Zak Drapeau's 2026 NBA Mock Draft 1.0
- Zak Drapeau
- May 13
- 6 min read
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 5/13/2026
1. Washington Wizards
Darryn Peterson, Kansas, Guard
So pick #1 and I'm already making waves but not only do I think Peterson is a much better fit in Washington than A.J. but has as much potential too. Peterson has been scrutinized because he "lost explosiveness in college" but I see it as a minor setback year for an amazing athlete who can get a bucket anywhere.
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2. Utah Jazz
A.J. Dybantsa, BYU, Forward
The consensus top prospect in the class with probably the highest potential, Dybantsa is a 6'9" uber-athletic wing with a silky jumpshot. With gentle comparisons of Kevin Durant, Dybantsa would instantly make the Jazz a playoff team.
After adding Jaren Jackson at the deadline and along with rising star Keyonte George and their franchise player Lauri Markkanen, this team will be set up for 2026 whether this is Dybantsa or Peterson, but Dybantsa is their best case scenario.
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3. Memphis Grizzlies
Cameron Boozer, Duke, Forward
I've heard it said that Boozer has the highest floor of this class and I can't deny it with a very close, Kevin Love comparison for the Naismith Player of the Year.
Boozer doesn't have the high end athleticism that you look for as a Top-3 player but his scoring from any level, his competitiveness and his rebounding are all top notch. He should come in to the league averaging 14 and 7 a game and something like 18 and 11 for his career.
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4. Chicago Bulls
Caleb Wilson, Forward, North Carolina
From Boozer with the highest floor to Caleb Wilson with possibly the highest ceiling, Wilson has some of the best athleticism of a Power Forward I've seen out of college in a few years.
Caleb Wilson is a rangy and smart Power Forward with unbelievable bounce and is a true competitor. I do believe he won't be physically strong enough to translate his game to the NBA right away, but with the right patience he could be an offensive weapon and one of the best dunkers in the league within his rookie contract.
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5. Los Angeles Clippers
(via IND)
Mikel Brown Jr., Guard, Louisville
I have Brown higher than most and I know his back injuries have worried people but his ability to control the game from the Point would be just what the Clippers need.
Along with Garland in the backcourt, Brown would be a floor general first but has the 3-point shot to take over a game too especially when surrounded by Garland, Kawhi, Mathurin and even Beal from the wings.
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6. Brooklyn Nets
Darius Acuff Jr., Guard, Arkansas
In my opinion, Darius Acuff could go as early as #3 but will NOT drop past the Nets at #6. Acuff is the last great player that has the potential to carry a franchise in this class and the Nets just need to draft the best player left on the board.
Not that the Nets have much else in their backcourt to want to pass on Acuff, but he could be such a great start to a new era in Brooklyn. A great leader on the court who can score on all 3 levels, Acuff would be their best draft pick since Brook Lopez in 2008.
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7. Sacramento Kings
Keaton Wagler, Guard, Illinois
With Zach Lavine and Demar Derozan's window as the team's best options coming to a close, give them Wagler who will not only optimize them on offense by getting them the ball, but will also lessen their defensive needs.
Wagler has incredible passing, good 3-point shooting and a super high-potential perimeter defending. In a class full of Point Guards, Wagler isn't the best scorer but may be the best floor general. He also looks to be the kind of player that the Kings could start signing Free Agents who want to play with him.
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8. Atlanta Hawks
(via NO)
Kingston Flemmings, Houston, Guard
Flemings is a completely different Point Guard from Trae Young but he may grow into being just as good of a scorer. Fearless and strong, Flemmings will take the rock to the hole whenever he can and will find a lot of open teammates while doing so.
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9. Dallas Mavericks
Brayden Burries, Arizona, Guard
the 4th (arguable) Point Guard in a row and 5th in 9 picks, Burries is in my eyes, a high-floor and low ceiling guy. You know what you're gonna get and what you're gonna get is a solid player who's good at everything but elite in very few areas.
At 6'4" and 200 pounds, Burries will be very good at defending Guards and is a pretty good athlete. He can't always create his own shot but will sink the ball when open. In short, he's a guy that can get Cooper Flagg the ball and make the jumper when the defense is focused on him which is exactly what Dallas will need moving forward.
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10. Milwaukee Bucks
Dailyn Swain, Texas, Forward
I'm higher on Swain than most and to me he is closer to Demar Derozan as a player comp. His great size, driving ability and scoring gives him a bright future.
The Bucks offseason is obviously in a cloud with speculation over Giannis' future. While no one can be drafted and expected to fill Giannis' shoes, I think Swain may be a very good fit and a style of player that can grow to be the slashing forward Giannis is.
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11. Golden State Warriors
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan, Forward
The Warriors offseason is also uncertain with Jimmy Butler's injury timetable up in the air and a certain Lebron James being speculated to come to town. With the Curry, Green and Kerr era likely coming to an end in two-ish years, this pick needs to be a "win now" pick.
Lendeborg will be 24 by the time his rookie season starts but he can flat out score and knows how to win. An excellent fit in Golden State no matter what happens with James or Butler.
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12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
Karim Lopez, New Zealand, Forward
The Thunder have a lot of potential picks here for a team that is obviously championship caliber. A backup Guard or Wing to be a 6th man? I'm going with a long term Power Forward that I believe will become an integral part of their starting lineup in 2 years time.
Lopez will be the 7th or 8th man on this team for a while but in the future, I believe Hartenstein gets moved and Chet moves to the 5, giving Lopez 2 years to grow into the Power Forward that along with Chet could make the best defensive front court in the league.
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13. Miami Heat
Aday Mara, Michigan, Center
This one is simple for me, Bam is your franchise guy but isn't being used right as their Center. Moving him back to the 4 is what's best for your team and getting a playmaking Mara in the middle opens up your team in other ways.
Mara has massive defensive potential at 7'3" but his passing is elite for his size as well. The ability to get the ball down low to the big man and for him to find the open man when the defense collapses on him should instantly help their offense.
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14. Charlotte Hornets
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan, Forward
The Hornets are upset Mara went right above him but should still look for a defensive big man in his place. While they could go for Peat here, I think Johnson fits better for the team and should be a completely willing defensive big man with little role in their offense besides screens.
The Hornets offense is just going to keep getting better with Ball, Miller and Knueppel so now it's time to focus on defense and Johnson is by far the best defensive player left on the board.
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