Category: Basketball

CMB, all-rookie, all-awesome defender extraordinaire has won himself many fans in Toronto with his dominant interior presence and playoff rising. The former Gamecock was taken 9th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Raptors, and quickly proved himself to be playing well above the standard for most rookies.

While additions like Trayce Jackson-Davis and a potential big man in today’s draft, it is clear that the Raptors have been making moves to try and make up for their unstable roster of centres. Much has been said about Jakob Poeltl’s injury woes and gargantuan contract, but less noise has been made about the pros of committing to a small ball roster with Boyles at centre.

In a recent survey by SB Nation, 69% of respondents believed that the sophomore should enter Toronto’s starting lineup, with an additional 16% agreeing, only in the case of Jakob Poeltl being moved.

A measly 15% believe that the rookie should continue coming off of the bench, and I could not agree with these individuals less. Boyles has proven himself to be not only an asset, but someone who the Raptors should try taking a gamble on by giving a starting job. And, speaking of gambling, this post is sponsored by FanDuel.

Last season proved that Toronto is not yet in a position to contend with the best teams in the east, so taking more time to try and develop young players while attempting to sort out a functional centre rotation could be well worth it. CMB’s combination of raw power and defensive tenacity is extremely valuable, whose worth in the starting lineup might only be outweighed by a real stretch big, capable of protecting the rim and scoring without clogging the paint. Until the Raptors have a guy like that at hand, betting on Boyles might be where the smart money goes.

The tape has been watched, the numbers have been crunched, and the 2026 NBA Draft cycle is finally coming to a close. The draft begins on Tuesday night with the Washington Wizards on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick. By now, everyone has an opinion on this class.

Read why we believe Cameron Boozer is the top overall player in this class. Check out our final big board that ranks the 60 best prospects available. Read our in-depth profile of Caleb Wilson to hear about the past, present, and future of the draft’s most explosive athlete.

Now it’s time for our final mock draft. There’s some movement since our last mock over the weekend with the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster delivering the No. 13 overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks via the Miami Heat, and Brooklyn Nets reportedly leaning a new way with the No. 6 overall pick. We’ll have more analysis on what’s changed going into draft night after the table.

Here’s what changed since our last mock:

• The Nets now take Mikel Brown Jr. over Darius Acuff: The tea leaves are suggesting that Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. will be Brooklyn’s pick at No. 7. This would be wonderful news for the Sacramento Kings, because they reportedly covet Arkansas’ Darius Acuff at No. 7.
• It feels like the Hawks will choose between Kingston Flemings and Aday Mara: Atlanta has already re-signed C.J. McCollum, but it was only a one-year deal. Flemings is almost unanimously viewed as a better prospect than Mara. I don’t think this will be that difficult of a call for the Hawks. Flemings is the pick for this mock.
• I was tempted to put a Michigan man at No. 9, but stuck with Brayden Burries: Basically everyone’s mock draft has Dallas taking Burries. I thought about putting Yaxel Lendeborg or Morez Johnson here as the Dusty May hire, but ultimately decided to finish the drill.

• The Warriors go with Aday Mara, and the Thunder go for Yaxel Lendeborg: Mara just feels like such a great fit for Steve Kerr’s system given his fantastic passing ability, and the Warriors also need a big man. Yaxel to OKC is perfect. He was telling me about dreaming of playing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in March.
• The Bucks have options at No. 15: Milwaukee brought in Labaron Philon for a workout during the pre-draft process, so I’m assuming they like him. The other guys they brought in for workouts are already gone in this projection (Acuff, Brown, and Lendeborg), and I doubt Cenac is a realistic option here. The Bucks already have two pretty good guards in Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., and they also added another developmental guard in Kasparas Jakucionis in the Giannis trade. Morez Johnson and Karim Lopez could also make sense here.
• I have no idea what the Bulls do at No. 15: I think Chicago would run to select Morez Johnson or Aday Mara, but both are off the board in this projection. I have Hannes Steinbach tabbed here. He’s one of my favorite players in the class (No. 10 on my final board), but he’s not exactly the defensive anchor the Bulls need next to Caleb Wilson long-term. It’s worth noting the Bulls added another center on Monday by taking on Nic Claxton from the Nets in the three-team Julius Randle deal. I have no idea which way new top executive Bryson Graham would be leaning if the board breaks like this.
• Chris Cenac falls: I put Cenac top-20 a couple days ago, but that feels a bit too rich. He feels like a little bit of a project as a toolsy big man who needs to develop both physically and mentally right now. Cenac drops to the Knicks at No. 24 in this mock while San Antonio goes with a more ready-made contributor in Baylor wing Cam Carr.

How to watch the 2026 NBA Draft

Here’s how to watch the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft:

Date: Tuesday, June 23

TV and streaming: ESPN

Time: 8 p.m. ET

The second round will begin at the same time and on the same network on Wednesday, June 24.

Arizona has been having men’s basketball players drafted since before the NBA was a thing.

The first Wildcat selected to play pro ball was Linc Richmond, who in 1948 was taken in the 4^th round of the Basketball Association of America Draft, though he returned to the UA for one more season and never played professionally. The BAA and National Basketball League would merge a year later to form the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The first UA player to get drafted into the NBA and play was Leon Blevins, a 7th-round pick in 1950 who appeared in two games for the Indianapolis Olympians.

All told, Arizona has had 79 NBA/ABA draft picks, a number that will go up by at least two this week. And with Brayden Burries a lock to go in the 1^st round Tuesday, while Koa Peat could join him later on, the Wildcats also are set to climb the list of schools with the most first-rounders.

The UA currently ranks 8^th all-time, with 27. That’s one behind Indiana, which isn’t likely to add to its total, giving Arizona the chance to move up to 7^th if Burries and Peat both go in the first round.

Kentucky is No. 1, at 60, with Duke right behind it with 59 and then North Carolina (55).

Arizona last had consecutive drafts with a 1^st-round pick in 2017 (Lauri Markannen) and 2018 (Deandre Ayton). It’s had multiple first rounders on five occasions, most recently in 22^nd when Bennedict Mathurin went 6^th overall and Dalen Terry 18^th.

Assuming he doesn’t fall out of the top 14, Burries would be Arizona’s 18^th lottery pick.

Though they aren’t likely to hear their names called during the first round, Wednesday’s second round could see as many as three UA players (Tobe Awaka, Jaden Bradley and Anthony Dell’Orso) get picked. The only time Arizona has produced four draft picks in one year was in 2001 when Richard Jefferson went 13^th overall to the Houston Rockets while Gilbert Arenas, Michael Wright and Loren Woods were all 2^nd-round selections.

Here’s to draft night swings and freakish things: chase-down blocks and coast-to-coast dunks. Here’s to the no-look dimes. 

Here’s to Bradley Center, to hitching rides with strangers. To smoothie tweets, jaw-dropping feats. Here’s to the Nic Batum comps. 

Here’s to nicknames, to the fire, to Mike Dunleavy Jr. Here’s to the walk-off at the Garden, to MIP turned MVP—and DPOY. Here’s to All Star, to All-NBA.

Here’s to the posters. To Chris Bosh, Serge Ibaka. Kosta Koufos and Aron Baynes. Here’s to Nikola Vucevic, to Flagg and Gafford. Here’s to breaking orbit, to Tim Hardaway Jr. 

Here’s to the playoffs. To the climb. To conference finals heartbreak and Bubble embarrassment. Here’s to the opportunity for redemption. And seizing it.

Here’s to the Heat, to the Nets, to the Hawks, and to the Suns. Here’s to the glory of ‘21. Here’s to recovery, to being superhuman. 

Here’s to the Finals. To back-to-back 40s, to iconic moments: “shot blocked by Antetokounmpo!”, “stolen by Holiday… Antetokounmpo throws it down!” Here’s to Mike Breen. To fifty-pieces at the drive thru. 

Here’s to the other voices. To Marques and to Lisa. To Ted and to Dave. Here’s to the pop-up zone, to Jon McGlocklin. Here’s to Mr Jim.

Here’s to the mentors. To Velliniatis and Saratsis, Tough Juice and Pachulia. Here’s to J-Kidd and Prunty and Sweeney and Ham. Here’s to Coach Bud.

Here’s to the brotherhood. To Khash and Splash, to Jrue and Planet Pat. Here’s to the dawgs. To the vets. To names and faces we forget.

Here’s to franchise records, rewriting the books. To 64, to game balls, to no failure in sports. Here’s to the NBA Cup. 

Here’s to the features. Articles and trading cards, documentaries and biopics. Here’s to the lore, the mythology, the mythos. Here’s to transcendence.

Here’s to family. To fathers and to mothers. To brothers by your side, always by your side. Here’s to dad jokes and kids. To moments shared, to memories made.

Here’s to calves and ankles, soleus strains and hyperextensions. Trainers tables to trade rumours. Here’s to the blood, the tears; the hurt and the grind. Here’s to all of it. 

Here’s to you, Giannis. 

For everything. 

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece qals towards the stage after he was drafted #15 overall in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2013 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 27, 2013 in in the Brooklyn Bourough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images

CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for the dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Quicken Loans Arena on December 20, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 11: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots against the San Antonio Spurs on December 11, 2013 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 26: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks fights Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets for a loose ball during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center on October 26, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) looks on after being knocked down by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) (not pictured) during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks slam dunks the basketball on Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat during the game at BMO Harris Bradley Center on January 29, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks over Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of game three of round one of the Eastern Conference playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 20, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Nov 4, 2018; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) in the third quarter at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

TORONTO, ONTARIO – MAY 25: Norman Powell #24, Fred VanVleet #23, and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks react to a shot during the second half in game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena on May 25, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 06: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks exits the game after an injury during the second quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) | Getty Images

BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 19: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks high-five after Round 2, Game 7 on June 19, 2021 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 14: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks blocks a shot by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half in Game Four of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 14, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Basketball: NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in action, catching ball for dunk from alley-oop pass vs Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena. Sequence. Game 5. Phoenix, AZ 7/17/2021 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X163695 TX1)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw to score his 50th point in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Suns 105-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 22: Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates with the Larry O'Brien trophy and Finals MVP trophy during the Milwaukee Bucks 2021 NBA Championship Victory Parade and Rally in the Deer District of Fiserv Forum on July 22, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 20: Milwaukee Bucks Analyst Marques Johnson hugs Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals on July 20, 2021 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 18: (L-R) Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Caron Butler #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks share a laugh on-court during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 18, 2014 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI – NOVEMBER 23: Head Coach Jason Kidd of the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 stand on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at BMO Harris Bradley Center on November 23, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 8: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks, Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks help Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Two of the 2021 NBA Finals on July 8, 2021 at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: (L-R) MarJon Beauchamp #3, Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate with the championship trophy after the Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to win the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: (L-R) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mariah Riddlesprigger, and family attend the world premiere of Rise at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California on June 22, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) | Getty Images for Disney

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: (L-R) Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo attend the Rise press junket at The Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles, California on June 21, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) | Getty Images for Disney

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sustained an apparent injury on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum on January 23, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New York Knicks are entering the NBA Draft as reigning champions for the first time in 53 years, back when the event saw 178 players getting drafted as New York City hosted it.

This time, the Knicks are holding picks No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55, but they might not have all of them by the time the draft starts on Tuesday night, with the second round taking place on Wednesday.

The front office keeps exploring options to maximize their financial room, and if they ultimately have to draft someone, those options would then include adding depth in the frontcourt or some sort of microwave-shooting combo-guard-wing who can come off the pine and bag a bunch of points quickly.

One of the prospects in the Knicks’ radar, also profiled here at P&T as part of our draft coverage, is St. John’s standout, Zuby Ejiofor. The senior was one of the more productive big men in college basketball this past season.

On Monday, SNY’s Ian Begley reported that Ejiofor “has some fans in the organization,” signaling at least internal consideration as New York shapes its draft board.

“If Robinson and Shamet are back, the Knicks probably look at size on the wing or a player who can handle the ball. Ejiofor has some fans in the organization. If they think they are losing Robinson or Hukporti, maybe the Knicks draft a center? Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn would be a strong pick in New York’s range.”

Ejiofor himself addressed the possibility of landing in New York during an appearance on the “Eye on the Storm” podcast, referencing his experience playing at Madison Square Garden while at St. John’s.

“I think it would definitely be crazy (to land in NYK). Obviously, the Johnnies’ fanbase and New York has showed me a lot of love. So if that does happen, I don’t even know how you guys would react, I mean, you guys would go absolutely nuts.

“Obviously, having been there at St. John’s and played at MSG, and then you tie in with the fact that New York just won the championship, so I think it would be a win on both sides if it does happen.

“It’s going to be definitely chaos, not just for me but my family as well—they’re going to go absolutely insane.”

Ejiofor, who averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this past season, has built his resume as a physical, high-energy forward with defensive versatility, earning multiple Big East honors.

His size remains a point of evaluation at the next level, as he’s a bit of a tweener caught in between the three and five without a very defined frame, but his production and motor have kept him in the late first-round to early second-round range.

According to the NBA Draft Network’s consensus big board, Ejiofor would be drafted at No. 28, with the highest projection putting him at No. 21 and the lowest at No. 37, but most of them falling within the 27-29 range.

With draft night just a few hours away, Ejiofor’s connection to New York and the organization’s reported interest place him firmly among the names to watch. Not to mention a certain whiff the Knicks might have the perfect opportunity to fix on what could be a historic June 23 in the franchise’s history.

What: Coverage of the NBA Draft

Who: Malika Andrews, Jay Bilas, Bobby Marks, Brian Windhorst, Shams Charania

When: Tuesday and Wednesday, June 23rd and 24th, at 5 p.m. Arizona Time. Tuesday is the first round, and Wednesday is the second.

Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

TV: First Round: ESPN, ABC. Second Round: ESPN

As of right now, the Phoenix Suns have just the 47th pick in the draft, yet Bright Side is staying prepared with East Coast Correspondent at the Barclays Center, ready for the action.

The Washington Wizards will be picking first, where they’re widely expected to take either Kansas’ Darryn Peterson or BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. Picking second is Utah, which is likely to take whoever the Jazz don’t want of the two, or Duke’s Cameron Boozer.

After trading their first-rounder to the Charlotte Hornets during the 2025 trade deadline to get rid of Jusuf Nurkić, Phoenix looks to be without a first-rounder for the first time since 2023. In the first round last year, Phoenix selected Center Khaman Maluach 10th after reacquiring their first-rounder when they dealt Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. In 2024, they selected Ryan Dunn 28th after trading their 22nd overall pick to the Denver Nuggets for the rights to draft Dunn.

The NBA Draft will be held tonight and tomorrow at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the new home of Julius Randle. For once, the Knicks are not scouting for a young buck who can elevate their roster–because they won the championship! You may still have a scrap of confetti lodged in the back of your throat. It’s the cost of fandom.

Free of desperation, Leon Rose & Co. can use tonight’s picks (24, 31, 55) in any number of ways, whether by selecting three talents to be developed at the Westchester farm; swapping for better positioning or an active player, or even punting on the draft altogether. 

Leon has never been afraid to hop around the board, and championship contenders often consolidate draft assets rather than adding multiple guaranteed contracts. With the 24th and 31st picks sitting just seven spots apart, New York has ammunition to explore a move up if a desired dude begins to slide. This class of prospects is loaded with big young men, so we expect at least one to leave wearing an orange and blue cap. The Knicks might also pick up a guard while they’re at it. Read our draft guide here.

Details

Round 1: Tuesday, June 23
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: ABC and ESPN
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Streaming: ESPN App

Round 2: Wednesday, June 24
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Streaming: ESPN App

Go Knicks!

As just an owner of sports franchises, Jimmy Haslam’s impact has been huge. Since buying the Cleveland Browns, Haslam has been a part of forcing the selection of QB Johnny Manziel, allowing then-OC Kyle Shanahan out of his contract, trading for QB Deshaun Watson, trading away QB Baker Mayfield, a myriad of head coaching and front office decisions, building a dome, and trading DE Myles Garrett this offseason.

As noted in the comments below, Haslam also traded Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernandez, a Columbus Crew legend, recently:

Earlier this offseason, Haslam promised to spend more time with another one of his teams, the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. Late Monday night, the Bucks, like Haslam’s Browns with Garrett, traded their biggest superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

According to all reports, Milwaukee was negotiating with both the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, who brought totally different offers to the table. The Bucks ended up accepting the Heat’s offer of young players and draft picks over getting a star player, Jaylen Brown, and a couple of picks from the Celtics. The latter deal was more similar to Cleveland’s return for Garrett.

Haslam was reportedly influenced by his recent experiences with Garrett and Antetokounmpo in pushing for the offer from the Heat:

So, Haslam didn’t want a star player who might ask for a trade. Instead, he wanted players who maybe could become stars but wouldn’t be demanding a deal out of Milwaukee. The Browns/Bucks owner also wanted more draft assets for players who potentially could become stars down the road.

In a star-driven league with just five players on the court at all times, Haslam’s decision-making is questionable. At some point, Milwaukee will need a couple of stars if they want to get back to a championship level, and, in the NBA, those stars are likely to request/demand a trade if they are not satisfied with how the team is being built. A far bigger part of the NBA than the NFL that Haslam is used to.

It took six years.

To get here, it took whiffing on Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant (twice), Kyrie Irving (twice), James Harden, Bradley Beal (twice), Chris Paul, DeMar DeRozan and, yes, even Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Yet, with a midnight blockbuster Monday, June 22 that ships Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, team president Pat Riley proved, once again, that he can deliver a hoops wonder to Bayside. And with that, he appeased a fan base that had started to grumble and wonder if it was time for him to step down. Now, the hard work begins.

Make no mistake: this move triggers immense pressure. With Antetokounmpo in the fold, the expectation becomes that Miami is to compete for championships.

There’s precedent for that, too.

Since Riley took over the franchise, each acquisition of a legitimate superstar in their prime – from Shaquille O’Neal in 2004, to LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010, to Jimmy Butler in 2019 – has produced trips to the NBA Finals, at a minimum.

Those moves delivered the franchise’s three championships, and Butler was the lone addition unable to win a title.

So, does this make the Heat the favorites to win the Eastern Conference next season?

No, at least not yet.

Final mock draft roundup for Sixers with 22nd pick  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

We’ve reached Day 1 of the 2026 NBA draft.

Before the first round begins at 8 p.m. ET, here’s a final mock draft roundup for the Sixers, who hold the 22nd pick: 

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie

Chris Cenac Jr., Houston 

Vecenie: “Cenac has been an exceptionally difficult prospect to find a home for. The consensus seems to be that he’s going to go somewhere in the top 20, and he was among the second batch of players invited to the green room. However, the feedback I get from teams is that he’s more like a late first-rounder. He’s seen as a high-upside swing for teams that can afford to be patient and wait for him to improve his feel for the game.

“The 76ers need another big, and Cenac could potentially slide to the four at times if his feel for the game improves. But he is more of a project than some of the other players the 76ers could take. This is a very difficult team to mock right now, as sources around the league are still trying to figure out what new head of basketball operations Mike Gansey’s type will be.” 

Vecenie describes Cenac as a “total feast-or-famine profile” in his draft guide. If the Sixers drafted the 19-year-old, it would indicate that they believe his physical tools, character and willingness to fire jumpers will coalesce into a productive NBA player down the line. 

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman

Chris Cenac Jr., Houston 

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo

Daily Swain, Texas 

Woo: “The 76ers brought in a range of candidates for this pick last week and can go best available at this spot in new president Mike Gansey’s first draft at the helm.”

Swain had a breakout year as a junior at Texas, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He may very well be off the board by No. 22. 

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor

Henri Veesaar, North Carolina 

O’Connor: “Veesaar is an agile big with real shooting touch, connective playmaking, and baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs. He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. He could even play next to (Joel) Embiid. In all three of his collegiate seasons, he made a massive leap in production each year. The Sixers would need that ascent to continue.” 

Veesaar has major offensive talent for a center prospect. The 22-year-old Estonian posted 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last year at UNC. 

The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann 

Koa Peat, Arizona 

Mann: “The Sixers are in the unique situation of having a dominant center who likes to score near the rim sometimes and doesn’t have an appetite for the grittier work in the paint. So I get the sense that they are looking for a convergence of exceptional physicality, the ability to create offense in the paint and near the rim, and skill and versatility at the 4. Luckily, there are a number of candidates who can help them with that at this stage of the draft. Peat has an unusual cross section of lateral quickness and brute strength on the defensive end, and he’s also a pretty terrific passer once he’s caught the ball on the move inside the arc.”

Along with the basketball traits Mann outlines, Gansey’s front office certainly seems like it could be on board with the intangible impression that Peat is a winning, hard-nosed player. 

CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno

Isaiah Evans, Duke 

Salerno: “Peat is someone who has been connected to the 76ers throughout the draft cycle. If he’s off the board, I see the 76ers going BPA. Evans went from almost strictly a pure catch-and-shoot 3-point specialist at Duke during his freshman year to a legit No. 2 scoring option on the No. 1 overall seed in college basketball. Evans almost doubled the amount of 3-pointers he took from this year to last and still knocked them down at a 36.1% clip.”

USA Today Sports’ Bryan Kalbrosky

Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama 

Kalbrosky: “Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.”

Philon would be an interesting fit for the Sixers as a smaller guard; he was the lightest projected first-round pick at the NBA draft combine, weighing in at 176 pounds. The hope would be that his bucket-getting abilities translate to the NBA. 

NBC Sports’ John Fanta

Cameron Carr, Baylor 

Carr’s stock rose when he scored 30 points and knocked down six three-pointers in a combine scrimmage. He averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a junior. Carr would be the second straight Baylor first-round pick by the Sixers, who took VJ Edgecombe at No. 3 last draft.

SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell

Allen Graves, Santa Clara 

Graves emerged as an NBA prospect in his redshirt freshman season. The 19-year-old forward was a major help in the possession game on both sides of the floor.

Sixers draft profiles 

Dailyn Swain has a knack for driving

Will Chris Cenac Jr. put it all together in the NBA?

Isaiah Evans fires away from long range

Allen Graves is a unique one-and-done prospect

Christian Anderson has big-time offensive talent

Bennett Stirtz is a polished, battle-tested guard

Morez Johnson Jr. brings tons of defensive tools to the table

Since the NBA Finals, the sports world has been buzzing around the World Cup. The matches are taking place around the United States and all the world is watching. Recently, Manu Ginobili was recognized and projected on the big screen during the Argentina vs. Austria game in Dallas.

Additionally, Victor Wembanyama was recognized (and impossible to miss) as he arrived at a music festival in France.

La Fete de La Musique is the annual French celebration of the summer solstice. The festival features free outdoor concerts with a national spotlight on jazz at the Palais-Royal in Paris.

Wemby received a hero’s welcome including chants of MVP.

As the 2026 NBA Draft looms, the players are enjoying some well deserved rest and relaxation. For Manu, some time with his family enjoying his country’s participation in a competition that is bringing together many cultures. For Wemby, a music festival.

Check back for updates as other Spurs summer sightings are discovered.

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

With the NBA Draft tipping off on Tuesday and rumors percolating regarding what Trajan Langdon’s next move will be for the Detroit Pistons, I’m here to offer 21 thoughts — draft- and overall offseason-focused — leading us up to the 21^st pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

21. Are the Pistons even picking in this spot?

It looks like, sounds like, feels like the Pistons have their eyes on some guys in this range (Maleek Thomas, Ebuka Okorie, Allen Graves) and some guys rated higher (Cameron Carr, Yaxel Lendeborg), which has kept me from fully buying that they’ll pick at No. 21

20. I like Yax and Graves most, I think.

The idea of acquiring a cheap stretch four in the draft rather than paying the premium for a good in the league now seems like a possible angle for Detroit. If they’re bringing back Tobias Harris (I think they eventually do), having an heir-apparent for the soon-to-be 34-year-old makes a lot of sense. Yax is my favorite. Please, Trajan, get Yax. Please.

19. Cameron Carr is veryyyyy interesting.

I really love watching Carr play. He’s got a very smooth offensive game, and his jumper looks like it’ll translate nicely to the NBA. I don’t love that he’s a late bloomer, but, oddly, my two favorite prospects for the Pistons (Carr + Yax) both fit the bill in that regard.

18. Okorie is cool, but he’s also an odd fit.

It’s always tough to gauge a high-usage player on a bad college team. Okorie did a lot this season for Stanford and really went from off the NBA radar to firmly a first-rounder in his lone season with the Cardinal. I dunno how well he fits with Cade and Daniss Jenkins, but he checks all the boxes as a bucket-getter who can create offense.

17. Graves is my mystery box.

For the football folks, Graves feels like maligned Texas Tech QB Brennan Sorsby. Both had a chance to go from middling situations to big-time programs via the transfer portal and (likely) would have thrived in those bigger roles that would have boosted their draft stock.

Graves is probably picked between 15 and 25 on Tuesday. If he went to LSU or Kentucky and kicked ass, I wonder if this could be like getting a 2027 lottery talent a year early?

16. I don’t hate the Tyler Herro rumors.

By the time this goes live, the Giannis soap opera may be done. Tyler Herro may be in Detroit with the Pistons. Or not. Either way, I think if the price is right, Herro goes a long way toward curing the secondary shooting/scoring concerns. It does, in my mind, increase the importance of a stretch four who can defend… and those guys do not grow on trees.

15. Can they just get more shooting on the margins in free agency?

Two of the greatest 3-point seasons in team history have been trades/signings Langdon has made on the margins — Malik Beasley two years ago and Duncan Robinson last year. I have no idea if he can make the big-time moves yet, but he has shown us he can identify the under-the-radar shooters from a pro personnel standpoint.

14. One sleeper-ish guy I like Wednesday: Richie Saunders.

OR they could do this. Saunders is the other guy for BYU with Dybantsa and would be a nice bench add. I know they just drafted Chaz Lanier, but I’d take another stab at finding your AJ Green/Sam Merrill with Saunders, who is older at 24 and coming off a knee injury, but shoots an effortless 3-ball and battles on the boards.

13. I don’t think Isaiah Stewart is here next season.

Love the guy. I’ve stan’d Stew since COVID. He’s the most superfluous piece they have from a roster/salary perspective, and you need to trade good players to get good players. It would hurt to deal him away, but it might be a necessary evil to push this team forward.

12. How high would Ron Holland rank in this draft?

Holland was a raw piece of clay with big upside, coming off a very meh season with G League Ignite when he was drafted in 2024. If you did a re-draft today, I think he’s probably the 11^th or 12^th best player from that draft. He’s probably around the 20^th best prospect in this draft. Both he and the 21^st pick have been floated in these trade rumors, and that feels like his value with the flaws he’s shown + two years left on his rookie deal.

11. I’m expecting Isaac Bonga to be the new high-energy wing off the bench.

The 2018 second-rounder has been quietly mentioned in connection with the Pistons in recent years. His buyout with Partizan in the Adriatic League probably prevented him from coming, but he’s free to sign in the NBA now. I’d imagine he’ll be better now than he was 8 years ago after winning Best Defensive Player of EuroBasket 2025 and EuroBasket Finals MVP, averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds last season. He has consistently shot ~40% from three in Europe. Woo replacement, maybe?  ̄\_(ツ)_/ ̄ 

10. Cam Boozer is my favorite prospect.

I think AJ Dybantsa might be the next Paul George, but all Boozer needs to be a do-everything star is to improve his shot off the dribble. I’ve learned not to put too much weight into size or athleticism when the skills are elite.

He’s got the best tools in this draft.

9. I’m still dreaming on Trey Murphy.

It sounds like the ex-Pistons Execs in New Orleans are driving a hard bargain for the big shooter, but I still love that fit here so much. I get the concern with paying an exorbitant, Mikal Bridges-esque price for a guy who has never made an All-Star team, but I think Murphy could take a big leap with Cade Cunningham setting the table and Jalen Duren occupying the paint. It would be perfect, which is why it will clearly never happen.

8. The Pistons wouldn’t have beaten the Knicks if they made the ECF.

This is old news, but I still see people talk about it. Stop. Get some help. They weren’t stopping the Team of Destiny from finishing off a dominant championship run.

7. Manifesting Jalen Duren getting $30 million per year.

He’s getting paid, just not what he could have made. I hope it falls closer to $30 million than $40 million. I would be lying if I hadn’t thought deeply about the idea that Duren may not be the right guy at center — not because he isn’t good; he is very good — but because we haven’t seen a team win a title without a center-adjacent guy who hits 3s consistently in over a decade.

6. He’s no All-Star, but if Memphis drafts Cam Boozer, I’d call about Santi Aldama.

Speaking of bigs who can shoot. If they don’t go this route tonight, this could be the optimal stretch five option. Aldama is more of a power forward, but at 7-feet he offers legit shooting and is a nice table setter, topping seven assists three times this season. I think you can play him with Duren or in lineups without him, it’d be a great add.

5. I think Giannis ends up in Boston.

I know the Miami option is the best for the Pistons, but I can’t see the Bucks taking the mystery platter from Miami over Jaylen Brown. I also think teams are going to try to be middling to good over horrible because of the lottery reform. If Brown works, the Bucks will be good. If not, they won’t be terrible and, in turn, will have decent lottery odds.

4. I don’t know if Jaylen Brown, The Guy, is going to work so well outside Boston.

I think Brown was awesome this year, and he carried the Celtics to a surprising season. I also am not sure, outside the confines of the Celtics eco-system, if he would have the same success as your No. 1 guy. That team was built so perfectly for the system, and Brown worked so well within it. I’ll be curious to see how that plays out if he does get dealt.

3. I probably wouldn’t trade any picks past 2029, either.

Langdon said in his press conference last week that he didn’t think teams, including his, would deal picks after 2029. That’s because it marks the first year of maybe another new lottery reform, as the current 3-2-1 model is only being tested for the next three years.

It begs the question: how much will teams get for players in deals, and will we see more players traded since teams can’t mortgage five years of picks + swaps when the future is a complete unknown?

2. Maybe moving up and acquiring a cheap, rookie piece is the fallback?

If the Giannis trade goes down with just Milwaukee and one of Miami or Boston, I think the Pistons’ focus shifts to moving up into the top 10 of the draft. It makes sense as they prep to extend Ausar Thompson and re-sign Duren. If you can package pieces to move up in the draft for, surprise, someone like Yax, you could solve some issues without adding a big salary, thus, leaving room for other moves via trades or free agency.

1. Free agency will be secondary for Detroit this summer.

The Pistons will make some tangible moves this summer, but I don’t see any of them coming in free agency outside of re-signing Jalen Duren. I’ve seen them mentioned with Austin Reaves… I don’t see that happening. Fans have clamored for CJ McCollum; he’s headed back to Atlanta. Rui Hachimura? Sure, I guess?

There will be marginal moves to accentuate the remaining holes — maybe a cheap stretch four if they go guard in draft, or vice versa if they go big — but I’m pretty confident trades and the draft are where they’ll be focused.

Today’s going to be a fun, weird day. We’ll have plenty of content, but I wanted to give you all a place to have all the draft day conversations. So here we are.

There’s bound to be a ton of rumors and chatter, so please, comment and share away. Use The Feed for anything huge please.

My guess, as of this writing on Monday night, is that the Mavericks will keep their pick at nine and select whoever falls to them. The 30th pick is a different deal entirely, and I hope the front office finds a means to get creative to trade up. Someone good will be there at 30, but there are a lot of guys I expect to go 20-25 and I’ll be a smidge grumpy if they get picked.

While we’re here, I wanted to tell you about a new game from Splash Sports you can play prior to the draft. It’s a NBA Draft Predictor and has cash prizes. If you sign up and use the code MAVS you’ll get $20 in QuickPicks vouchers plus a 100% boost on Splash’s DFS game. This site has a ton going on, including an NFL survival pool that’s going to be big, $21 million! Back to our scheduled programming…

For now, I’m hoping one of the guards falls to us. I need it. We need it. If Mikel Brown falls, I promise I won’t ask anything of the basketball gods for at least a year. Man I love the Draft. If you want to revisit any of our old takes or posts, here’s the link. I am partial to all the Draft profiles of individual players. That’s some of the work where I learn the most as an editor.

Everyone, have fun and find me on Twitter or email if you need anything.

With just a few hours left until the 2026 NBA Draft, fans will soon know exactly where each prospect will begin their professional careers.

Following the NBA draft combine and weeks of pre-draft workouts, front offices will finalize their decisions this evening. After extensive conversations with folks around the league, we have more intel on when each prospect might hear their name called during draft nights at Barclays Center for the first round on June 23 and and the second on June 24.

Our mock draft includes data from CBB Analytics. We also spoke with P3, a sports science and athletic training company that uses biomechanical data and movement profiling to evaluate players and project NBA outcomes, to better understand how certain prospects translate physically to the next level.

While news of two big trades broke late night on Monday, June 22 – one involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the other involving Julius Randle – neither can be executed until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET, which is the start of the new league year. So, those 2026 picks remain with their current teams in our mock draft, although those teams will be selecting players on behalf of their trade partners.

Following our own conversations as well as other trusted reporting, here are our latest predictions.

Note: All heights and wingspans (as well as the distance between the two) are listed to the nearest inch and players were measured without shoes.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

• TEAM: BYU
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Massachusetts
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Wizards have narrowed their choices down to two players: AJ Dybansta and Darryn Peterson, both of whom have already reportedly conducted workouts for Washington.

"I'm super confident in myself being the No. 1 pick. But you never know. There's been crazy stuff that happens on draft night," Dybantsa told USA TODAY Sports.

While he is prepared for various scenarios, especially after Washington re-signed Trae Young to a long-term contract extension, the Wizards remain far and away the most likely outcome. He would be a fascinating fit next to Young and Anthony Davis, who could help him play alongside veteran talent early in his career.

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson

• TEAM: Kansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While we had Duke forward Cameron Boozer mocked to the Utah Jazz in every mock draft we published for more than a month, all of the intel suggests the Jazz plan to select Darryn Peterson to join Keyonte George in their young backcourt.

According to The Athletic's Tony Jones, the Jazz were "genuinely torn" about who to select once on the clock, and Boozer remained "firmly in the mix" at No. 2 overall. However, though he was no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators still feel that Peterson is the most talented player in this class.

It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season. Even though he did not have an official workout with the Jazz, he confirmed that he did meet with the organization over the weekend before the draft.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Any front office that values versatility and advanced metrics could very likely have Duke freshman Cameron Boozer at No. 1 overall on their big board considering he had one of the most statistically impressive freshman campaigns we have ever seen.

Those are two defining traits the Grizzlies have valued while drafting, and their franchise will enter a new chapter of their organization with this pick.

As the national collegiate player of the year, he wasn’t a human highlight reel. But he performed better than expected during athletic testing at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. He offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set, and he can bring a culture of winning back to the Grizzlies after multiple championships in high school and playing on an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Bryson Graham, who was recently hired as the new executive vice president of basketball operations for the Bulls, has a simple task: Select whichever of the four top players is still available.

North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is not just a consolation prize. He is a perfect fit for what Graham wants to build in Chicago, as he values size, length, athleticism, and physicality. Wilson did more than enough to earn this placement before his thumb injury.

According to Bart Torvik, before the injury, the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded and was one of the best vertical athletes who tested at the combine in Chicago. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach specific thresholds for both block, steal and defensive rebound percentage.

“I feel like I’m a game changer," Wilson told USA TODAY Sports. "Whatever needs to be done to win, that’s what you’re going to get from me.”

He added that he doesn't just see himself as a traditional post player, showing pride in his ability to make reads in the open court and create for others as well.

5. Los Angeles Clippers (via Pacers): Keaton Wagler

• TEAM: Illinois
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Kansas
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Clippers received this pick from the Indiana Pacers as part of a package involving Ivica Zubac, and while there is wide speculation they could trade this pick, they are closely linked with several guards in this range. As such, whether it's their front office or another on the clock at No. 5 overall, look for any team on the clock to potentially call on Illinois standout Keaton Wagler.

“I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder,” Wagler told USA TODAY Sports. “Just trying to go out each game and prove myself and do whatever it takes to win.”

Wagler reportedly "emerged as the more impressive prospect" during a recent head-to-head workout for the Clippers against another lottery-caliber guard, per Jake Fischer. He explained why he canceled his workout with the Brooklyn Nets, on the clock next at No. 6 overall, following the visit.

The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini reach the Final Four. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, and he is a cerebral basketball player who is a good rebounder and playmaker as well.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr.

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Louisville
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+4)

During this rebuilding chapter, the Nets would love to add a player like talented Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., even though they drafted three point guards last season.

He said he met with the Nets three times during the pre-draft process and completed a second workout for Brooklyn, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Brown's draft stock has improved during the pre-draft process as he has shown teams a clean bill of health. “I got cleared by the medical staff from the league at the Combine, so we’re all green,” Brown Jr. told USA TODAY Sports. “I feel like myself again.”

The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including a 45-point outing against NC State, before his injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness.

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr.

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Michigan
• HEIGHT: 6-2
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Kings need a potential star, and it is widely speculated that their front office is targeting Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. in this class.

En route to the Sweet 16, despite significant defensive deficiencies, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. The speedy guard led freshmen for field goals made in transition and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists as well.

P3’s evaluators highlighted his “really impressive start-stop tools” and ability to generate separation in multiple directions, key traits for a high-usage guard translating to the NBA.

It is also worth noting Kings executive Scott Perry coached Acuff's father in college, and one would expect there are few scenarios where he falls below this pick. If his name is called earlier, though, Kingston Flemings could also make sense here.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Kingston Flemings

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Texas
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-4 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

With the pick the Hawks received from New Orleans, Atlanta is expected to pick a big or a guard, and one potential target is Houston freshman Kingston Flemings.

"He can pretty much do it all. He can defend, he can shoot, and his playmaking is really underrated. And he’s a high-IQ, high-character guy," Chris Cenac Jr., his teammate at Houston, told USA TODAY Sports. "Any organization that gets him is going to get a great player and a great person."

Flemings' smaller wingspan did him no favors at the combine but he measured with a 40.5-inch max vertical and elite speed across all his agility testing, projecting as one of the fastest guard prospects since De'Aaron Fox. He helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it is difficult to imagine he will be available past the Hawks on draft night. 

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: California
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After hiring Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations and Mike Schmitz as general manager, the Dallas Mavericks can add a lottery talent to grow alongside Cooper Flagg. One name to consider is Arizona freshman Brayden Burries, who is consistently linked to the organization.

Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. He was then an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four, where he played against new Mavericks head coach Dusty May.

Overall, the All-Big 12 guard displayed his tantalizing talent, and he has proven productivity. Burries is able to defend, relocate, move the ball, and make 3-pointers off the dribble. Our intel suggests he is in consideration as high as No. 5 overall as he impressed several decision makers, including Clippers head coach Ty Lue, during the pre-draft process.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament

• TEAM: Tennessee
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While it is unclear which (and how many) picks the Milwaukee Bucks will actually have in the 2026 NBA Draft due to ongoing trade rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, this is a fair range for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament.

The All-SEC forward averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. It will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking this forward, with a standing reach exceeding 9-foot-1, in the lottery.

It is worth noting that Bucks executive Jon Horst and head coach Taylor Jenkins reportedly recently traveled to meet with Ament during the pre-draft process, per Jake Fischer. Jimmy Haslam, a co-governor for the Bucks, recently took a larger role with Milwaukee's ownership group and also made the largest donation to the University of Tennessee in school history.

11. Golden State Warriors: Karim López

• TEAM: New Zealand (International)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Karim López had a low usage rate and played fewer minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros, but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. According to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, his "range" starts at this pick to Golden State.

The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30 earlier this year. According to someone with knowledge of the situation who did not have authority to speak publicly on the matter, Warriors executive Mike Dunleavy attended that game.

Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and with a 38-inch max vertical. Our intel suggests he is also a serious consideration for the Bulls at No. 15 overall and is unlikely to fall past the San Antonio Spurs at No. 20 overall.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 7-3
• WINGSPAN: 7-6 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 21

Oklahoma City tends to like low-usage big men, like Aday Mara, with high assist percentages as well as high block and steal percentages.

While leading his team to the NCAA championship, Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents rarely attempted field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics.

He could potentially hear his name called even higher than this, too, as teams look for large players like Mara (who measured with a 9-foot-9 standing reach) as front offices value bigger bodies to throw at Victor Wembanyama. The Thunder are expected to consider Mara's teammate, Morez Johnson Jr., as well.

13. Miami Heat: Hannes Steinbach

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Washington
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+4)

While the Heat will be making this selection, it will be on behalf of the Milwaukee Bucks, who just snagged this pick in the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade that went down late Monday, which sent the two-time NBA MVP to Miami.

German big man Hannes Steinbach, who will get looks starting as early as around No. 10 overall, should get some serious interest from teams around this range, including the Bucks.

The center reportedly turned down NIL opportunities “worth up to $10 million” rather than return to college. While his Washington team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten center is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, Steinbach was one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He impressed during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads.  

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr.

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Illinois
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He was a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois; he can bring that same mentality to the Hornets, who are searching for a new big man.

He should have interest as high as No. 9 overall, where he could reunite with his former coach Duty May on the Mavericks.

Johnson's shooting form at the free-throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a very trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level. Johnson was a big winner during measurements at the combine, recording a 39-inch max vertical and testing with elite agility for his position.

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Cameron Carr

• DRAFT AGE: 21
• TEAM: Baylor
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Minnesota
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+8)

The Chicago Bulls received this additional pick because the Portland Trail Blazers advanced past the play-in tournament, and the player who improved his draft stock the most during the combine was Baylor junior Cameron Carr.

He scored 30 points in a five-on-five scrimmage, recorded a 42.5-inch max vertical and had great physical measurements. This should grab the attention of teams that tend to like athletic prospects, which new Bulls executive Bryson Graham indicated.

According to P3’s internal models, Carr grades as a 95th-percentile athlete with a rare “hyper flexor” force-production profile, a combination evaluators described as “double unique” for pairing elite explosiveness with unusually fluid movement mechanics.

The All-Big 12 wing brings shooting touch in addition to his athleticism and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Yaxel Lendeborg

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: New Jersey
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-3 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 23

Yaxel Lendeborg showed on his way to winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, however, reported that "there is potential for him to slip out of the lottery" on draft night, and his "pre-draft workouts have not gone particularly well" due to an ankle injury.

Despite his age and the ankle injury, he will intrigue teams like the Grizzlies, who have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. The Grizzlies have shown a willingness to pick older, more experienced players in the past.

A few years ago, research indicated that the Memphis front office tends to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Big Ten Player of the Year was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Chris Cenac Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 19
• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+7)

Regardless of whether or not the Thunder trade this pick, one name to consider is Chris Cenac Jr., whose range begins around No. 14 overall.

Cenac played into his role and caught fire at the perfect time. In his first NCAA tournament game, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal.

“I got to earn my minutes. I got to do the little things … defending, rebounding, spacing the floor,” Cenac told USA TODAY Sports. "Whatever team takes me… they’re getting a winning player that loves winning and is going to buy into whatever to help that team win."

Cenac also impressed at the NBA Combine, posting a 37-inch max vertical and strong agility numbers for his size.

P3 places Cenac within its “bigs plus” model, a rare archetype combining traditional size with wing-like mobility. Evaluators pointed to his “unique tools” and described him as a potential “matchup nightmare” due to his movement profile and physical traits, which suggest his significant untapped upside.

Q&A: Chris Cenac Jr. explains why he'll outperform his NBA draft spot

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Christian Anderson

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Texas Tech
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+5)

The Hornets could find a fairly compelling player in Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who is a potentially perfect fit and received a green room invitation to attend the 2026 NBA Draft.

After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman. Anderson managed to do that while also scoring well on spot-up possessions and handoffs. Even though he is a bit undersized, there are few better offensive creators in this class than Anderson.

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

• TEAM: Iowa
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Raptors need another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, on their priority list.

After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned him a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa. 

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Tarris Reed Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 22
• TEAM: Connecticut
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)

UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke.

There is plenty of interest in Reed from teams starting at No. 16 overall, based on our intel, and he is unlikely still available by No. 29 overall. After receiving consistently positive feedback during the pre-draft process, the Spurs could make a lot of sense for the big man.

During the combine, he did the dirty work, recording 5 rebounds with 1 steal and 1 block in his first game and then scored 17 points (7-of-9 FG) with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in the second. Reed also tested with elite agility for his position. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner, especially considering his paint dominance, rather than later.

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Dailyn Swain

• TEAM: Texas
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and helping lead the Longhorns to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain emerged as one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball.

The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed across the board on both ends, scoring efficiently in the paint and in transition. Another appealing element is his effectiveness in isolation, where he can create for himself against defenders. Swain is quick, bouncy and a solid rebounder, and his 81.5% free-throw percentage suggests promising shooting touch. While he has three years of college experience, he’s still just 20 years old, the same age as several NCAA freshmen.

P3 categorizes Swain as a “kinematic mover,” a fluid, efficiency-driven archetype that allows players to “get wherever they want on the court” and has produced the highest density of NBA All-Stars in its data.

Expect the Pistons to have serious interest in Swain, based on multiple people who spoke to USA TODAY Sports, though Detroit will also strongly consider shooters like Christian Anderson and Isaiah Evans if they are available.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Labaron Philon Jr.

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Alabama
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Philadelphia 76ers have a new front office led by president of basketball operations Mike Gansey and vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson. One name they may have their eyes on with the first-round pick they acquired after trading Jared McCain is Labaron Philon Jr. from Alabama.

Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Ebuka Okorie

• TEAM: Stanford
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: New Hampshire
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

When the Hawks are on the clock, expect them to consider a player like Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization.

The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the 76ers. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least 30 points. Okorie has earned serious first-round buzz and should intrigue teams in this range, who may like the high assist-to-turnover ratio he recorded (2.3) last season.

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves

• TEAM: Santa Clara
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Knicks have prioritized scrappy, high-motor players capable of winning the possession battle through rebounds and turnovers like Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves. That's an area where Graves stands out among the best in this class and is likely one of the reasons he chose to turn pro rather than return to college.

The WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year turned heads after posting 30 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals on Feb. 7 against Washington State.

The only players under 21 with a higher box plus-minus, per Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. All teams that prioritize analytical modeling in the pre-draft process will have this prospect ranked highly, which is why he is often linked even higher than this to teams like the Spurs.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat 

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Arizona
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Arizona forward Koa Peat is potentially an appealing option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is naturally bouncy and athletic with a strong frame and a near 7-foot wingspan. Peat is also a solid rebounder and passer for his position and the Lakers likely have serious interest in him due to his size and physicality.

The All-Big 12 forward will need to improve his jumper to carve out consistent, high-impact minutes at the next level. But he’s still worth first-round consideration based on his body of work so far. Peat arguably had the most interesting decisions to make when it was finally his turn to announce if he would stay in college or turn pro.

26. Denver Nuggets: Meleek Thomas

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Pennsylvania
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Denver Nuggets tend to look for players with a strong assist-to-usage ratio because they rely on high-efficiency passing and off-ball movement. Arkansas freshman Meleek Thomas averaged 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.2 percent on 3-pointers during his 21 games as a starter last season.

He was efficient using off-ball screens and handoffs and occasionally showed some on-ball flashes as a pick-and-roll ball handler as well. He led the SEC in corner 3-pointers made (32) last season, per CBB Analytics, and his plus-four wingspan gives him solid length as a young guard who is still improving on both sides of the court. Thomas answered one of the biggest questions in college basketball when he decided to turn pro rather than return to the NCAA.

27. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Evans

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: North Carolina
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• WINGSPAN: 6-9 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Boston tends to favor players with a high effective field goal percentage, low turnover percentage and low usage rate. They also like players who make quick decisions on catch-and-shoot opportunities and on corner 3-pointers.

Duke sophomore Isaiah Evans scored 218 points when shooting off the catch, per Synergy, which ranked third-best among ACC players last season. He also matched 30 corner 3-pointers, according to CBB Analytics, which trailed the top-ranked high-major player (34) by just four field goals made. Expect the Celtics to potentially have Evans higher on their big board than other teams might. UConn's Alex Karaban, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, also fits the bill.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Jack Kayil

• TEAM: International (Alba)
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Much like with the Heat at No. 13, the Timberwolves will be making this selection on behalf of the the Brooklyn Nets, who acquired the pick and Julius Randle from the Minnesota. The Nets, in turn, are sending the No. 33 pick (third pick of the second round) to the Timberwolves.

One player the Nets may have their eyes on is Jack Kayil, who surprisingly decided to stay in the draft as an international candidate after initially committing to play for Gonzaga next season. He was likely confident in the feedback that he received during the pre-draft process if he chose to not play collegiate basketball.

Kayil was named the Basketball Champions League Best Young Player in Europe after averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per 36 minutes across 65 appearances this season.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Henri Veesaar

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Estonia
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

We have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. The All-ACC big man is scoring efficiently at the rim (especially when cutting or rolling) and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes will have him high on their priority list. He presumably felt comfortable with his draft range, considering he was reportedly offered "at least $6 million" in the transfer portal, per CBS Sports.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Jayden Quaintance

• TEAM: Kentucky
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+8)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. Evaluators are "consistently expressing concern around his medicals" about the big man, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo.

The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, though, and he showed elite flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class is still a worthy gamble. During his freshman year when he was just 17 years old, per CBB Analytics, he led all D-I players in blocks per 40 minutes (0.7) on 3-pointers, regularly swatting shots on the perimeter.

While his draft stock is not what it once was due to health concerns, his youth and frame give him an opportunity to become a special player in the NBA.

SECOND ROUND

31. New York Knicks (via WAS): Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's)

32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND): Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State)

33. Brooklyn Nets: Sergio De Larrea (Valencia — International))

34. Sacramento Kings: Trevon Brazile (Arkansas)

35. San Antonio Spurs (via UTA): Alex Karaban (UConn)

36. L.A. Clippers (via MEM): Ugonna Onyenso (Virginia)

37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via DAL): Ryan Conwell (Louisville)

38. Chicago Bulls (via NOP): Felix Okpara (Tennessee)

39. Houston Rockets (via CHI): Baba Miller (Cincinnati)

40. Boston Celtics (via MIL): Emanuel Sharp (Houston)

41. Miami Heat (via GSW): Nick Martinelli (Northwestern)

42. San Antonio Spurs (via POR): Izaiyah Nelson (South Florida)

43. Brooklyn Nets (via LAC): Richie Saunders (BYU)

44. San Antonio Spurs (via MIA): Braden Smith (Purdue)

45. Sacramento Kings (via CHA): Otega Oweh (Kentucky)

46. Orlando Magic: Tyler Bilodeau (UCLA)

47. Phoenix Suns (via PHI): Jaden Bradley (Arizona)

48. Dallas Mavericks (via PHX): Noam Yaacov (Oostende — International)

49. Denver Nuggets (via ATL): Dillon Mitchell (St. John's)

50. Toronto Raptors: Bruce Thornton (Ohio State)

51. Washington Wizards (via MIN): Vsevolod Ishchenko (Lokomotiv Kuban — International)

52. L.A. Clippers (via CLE): Nick Boyd (Wisconsin)

53. Houston Rockets: Rafael Castro (George Washington)

54. Golden State Warriors (via LAL): Tyler Nickel (Vanderbilt)

55. New York Knicks: Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee)

56. Chicago Bulls (via DEN): Tobe Awaka (Arizona)

57. Atlanta Hawks (via BOS): Milos Uzan (Houston)

58. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET): Maliq Brown (Duke)

59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via SAS): Aaron Nkrumah (Tennessee State)

60. Washington Wizards (via OKC): Tobi Lawal (Virginia Tech)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft: Final projections, predictions for every pick