My 2026 Mock Draft

To me the Washington-Utah trades don't make much sense and I don't think any other team has enough assets to trade for this pick. Therefore imo it is most probable that Washington will stay at 1 and pick AJ.

Everyone is mocking Wagler to Clippers here but I don't think it is as set in stone as people think. Sure, Acuff is not a great fit with Garland, but I think he is a safe bet to be a future all-star guard while I have some more questions with Wagler.

There has been some hype about Mara going to Atlanta at 8, but I don't see him going over any of the top guards in this class.

If OKC does win the championship this year again, Ament or Quaintance could make sense as well, aiming for higher long-term potential.

Personally I wouldn't pick Burries over Philon or Mara because even though his skills are quite translatable he doesn't have that one truly elite skill that could make him more than an average starter.

SLAP.

In my mind Okorie's potential is worth at least a mid first round selection. Okorie fits the Raptor's fast style of play but also provides some half court creation which the Raptors desperately need.

Peat can provide some bench scoring/creation for the 76ers, and even though his skills don't project well in the NBA his potential is still worth a first round pick.

Graves has high feel on both sides of the floor but his physical limitations and lack of on-ball skill makes it hard for me to see him as anything higher than a late first round pick.

Notable Prospects mocked to stay in college: - Amari Allen: He would be the main guy at Alabama next year, where he could show off his on-ball ability more and go much higher in next year's draft. - Tyler Tanner: To me he is not a guaranteed 1st round pick and should definitely stay to go next year. - Tounde Yessoufou: I don't see him going anything higher than 25, and he is probably going to get a great NIL bag from Kentucky, so it seems likely for him to stay.