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2026 NBA Mock Draft: Nets Take Nate Ament at No. 6, Keaton Wagler Falls

With the NBA Draft less than a week away, the top 10 remains unpredictable, but the Nets are banking on Nate Ament with the sixth pick, while Keaton Wagler's stock drops.

CBS Sports·Jun 18, 2026·via CBS Sports

2026 NBA Mock Draft: Nets Take Nate Ament at No. 6, Keaton Wagler Falls

Next Tuesday, multiple NBA teams will add franchise players that could change the trajectory of their program for the next decade. But who goes where is still undecided, adding intrigue and excitement to draft night.

There are still unknowns at the top of the draft and particularly within the top 10. Last year, there wasn't much drama with the first two picks. It was widely expected that the Dallas Mavericks would take Cooper Flagg at No. 1 and the San Antonio Spurs would make Dylan Harper the pick shortly after.

This year, there is still some intense debate about who goes No. 1, with Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa the most likely candidates to hear their name called first by the Washington Wizards . If Dybantsa is the pick at No. 1 (like my final mock has), then all eyes will be on the Utah Jazz at No. 2. The Jazz could select Peterson, who is one of the best guard prospects in the last decade, or go with Duke's Cameron Boozer, who put together one of the best one-and-done seasons in college basketball history.

2026 NBA Draft: Options, odds, predictions and most likely selection for every team picking in top 10 Cameron Salerno

Even outside of the top four picks, there is bound to be drama. The real fun could start when the Los Angeles Clippers get on the board with the No. 5 pick. The Clippers will be able to have their pick of what is a loaded point guard class , with Mikel Brown Jr. and Keaton Wagler viewed as the favorites to go in this spot.

With the draft just days away, here is our latest mock draft, which starts with the Wizards taking Dybansta at No. 1.

Mock Draft Round 1

Round 1 - Pick 1

AJ Dybantsa

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%

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. However, Dybantsa would be a great fit with Washington, too. He was college basketball's leading scorer last season as a freshman and has all the tools to be one of the top scorers at the next level down the line.

Round 1 - Pick 2

Cameron Boozer

Duke

• Fr • 6'8" / 250 lbs

Projected Team

Utah

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

22.5

RPG

10.2

APG

4.1

3P%

39.1%

This is where the first curveball of the draft might come. If Dybantsa is off the board first, Utah will have a decision to make between Boozer and Peterson. My prediction is that Boozer will be the pick. He had one of the best one-and-done seasons in college basketball history at Duke and would add playmaking, rebounding and scoring to an already loaded Utah frontcourt. Boozer has almost become underrated this draft cycle. He would be the clear-cut No. 1 pick in most draft classes.

Round 1 - Pick 3

Darryn Peterson

Kansas

• Fr • 6'5" / 200 lbs

Projected Team

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

20.2

RPG

4.2

APG

1.6

3P%

38.2%

Peterson's health was a huge talking point during his time at Kansas. He missed 11 games total due to cramping. If Peterson was healthy throughout the season, I don't think there would be a debate at No. 1. Just turn on the tape of the first half of Kansas' game against BYU to see why. Peterson outplayed Dybantsa and showed why he is the best player in the class. Memphis should be thrilled if Peterson is here at No. 3.

Round 1 - Pick 4

Caleb Wilson

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

Mikel Brown Jr.

Louisville

• Fr • 6'4" / 190 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Clippers

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

18.2

RPG

3.3

APG

4.7

3P%

34.4%

Pick No. 5 is where the real drama is going to start. The Clippers have their pick at whatever point guard they want. One of the most logical fits is Brown, who might've been locked into the No. 5 spot if he didn't miss almost a dozen games at Louisville due to a back injury. If the medicals are clean, this should be the pick. Brown or Keaton Wagler both can co-exist with Darius Garland in the backcourt.

Round 1 - Pick 6

Nate Ament

Tennessee

• Fr • 6'10" / 211 lbs

Projected Team

Brooklyn

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

16.7

RPG

6.3

APG

2.3

3P%

33.3%

The Nets are the wild card in the top 10 and could bet on potential here with Ament. The Nets drafted three point guards last summer with the five first-round picks the franchise had. Brooklyn could certainly target a point guard in this range — like Brown if he's still on the board — but Ament could serve as the first real shake-up on draft night. Ament's freshman season at Tennessee was a mixed bag with plenty of ups and downs, but the talent and physical traits are certainly there. He showed signs of improvement but wasn't efficient, shooting just 39% from the floor as a 6-foot-10 forward. For a Brooklyn team nowhere close to winning big now, buying low on Ament's potential may be the move.

Round 1 - Pick 7

Darius Acuff Jr.

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.

From New Orleans Pelicans Round 1 - Pick 8

Aday Mara

Michigan

• Jr • 7'3" / 260 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

12.1

RPG

6.8

APG

2.4

3P%

30%

The run on point guards could stop here with Atlanta taking one of the best shot blockers in college basketball. Mara's rise over the last few months has been remarkable to watch. He was the defensive anchor on Michigan's national title team and would be a fun fit with Atlanta.

Round 1 - Pick 9

Keaton Wagler

Illinois

• Fr • 6'5" / 188 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

17.9

RPG

5.1

APG

4.2

3P%

39.7%

The Mavericks can go a few different directions with this pick, but if Wagler falls to 9, that should be the pick. Wagler went from an unsung recruit to an All-American during his lone season at Illinois. Wagler can play off the ball, so his fit next to Kyrie Irving (if Dallas keeps him) could work. It would also give Cooper Flagg a long-term running mate.

Round 1 - Pick 10

Kingston Flemings

Houston

• Fr • 6'3" / 183 lbs

Projected Team

Milwaukee

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

16.1

RPG

4.1

APG

5.2

3P%

38.7%

It's hard to figure out the Bucks' offseason without addressing if Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to get traded and where he could wind up. Milwaukee should be focusing on taking BPA in this spot, so someone like Flemings makes a ton of sense as the franchise resets with a rebuild if Antetokounmpo is traded.

Round 1 - Pick 11

Morez Johnson Jr.

Michigan

• Soph • 6'9" / 250 lbs

Projected Team

Golden St.

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

13.1

RPG

7.3

APG

1.2

3P%

34.3%

The Warriors could be debating between taking one of Michigan's star forwards. Yaxel Lendeborg maxes a ton of sense here. But so does Johnson, who is one of the most versatile players in the draft. He exploits mismatches on offense and can guard multiple positions on the defensive end of the floor.

From Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 - Pick 12

Brayden Burries

Arizona

• Fr • 6'4" / 215 lbs

Projected Team

Oklahoma City

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

16.1

RPG

4.9

APG

2.4

3P%

39.1%

The Thunder have an abundance of riches in their rotation. If the Thunder stick at No. 12, one option that makes sense is Burries. He is a versatile guard who can shoot, rebound and defend. That's exactly the kind of player OKC tends to target.

Round 1 - Pick 13

Yaxel Lendeborg

Michigan

• Sr • 6'9" / 241 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

15.1

RPG

6.8

APG

3.2

3P%

37.2%

Age has been a huge talking point when it comes to Lendeborg's draft stock. However, I truly believe he is one of the best players in the draft. An ideal landing spot would be a win-now team in need of size, length and athleticism. Lendeborg fits that bill.

Round 1 - Pick 14

Hannes Steinbach

Washington

• Fr • 6'10" / 248 lbs

Projected Team

Charlotte

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

18.5

RPG

11.8

APG

1.6

3P%

34%

Steinbach has some of the best hands in college basketball and was a double-double machine during his time at Washington. If Aday Mara is off the board when the Hornets pick, Steinbach should be under consideration.

From Portland Trail Blazers Round 1 - Pick 15

Labaron Philon

Alabama

• Fr • 6'3" / 175 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

RPG

3.5

APG

3P%

39.9%

After taking Wilson at No. 4, Chicago lands one of the best point guards in the draft at No. 15. Philon's stock boomed during his sophomore season at Alabama where he improved in almost every facet.

From Phoenix Suns Round 1 - Pick 16

Cameron Carr

Baylor

• Soph • 6'5" / 184 lbs

Projected Team

Memphis

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, even if the Grizzlies draft someone like Peterson at No. 3.

From Philadelphia 76ers Round 1 - Pick 17

Dailyn Swain

Texas

• Jr • 6'7" / 211 lbs

Projected Team

Oklahoma City

PROSPECT RNK

25th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

17.3

RPG

7.5

APG

3.6

3P%

34.4%

The Thunder could use picks No. 12 and 17 to move up. If they don't and end up keeping this pick, one player who makes sense is Swain. He was fantastic during his lone season at Texas and has an archetype every NBA decision maker covets.

From Orlando Magic Round 1 - Pick 18

Bennett Stirtz

Iowa

• Sr • 6'3" / 190 lbs

Projected Team

Charlotte

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

19.8

RPG

2.6

APG

4.4

3P%

35.8%

Stritz is an efficient point guard who plays at his own pace. He has had an incredible rise from Division II basketball to being a likely first-round pick. After taking a center with their first pick, Charlotte goes with a point guard at No. 18.

Round 1 - Pick 19

Ebuka Okorie

Stanford

• Fr • 6'1" / 185 lbs