The projected top four in this year’s NBA draft — AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson — are all No. 1-caliber most years. The next wave of Mikel Brown Jr., Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, Aday Mara, Kingston Flemings and Nate Ament have incredibly high ceilings. Teams that fell in the lottery will wind up with strong prospects. 

Yes, this draft is that deep. Experts have been raving about this class for months, calling it one of the best in recent memory. 

“There’s four or five at least perennial All-Stars in this group,” a longtime NBA scout said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Not rotational players, but actual All-Stars.”

It gets going Tuesday night at Barclays Center. The Post’s Zach Braziller breaks down the eagerly anticipated first round with his mock draft: 

1. Washington Wizards

AJ Dybantsa, BYU (F,  6-9 , 217 pounds)

I can see the Wizards debating No. 1 right up until their selection. There is no easy answer. Darryn Peterson may have the highest upside, but there are major red flags, from his health issues in his one season at Kansas to his at times inconsistent motor. Cameron Boozer is a safe bet to be a productive player for a long time to come, but he may not be a superstar, due to athleticism questions. 

That’s why Dybantsa is the pick in the end. The BYU one-and-done standout has the fewest concerns, the highest upside and floor.  It’s easy to envision him leading the league in scoring one day. 

2. Utah Jazz

Darryn Peterson, Kansas (G,  6-5 , 199 pounds)

There were times at Kansas that Peterson looked like the college version of Kobe Bryant – the game came easy to him. He dominated Dybantsa in a one-on-one matchup for a half, before an injury limited him to three second-half minutes. Peterson met with the Jazz over the weekend, after initially only spending time with the Wizards.

3. Memphis Grizzlies

Cameron Boozer, Duke (F,  6-8 , 252 pounds)

If not for injuries to his supporting cast, Boozer may have become the first freshman to lead his team to a national title since Anthony Davis in 2012. He’s a two-way dynamo, a bruising forward with playmaking skills who was just the sixth freshman to be the consensus National Player of the Year after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and shooting 39.1 percent from 3. 

4. Chicago Bulls 

Caleb Wilson, North Carolina (F,  6-9, 211 pounds)

Five years from now, don’t be surprised if the Bulls landed the best player in this draft. Wilson is that talented. A supreme athlete, willing defender and fierce competitor, in a normal draft he is the No 1 pick. He brings a combination of production in his lone year of college – Wilson averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Tar Heels – along with immense potential growth. 

5. Los Angeles Clippers

Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville (G,  6-7, 221 pounds)

When healthy, he made Louisville appointment viewing. The electric guard has drawn Damian Lillard comparisons – although a back injury, which limited him to 21 games, is somewhat of a concern. Brown set an ACC freshman record with a dazzling 45-point showing in a rout of NC State and made at least three 3-pointers 10 different times. 

6. Brooklyn Nets

Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas (G,  6-2, 185 pounds)

You remember the Nets, right? Professional basketball team that plays in anonymity in Brooklyn. It’s just so easy to forget about them considering the Knicks’ spring takeover en route to their first championship in 53 years. The Nets falling to No. 6 after a tanking campaign that resulted in 20 wins was not ideal, but in this draft, it’s not a complete disaster. While the Nets are flush with point guards after drafting Egor Demin and Nolan Traore in the first round a year ago, they lack the Arkansas lead guard’s promise. He was the first player to lead the SEC in both points and assists since Pete Maravich in 1970.

7. Sacramento Kings

Keaton Wagler, Illinois (G,  6-5, 188 pounds)

There were supposedly 149 high school prospects better than Wagler in his class. Then, he started 6-for-21 in his first three games against high-major competition. From there, the freshman was one of the premier guards in all of college basketball, averaging nearly 18 points per game while shooting a shade under 40 percent from 3 on significant volume. Most importantly he won, leading Illinois to its first Final Four in 21 years. The Kings, who have suffered through 18 losing seasons over the last 20 years, can certainly use a player who impacts winning. 

8. Atlanta Hawks

Aday Mara, Michigan (F,  7-3, 225)

The biggest riser in this draft, the 7-foot-3 Mara was a defensive linchpin for national champion Michigan. He’s a natural fit for the contending Hawks, who desperately need a quality big man to join their young core of Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Nickeil-Alexander Walker. 

9. Dallas Mavericks

Kingston Flemings, Houston (G,  6-3, 183 pounds)

One NBA scout believes the Houston one-and-done guard is being undervalued. He defends, can make shots and is used to being coached hard after a season with Kelvin Sampson. “I think he’s going to end up being really good. He does all the things you want your point guard to be able to do,” the scout said. 

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Nate Ament, Tennessee (F, 6-10, 210 pounds) 

Ament has the length, shotmaking and physical tools teams covet on the wing. His efficiency numbers at Tennessee – 39.9 percent shooting and 33.3 percent from 3 – were underwhelming, and he needs to get significantly stronger to avoid getting picked on defensively. Still, those are things that can be easily addressed, and Ament will have time to develop with the rebuilding Bucks.  

11. Golden State Warriors

Brayden Burries, Arizona (G, 6-2, 215 pounds)

The Warriors are looking to win and not rebuild, making this a no-brainer choice. Burries can contribute immediately at both ends of the floor, and if his shooting in his freshman year at Arizona (39.1 percent on 4.6 attempts from 3) is an indication of his development in that area, his ceiling may be higher than some have projected. 

12. Oklahoma City Thunder 

Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan (F, 6-9, 241 pounds)

There isn’t a better story in this draft. Six years ago, Lendeborg was working at a warehouse, thinking his basketball career was over. His mother refused to allow him to give up. From junior college in Arizona to UAB and Michigan this past season, the 6-foot-9 forward from Pennsauken, N.J. is living out a dream he didn’t even think was possible. 

13. Miami Heat

Hannes Steinbach, Washington, (F, 6-10, 248 pounds)

All it takes is one elite skill to stick in the NBA, and Steinbach can count rebounding as his. He led all of college basketball in that category (11.8) in his lone season at Washington, and his 22 double-doubles equaled Boozer for the most nationally. The German forward will get you extra possessions – he averaged 4.2 offensive rebounds, third most in the country – and he has a refined post game. 

14. Charlotte Hornets

Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan (F,  6-9, 250 pounds)

The unsung hero of Michigan’s first national championship team in 37 years. He’s a switchable defender, has untapped offensive upside and is a max effort guy that plays with an edge – attributes the Hornets could use up front, especially with Miles Bridges, Grant Williams and Josh Green all slated to hit free agency. 

15. Chicago Bulls

Cameron Carr, Baylor (G,  6-5, 184 pounds)

One of my favorite fits in this draft: The silky-smooth Carr with the uptempo Bulls. He has pogo sticks for legs and in-the-building range. Pairing Carr with Wilson is a fun young tandem for new coach Tiago Splitter to work with. 

16. Memphis Grizzlies 

Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers (F, 6-8, 222 pounds)

The lone international prospect in my first round, Lopez needs time to further develop his perimeter jumper and ball-handling skills. But the Mexican-born Lopez has NBA athleticism, plays with physicality and has the potential to be a defensive menace with his 7-foot wingspan. He scored 358 points in 2025-26 in the Australian National Basketball League Next Stars program, the most ever by a draft-eligible player, and that list includes LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr. A popular comparison: Aaron Gordon. 

17. Oklahoma City Thunder

Dailyn Swain, Texas (F,  6-7, 211 pounds)

A strong perimeter defender who can touch the paint with a creative bag of counters moves sounds like a perfect match for the drive-and-kick Thunder. Swain lived at the rim this past season for Texas and shot an impressive 63 percent there, according to Synergy. Even if his 3-point shot doesn’t improve – Swain shot 34.4 percent from distance on limited volume for the Longhorns – he’s at worst a quality wing contributor for a winning team. 

18. Charlotte Hornets

Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama (G, 6-3, 176 pounds)

It’s the annual draft debate: Production or projection? Philon had a fantastic sophomore season for Alabama, tallying 22 points, five assists and shooting 39.9 percent from distance on 6.1 attempts. But teams are concerned about his thin frame holding up against NBA physicality and his agility testing at the combine created questions about his lateral quickness. It’s why he’s still here in the late teens. 

19. Toronto Raptors 

Bennett Stirtz, Iowa (G, 6-3, 186 pounds)

The shooting-starved Raptors can use someone like Stirtz, one of the top 3-point marksmen in this class. He can initiate offense and spread the floor. The Iowa standout is comfortable on and off the ball, which makes him a fit in Toronto’s Scottie Barnes-centric system. 

20. San Antonio Spurs

Chris Cenac Jr., Houston (F,  6-10, 240 pounds)

The Spurs need help on the interior to support Victor Wembanyama, and Cenac can provide backup minutes to the superstar Frenchman and play alongside him. He has potential to stretch the floor and profiles as a high-level rebounder with his 7-foot-5 wingspan, averaging 7.9 boards in only 24.8 minutes as a freshman at Houston. 

21. Detroit Pistons 

Christian Anderson Jr., Texas Tech (G,  6-1, 180 pounds)

Detroit wants to add offensive firepower, especially from long distance, to make it tougher on teams to load up on star Cade Cunningham. Anderson fits that need as arguably the top shooter in this class. 

22. Philadelphia 76ers 

Allen Graves, Santa Clara (F, 6-8, 226 pounds)

Graves bet on himself by passing on a huge college payday to go pro after an impressive season at Santa Clara. The 6-foot-8 forward has a 7-foot wingspan, soft touch from deep (41.3 percent from 3 on 2.6 attempts) and possesses offensive hub potential. Has an advanced feel for the game, a byproduct of playing point guard prior to a late growth spurt. 

23. Atlanta Hawks 

Koa Peat, Arizona (F, 6-7, 245 pounds)

Major bust potential. Non-shooting wings like Peat who don’t project to be a difference-making defender rarely stick in the league. In the Final Four, Peat was overwhelmed by Michigan’s size – the kind of length and athleticism he will see nightly in the NBA. 

24. New York Knicks

Isaiah Evans, Duke (G,  6-6, 186 pounds)

The big guard flashed lottery potential at times as a sophomore, but lacked consistency. He went from a spot-up shooter to a multi-faceted scorer in his second season at Duke, and has upside to be a steal in this spot. A potential Landry Shamet replacement if the valuable reserve leaves in free agency. 

25. Los Angeles Lakers 

Tarris Reed Jr., Connecticut (C,  6-10 / 264 pounds)

An old school-style big man, Reed was dominant in Connecticut’s run to the NCAA Tournament championship game, posting 19.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks. Improved as a passer and defender this season, and has the physicality and length with his 7-foot-4 wingspan to be effective against more athletic big men. 

26. Denver Nuggets

Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State (F,  6-8, 246 pounds)

Editor’s note: The author is part of the Iowa State forward’s fan club, and with good reason. He may not have one elite skill, but Jefferson does everything well. He rebounds, he guards, he distributes, he can score and the 3-point shot is improving, too. Productive college players tend to impact winning at the next level – just look at the world champion Knicks. 

27. Boston Celtics

Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s (F,  6-8, 245 pounds)

Detractors point to Ejiofor lacking a true position as an undersized big, and see offensive limitations. A smart team – like the Celtics – focuses on his immense improvement in recent years, his winning traits and high character as valuable assets. The face of the Rick Pitino era at St. John’s has a motor that is difficult to teach. A scout compared him to a modern-day Charles Oakley. 

28. Minnesota Timberwolves

Ebuka Okorie, Stanford (F,  6-1, 186 pounds)

He’s undersized, at 6-foot-1, but that didn’t stop the freshman from averaging 23.2 points and shooting 46.5 percent from the field in the ACC. Okorie can contribute right away in a reserve role, and the Timberwolves will be in need of firepower in the backcourt. Donte DiVincenzo is recovering from a ruptured right Achilles tendon and Bones Hyland could potentially leave through free agency. 

29. Cleveland Cavaliers

Meleek Thomas, Arkansas (G, 6-3, 190 pounds)

The Cavaliers appear committed to running it back with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, and that duo could use more perimeter shooting to space the floor. Enter Thomas, a terrific shooter on the move as well as in spot-up situations. Shot 41.6 percent from 3 as a freshman for John Calipari at Arkansas. Should be able to contribute immediately as a microwave scorer off the bench. 

30. Dallas Mavericks

Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky (C, 6-9, 253 pounds)

If not for questions about his surgically repaired right knee, the rim-running, shot-blocking prospect would have gone in the lottery. After ACL surgery in March of 2025, Quaintance appeared in only four games a year ago. One of them, a win over St. John’s in which he had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes, showcased his tantalizing talent. 

A new NBA champion being crowned is always followed with the tradition of the other 29 teams asking themselves “what can we learn from this?” or “what does it take for us to reach that mountain?” The thorough ass-kicking the Sixers received from the eventual champion New York Knicks to send them home in the second round of the playoffs made it easy to evaluate their own status as a title contender. In the words of their new front office, they are not one just yet.

Still only a year removed from a franchise-derailing 24-win season, that fact doesn’t present an existential crisis it would have in years past. The Sixers have a long road ahead of them to get back to title contention. A big stretch of that road may very well be patience for VJ Edgecombe to age into his prime.

If this eight-year pattern of no repeat champions continues for the league, there’s definitely a lesson the Knicks have taught the Sixers and the rest of the league when it comes to team building, and it’s that there is no one right way to do it.

The now infamous example of the Knicks bucking conventional wisdom when it comes to roster construction is winning with a small guard as the best player on the team. This has been a hot topic in New York since Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon voiced her concerns about Jalen Brunson being capable of being the best player on a championship team on an ESPN segment back in 2023.

Building their team around a small guard was just the start of the Knicks’ unorthodox path. They hardly built any of their team through the draft. The only rotation regulars they drafted were Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride. Three of their best players spent several years in college as opposed to being one-and-dones. They burned the last of their draft capital in a trade not for a star to push them over the hump, but for a role player.

At no point did the Knicks stop and try to put a team together the “proper” way — they just kept tinkering with pieces around Brunson until the puzzle came into place.

Even perhaps the most universal truth, it takes one of the best players in the world to win a championship, has started to become challenged. Two of these last three champions, the Knicks and the 2024 Celtics, have done so without a top-five player in the league. Both Brunson and Jayson Tatum are surefire All-NBA players, but you’d be hard pressed to find them in the top five in anyone’s player rankings.

The point of this post was inspired the God of Pacers and frankly, basketball coverage, Caitlin Cooper. She pointed out how different in play styles each of the last few champions have been compared to each other. Her observation in the difference in play also highlights how different each team’s path was in getting to the championship.

The Thunder underwent a long rebuild, but still lucked out a bit in acquiring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a part of the Paul George trade. The Celtics were more traditional in building around two top-five draft picks, but the Nuggets didn’t draft their star until the middle of the second round.

If there is one pattern here, it’s that all of these teams still needed a bonafide star to win a championship. That’s been the case even for Brunson and Tatum.

Now, this will matter a whole let less if the 7-foot-4 alien who just lost to the Knicks ends this era of parity, which he and the San Antonio Spurs still look well set up to do. If they don’t, the good news for the Sixers is they believe they have one, potentially two of those guys who can be that in Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey.

With Paul George and Joel Embiid having years left on their contract, it won’t be a straightforward path to get the Sixers to optimize their backcourt. Recent history has shown the path isn’t always obvious.

They just have to find the one that works for them.