the point guards projected in this range. In this mock, the Clippers take Wagler, who led Illinois to the Final Four as a freshman. This is also the spot where the first big trade of the night could happen if the Clippers are confident someone like Brayden Burries would be there in the later portion of the lottery.

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%

Brown missed time at Louisville last season due to a back injury. If he's healthy and the medicals are clean, he has a chance to be the best point guard in this draft. Brooklyn needs talent after having a lackluster draft despite making five first round picks last summer. Brown checks those boxes.

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%

The worst kept secret in the NBA Draft is the Kings admiration for Acuff. Kings general manager Scott Perry coached his father in the 1990s when he was the coach at Eastern Kentucky. Acuff, in my opinion, is the best true point guard in the draft. He can be an offensive engine in the NBA. That's exactly what Sacramento needs. There has been a lot of talk about Sacramento potentially trading up to secure Acuff. I'll believe it when I see it.

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, in this scenario, will likely be deciding between Mara or Flemings. In this mock, the Hawks take Flemings, who can be an immediate two-way impact as a rookie.

Mock Trade from Dallas Mavericks Round 1 - Pick 9

Aday Mara

C

Michigan

• Jr • 7'3" / 260 lbs

Projected Team

Oklahoma City

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

12.1

RPG

6.8

APG

2.4

3P%

30%

We have a trade! Oklahoma City trades up to No. 9 with Dallas (for picks 12/17) to secure Mara after the Hawks pass on him. Mara was one of the best shot blockers in college basketball last season and would add depth to the center position for one of the league's deepest rosters.

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%

In this mock draft, we projected Giannis to be traded to the Heat. The Bucks own this pick already and use it to draft Ament, who is one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in the class. Ament showed signs of improvement throughout his freshman season at Tennessee but there are question marks about his efficiency after shooting less than 40% from the field last season.

Round 1 - Pick 11

Yaxel Lendeborg

PF

Michigan

• Sr • 6'9" / 241 lbs

Projected Team

Golden St.

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

15.1

RPG

6.8

APG

3.2

3P%

37.2%

In my last mock draft, I had the Warriors taking Morez Johnson Jr. In this one, I have Golden State taking his frontcourt mate, Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg, in my opinion, is a clear-cut top 10 player in the class. Yes, there are concerns about his draft age but he is exactly the kind of player Golden State should be targeting in the draft.

Mock Trade from Oklahoma City Thunder Round 1 - Pick 12

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%

In the first of three first round picks Dallas makes in this mock, it selects Burries out of Arizona. In this scenario, that would be a massive home run. Dallas should be considering drafting Burries at 9 if he's still on the board. If the Mavericks can pick up an extra asset and still secure their guy, it would be a big win.

Mock Trade from Miami Heat Round 1 - Pick 13

Hannes Steinbach

PF

Washington

• Fr • 6'10" / 248 lbs

Projected Team

Milwaukee

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

18.5

RPG

11.8

APG

1.6

3P%

34%

Another trade! The Bucks use their second first-round pick (after trading Giannis away in this mock trade) to draft a center of the future. Steinbach has some of the best hands in college basketball and was a double-double machine during his time at Washington.

Round 1 - Pick 14

Morez Johnson Jr.

PF

Michigan

• Soph • 6'9" / 250 lbs

Projected Team

Charlotte

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

13.1

RPG

7.3

APG

1.2

3P%

34.3%

The Hornets appear to be in the center market this offseason. Although Johnson isn't a center, he would add size and versatility to Charlotte's frontcourt. Johnson exploits mismatches on offense and can guard multiple positions on the defensive end of the floor.

From Portland Trail Blazers Round 1 - Pick 15

Cameron Carr

SG

Baylor

• Soph • 6'5" / 184 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

18.9

RPG

5.8

APG

2.6

3P%

37.4%

After playing just 41 minutes total last season at Tennessee, Carr transferred to Baylor, where he blossomed into the Bears' leading scorer. He averaged 18.9 points on 49.4/37.4/80.1 shooting splits. His offensive upside is worth the swing here.

From Phoenix Suns Round 1 - Pick 16

Christian Anderson

PG

Texas Tech

• Soph • 6'1" / 180 lbs

Projected Team

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

8th

PPG

18.5

RPG

3.6

APG

7.4

3P%

41.5%

After taking a forward at pick No. 3, the Grizzlies take their point guard of the future. Anderson is one of the best shooters in the class. Sixty-five of Anderson's 108 3-point shots were non-catch-and-shoot makes, which showcases his ability to create his own shot. This is a spot where you would imagine teams call Memphis to gauge a trade down opportunity.

Mock Trade from Oklahoma City Thunder Round 1 - Pick 17

Karim Lopez

PF

Mexico

• 6'8" / 222 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

11.9

RPG

6.1

APG

2.0

3P%

32.6%

With Dallas' second pick acquired in the trade with Oklahoma City, it adds more size to the roster by drafting Lopez. He is the only International player I've had in all my mocks. The International class just isn't as deep as previous seasons. Lopez's draft range appears to be somewhere in the late lottery or the early 20s.

Mock Trade from Charlotte Hornets Round 1 - Pick 18

Labaron Philon

PG

Alabama

• Fr • 6'3" / 175 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

22

RPG

3.5

APG

5

3P%

39.9%

Another trade! It was reported earlier this week that Philon conducted a visit with Minnesota, which is interesting because the lone pick Minnesota holds is at No. 28 and the Alabama star is projected to be off the board before then. If Minnesota is confident in Philon, it would be logical to see them trade up for him. Two years ago, the Timberwolves were aggressive in the draft and traded two picks to move up to No. 8 to draft Rob Dillingham. That experiment didn't work out, but maybe this one will.

Round 1 - Pick 19

Ebuka Okorie

PG

Stanford

• Fr • 6'1" / 185 lbs

Projected Team

Toronto

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

9th

PPG

23.2

RPG

3.6

APG

3.6

3P%

35.4%

Okorie is one player who will go h

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2026-nba-mock-draft-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-would-create-chaos-wizards-select-darryn-peterson-at-no-1/)._