The 2026 NBA draft is closing in, and the top of the board is still defined by two questions: whether AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson goes first, and how much the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation could reshape the rest of the lottery.
With Round 1 and Round 2 nearly set, teams are narrowing their lists while still waiting on the biggest possible domino in the league. ESPN’s latest mock projects a class that already has clear tiers at the top, but several picks remain vulnerable to trades and late changes.
Washington and Utah set the tone at the top
Washington has narrowed its focus to Dybantsa and Peterson, while Utah is expected to be ready for whichever player slips to No. 2. Peterson has already told the Jazz he will not take any more team visits, while Dybantsa visited Washington and Utah as his only two planned stops.
Dybantsa is viewed by many around the league as the favorite for No. 1 because of his size, downhill pressure and scoring production at BYU. Peterson, meanwhile, remains the most gifted offensive player in the class and has not raised major medical concerns, making him a strong top-two candidate even without a Utah visit.
Memphis, Chicago and the middle of the lottery create the first real pressure points
Memphis at No. 3 is expected to be thrilled if Cameron Boozer is available, especially given his winning résumé and strong analytical profile. Chicago follows with Caleb Wilson, whose rise at North Carolina made him one of the cleanest fits in the early lottery and a direct answer to a frontcourt need.
From there, the draft starts to widen. The Clippers at No. 5 are listening to trade possibilities, and rival teams believe Keaton Wagler is one of their leading options if they keep the pick. Brooklyn then enters a less certain zone, where Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr. and Nate Ament all sit in the conversation depending on how the board falls.
Guards, wings and a center rush define the next tier
Mikel Brown Jr. has built momentum through workouts and could land above No. 7, while Kingston Flemings remains in play for several top-10 teams because of his explosiveness and intangibles. Brayden Burries has also drawn interest inside the top 10, even with a quieter predraft process than many of his peers.
Aday Mara stands out as the first center projected in this range, with teams valuing his rare combination of size, coordination and passing feel. Golden State and Oklahoma City are among the teams linked to him, and his upside as a true 7-footer gives him one of the most distinctive profiles in the class.
Giannis trade talk could change the back half of the lottery
Milwaukee is one of the teams most likely to be affected if Antetokounmpo is moved, and the Bucks are expected to explore multiple first-round outcomes. Nate Ament, who has a wide draft range, is one of the names in play if Milwaukee ends up staying on the clock, while backcourt help also remains a clear need.
That uncertainty reaches other teams too. Miami is tied to Antetokounmpo discussions, Charlotte may move one of its first-rounders, and Oklahoma City continues to explore consolidation options while holding additional draft capital.
Depth shows up fast in the second half of the first round
Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. are among the players viewed as immediate rotation possibilities, even if age and positional questions shape where they land. Chicago’s second first-round slot brings Hannes Steinbach into the picture, giving the Bulls another ready-now frontcourt option after already addressing their top need earlier.
Christian Anderson, Labaron Philon Jr. and several other guards are also positioned to move through the late first round, reflecting how deep the point guard group has become. As ESPN’s mock shows, the final stretch of Round 1 could be determined as much by trade talks and team needs as by pure prospect value.
Round 2 still has usable talent
The second round is expected to bring another wave of players who can fit into specific roles quickly, with teams looking for shooting, size and guard play. Even after the top names are gone, there is still enough uncertainty in the middle of the board to create movement on draft night.
That is why the final version of this mock remains fluid. The closer the draft gets, the more it looks like one trade, especially involving Milwaukee, could ripple across both rounds.
