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Adam Finkelstein's Final 2026 NBA Mock Draft: Picks, Intel & Trade Rumors

With Tuesday's draft approaching, Adam Finkelstein's definitive first-round mock draft offers extensive intelligence on potential picks, trade discussions, and various team selection strategies.

CBS Sports·Jun 22, 2026·via CBS Sports

Adam Finkelstein's Final 2026 NBA Mock Draft: Picks, Intel & Trade Rumors

Some drafts are anticlimactic, as by this point in the calendar most of the top lottery picks are already known before Adam Silver gets to the podium. The 2026 version is not one of those drafts. There is still some Intrigue with the first picks, though most expect AJ Dybantsa to hear his name called first. Darryn Peterson is expected to go No. 2, but could Cameron Boozer sneak in at that point?

And then we have the stacked list of lead guards. There is a lot of fun debate over the order in which Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., and Kingston Flemings should be taken, and who of the four will end up having the best NBA career.

In addition to an absolutely loaded class of talent, this year's cinema is also heightened by a tremendous amount of uncertainty headed into the final hours. There is also the trade element, which will likely shake up a few things. And then you add in the breaking news on Monday morning that the Dallas Mavericks are hiring Michigan coach Dusty May . Will that change what the Mavericks do at No. 9?

In this final mock draft, we'll not only plot out what we think the most likely scenarios will be – based on intel, fit, and history – but also what the other options are that each franchise is believed to be considering with their respective picks.

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%

If the Wizards have made a choice between Dybantsa and Peterson, they've yet to show their hand. There would be no real strategic value in doing so as that would discourage any potential trade proposals. So, while we still wait and see on the official word, I continue to believe that Dybantsa is the most likely choice here. He's got ideal size, measurables and physical tools for an NBA wing, will be a day one scorer in the NBA, and still has plenty of room to keep taking his game to new levels with the progression of his three-point shooting, handle, and defense.

Round 1 - Pick 2

Darryn Peterson

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%

This would be a choice between Peterson and Boozer, and the former is both a better fit and probably has a higher long-term upside. With the frontcourt rebuilt this year, you can slot Peterson next to Keyonte George and essentially have rebuilt your roster. Boozer is the other option in this scenario, and while they may be able to figure out ways to pair him, Jaren Jackson, and Lauri Markannen together, that's probably not a long-term trio. The third scenario is that Peterson goes No. 1, in which case Dybantsa would be the pick here and the entire state of Utah would rejoice.

Round 1 - Pick 3

Cameron Boozer

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%

This is essentially weighing whoever is left – Boozer or Peterson – vs. Wilson. In either case, the former makes the most sense. Boozer is the highest-floor prospect in the draft with an unmatched combination of size, skill, physicality, and basketball IQ. He's also very much in line with the type of player that Memphis has prioritized in the draft process in recent years. If Peterson were to be available, he would give them a high-upside swing in the backcourt a replacement for Ja Morant, whose days in Memphis appear numbered.

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 been as busy as anyone in the pre-draft process, working out numerous projected lottery picks. Darius Acuff, Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown, Kingston Flemings, Nate Ament, Karim Lopez, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Morez Johnson have all been in, and yet most consider Wilson a fairly obvious choice here. He's the most explosive athlete in the draft, was farther along than expected offensively, and has a wealth of untapped defensive potential. The Bulls are also rumored to be interested in adding a second top-ten pick, which is where one of the point guards would likely be targeted.

From Indiana Pacers Round 1 - Pick 5

Keaton Wagler

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%

Of the four one-and-done freshman point guards, Wagler is the easiest to pair with Darius Garland. Mikel Brown Jr. is getting some significant late traction here as well, but simultaneously, there are whispers that his medical might not be completely clean. Whether or not that's legitimate or a smoke screen remains to be seen. The Clippers have also worked out Flemings, Ament, Lendeborg, and Brayden Burries, but those scenarios are more likely if they were to trade down in the lottery and add some future draft assets in the process to protect against the potential penalties Aspiration investigation.

Round 1 - Pick 6

Darius Acuff Jr.

Arkansas

• Fr • 6'2" / 185 lbs

Projected Team

Brooklyn

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

23.5

RPG

3.1

APG

6.4

3P%

44%

There's been a lot of reporting around Brown here as well, and the Nets have definitely been doing extreme due diligence on him. But if they go with a lead guard (because they drafted two last year in Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore), Acuff gives the Nets the type of offensive alpha they don't yet have. It's also worth noting that while Wagler opted not to work out in Brooklyn, and is already off the board in this scenario, he would match the emphasis on positional size and feel that we saw dominate the Nets' draft philosophy last year. Nate Ament has also been linked to Brooklyn, but now that appears more likely only if they trade back, something they've reportedly been willing to entertain.

Round 1 - Pick 7

Mikel Brown Jr.

Louisville

• Fr • 6'4" / 190 lbs

Projected Team

Sacramento

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

18.2

RPG

3.3

APG

4.7

3P%

34.4%

Of all the teams in the 5-8 pick range, Sacramento is the one most in need of a point guard, so they are likely to choose from whoever is available. Acuff is presumed to be the Kings' favorite, and he would reportedly welcome being in Sacramento. There's been speculation they could swap with Brooklyn to get him, or conversely, that they could flip No. 7 into a pair of firsts, potentially with OKC being a trade partner. If Brown is the pick, he gives them a high-upside late-blooming lead guard. But, it's also possible that both he and Acuff are off the board, meaning Wagler could unexpectedly slide. Aday Mara and Nate Ament are viewed as additional possibilities, particularly if Sacramento moves down.

From New Orleans Pelicans Round 1 - Pick 8

Kingston Flemings

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%

There are three schools of thought here. One, find your point guard of the future. Two, solidify your center position. Three, trade the pick. Chicago, Memphis, and OKC could all be looking to move into the top 10 and be potential trade partners. Quinn Snyder may favor Aday Mara, after reportedly advocating for Donovan Clingan two years ago, only for the organization to take Zaccharie Risacher (who was virtually unplayable in the playoffs this year). If it's a point guard, Flemings would give them a high-level athlete and two-way lead guard with a high floor. It's also conceivable he could be off the board to Sacramento, and Brown available here. It's also worth noting that Atlanta has had Yaxel Lendeborg in, although he's viewed as less likely at this point.

Round 1 - Pick 9

Brayden Burries

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%

Burries has been my pick here since the very beginning and while it's possible someone is intrigued earlier, there continues to be very little information on him taking other visits. It is worth noting that Dallas has hosted a variety of point guards, and if one of them were to slip (which would happen if Mara or Ament moves up), then things could change here. As it stands, the team appears committed to Kyrie Irvinig for now and Burries fits a more critical positional need at the two, giving them another two-way player to grow alongside Cooper Flagg. The news that Dallas has hired Michigan's Dusty May doesn't necessary change the board here for the Mavericks, but it does provide more insight into Wolverine prospects like Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson. Still, Burries remains the mostly likely pick here for Dallas.

Round 1 - Pick 10

Nate Ament

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%

If Giannis Antetokounmpo gets traded and the Bucks enter rebuilding mode, Ament gives them a high-upside combo-forward who they'll be able to develop. Multiple reports have also pointed out the connection between owner Jimmy Haslam and Tennessee, as his family is a major booster for the university. Other options here include a point guard (although the freshmen should all be off the board here) or a big man like Aday Mara or Hannes Steinbach.

Round 1 - Pick 11

Aday Mara

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 has been linked to a number of teams higher in the lottery, including the Clippers (presumably if they trade back) and Hawks. The Warriors are the team he is most frequently connected to and one of the only places he is confirmed to have visited. Mara would give the Warriors a rim protector, vertical spacer, and passer capable of thriving in Steve Kerr's system. Yaxel Lendeborg has been frequently mentioned as an option here while other players perceived to be in play include Burries (if he's on the board), Steinbach, Morez Johnson, and Karim Lopez. Bennett Stirtz, Labaron Philon, and Cameron Carr have all worked out within the last few days.

From Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 - Pick 12

Yaxel Lendeborg

Michigan

• Sr • 6'9" / 241 lbs

Projected Team

Oklahoma City

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

15.1

RPG

6.8

APG

3.2

3P%

37.2%

OKC likely needs to shed more salary, even after offloading Aaron Wiggins to Atlanta, and simultaneously retool a roster that fell just short of Wemby's Spurs. That means picks No. 12 and No. 17 are on the market, whether that be in a consolidation trade or to punt those picks down the road for future assets. Aaron Wiggins is perceived to be available to teams that can absorb his salary, and then OKC has to decide whether to pick up Lu Dort's option. That means the wing is the place with the most uncertainty, so if they keep the pick, Lendeborg's two-way versatility could make sense. Johnson and Ament have also been in to work out. Steinbach could be an option, and Lopez might make sense if he was open to staying abroad for another year. This is also the highest I've heard Dailyn Swain's name.

Round 1 - Pick 13

Hannes Steinbach

Washington

• Fr • 6'10" / 248 lbs