NBA Mock Draft 2.0

Zak Drapeau
Jun 17
11 min read

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 6/17/2026

Photo Credits to Hans Lucas via AFP via Getty images

1. Washington Wizards

A.J. Dybantsa, SF, BYU

6'9" - 210 lbs

Dybantsa is the no doubt, number 1 pick this year in the same way Cooper Flagg was last year. A tall and long player who can score from all three levels and has the athleticism to be a solid defender too, Dybantsa will definitely be the Wizards pick even if other players such as Peterson might be a slightly better fit.

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2. Utah Jazz

Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas

6'6" - 205 lbs

Peterson had an up and down Freshman season at Kansas but there's no doubt that he is an elite scorer. A very good but bot great jumpshot from mid range or for 3, coupled with great agility and explosiveness at the rim make him a threat anywhere on the court. Injuries and deeply affected him later in the season but after his NBA Combine performance that looks to be in the rear view.

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3. Memphis Grizzlies

Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina

6'10" - 215 lbs

The consensus pick at number 3 is Duke's Cameron Boozer but I have Caleb Wilson here as an insanely athletic pairing with Ja Morant, (If the Grizzlies don't move on from him.) Wilson's athleticism and Basketball IQ give him as high of a potential as anyone in the class but the Grizzlies will have to be patient and let his offensive game grow to more than just a post specialist.

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4. Chicago Bulls

Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke

6'9" - 250 lbs

Boozer was the Naismith Player of the year last season and it's clear to see why, Boozer does everything well you'd want in a Power Forward and frankly reminds me completely of Kevin Love coming out of UCLA. His athletic profile isn't elite which hinders him a bit and probably his long-term potential takes a dig but to me, this is a guy who will give you at least 18 and 8 for the next 10 years.

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TRADE ALERT

Kings Receive Clippers #5 Pick

Clippers Receive Kings #7 and #34 Picks

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5. Sacramento Kings (via LAC)

6'3" - 190 lbs

Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas

The Kings seem enamored with Darius Acuff Jr and I believe this pick is more to leapfrog the Nets than the Clippers. Acuff is a score first Point Guard but can lead an offense especially in Sacramento where Zach Lavine and Demar Derozan take the lead for the first season as Acuff assimilates.

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6. Brooklyn Nets

Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville

6'5" - 190 lbs

The Nets are definitely interested in Acuff and Brown Jr and to be honest will probably have a better it with Brown. Brown has great size and playmaking for a Poiny Guard and has a knack to get red hot from 3-range. The Nets have been searching for a cornerstone for decades now and Brown certainly has that potential especially as a leader.

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7. Los Angeles Clippers (via SAC)

Keaton Wagler, PG, Illinois

6'6" - 180 lbs

The Clippers move back two spots and still get the guy I believe they'd prioritize for their team. Wagler is a rare prospect that just isn't bad at anything, but I'd also say he isn't elite at anything either. A perfect compliment to the other stars on the team, Wagler will be the ball handler and facilitator while also being a decent-to-good scorer and defender.

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TRADE ALERT

Thunder Receive Hawks #8 and #23 Picks

Hawks Receive Thunder's #12, #17 and #37 Picks

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8. Oklahoma City Thunder (via ATL)

Aday Mara, C, Michigan

7'3" - 255 lbs

The Thunder have been pretty linked to Aday Mara for most of the process and with their extensive draft capital they have enough to move up for him. Mara is a 7'3" Center the Thunder will need to go against Wemby for the next decade but actually provides more playmaking from the position than you'd expect and finds players behind the arc with ease.

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9. Dallas Mavericks

Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

6'4" - 190 lbs

The Mavericks sole need is to find a facilitator for Cooper Flagg and Flemings will do that and more. Flemings is a floor general on offense and defense. He has above average scoring and will grow to be the 2nd option in Dallas but he has tremendous defense that will lead this backcourt and the unselfish play style that Flagg and the Mavs will love.

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10. Milwaukee Bucks

Yaxel Lendeborg, SF, Michigan

6'9" - 240 lbs

For reasons I will get more into shortly, the Bucks will need a Forward and Lendeborg is a great fit. The most pro ready player in this class right now besides Dybantsa, Lendeborg is a pure scorer and mature player at the age of 24. Lendeborg will give the Bucks an added luxury of helping them win straight away.

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11. Golden State Warriors

Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee

6'10" - 207 lbs

Nate Ament is a polarizing player in this class but if drafted to a team like Golden State could reach a very high potential. Ament is a good all-around player but his size is what really intrigues scouts for his future ability to shine both at Small and Power Forward. With holes in Golden State coming to light now that Draymond is towards the end of his career, Ament would be a perfect fit to learn for now and shine later.

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12. Atlanta Hawks (via OKC)

Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona

6'4" - 205 lbs

Because of fits, Burries falls all the way to the Hawks at 12 and Atlanta loves it. After trading back from 8, Burries may have been their pick all along but because other teams had different needs, they made a brilliant trade back. Burries is a great scorer who will have the luxury of being in a 6th man role behind McCollum and NAW until he's ready.

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TRADE ALERT

Bucks Receieve Heat #13, 2027 1st Round Pick and Tyler Herro

Heat Receieve Giannis Antetokounmpo

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13. Milwaukee Bucks (via MIA)

Morez Johnson Jr., PF, Michigan

6'9" - 250 lbs

Okay so this is OBVIOUSLY a huge hypothetical from me but it seems like the Heat are the most likely candidate for Giannis so I'm mocking this.

Now picking at #13 after taking Lendeborg at #10, the Bucks take Morez Johnson Jr who is one of the best defenders in the class and still has a lot of room to grow in offense. Trading away Giannis is obviously a huge blow but to instantly get Herro, Lendeborg and Johnson as well as another pick in 2027 is a great trade in my opinion.

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14. Charlotte Hornets

Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington

6'11" - 220 lbs

The Hornets have a great, young core to build around but don't have that big man to control the paint. Hannes Steinbach isn't really around the #14 pick on my big board but for what they need, the Hornets should e happy to take this "reach". They have Ball, Knueppel and Miller to score so take Steinbach for some much needed defense.

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15. Chicago Bulls (via POR)

Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor

6'5" - 190 lbs

Cameron Carr would have to be my pick for the late-lottery pick that becomes the steal of the class in 2026. For the Bulls to grab him all the way at #15 when they already got Cam Boozer at #4 would honestly be a generational draft. Carr is a bit one-dimensional but also might be the best pure, 3-point shooter in the class and a perfect 6ht man for the Bulls right away.

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16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX)

Karim Lopez, PF, Mexico

6'9" - 220 lbs

The Grizzlies got Caleb Wilson at #3 and double up on Power Forwards with Karim Lopez at #16. Lopez is more of a project than most others this high up in the draft but with all the tools you'd want to see for a stretch forward. With tremendous size and mobility, Lopez has a good shot and the ability to stay in front of defenders but will need at least a year to get used to the NBA game after playing in New Zealand last season.

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17. Atlanta Hawks (via OKC)

Labaron Philon Jr., PG, Alabama

6'4" - 185 lbs

The Hawks have already added Brayden Burries with tremendous value at 12 and now get another steal with Labaron Philon at 17. Philon was one of the best Point Guards in this years March Madness tournament and is a score first Guard. Philon along with Burries will be the future in Atlanta.

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18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL)

Koa Peat, PF, Arizona

6'8" - 235 lbs

Peat is the player with probably the largest gap of where a prospect could go anywhere between 12 and the end of Round 1. I really like Peat's ability to score in the paint even if he's a bit oversized because of his physicality. The Hornets could very likely trade this pick away after taking Steinbach earlier but adding Peat just finishes what has been a lengthy but effective rebuild.

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19. Toronto Raptors

Chris Cenac Jr., PF, Houston

6'11" - 240 lbs

The Raptors and Cenac have been linked a lot and it makes sense to make Cenac the heir-apparent to their front court. Cenac is less than pro ready right now but has an unbelievable future as a defending big man in the league. With Jakob Poeltl turning 31 next year, Cenac could be starting sooner than later for better or for worse.

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20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)

Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky

6'10" - 255 lbs

Quaintance is a gamble because of some lingering injuries suffered at Kentucky last season but if he's healthy, he'd be an excellent fit in San Antonio. Wembanyama is going to be generational for the next decade but after this past playoff run, it's clear he can't do everything down low by himself. Quaintance has elite reach, physicality and defense that will make Wemby's life so much easier.

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21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN)

Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech

6'3" - 188 lbs

The Pistons have Cade Cunningham so they're set but I think adding another ball handler will take a lot of burden off of him in the long run. Anderson can shoot the lights out of the ball and is a good ball handler, hopefully garnering enough respect to take double teams off of Cade.

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22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU)

Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas

6'8" - 220 lbs

Dailyn Swain is one of my favorite late-lottery picks in this draft but after a less than stellar NBA Combine, I see him falling. I think the 76ers are his floor of where he can drop and would be a great fit as an athletic wing who can hopefully become the leading scorer for their 2nd team until he is ready to start.

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23. Oklahoma City Thunder (via ATL)

Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke

6'6" - 186 lbs

Evans is an anomaly in this class because he was one of the latest to declare and has a lot of intangibles and skills you'd want in an NBA shooting Guard but everywhere I look is consistently falling past #20. If he doesn't go earlier because any particular team falls in love with his game, he'd be a dangerous addition to the Thunder as another member of their deep roster and scorer on their 2nd team.

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24. New York Knicks

Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara

6'9" - 225 lbs

The Knicks just showed the world that chemistry and teamwork can triumph over anything so instead of going for a high upside guy or 3 point scorer, I love the fit of Allen Graves instead. Graves is a defender first and playmaker second and is one of the most unselfish players expected to be drafted in the 1st round. All he'll want to do is win.

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TRADE ALERT

Cavaliers Receive Lakers' #25 Pick

Lakers Receive Cavaliers' #29 Pick and 2030 1st

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25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL)

Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa

6'4" - 190 lbs

This pick is a weird one in some ways but a brilliant one in others. Stirtz has a long way to go but in a sense I see a lot of J-Kidd in him. Physicality and playmaking are the name of the game and behind Harden and Mitchell would be a facilitator they need and given the time to develop.

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Denver Nuggets

Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

7'0" - 225 lbs

The Nuggets' Championship window is getting smaller by the season so it's time to give Jokic and Murray all the help they can get. Veesaar has good size for the middle of the floor and will not only take defensive responsibilities away from Jokic but can space the floor as well with a good jumpshot.

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27. Boston Celtics

Tarris Reed Jr., C, Connecticut

6'11" - 265 lbs

This pick needs to happen, I don't care if Reed is a reach. A local boy for Boton, Reed would be a tenacious rebounder and big man the Celtics desperately have needed for 3 seasons.

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28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)

Meleek Thomas, SG, Arkansas

6'3" - 185 lbs

Fitting in similar patterns of past picks, the Wolves should be building around their star in Anthony Edwards, in their case by adding another Guard defenses will have to respect. Meleek Thomas' jumpshot is nasty and will cause defenses to stretch the floor and not allow them to solely focus on Ant.

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29. Los Angeles Lakers (via CLE)

Alex Karaban, SF, Connecticut

6'8" - 230 lbs

The Lakers are not going to replace Lebron right away as it seems inevitable he leaves this offseason, so instead they need to build around Luka and a likely-returning Austin Reaves. The Lakers have a good group of players for their frontcourt and without any premier Centers left, should take Alex Karaban who can space the floor and add 3-point shooting off the bench.

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30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC)

Zuby Ejiofor, PF, Houston

6'9" - 245 lbs

The Mavericks already got Kingston Flemings to take point in the offense, with pick #30 they should take Ejiofor to take control of their defense. Ejiofor may never be an average scorer in the league but his rebounding tenacity and defensive versatility would be invaluable to a team who already has a cornerstone scorer.

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