Jeremy WooApr 28, 2026, 07:00 AM ETCloseNBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in 2023 Covered the NBA and NBA draft for Sports Illustrated from 2015-2023Follow on XMultiple Authors
play0:43BYU forward AJ Dybantsa declares for NBA draftBYU’s AJ Dybantsa announces he will enter the NBA draft and finish his college degree online.
play1:45Cam Boozer credits parents in Wooden Award acceptance speechCameron Boozer thanks his parents while accepting the John R. Wooden Award for men’s player of the year.
play0:16Kingston Flemings buries a deep 3 for HoustonKingston Flemings makes a move and buries a deep 3 for Houston.
play0:30Draymond says it could be the end for Steve Kerr in Golden StateDraymond Green says he’d love Steve Kerr back with the Warriors but believes the coach might be done.
play0:24Morez Johnson Jr. pounces on a putback jamMorez Johnson Jr. helps Michigan jump out to a large lead with a rousing dunk.
play0:24Koa Peat takes it strong to the basketKoa Peat rebounds his miss and lays it in for Arizona.
How did AJ Dybantsa jump Darryn Peterson in Jeremy Woo’s mock draft? (2:33)Jeremy Woo breaks down the race between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson for top prospect in the NBA draft. (2:33)
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa declares for NBA draftBYU’s AJ Dybantsa announces he will enter the NBA draft and finish his college degree online.
Cam Boozer credits parents in Wooden Award acceptance speechCameron Boozer thanks his parents while accepting the John R. Wooden Award for men’s player of the year.
Cameron Boozer thanks his parents while accepting the John R. Wooden Award for men’s player of the year.
Kingston Flemings buries a deep 3 for HoustonKingston Flemings makes a move and buries a deep 3 for Houston.
Draymond says it could be the end for Steve Kerr in Golden StateDraymond Green says he’d love Steve Kerr back with the Warriors but believes the coach might be done.
Draymond Green says he’d love Steve Kerr back with the Warriors but believes the coach might be done.
Morez Johnson Jr. pounces on a putback jamMorez Johnson Jr. helps Michigan jump out to a large lead with a rousing dunk.
The 2026 NBA draft picture has come into focus, with the early-entry deadline elapsing on Friday, and the lottery less than two weeks away.
Between the unusual amount of high-impact talent atop the board and the number of teams with quite a bit riding on this year’s ping-pong balls, this draft continues to shape up as one of the more potentially consequential in recent memory. AJ Dybantsa has emerged as the front-runner for No. 1, with Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson still the top names.
The early-entry list for this class consists of just 71 players, down from 106 in 2025. It’s the fewest early declarations in more than 20 years. A flood of prospects opted to return to college, thinning the depth of this draft outside the lottery, something NBA teams anticipated all season due to the impact of NIL, allowing D-I programs to spend competitively and retain talent.
Still, only three players we projected as first-rounders — Thomas Haugh (Florida), Braylon Mullins (UConn) and Motiejus Krivas (Arizona ) — opted against entering the draft, keeping the first-round picture largely stable. How the next month plays out will determine just how deep the class becomes, with 16 of the 20 prospects we project in the 15-35 range still holding the ability to return to college if they choose.
The NBA will convene in Chicago on May 10 for the lottery and combine, formally kicking off a busy predraft cycle. Using the default lottery order, this mock serves to project what the draft might look like if teams selected today.
These projections are not a ranking of the top prospects — for that, consult ESPN’s top 100. These projections are informed by ongoing conversations with NBA executives and scouts, as well as my own evaluation process from time spent on the road at games and watching film. (*Denotes lottery pick that will be set in a drawing on May 10.)
Dybantsa moves atop the mock after an excellent close to the season, with NBA executives broadly viewing him as the probable No. 1 choice. Having said that, there is no true consensus, and this outcome still hangs on the decision-making process of whichever team wins the lottery. Dybantsa has elite physical traits, major scoring upside as his skills develop and room to grow into a positive defender, checking all the boxes NBA teams look for in a future star at a coveted position.
The Wizards went 1-26 in their final 27 games and secured the best possible draft positioning: This pick (which was top-eight protected to the Knicks) can drop no lower than fifth. With Trae Young and Anthony Davis on board, Dybantsa would complement the Wizards’ personnel neatly and join a team shifting gears toward competing in the East.
BYU’s AJ Dybantsa announces he will enter the NBA draft and finish his college degree online.
Darryn Peterson, PG/SG, Kansas Freshman 2025-26 stats: 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists in 24 games
The Pacers will sweat out the next few weeks in anticipation of a lottery that will alter the path of the franchise: There is a 52.1% chance their pick lands in the top four, and they keep it. If not, it will go to the Clippers, who could wind up selecting fifth or sixth. Adding Peterson’s elite shooting and bringing back a healthy Tyrese Haliburton could easily vault the Pacers back into the playoff picture next season.
Cameron Boozer, PF/C, Duke Freshman 2025-26 stats: 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists in 38 games
Brooklyn has a lot riding on this lottery, as it continues to look for a young franchise player to anchor the team and doesn’t have control of its 2027 first, which is owed to Houston. Boozer is the safest choice on the board in that respect, as the Nets try to accelerate the competitive timeline of a young roster.
Cam Boozer credits parents in Wooden Award acceptance speech
Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina Freshman 2025-26 stats: 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists in 24 games
Utah won a draft tiebreak with Sacramento, meaning its 1-8 protected pick can fall further than No. 8 — extinguishing the Jazz’s obligation to the Thunder. They don’t control their own pick in 2027 and should be thinking best-available prospect here, with Wilson making sense as a long-term centerpiece, even with the addition of Jaren Jackson Jr. to strengthen their frontcourt at the deadline.
Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas Freshman 2025-26 stats: 23.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists in 36 games
This is a critical draft for the Kings, considering the state of the current roster and the desperate need for a younger player to help transition into the next iteration of the team. Sacramento looks like a friendly landing spot for any of the top guards. Acuff would instantly help elevate their offense and establish a new identity for the team moving forward.
Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois Freshman 2025-26 stats: 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists in 37 games
Memphis made up significant ground in the race to the bottom in the second half of the season, going 2-21 in its final 23 games and landing a 9% chance at the No. 1 pick. Wagler would be a malleable building block as the Grizzlies continue to remake their roster and is capable of playing alongside Ja Morant if he returns to Memphis next season.
Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston Freshman 2025-26 stats: 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists in 37 games
Flemings’ explosive speed and winning intangibles swayed NBA executives this season, projecting as a lead playmaker who puts downhill pressure on defenses and should also add value as a defender. The continued progression of his jump shot is key for him and something he’ll need to demonstrate effectively in team workouts, but he got positive results at Houston (38.7% from 3, 84.5% from the line) and has shown growth already in that area.
Atlanta won the 7/8 tiebreak with Dallas, a favorable draw that gives it higher priority if neither pick jumps on lottery night. Without a long-term point guard on the roster, the Hawks are another team that will look hard at the backcourt players in the lottery. They won’t need to rely immediately on whoever they select, and Flemings would be a good developmental fit, provided the Hawks believe in his shooting development.
Kingston Flemings makes a move and buries a deep 3 for Houston.
Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville Freshman 2025-26 stats: 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists in 21 games
The Mavericks have a long-term need at the point and will be hoping to find a running mate for Cooper Flagg, as they won’t control their own first again until 2031. Brown would be the biggest upside swing left on the board if available here, but also comes with a little more risk in his profile than some alternatives.
Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona Freshman 2025-26 stats: 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists in 39 games
Burries endeared himself to teams over the course of the season as a steady two-way contributor with room to grow as a scorer. Scouts see a intriguing upside as he continues to improve as an on-ball playmaker, but he is a solid-enough shooter to play the two, giving him appealing versatility. He is older than other freshman guards in the lottery and not as toolsy or flashy, but might be closer to directly impacting winning.
It remains to be seen who will ultimately be drafting for the Bulls, with the franchise searching for a lead executive to replace Arturas Karnisovas and a new coach, with Billy Donovan choosing to depart. Chicago’s pathway to relevance in the East remains somewhat foggy, and the Bulls should be targeting the best available talent at this spot. Burries would be a solid fit on the perimeter next to Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis and a long-term upgrade on Chicago’s current backcourt options.
Nate Ament, SF/PF, Tennessee Freshman 2025-26 stats: 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 35 games
How Milwaukee resolves the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation might have a bearing on what direction the Bucks go with their pick, which will be the worst of their own and New Orleans’ (giving them a slim chance to pick in the top four if both picks jump). The Bucks desperately need backcourt help but should be thinking best available, considering the uncertainty around the team’s trajectory.