2026 NBA Mock Draft: Debut

Round 1 Picks 16-30

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

16. San Antonio Spurs: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
    
    
    The San Antonio released renderings for a new downtown arena in a project known as Project Marvel which whill include a new Spurs Arena, expansions of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, renovations to modernize the Alamo Dome, and a and bridge over interstate 37. While these renderings are cool, one cooler thing the Spurs can do is return to the NBA Playoffs in 2026. If San Antonio stays healthy, they got enough talent to get the 8 seed in the Western Conference.
    
    
    
    San Antonio has DeAaron Fox at point guard replacing Chris Paul as Fox is expected to get a long-term extension after the Spurs traded for the fifth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft drafted by the Sacramento Kings. Stephon Castle, the San Antonio Spurs 2024 first round pick that won rookie of the year is the shooting guard. Devin Vassell the San Anotnio Spurs 2020 first round pick out of Florida State began his career at shooting guard, but transitions to small forward. Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio's 2022 first round pick is the starting power forward, and Victor Wembanyama the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft is the starting center. San Antonio has Dylan Harper the second pick in the 2025 NBA Draft as a guard for depth. Keldon Johnson, the San Antonio Spurs 2019 first round pick still averaged over 12 points per game even in a bench role where he was a backup after averaging 19.9 points per game two years ago is the backup small forward.
    
    
    
    There's three superstar players that can average 20 points a game in this starting lineup in De'Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, and Victor Wembanyama whose going to be the face of this team for the next two decades after posting 21.4 points per game in 71 starts as the number one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft unless his injuries continue in the coming years. Stephon Castle is the fourth star player in this starting five and Dylan Harper is a very good sixth man that coulld start in due time at either guard spot.
    
    
    
    Drafting a power forward makes the most sense if San Antonio keeps this pick. There is a chance they try to get Giannis in a trade, but I think Milwaukee has a resurgence which causes the Greek Freak to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks. Michigan power forward Yaxel Lendeborg had two strong seasons at UAB before transferring to Michigan for his senior season.
    
    
    
    The 6-9 240 lb Yaxel Lendeborg had 13.8 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, 2.1 blocks per game, a 51.3% field goal percentage, a 33.3% three point percentage, and a 80% free throw percentage as a sophomore at UAB in in 2023-2024. Yaxel Lendeborg had 17.7 points per game, 11.4 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, 1.8 blocks per game, 1.7 steals per game, a 52.2% field goal percentage, a 35.7% three point percentage, and a 75.7% free throw percentage as a junior on UAB in 2024-2025. Yaxel Lendeborg will transfer to Michigan after starting 68 games with UAB over the last two seasons as Yaxel Lendeborg had 31 points nad 12 rebuonds in his Michigan debut in a preseason game against Cincinnati.
    
    
    
    Yaxel Lendeborg has the short range, medium range, long range, and rebounding you want in a power forward. His passing and one-on-one defense does need some improvement. Yaxel Lendeborg was considered the hidden gem of the 2025 NBA Draft before he chose to return to college and enter the transfer portal.
    
    
    
17. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
    
    
    Toronto fell from 7 to 9 following the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. Toronto still has a top 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    Toronto is gonna roll with Immanuel Quickley at point guard, RJ Barrett at shooting guard, Brandon Ingram at small forward, Scottie Barnes their 2021 first round pick at power forward, and Jakob Poeltl at center. Toront also has depth pieces such as Gradey Dick at shooitng ugard, Ja'Kobe Walter at shooting guard, Ochai Agbaji as the backup small forward, Collin Murray-Boyles is the backup power forward, and Jonathan Mogbo is the backup center. Toronto has a lot of depth with backup point guard being the only weakness with three quality shooting guards. Iowa point guard Bennett Stiriz makes a lot of sense for Toronto here as the Drake Bulldogs point guard transferred to Iowa in the transfer portal for his senior season.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 190 lb Bennett Stirtz had 19.2 points per game, 5.7 assists per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, a 49.8% field goal percentage, a 39.5% three point percentage, and a 79.4% free throw percentage as a junior at Drake in 2024-2025. Bennett Stirtz guided Drake to an upset over Missouri in the first round of last years Men's Basketball tournament and now he transfers to Iowa.
    
    
    
    He's got the short range, medium range, and long range you want in a point guard. Bennett Stirtz has the playmaking and passing handles you want in a point guard with a variety of passes. Bennett Stirtz 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 does not have a spectacular trait, but he does everything well for a point guard and at the very worst he's a high end backup point guard with the floor of Jimmer Fredette and the ceiling of Tyler Herro.
    
    
    
    
    
18. Golden State Warriors: Luigi Suigo, C, KK Mega Bemax
    
    
    The Golden State Warriors have Steph Curry at point guard, Moses Moody at shooting guard, Jimmy Butler at small forward, and Draymond Green at point guard. Golden State also has Brandin Bodziemski and Buddy Hield for depth at shooting guard with Jonathan Kuminga for depth at forward. Golden State needs a center and Luigi Suigo is one of the best centers on an International team that nobody is talking about.
    
    
    
    The 7-3 250 lb Luigi Suigo had 12.4 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 1.8 blocks per game, 1.6 steals per game, 1.3 assists per game, a 57.8% field goal percentage, a 25% three point percentage, and a 81.3% free throw percentage in 2024-2025. Luigi Suigo was so dominant that KK Mega Bemax offered him a roster spot.
    
    
    
    Luigi Suigo has the shooting to make short range shots. Luigi Suigo also 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. Luigi Suigo is excellent at blocking shots too.
    
    
    
19. Denver Nuggets: Miles Bird, SG, San Diego State
    
    
    The Denver Nuggets have Jamal Murray at point guard, Cameron Johnson at small forward, Aaron Gordon at power forward, and Nikola Jokic at center. I feel like Denver lacks the shooting guard to have the starting five to win another NBA Finals. San Diego State shooting guard Miles Bird is one of the better shooting guards in the NCAA that could sneak into the top 20 this year.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 190 lb Miles Bird had 12.3 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, a 38.1 field goal percentage, a 30.1% three point percentage, and a a 83.7% free throw percentage in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Miles Bird can shoot from short range, medium range, and long range. Shooting is his biggest strength though and that is what limits Miles Bird to a top 20 prospect at this point heading into the season.
    
    
    
    
    
20. Detroit Pistons: JT Toppin, PF, Texas Tech
    
    
    The Detroit Pistons have Cade Cunningham at point guard, Jaden Ivey at shooting guard, Ausar Thompson at small forward, and Jalen Duren at center. Tobias Harris is a UFA after this season and something tells me the Detroit Pistons will let him walk and attempt to reload their starting five at power forward since Detroit already extended Cade Cunningham since Detroit will have to pay Ivey as well as Duren after this season. Texas Tech power forward JT Toppin is the younger brother of former first round pick Obi Toppin and he might be a good fit here.
    
    
    
    The 6-9 230 lb JT Toppin had 18.2 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, 1.5 blocks per gme, a 55.4% field goal percentage, a 32.7% three point percentage, and a 67.6% free throw percentage as a sophomore after transferring from New Mexico to Texas Tech in 2024-2025. JT Toppin may not get drafted as high as his older brother Obi Toppin, but he could end up having the better NBA career of the two brothers.
    
    
    
    JT Toppin has the short range, medium range, and long range shooting you want. JT Toppin can defend against 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. JT Toppin needs to develop more as a passer, but his shooting and defending checks out since he's a great blocker in addition to defending well in one-on-ones.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Dallas Mavericks: Isiah Harwell, SG, Houston
    
    
    The Dallas Mavericks have Kyrie Irving at point guard, Klay Thompson at shooting guard, Cooper Flagg at small forward, P.J. Washington at power forward, and Anthony Davis at center. D'Angelo Russell the backup point guard is a good sixth man and a good fill in at point guard while Kyrie Irving recovers from his injury. Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is playing Cooper Flagg at point guard which is something he did with Giannis when he coached the Milwaukee Bucks. Dallas could easily end up moving this pick for another bench piece if they are in contention, but if they choose to keep this pick, getting younger at guard is the way to go since D'Angelo Russell has a player option where he can opt out of this contract and Klay Thompson is now the first player in the current Dallas Mavericks starting five that is set to become a UFA in 2027.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 220 lb Isiah Harwell was the Gatorade High School Player Of The Year in the state of Utah with 17.4 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, and 1.1 steals per game as a senior in 2024-2025. I watched Isaiah Harwell's High School Wasatch Academy in Utah play Link Academy Chris Cenac Jr.'s High School with the irony being those two will play on the Houston Cougars this season. Wasatch Academy won that game.
    
    
    
    Isiah Harwell has the short range and medium range you want in a shooter. Isiah Harwell is a great passer he passes like a point guard. Isiah Harwell 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. The only area of improvement for Isiah Harwell is three point shooting and having someone like Klay Thompson mentor him during his rookie season should fix that area of Isiah Harwell's game.
    
    
    
22. Atlanta Hawks: Labaron Philon Jr., PG, Alabama
    
    
    The Atlanta Hawks can either draft a point guard or center for depth with this second first round pick. Labaron Philon Jr. is not only a quality backup to Trae Young, he's also a guy that may be able to take over for Trae Young on a rookie deal if Trae Young decides to leave the Atlanta Hawks by either a trade or Free Agency when his contract is up.
    
    
    
    San Antonio is looking at three different players at 14. Noa Essengue an International small forward on Ratiopharm Ulm, Carter Bryant the Arizona small forward that played off the bench, and Rasheer Flemming a power forward on Saint Joseph's. Noah Essengue is not a good three point shooter. Carter Bryant was a bench player even though you can argue his traits are better than Noah Essengue. Rasheer Flemming isn't just the best three point shooter, he's also well as the best defender of these three. He also fills the biggest need with San Antonio's lone remaining needs being depth at power forward and depth at center.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 185 lb Labaron Philon Jr. had 10.6 points per game, 3.8 assists per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 1.4 steals per game, a 45.2% field goal percentage, a 31.5% three point percentage, and a 76.7% free throw percentage as a freshman in 2024-2025. Labaron Philon Jr. could go higher than this if he improves as a sophomore this fall.
    
    
    
    Labaron Philon Jr. can shoot shots from short range, medium range, and long range. He's a playmaker that can faciliate passes to teammates. He can defend against 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. Labaron Philon Jr. is one of the best defenders in the 2026 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Oklahoma City Thunder: Otega Oweh, SG, Kentucky
    
    
    The 6-4 220 lb Otega Oweh had 16.2 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, a 49.2% field goal percentage, a 35.5% three point percentage, and a 77.6% free throw percentage as a junior on Kentucky in 2024-2025. Otega Oweh played his first two seasons at Oklahoma before transferring to Kentucky last year.
    
    
    
    Otega Oweh can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range. Otega Oweh can defend the 1 at point guard in one-on-ones. Outside of shooting and defense his biggest strength is shot blocking.
    
    
    
24. New York Knicks: Ian Jackson, SG, St. John's
    
    
    The New York Knicks have Jalen Brunson at point guard, Josh Hart at shooting guard, Mikal Bridges at small forward, OG Anunoby at power forward, and Karl-Anthony Towns at center. The New York Knicks put together this sarting five last year and have this starting lineup for the next three years. New York drafted Tyler Kolek for depth behind Jalen Brunson as a point guard this year. With both Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson set to be UFA's after this year, I am expecting the New York Knicks to draft a shootingguard for depth to groom behind Josh Hart.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 195 lb Ian Jackson had 11.9 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game, a 45.6% field goal percentage, a 39.5% three point percentage, and a 72.3% free throw percentage as a freshman on North Carolina in 2024-2025. Ian Jackson transferred to St. John's for his sophomore season.
    
    
    
    Ian Jackson can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range. Shooting is the only strength in Ian Jackson's game.
    
    
    
    
    
25. Minnesota Timberwolves: Cayden Boozer, PG, Duke
    
    
    Minnesota has Anthony Edwards at shooting guard, Jaden McDaniels at small forward, Julius Randle at power forward, and Rudy Gobert at center.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 205 lb Cayden Boozer was teammates with his twin brother Cameron Boozer on a Christopher Columbus High School team that won four consecutive state championships in the state of Florida. Christopher Columbus High School won the National Title over AJ Dybantsa's High School. Cayden Boozer had 42 points in that game and had career highs of 12 rebounds and 11 assists in different games throughout his senior season of High School Basketball.
    
    
    
    Cayden Boozer had 16.6 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, 5.1 assists per game, and 1.8 steals per game as a freshman in 2021-2022. Cayden Boozer had 15.1 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game, and 2 steals per game as a sophomore in 2022-2023. Cayden Boozer had 12 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, 7.6 assists per game, and 1.8 steals per game in 2023-2024. Cayden Boozer had 14.3 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 7.2 assists per game, and 1.3 steals per game as a senior in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Cayden Boozer has the shooting to make short range, medium range, and long range shots. Cayden Boozer is one of the ten best playmakers in the 2026 NBA Draft as a passer and facilitator. I'd like to see Cayden Boozer improve his defense in one-on-ones despite strong rebounding. It isn't a weakness, more like an area of improvement. Cayden Boozer could not only push Rob Dillingham for the starting point guard job when Mike Conley Jr. leaves. He's got an outside shot to start over him.
    
    
    
26. Charlotte Hornets: Moustapha Thiam, C, Cincinnati
    
    
    Charlotte gets a center to round out their starting five and the final piece of their puzzle. Moustapha Thiam is the only center left that averaged over 10 points per game last year, so Charlotte takes him in the late first round.
    
    
    
    The 7-2 250 lb Moustapha Thiam had 10.4 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, 2.6 blocks per game, 0.7 assists per game, a 49.8% field goal percentage, a 29.1% three point percentage, and a 66.7% free throw percentage as a freshman at Central Florida in 2024-2025. Moustapha Thiam did a lot better than expected as a true freshman at Central Florida and transfers to Cincinnati this fall.
    
    
    
    Moustapha Thiam is still a project. He is a great short range player. He's also the best shot blocker in college basketball despite being a sophomore, so even though Thiam is a project, he could crack the late first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
27. Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries, PG, Arizona
    
    
    THe Milwaukee Bucks have Kevin Porter Jr. at point guard, Gary Trent Jr. at shooting guard, Kyle Kuzma at small forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo at power forward, and Myles Turner at center. Milwaukee has a good starting five, but getting a star guard could really elavate the Bucks, plus it might be enough to keep Giannis in Milwaukee.
    
    
    
    Brayden Burries is a 20-year-old freshman about to enroll at Arizona. If he was younger, he would be a lottery pick, but he's a freshman that is good enough to turn pro after his freshman season and still be a first round pick.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 205 lb Brayden Burries was one of three finalists for 2025 Gatorade National Player Of The Year. Brayden Burries averaged 24.8 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game, and 2.7 steals per game as a junior in 2024-2025. Brayden Burries averaged 29.7 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game, and 2.9 steals per game as a senior at Rosemont High School in California in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Brayden Burries and Bryce James the son of LeBron James were Arizona's top two recruits. Burries dominated at the High School level while Bryce only averaged 8.4 points per game. I think Bryce can develop into a first round pick with a strong freshman season, but I'm a lot more sold on Brayden Burries at the moment. Arizona is my pick to win the NCAA Tournament. My final four consists of Arizona, Duke, BYU, and Tennessee. I have Arizona defeating Tennessee and Duke defeating BYU before Arizona defeats Duke to win their first NCAA Tournament in 25 years.
    
    
    
    Brayden Burries the short range, medium range, long range, and passing you want form a true 1 at point guard. He rebounds well, steals the ball, and is a great shot blocker. Brayden Burries scored a layup while being quadruple teammed which is really rare to see from a High School senior, but impressive regardless. Brayden Burries could become a lottery pick if he improves his one-on-one defense agaisnt other point guards at the 1.
    
    
    
28. Washington Wizards: Milos Uzan, PG, Houston
    
    
    The Washington Wizards need a true point guard. Milos Uzan came back to Houston after being the starting point guard on Houston last season.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 195 lb Milos Uzan had 11.4 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game, a 45.3% field goal percentage, a 42.8% three point percentage, and a 78.3% free throw percentage as a junior on Houston in 2024-2025. Milos Uzan enters his senior season at Houston with one of the highest three point percentages among prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    Milos Uzan can shoot shots from short range, medium range, and long range. His other biggest strength is his playmaking. Milos Uzan is great at passing the ball to teammates to set them up for scoring chances.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Darrion Williams, SF, North Carolina State
    
    
    The Cleveland Cavaliers have Darius Garland at point guard, Donovan Mitchell at shooting guard, De'Andre Hunter at small forward, Evan Mobley at power forward, and Jarrett Allen at center. Nobody in this starting five is a UFA until 2027 which gives the Cleveland Cavaliers a two year window to win an NBA title with this starting five after having the best Eastern Conference record. Darrion Williams played for Nevada as a freshman and spent the last two years at Texas Tech, but he's now transferring to North Carolina State for his senior season after complimenting JT Toppin last year.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 225 lb Darrion Williams had 15.1 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists per game, a 43.9% field goal percentage, a 34% three point percentage, and a 83.6% free throw percentage on Texas Tech as a junior in 2024-2025. I wasn't expecting much when I first began watching his tape, but came away extremely impressed with his tape.
    
    
    
    Darrion Williams can shoot shots from short range, medium range, and long range. He is decent at rebounding and blocking shots. His passing and one-on-one defense need improvement and that's the biggest reason Williams is a fringe first round pick.
    
    
    
30. Los Angeles Lakers: Mackenzie Mgbako, SF, Texas A&M
    
    
    The Los Angeles Lakers have Luka Doncic at point guard, Austin Reaves at shooting guard, Rui Hachimura at small forward, Lebron James at power forward, and DeAndre Ayton at center. Los Angeles drafts a small forward for the future here with Hachimure set to be a UFA.
    
    
    
    The 6-9 225 lb Mackenzie Mgbako had 12.2 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, a 43.7% field goal percentage, a 32.9% three point percentage, and a 81% free throw percentage in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Mackenzie Mgabako can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range. He's a very good shooter. The rest of his game needs improvement.