The 2026 NBA Draft is still a long way away, but it is never too early for an NBA mock draft. The 2026 draft class is filled with talent, including up to four players talented enough to go number one overall. This NBA mock draft will feature picks 1-14.
Darryn Peterson is an electric guard who has become the odds-on favorite to be selected number one overall. He has been called the top guard prospect in the past decade, and will play his freshman year at Kansas. Peterson would give the Utah Jazz a young star and would give them a true building block for their rebuild.
AJ Dybantsa has been the most hyped player out of the 2026 draft class. He is a big wing with great athleticism and scoring ability. He could very well be the first overall pick based on pure talent. The Washington Wizards need skill, and Dybantsa definitely would give them that.
Cameron Boozer is a do-it-all power forward who, with a successful season at Duke, could also put his name in the running for number one overall. The Brooklyn Nets went guard-heavy in the 2025 draft, and Boozer would give them a young front-court presence to build around. His scoring upside and all-around talent make him a great candidate to be a face of the franchise type player.
Jayden Quaintance is the most experienced 18-year-old any team will see. He played his freshman year at the age of 17. His first year at Kentucky may be delayed due to injury, but his draft stock shouldn’t be impacted too much. His talent is there, with his athleticism and defense leading the way. He would fit perfectly next to Lamelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel as the Charlotte Hornets look to build a solid young core.
Bennett Stirtz is a tremendous shot maker. Despite not being a tremendous athlete, his offensive game is one of the best in the class. The 6’3 guard has good handles with the ball and knows when to cut off the ball. Stirtz has the perfect skillset to fit next to Scottie Barnes on the Toronto Raptors, and could be their guard of the future that they have been looking for.
Chris Cenac Jr is the first true center off the board in this NBA mock draft. His fit with Atlanta may be questionable, but him and Onyeka Onkongwu may be able to coexist and form a great defensive minded frontcourt for Trae Young. Cenac Jr would be able to sit behind Kristaps Porzingis for a season as he continues to develop his game.
Koa Peat does it all and would be a perfect forward to put between Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. His play style isn’t the flashiest, but he can get the job done no matter who’s in front of him. He has the strength to take down guards and the speed to get by big men. Peat gives the Memphis Grizzlies a reliable member of the starting rotation, something they have lacked in recent years.
Nate Ament is a highly skilled player who has been considered a top four pick in many NBA mock drafts. He is an incredibly talented player with limitless upside. Some teams may opt to go for a more surefire player rather than take a gamble, but the Portland Trail Blazers are not that team. Ament fits perfectly next to their group of young guards and, if he reaches his potential, could be the new face of the franchise.
Caleb Wilson is best described using one word. Athlete. His athleticism makes him a high draft pick, but his shooting upside is what puts him over the top. If he can knock down threes at a reliable rate, he and Bam Adebayo could form one of the best front courts in the NBA.
Tounde Yessoufou is an insanely strong small forward who is one of the best drivers in the class. His talent can’t be overlooked just because of his strength, as he is becoming a complete wing who can do it all. His defense can’t be dismissed either, and he could turn into a premier perimeter defender. He could fit the Lu Dort role for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mikel Brown would make the transition away from De’Aaron Fox much easier for the Sacramento Kings. Brown is one of the fastest players in the class and has a reliable outside shot. A talented point guard would fit perfectly in Sacramento; the only question is whether he will still be available when they pick. He has all the tools to improve his draft stock in a major way this season and could find himself towards the top five.
Tomislav Ivisic would be a beautiful fit for the Chicago Bulls. The 7’1 center has big-time offensive upside. He is an efficient scorer and a good playmaker. He would be a great replacement for Nikola Vucevic, who has seen his production drop. The Bulls need to focus on the future, and Ivisic would be a great piece as they look to do that.
Darius Acuff is a talented guard who has all the makings of an elite scorer. He is a tremendous ball handler and scorer who could learn a ton sitting behind Kyrie Irving for a couple of years. The Dallas Mavericks could perform well enough to not get a lottery pick, but Acuff would be a great pick if they fail to.
Karim Lopez is one of the better defenders in the class and has the tools to become a good offensive player. The San Antonio Spurs have a great backcourt of young guards and a generational talent at center. The only “hole” on the roster is at forward, and Lopez would certainly fill that.
Any NBA mock draft will change in a major way throughout the NBA season and college seasons. That being said, taking an early look at players who could be high draft picks is always fun. The teams will likely change, but the players will likely remain in similar spots in all NBA mock drafts.
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