2026 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

We're only two weeks away from the big moment. Here's a preview on what I think most teams will do in the form of a Mock Draft.

Jun 10, 2026

Introduction

This has been one of the better draft cycles since I started doing this line of work in 2021. A star-studded top with—despite many college returners—a tremendous number of potential, older depth pieces that fit a needed role right away. It’s a good time for NBA front offices, and we’ll see many teams come out as winners when it’s all said and done.

After writing more than 80 in-depth scouting reports on prospects in this class, it’s time to end things in good fashion with a fun Mock Draft assessment.

It will be on what I think will happen for a large part, but necessarily what I would do. That’s the case for the first round. For the second, and the for me more fun draft day, I’ll focus on what teams need when I’m making the second round picks here. Enjoy!

2026 NBA Mock Draft

Selections #1-#10

There’s no need to overanalyze the top five. That’s been pretty much the combination of what those franchises need. As mentioned above, I’m doing this mock with the majority based on what I think will happen. That’s why I went with Wagler at 5, giving the Clippers another shot-maker to put next to Leonard but someone who can eventually complete his game at the next level and make him one of the franchise cornerstones. He’s mostly been presented as a shooter, but trust me, Wagler’s outcome will be one of the more gifted offensive engines in the league. He’s that good.

Overall, Acuff, Jr. and Dybantsa filling in that alpha-role on their respective franchises as the crystal-clear number one options is a big win for this class as well. Washington’s talented, but need a long-term de facto number one option. That’s Dybanta’s role to take. On the other hands, the Sacramento Kings are in a interesting situation at #7. Whatever happens, they’ll have a favorable decision to make. Acuff, Jr. is my favorite pick for them as that starting point guard role is fully his to take over, while Flemings’ style of play makes a lot of sense for them as well.

Overall, both options are valuable to them in their own way, while Atlanta’s been looking for a top-end center for quite some years now, and this is the year they’re getting one in Aday Mara, where his value on this Michigan squad has been proven to be a very feasible transition to how he’ll play in the NBA. My gut says that the Clippers will go for Mara at 5, but for the sake of this assessment of a Mock Draft instead of a Big Board, I’m going with the most realistic outcome in this stage.

For Dallas it’s all about finding the right pieces next to Cooper Flagg. Many names in the top ten and some beyond are swinging-for-the-fences types of picks, while Burries’ game is more of a high-end floor than the actual outcome. He’s not a good decision-maker under pressure in the backcourt with playmaking duties, but the handles, scoring feel and high-end efficiency has been one of the reasons why Arizona was so good this year. He’ll take away lots of pressure from Flagg, while learning the ropes of the game and continuing to tighten his handles and decision-making as the two-guard next to Kyrie Irving.

Milwaukee is in a rough situation where they should acknowledge that contending with Giannis Antetokounmpo is becoming tougher and tougher every year, because they keep failing to put the right pieces around him. Moving on and slowly thinking about the future while swinging for the fences in Nate Ament would not be a surprising move.

Selections #11-#20

We’re seeing many frontcourt pieces being picked in the teens, with the Michigan duo of Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson, Jr. being clear-cut starters early in their career, whereas the experienced Lendeborg will play alongside the aging star in Draymond Green, while Morez Johnson, Jr. adds that very-much-needed blend of a high-end motor, pure toughness and physicality to OKC’s interior after Wembanyama stole the current frontcourt duos lunch money during the Western Conference Finals. When it comes to Hannes Steinbach, that’s the find I am the most proud of. I wrote about his NBA future in November 2024, long before he committed to Washington and he’s been ascending in the right direction ever since. He’s the closest thing to a young Marc Gasol I’ve seen in years, and who else than Miami to maximize potential like that.

The other side of the coin is a lack of availability in Jayden Quaintance’s case, who we’ll likely see miss a part of his rookie season on top of Luigi Suigo’s still raw tools while being further away to start in the NBA. Regardless, while we’re sticking in the playoff chatter, Mitchell Robinson is proving that the San Antonio Spurs need a physical five, and Suigo’s the perfect candidate for that in the longer run as his game is built on being one of the better hubs we’ve seen among prospect in recent years. Despite them battling for a national title, continuing to go for tough and young pieces helped them, and I don’t see a reason why their front office should stop doing that.

This class’ depth among guards is so good that guys like Mikel Brown, Jr. manage to fall all the way to a situation where the young and gifted leading guard can immediately fill a role in Oklahoma City’s backcourt, whereas Bennett Stirtz, the most ready name of them all will elevate Charlotte’s backcourt, giving them their much-needed improvement for their margins for error in the playoffs. Having a signal-caller like him at the helm will take away pressure of their other stars in Knueppel and Ball, while Labaron Philon, Jr. can be a clear-cut starter in Memphis that is still in the early phase of a rebuild—considering the fact Ja Morant is likely going to be traded next year.

Last but not least: the physical, power wings. Dailyn Swain is one of the best wing defenders in college. That’s been his proven value at Xavier, while his role at Texas had him elevate his offensive scoring prowess. He’s the most complete wing among upperclassmen, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’ll be picked up a bit earlier on draft night. Karim López is the main name here to focus on. Everyone who follows the NBA know how much screening is desired from non-centers to make the offensive playbook work out. López is not a high-end creator for me, but someone who will grow into a niche as a elite, physical role player with a consistent three-ball in his game and a rounded game as a closeout scorer. I consider him to be a star role player in the future, and despite him being further away to play an immediate role than desired, it won’t take away anything from his value for Toronto, who’s not needing a wing now, but will continue to seek pieces to maximize the chances of winning with Scottie Barnes as the face of the franchise.

Reminder: 2026 NBA Mock Draft

So you don’t have to scroll all the way back!

Selections #21-#30

The Pistons’ roster is full of athleticism on the wings, and adding another one in Carr who has proven his three-point shot is legit puts another floor-spacer next to Ausar Thompson to take some load off Duncan Robinson next year. Their efficiency from three is the main area of improvement for their playoff success, and we see a similar outcome in Atlanta who go for Meleek Thomas, another table-setter in terms of offensive scoring prowess, physicality and someone who’ll continue to improve the offense that’s being led by Jalen Johnson.

Overall, this heavy group of leading guards this year has two names falling—Ebuka Okorie (Philadelphia) and Christian Anderson, Jr. (Boston) going to the East where we have seen both teams needing to add more ball handlers to their respective backcourts. On top of that, the West is in a similar mold to where Dallas adds a true pick-and-roll playmaker in Sergio De Larrea as more of a fundamentals-heavy complementary piece to make life for their star player much easier.

Looking at some contending teams, Allen Graves is one of the main needs for the Nuggets on top of their backcourt-flaws while the physicality-heavy Minnesota Timberwolves will benefit from another physical interior presence to slowly develop in Koa Peat. Similar to Randle, the Arizona-standout didn’t shoot many threes in college, but something that will rapidly change in the NBA, where Peat plays a similar brand of basketball in being a mismatch-seeking bully inside the lane. The best performance came early in the year, where he gave the interior defense of the defending champions Florida serious work, setting the table early for this draft cycle. A winning track record is important for playoff contenders, that’s why Alex Karaban, one of the most successful wings in college basketball history brings a new dynamic to the Cavaliers that are still in a win-now phase while adding valuable experience on a cheaper rookie-scaled contract late in the first round.

Selections #31-#60

The main emphasis here is that there’s a group that will sign a guaranteed contract. That’s about 8 to 10 names in every class, so let’s keep the arbitrary border at the 40th pick. That’s why the first ten names are guys who deserve to be first-rounders, but where teams might want to focus on a non-rookie-scaled contract while these players immediately have a role. Thornton is the main prize early in the second round as one of the best overall guards in this class.

Tarris Reed, Jr., Isaiah Evans and Otega Oweh carry the blue-blood pedigree and all have a specific role early in their career. While Aaron Nkrumah, Izaiyah Nelson and Richie Saunders bring a specific skillset, with the latter-mentioned’s top-notch shooting and additional playmaking clears, whereas Nelson’s toughness and interior presence and Nkrumah’s overall defensive impact on top of the proven offensive scoring prowess at Tennessee State all bring now-value. Looking at how teams prioritize experience while looking for the smallest cap hit possible, the second round is often the best way for them to make moves to improve the margins for error in the postseason.

But it doesn’t end there. There’s always room to bet on long term potential. Bryson Tucker’s decision to stay in the draft has me thinking about a promise. Talent-wise he’s there, but role-wise not entirely yet. In terms of his potential and defensive impact he’s more than ready, but the offense is rough at this point and we might see him play a lot of G League minutes early.

Physicality and experience matter to NBA teams, that’s where Jack Kayil is another name who’ll develop into a solid NBA piece while taking his time. Rookie Miles McBride comes to mind who needed a few years but has been a reliable off-the-bench guard for New York for many years now—while being on a team-friendly deal. That’s the quest for these front offices. Even in this NIL space, there’s room for the traditional draft-and-stash type of players, with the physical and interior-heavy five in Pavle Backo being this year’s version.

This class is filled with top players, especially among the guards. Braden Smith, MJ Collins, Tamin Lipsey and Jaden Bradley all have a specific role and can be backups on day one. Ja’Kobi Gillespie made the most of the Combine and workouts, while Quadir Copeland and Keyshawn Hall bring the variance of plus-sized ball handlers and creators. That’s another valuable archetype among guards. For teams looking for a backup, this is a tremendous class.

Overall, to get a better understanding of the traits of the various prospects in the second round, make sure to check out some of the linked scouting reports in the table above.

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Here are the more than 80 in-depth articles that I’ve already written so far for the 2026 NBA Draft.