2026 NBA Mock Draft: Debut

Round 1 Picks 1-15

My first 2026 NBA Mock Draft is up. Find out who gets Darryn Peterson.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: October 21, 2025.

1. Brooklyn Nets: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas
   
   
   Brooklyn moved down 2 spots from 6 to 8 in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. I felt like Brooklyn lacked a starting five at the beginning of the season. Now that may not be the case.
   
   
   
   Brooklyn has Egor Demin at point guard, Michael Porter Jr. at power forward, and Nic Claxton at center. Brooklyn can take either Kansas shooting guard Darryn Peterson or BYU small forward AJ Dybantsa and get a star player to headline this starting five. I loved both Peterson and Dybantsa on tape, but Peterson impressed me a little bit more.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 205 lb Darryn Peterson had 30.7 points pger game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 7.4 assists per game, 2.2 steals per game, a 52% field goal percentage, and a 86% free throw percentage in 2024-2025. Darryn Peterson won the 2025 Naismith Trophy Boys High School Player Of The Year in High School Basketball.
   
   
   
   Darryn Peterson can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range. Darryn Peterson is great at passing the basketball to teammates. Darryn Peterson can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. Darryn Peterson models his game after Devin Booker a former Kentucky shooting guard that converted to point guard in the NBA.
   
   
   
2. Portland Trail Blazers: Asa Newell, PF, Georgia
   
   
   The Portland Trail Blazers fell one spot from 10 to 11 in the 2025 NBA Draft. Portland did better than I expected, but still fell short of a playoff appearance like I projected.
   
   
   
   Portland has Jrue Holliday at point guard, Shaedon Sharpe their 2022 first round pick at shooting guard, Deni Avdija at small forward, and Donovan Clingan at center. Scoot Henderson and Damian Lillard are the backup point guards. Portland can draft a small forward and move Deni Avdija to power forward with Avdija's versatility to play the 3 or the 4. BYU small forward A.J. Dybantsa makes a lot of sense here if Portland ends up picking this high in the 2026 NBA Draft, but if Portland wants to keep Deni Avdija they could also draft Duke power forward Cameron Boozer here. I will mock AJ Dybantsa here for now.
   
   
   
   The 6-9 195 lb AJ Dybantsa was the number one overall recruit in High School basketball over Darryn Peterson. Peterson did slightly better than Dybantsa in a game featuring the two players High School Basketball teams playing each other. AJ Dybantsa had 30 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, went 10/19 with field goals, 2/4 from three point range, and 8/8 from free throw range in his exhibition debut with BYU.
   
   
   
   AJ Dybantsa has the short range, medium range, and long range shots you want. He can pass to teammates. AJ Dybantsa can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Washington Wizards: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
   
   
   The Washington Wizards have Alex Sarr at center. Bilal Coulibaly is better off at small forward than power forward. With Khris Middleton set to be a UFA in 2026, the Washington Wizards can draft Duke power forward Cameron Boozer and move Bilal Coulibaly to the 3.
   
   
   
   The 6-9 250 lb Cameron Boozer teamed up with his twin brother Cayden Boozer to win four straight state championships with Christopher Columbus High School in Florida and won a National Title as the best High School in 2025. Cameron Boozer had 18.9 point per game, 10.9 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, and 2.2 blocks per game as a freshman in 2021-2022. Cameron Boozer had 21.1 points per game, 11.3 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game, and 2 blocks per game as a sophomore winning Gatorade High School National Player Of The Year as a 15 year old sophomore when him and Cooper Flagg were considered the two best players in High School Basketball in 2022-2023. Cameron Boozer had 22.2 points per game, 11.4 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, and 2.1 blocks per game as a junior in 2023-2024. Cameron Boozer had 22.1 points per game, 11.8 rebounds per gmae, 3.2 assists per game, 1.9 steals per game, and 1.5 blocks per game winning Gatorade High School National Player Of The Year as a senior in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Cameron Boozer has the short range, medium range, and long range you want. Cameron Boozer can pass the ball to teammates. Cameron Boozer can defend 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. Cameron Boozer is the son of former NBA player Carlos Boozer.
   
   
   
4. Utah Jazz: Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee
   
   
   Utah had the worst NBA record this past season. Utah fell from 1 to 5 in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery and picks fifth in the 2025 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   The Utah Jazz have Ace Bailey at shooting guard after Bailey was projected to start at small forward, Lauri Markkanenn at power forward, and Walker Kessler at center. The only other player outside of the top 3 picks that looks like a big time star is Nate Ament whose the fourth best recruit in High School basketball entering college this year.
   
   
   
   The 6-10 207 lb Nate Ament had 19.3 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 4 blocks per game, and 3.7 assists per game as a junior in 2023-2024. Nate Ament had 19 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Nate Ament can shoot from short range, medium range, and long range. He is an exceptional playmaker that can pass the basketball while shooting at a high level too. Nate Ament can defend 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Chicago Bulls: Tounde Yessoufu, SF, Baylor
   
   
   Chicago has Josh Giddey at point guard, Coby White their 2019 first round pick at shooting guard, M P.J. Williams their 2020 first round pick at power forward, and Nikola Vucevic at center. Chicago's starting five isn't bad, but neither P.J. Williams or Matas Buzelis had over 10 points per game last year. I believe Matas Buzelis can break out if he gets an opportunity to start over Isaac Okoro. Tounde Yessoufu is a small forward with a very similar shooting motion as Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards.
   
   
   
   The 6-5 205 lb Tounde Yessoufu had 26.4 points per game, 12.3 rebounds per gmae, 2.1 steals per game, and 2.9 blocks per game as a freshman in 2021-2022. Tounde Yessoufu had 27.8 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, 3.7 steals per game, and 1.3 blocks per game as a sophomore in 2022-2023. Tounde Yessoufu had 32.3 points per gmae, 10.2 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, 2.6 steals per game, and 1.3 blocks per game as a junior in 2023-2024. Tounde Yessoufu had 28.1 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, 3.4 steals per game, and 1.1 blocks per game as a senior in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Tounde Yessoufu has the short range, medium range, and long range. He's also great at rebounding blocking shots in one-on-one scenarios. He needs to become more consistent as a passer and defender at Baylor, but there's enough there for him to be the final player drafted in the top 5.
   
   
   
6. Memphis Grizzlies: Chris Cenac Jr., PF, Houston
   
   
   Phoenix traded their 2026 first round pick to Memphis. Phoenix only gets to keep this pick if it is top four protected.
   
   
   
   The Memphis Grizzlies have Ja Morant at point guard and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at shooting guard if he doesn't exercise his player option. Memphis needs upgrades at small forward, and possibly center if Zach Edey doesn't take a leap in year two. Jaren Jackson Jr. is a UFA after this season at power forward and if he leaves, Memphis could end up drafting his replacement. Chris Cenac Jr. wouldn't be a bad replacement for Jaren Jackson Jr. if he's not extended.
   
   
   
   The 6-11 240 lb Chris Cenac Jr. had 13.9 points per game, 10.2 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, 1.9 steals per game, and 1.3 blocks per game as a junior leading Link High School to a third consecutive state title in 2023-2024. Chris Cenac Jr. had 12.1 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, and 1.4 steals per game as a senior at Link High School in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Chris Cenac Jr. has elite short range shooting and elite blocking as a defender. The rest of his game is very inconsistent though despite his 7-foot-3 wingspan. He can make medium range and long range shots, but not consistently. He can defend effectively at times, but he's inconsistent as a defender and did get beat in the tape I watched. Chris Cenac Jr. has enough of a ceiling to sneak into the top 6, but Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson will have to mold this young man to get him to play up to his potential.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Charlotte Hornets: Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville
   
   
   The Charlotte Hornets won the fourth and final 2025 NBA Lottery Draw. Charlotte was a bottom three team tied with Utah and Washington for best NBA Lottery odds at the number one pick, so they move down one spot. Despite this, Charlotte still has a lottery pick as Charlotte fell from 3 to 4.
   
   
   
   The Charlotte Hornets have LaMelo Ball their 2020 first round pick at point guard, Kon Knueppel at shooting guard, Brandon Miller their second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft at small forward, and Miles Bridges their 2018 first round pick at power forward. You'd like to draft a center to complete the starting five, but with LaMelo Ball's injury history drafting a point guard for depth does feel like a priority.
   
   
   
   The 6-5 180 lb Mikel Brown Jr. had 29.6 points per game 2.7 assists per game, and 2.1 rebounds per game in 2024-2025. Darius Acuff might be the number one point guard in High School Basketball on recruiting services because he's a better scorer, but Mikel Brown Jr. is a better passer and a better defender from what I saw which is why Mikel Brown Jr. got mocked here as someone that can start if LaMelo Ball gets injured.
   
   
   
   Mikel Brown Jr. has the short range, medium range, and long range shooting you want. He's a great passer in High School. Mikel Brown Jr. can defend the 1 at point guard playing good one-on-one defense against other point guards.
   
   
   
8. Sacramento Kings: Braylon Mullins, SG, Connecticut
   
   
   The Sacramento Kings have Dennis Schroeder at point guard, Malik Monk at shooting guard, Zach LaVine at small forward, DeMar DeRozan at power forward, and Domantas Sabonis at center. Keon Ellis is starting over Malik Monk due to Malik Monk's injury to start the season.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 195 lb Braylon Mullins had 32.9 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, and 3.7 steals per game while shooting 47.4% percent from three point range. Braylin Mullins was Indiana Mr. Basketball as a senior in High School and he might be the most consistent three point shooter.
   
   
   
   Braylon Mullins can shoot it from short range, medium range, or long range. You want to see him develop more as a passer and a defender, but he's got the shooting down to be a top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Atlanta Hawks: Dash Daniels, SG, Melbourne United
   
   
   The Atlanta Hawks have Trae Young at point guard, Dyson Daniels at shooting guard, Zaccharie Risacher at small forward, Jalen Johnson at power forward, and Onyeka Okonwu at center even if Kristaps Porzingis leaves Atlanta afterhis contract is up in 2026. Dash Daniels is the younger brother of Dyson Daniels, and Dash is also the top player on an international team in the 2026 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 199 lb Dash Daniels gives Atlanta a sixth man if Kristaps Porizingis leaves. Dash Daniels can shoot from short range, medium range, and long range despite averaging under 10 points per game. Dash Daniels can also defend the 1 at point guard or the 2 at shooting guard. He plays in the NBL where so many good international talents have played.
   
   
   
10. Miami Heat: Dame Sarr, SG, Duke
    
    
    The Miami Heat have Tyler Herro at point guard, but he can move to shooting guard. Andrew Wiggins has a player option at small forward for 2026. Bam Adebayo moves from the 5 at center to the 4 at power forward. Kel'el Ware can play center. Miami drafts a freshman shooting guard that can play the wing at either shooting guard or small forward.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 199 lb Dame Sarr can hit shots from short range, medium range, and long range from limited action with FC Barcelona. Jon Rothstein called Dame Sarr the standout in Duke's practice leading up to this years college basketball sesaon.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Indiana Pacers: Tomislav Ivisic, C, Illinois
    
    
    Indiana will have Tyrese Haliburton at point guard when he recovers from his torn ACL in 2026, Andrew Nembhard at shooting guard whose playing point guard this season, Aaron Nesmith at small forward, and pascal Siakam at power forward. Bennedict Mathurin will play shooitng guard this year while Haliburton recovers, but he will probably get trading. Indiana needs a center to replace Myles Turner. Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic is the top center in the 2026 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    The 7-1 255 lb Tomislav Ivisic had 13 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, 1.2 blocks per game, a 49.2% field goal percentage, a 35.7% three point percentage, and a 75% free throw percentage in his first year starting as a sophomore in 2024-2025. Tomislav Ivisic enters year two as a starting center on Illinois.
    
    
    
    Tomislav Ivisic can hit shots from short range, medium range, and long range. Tomislav Ivisic can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. He's an excellent shot blocker that will complete the Indiana Pacers starting five.
    
    
    
12. Boston Celtics: Alijah Arenas, SG, USC
    
    
    The Boston Celtics have Derrick White moving from shooting guard back to his original position where he played in college with the Colorado Buffaloes at point guard, Jaylen Brown their 2016 first round pick drafted third overall is at small forward, and Jayson Tatum their 2017 first round pick drafted third overall is at power forward, but may miss next year after tearing his achilles in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Boston needs a center. Boston drafts a shooting guard here with a lottery pick if he declares. Alijah Arenas would be a top 10 pick if he didn't miss most of the season with an injury as Alijah Arenas is the son of former Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 197 lb Alijah Arenas had 30.3 points per game, 9 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, and 1.6 blocks per game as a freshman in 2022-2023. Alijah Arenas had 33 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, and 1.3 steals per game as a junior in 2023-2024 as Alijah Arenas reclassified his graduation from 2026 to 2025. Alijah Arenas had 29.3 points per gmae, 6 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, and 1.9 steals per game as a senior in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Alijah Arenas can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range. He will miss some time this season due to a car accident, but both his high school coach and USC's head coach said Alijah Arenas, the son of Gilbert Arenas is a special player, so if he comes back from his injury, I believe he will end up as a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Memphis Grizzlies: Alex Karaban, SF, Connecticut
    
    
    The Memphis Grizzles get a starting small forward with this pick. Aelx Karaban is the one senior in college basketball that could sneak into the lottery. He's the one remaining piece from the Connecticut Men's Basketball team that won back-to-back champsionships as Alex Karaban did start as a true freshman when Connecticut won their first of two consecutive championships.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 230 lb Alex Karaban only had 9.3 points per game as a true freshman, but he helepd Connecticut win the 2023 NCAA Men's March Madness tournament witha 40.2% three point percentage in his freshman season. Alex Karaban had 13.3 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, a 49.5% field goal percentage, a 37.9% three point percentage, and a 88.5% free throw percentage as a sophomore in 2024-2025. Alex Karaban had 14.3 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, 1.5 blocks per game, a 43.8% field goal percentage, a 34.7% three point percentage, and a 82.8% free throw percentage as a junior in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Alex Karaban has the short range, medium range, and long range you want in a shooter. Alex Karban can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, and the 3 at small forward.
    
    
    Previous Pick: JT Toppin, PF, Texas Tech
    
    
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Condon, C, Florida
    
    
    Oklahoma got this pick in the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that sent Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Galinarri 3 first round picks in 2022, 2024, and 2026 with pick swap options in 2023 and 2025. The Oklahoma City Thunder got Shai Gilgeous-Alexander their future starting point guard and this years NBA Finals MVP, Jalen Williams the starting small forward with the 2022 first round pick Oklahoma City received from the Los Angeles Clippers. Oklahoma City also acquired Dillon Jones in last years trade. Oklahoma City declined a pick swap option in the 2023 NBA Draft, but Oklahoma City Thunder President Sam Presti opted to swap picks in the first round with the Los Angeles Clippers this year, meaning that the Los Angeles Clippers pick at 30 while Oklahoma City picks here at 24. Oklahoma City has the Los Angeles Clippers first round pick in 2026 too on top of that, which will be the final piece of the massive return Presti got in the Paul George trade.
    
    
    
    Oklahoma City has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at point guard, Alex Caruso at shooting guard, Jalen Williams at small forward, Chet Holmgren at powerforward, and Isaiah Hartenstein at center. Oklahoma City drafted Thomas Sorber with the 2025 first round pick swap from the Clippers as a potential replacemetn to Hartenstein, but Sorber tore his ACL and will miss all of this season. Oklahoma City might draft another big at center since this would give the Thunder the flexibility to move Sorber to backup power forward behind Chet Holmgren while also drafting another center to backup Isaiah Hartenstein. If Oklahoma City manages to repeat, they will probably keep this starting five in tact while continuing to reload. Florida center Alex Condon is one player Oklahoma City can add here.
    
    
    
    Oklahoma City gets a center for depth. Florida center Alex Condon can play both power forward and center with his versatility. He provides competition for Thomas Sorber if Isaiah Hartenstein gets traded to clear up cap space. Alex Condon is a better three point shooter than Thomas Sorber, but a worse free throw shooter, so Oklahoma City can sub in Sorber for free throws when the Thunder have a sizeable lead.
    
    
    
    The 6-11 230 lb Alex Condon had 10.6 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, a 49.3% field goal percentage, a 32.8% three point percentage, and a 67.3% free throw percentage as a sophomore in 2024-2025. Alex Condon won a national championship at Florida.
    
    
    
    Alex Condon can shoot shots from short range, medium range, and long range. He's a great passer for a center. Alex Condon can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. He's an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. His floor is Zach Collins. His ceiling is Kevin Love.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas
    
    
    The number one point guard in High School basketball is still on the board. Darius Acuff Jr. was the point guard on IMG Academy's Basketball team last year before committing to Arkansas.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Darius Acuff Jr. averaged 26 points per game and 6 assists per game as he won the 2025 Allen Iverson Player Of The Year Award. Darius Acuff Jr. is the best shooting and passing point guard in this draft as he can shoot shots from short range, medium range, and long range. He's a great facilitator too. He has to improve his defense.
    
    
    
    If he improves his scoring as a freshman at Arkansas while improving his defense, he's in the conversation to go in the top 5 overall. Darius Acuff Jr. would get to compete with Cason Wallace, and Nikola Topic for a backup point guard spot to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander next year in this scenario. Oklahoma City owns Philadelphia's 2026 first round pick unprotected since last years first round pick from Philadelphia was top 4 protected with Philadelphia drafting third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.