Leading up to this moment, it felt as if Dybantsa was a guarantee to go first overall to Washington. The past week, there has been a ton of noise surrounding Darryn Peterson going 1st.

Trae Young declined his player option, which causes some questions about whether he goes elsewhere and the Wizards pivot to a guy like Peterson. Now, Young has been extended for 4 years.

Either way, I think the smartest thing to do is go after my number one guy in Dybantsa.

He brings a scoring and athleticism presence that you won't get out of any other player in the class. He has 1A potential on a championship team. Washington has guards to surround him with, and I am confident they will retain Young to play alongside him.

Things get interesting now for Utah at 2. Do they go with the next best guy at a position of need that can change their franchise's trajection? Or do they get influence from inside the building and take Cam Boozer, then figure out the rest later?

The answer is you go with the guard that can become a 20-30 ppg scorer and create a great fit for a team that can really improve for their 2026-27 campaign.

Peterson has a very pretty shot form, strong ball handler, and he can play alongside Keyonte George without question, as I think he can develop into an above-average defender.

Taking Boozer would create a bad logjam, and would force terrible roster decisions. Peterson makes too much sense in this scenario, but you start to wonder if the Ainge family does the classic zig while everyone zags.

After a horrible first half of 2026 for this organization and fanbase, finally, there can be rejoicing on Beale Street knowing that this so called "rebuild" will be accelerated no matter who lands here at 3.

If it ends up being either Peterson or somehow Dybantsa, you still come out of this just as happy.

Getting Cam Boozer is the perfect way to move on from the loss of Jaren Jackson Jr at last year's trade deadline. He brings three-level scoring, positional playmaking, ball handling, and especially rebounding.

Imagining what Boozer and Zach Edey could do alongside each other is a dream scenario. Boozer's playmaking will only enhance guys like Coward, Wells, and GG Jackson's play.

No changes here, and the top 4 should be a guarantee as to who will be in that group of players. Caleb Wilson here to Chicago has fans excited about the potential he brings to their frontcourt going forward.

Defensive ability and upside as well as his scoring presence above/around the rim makes him a very intriguing prospect going forward.

There have been rumors surrounding Josh Giddey being potentially wanted by other teams. If he does stay, he is a perfect guy to run PnR with Wilson and allow him to flourish early in his career.

I think Wilson can expand his game even more, and try to stretch the floor in order to create more offensive versatility. Don't be surprised if you look up in a few years and he is a Defensive Player of the Year finalist.

I honestly have no clue at the time of writing this what direction the Clippers are going to go. It has always been Wagler leading up to the week before the draft, but now, the Mikel Brown rumors have been juicy.

I hinted at it in my last mock but I think the Clippers look at their current roster situation after trading for Darius Garland, Kawhi Leonard on the last year of his deal, and say "let's try to swing big here."

A ton of evaluators and scouts are in love with Brown Jr's upside and skillset. Despite not being as high on him myself, I still think logically, I see why the Clippers would make a swing on him here.

Keaton Wagler is the other pick here, bringing size and positional versatility. But do not rule out a guy like Brayden Burries here who can bring an immediate impact and two-way ability.

Let the chaos begin.

This would be the most chaotic thing to happen that would kickstart a deranged lottery following Brooklyn. However, this would still go on line with the direction and potential fit that they are looking for.

Ament pops to a ton of scouts as a high risk-high reward prospect who can develop into a great scoring wing with good length and size. His fit with Brooklyn makes a ton more sense rather than if they were to take another guard.

Brooklyn was reportedly impressed with his workout and are high on him. Following taking 3 point guards last year in the draft, it would be organizational malpractice if they were to take another one, even if they have a higher ceiling than any of the '25 draftees.

If Mikel Brown Jr drops, he is in play. Watch for Darius Acuff, Keaton Wagler, and a surprise one in Kareem Lopez if they are feeling frisky.

Things start to get interesting here with Sacramento going with potentially one of the best pure scorers in this draft, and there has been a connection between both parties leading up to the draft. 

Sacramento needs to overhaul their roster essentially, and a guy like Darius Acuff would be a good piece to start over with. It is all about scoring with him, and he has the ceiling to be a 20+ ppg scorer in this league. 

His fit on this team going forward makes more sense than anyone left on the board at 7 in my opinion, and based on the past, the Kings like these types of players from rumors of trading for certain guys and the moves they've made.

Keaton Wagler dropping to 7 could change the front office's opinion and mindset. But outside of that, I see Acuff being the only guy that stands out to the Kings.

Well, I have been pretty much 100% consistent with this selection for the Hawks up until this point. It has nothing to do with Mara or the Hawks interest in him, but purely on the fact that one of the top projected guys in this class has dropped so far to 8.

There are points where guys drop in the draft, and teams ignore it and pick the guy they've liked all along... and then there's situations like this where you cannot let him fall any further.

Following the CJ McCollum extension, and trading for Aaron Wiggins, there are rumors this pick gets traded and the Pelicans being connected with it involving Trey Murphy.

If they stick and pick, Wagler is a no brainer. Despite making the moves they have in the past few days, they still need a true point guard that can do the things Wagler does. It would be malpractice if they passed up on him to draft for fit, because most of the time, that never works out.

One of the few picks that stays the same from my Mock 2.0 is Burries to Dallas. It makes sense for both sides, and as I mentioned before, it seems as if Burries' camp is pushing for this to happen come draft night.

But a bombshell has just dropped with Dusty May leaving Michigan to take the Mavericks' Head Coach opening. So there is a world that Dallas takes one of the three projected lottery guys from his Michigan team; however, I don't forsee this taking place forcing a pick despite an odd fit.

I feel as if Burries is one of the more "NBA Ready" guys in this class, as I see him coming in and immediately making an impact for a team despite his age and experience. I think his two-way potential really brings some excitement to his name and the prospect of having him on your team.

His in-between being a 1 or 2 at the next level will be figured out, and I think he can play the 1 in a pinch early. Think Stephon Castle and his process of turning into a point guard at the next level.

We are at a point where the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade isn't an if, but more so a when. At this point, it isn't when, but it is a please just end this so the rest of the offseason can move forward.

Operating under the idea that he is gone, we stick with the guy I had them mocked to get at 10 in the last mock. Kingston Flemings will get a ton of hate due to his negative wingspan and being undersized compared to his peers. But this is a guy who will impact the team on both ends of the court.

Is there a world where the evaluators are right about his size? Sure. But I think personally, everyone will look up in a few years and think about why teams would overthink about whether he could play at a high level or not.

Milwaukee could come out of this draft with two first round picks or more. Kickstart it with a guard like Flemings and you are good after that.

The second prospect affected by the crazy top 10 shakeup is Aday Mara. Again, this has nothing to do with who he is as a prospect, but rather rolling with how the cards are dealt to teams.

The Warriors were just dealt their cards and sit with an ace of spades in a prospect like Mara. This team for years have been pushing to find a big man who can help make an impact alongside Steph Curry. There are rumors that the Warriors are pushing to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis.

Even if that happens, Steph Curry's career is winding down, and the Warriors must look forward to what will help them in the future. Mara impacts winning now and in five years.

Positional playmaking, shot blocking, rebounding, screen setting, and interior scoring all provide help to Golden State as they work their screen heavy offense. You cannot let him fall to the Thunder in your conference, and nobody else on the board is considerably better than Mara.

The Oklahoma City Thunder after losing in 7 to the Spurs turns to the 12th pick in this draft and instantly get better without having to do anything besides making a draft pick.

Morez Johnson has flown up draft boards and is a lock to be picked in the lottery, and there is a chance he could go top 10. His impact to winning, defensive versatility, the ability to stretch the floor, and his overall presence on the court is perfect for the Thunder.

There are rumors going around that the Thunder would like to use 12 and 17 to jump up into the top 10 to get a guy like Aday Mara, but because we don't do mock trades in the final mock, they stick and pick Johnson.

Not a bad consolation prize. OKC moved Aaron Wiggins late Sunday night to help trim the fat around the margins of this roster, and putting a guy like Morez on this team will only force more roster moves that creates the opportunity for him to play, and even start come playoff time.

Now we wait and see, will they move up? Will they take Morez? Or do they take his Michigan teammate who is still available?

A ton of smoke surrounding the Miami Heat right now pertaining to Giannis Antetokounmpo and whether that trade will happen or not. If it does not happen and another team beats their offer, Lendeborg is the obvious pick here at 13.

His experience is valuable to a team like Miami that looks for players who can defend at multiple positions, score at all three levels, and most importantly have a winning mindset.

Say they miss out on Giannis, and they pivot for a guy like Ja Morant, Trae Young, or De'Aaron Fox... you add Yaxel to the pairing of Herro, Bam, and the addition, and you are set up going into the next season.

If Yaxel is gone, you take whoever of the three Michigan guys fall to this spot. I also can see a pick from my Mock 1.0 happening and go with Philon.

Charlotte benefits here by having two picks in the next 5. This allows them to be flexible in this spot and take whoever drops, and also draft for potential need.

In my last Mock 2.0, I had Steinbach going to the Hornets at 18,  but there have been recent rumors that state once the top 12 happens, the big men will be taken all in a row. If you are Charlotte, you don't wait around to 18 to hope that the guy you want is there. Go get him now and figure the rest out later.

Steinbach will bring a presence on both ends of the court, that brings a positive impact for the Hornets, especially defensively. His length and size is similar to what Kalkbrenner brings for them now, but his ability to stretch the floor makes him more valuable for a team that likes to run fast offensively and kick out.

Other names to look for are Lopez, Carr, and Stirtz.

I once had this being a connection between Chicago and Carr, and with the chaos that I expect, this could be a chance for both parties to come together.

After taking Wilson at 4, the Bulls turn towards getting a 2/3 with a ton of upside that can help create this future lengthy lineup using your two draft picks here and guys like Buzelis, Giddey, and Essengue.

Cameron Carr is extremely athletic, has the ability to shoot lights out with a really nice shooting form, and the upside of him defensively would be too good to pass up on. 

I wonder if the Bulls want to try and go guard after trading Coby White and Ayo Dosumnu this past trade deadline, and now with the Giddey rumors we mentioned. If so, Philon, Stirtz, Anderson, and Okorie have all worked out for Chicago and could be in play.

If the Grizzlies walk out of this first round with Cam Boozer and Labaron Philon, you will see me join the Beale Street Flippers with the amount of excitement these guys bring to this team.

A guy who can go get a bucket for you, and is also a very good passer, Philon brings winning to a team despite the concerns about his size. If you are the Grizzlies, you can't not have enough depth, but as of now, they have an overload of depth at point guard.

We still await the Ja Morant trade (which could happen by the time I put this out), there are rumors that Scotty Pippen Jr could be on the move, and the organization still wants to see what they have with Ty Jerome, Javon Small, and Walter Clayton Jr.

Zach Kleiman does love to trade up in the draft and get a guy he wants. I see a world where Memphis moves up into the top 10 and getting one of the guards that falls to solidify two positions in this draft building up the next generation of Grizz basketball.

As mentioned before, the Thunder are looking to package their two picks to move up and get a guy they want. For the sake of this mock draft, we will take someone for the Thunder here that won't create a logjam on their roster.

Lopez is one of the mystery guys in this draft due to the lack of the overseas prospects that are projected first rounders. He brings great size and length, with the defensive profile that NBA teams are looking for at his position. Lopez also has the ability to knock down shots from the outside.

The Thunder like to do this when it comes to overseas prospect by bringing them in, developing them in Summer League and the G-League, and out of nowhere they are thrown into the rotation and succeeds.

Again, I doubt they use this pick, but if they do Lopez is the guy to take a shot on.

A rumor came to light this past week that to a certain GM, Bennett Stirtz workout was "one of the best he has seen in this class." Now, I think there's a chance it could be true (despite me not being as high on him) and Charlotte is in a spot to try and take a shot on him to bring experience.

They have Coby White who is hitting free agency that will most likely be brought back, as well as Tre Mann who has kind of fell out of the rotation. But as we have seen in the playoffs over the past few years is that you need as many ball handlers as possible. 

Stirtz brings sure ball handling, good rebounding for his position, and the ability to score at all three levels. 

The Hornets have a ton of different options here, but the smoke about Stirtz seems too real to not have some sort of meaning to these picks.

Guaranteed, you did not expect to see this name inside the top 20, but based on recent rumors, there is a real chance Meleek Thomas could wind up within the top 20 easily, and could go as high as 15.

Thomas showed a ton of promise in his freshman year at Arkansas to be a high-level shooter and the size/length to be a solid defender in the NBA. 

For the Toronto Raptors, their bench unit lacked consistent scoring and shooting, which could cause Grady Dick to be shipped out of town to find a new guy to come off the bench alongside their other two young guards Jamal Shead and Ja'Kobe Walter.

Toronto has been linked to a guard with this pick, and mainly around Stirtz, but Meleek Thomas is a great long-term bet. But the Raptors could look to bolster their frontcourt depth and size with guys like Graves, Cenac, or Quaintance.

The Spurs lose the finals, and in my last mock, I gave them a wing who can defend and shoot threes. In this final mock, I am giving them a stretch four who can defend at a high level, and has impressed the Spurs in workouts.

I feel pretty confident in the idea that the Spurs will take someone who can play the 4 alongside Wemby and build a defensive pairing that can be positionally versatile, while also creating lineup combinations for any situation thrown at them.

Based on how the finals turned out for San Antonio, I expect them to make some moves to revamp this roster after learning from their mistakes blowing all of those leads. Look for the Spurs to get bigger, stronger, and more versatile wings to build around Wemby, Castle, and Harper.

Graves is my pick here, but I have heard they are interested in Cenac and Swain as well.

Detroit has been in the rumor mill surrounding the Giannis sweepstakes, but not actually getting the big ticket. Rather being a part in the trade that would get them a piece that would help play alongside Cade Cunningham very well.

Now that has died down within a matter of 48 hours, but the Pistons can still try and get that need filled through the 21st pick, in which they select Christian Anderson.

Questions about his size aside, Anderson is a sure ball handler, creates for his teammates, and most importantly for Detroit... shoots it very well from three.

Detroit currently has Marcus Sasser as their backup point guard, but by brining Anderson in, they get someone who can play on the court alongside Cunningham due to his shooting.

It makes too much sense for Detroit looking at it now, and I think this could be one of the best overall fits in this class. If Anderson were to go sooner, Isaiah Evans and Ebuka Okorie are guys they would turn to.

Swain keeps getting tossed around in everyone's draft boards and mock drafts, and I feel as if he is better than pick 22. So, if you are the 76ers, you are jumping for joy knowing Swain falls into your lap.

He brings size, length, defense, the ability to score above and around the basket, as well as an improved shot every year at college. Philadelphia could end up losing one of Quentin Grimes or Kelly Oubre Jr, which would leave a void as a bench wing who can come in and make an impact on both sides of the ball.

Paul George is also not relied on to be able to play enough games for this team, so Swain could be a guy in a year or two that slots into that spot to be a great fit with Maxey and Embiid.

Before this mock draft has been written up, I harped on how much I loved Ebuka Okorie to the Hawks and the overall fit. However, due to recent events and the shakeup of the top 10, it caused Atlanta to take a guard they couldn't pass up.

Now they must pivot to the next thing they are in need of, which is depth at the big man spot. Chris Cenac is a guy who a lot of people are overlooking compared to the other bigs in this class. Stats won't jump off the charts, but he has a crazy wingspan, great athleticism, and a Houston guy which means he can defend and will give it his all every play.

Atlanta is building a defensive identity that allows 1-5 to defend at a high level, and connect with one another to create offense off of turnovers. Cenac can run the floor on breaks and put himself in a great position to succeed.

The NBA Champs get to pick at 24 and I am going to shake some things up with my pick here, as I feel like he will be a good fit on this team and the ability for the Knicks to re-sign their own guys.

Evans is one of the top shooters in this class, but has been knocked for his size. This hasn't stopped him from still being able to score and even be a really solid defender throughout his time at Duke.

The Knicks will have some turnover on their roster when it comes to backcourt depth, as guys like Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Jose Alvarado's player option will be potentially hitting the open market. This allows New York to get a cost controllable option as a shooter off the bench.

Still like Quaintance here if they aren't confident about Mitchell Robinson's return.

There is a very good chance that Ebuka Okorie does not fall all the way to 25, but if he does, what a steal for the Lakers getting someone who can back up Luka and make an offensive impact.

Okorie has the offensive skill set that could allow him to play alongside Luka even when they are in need of more offense. The size might be a problem and honestly a reason as to why he might drop, but his numbers and tape prove that it honestly does not matter.

I would not be surprised if there is a draft day trade that causes the Lakers to part ways with this pick. But as of now, they need all the young talent they can get to shape themselves for the future with Luka Doncic. 

Also do not be surprised if they take a big as well like I previously mocked.

Locking in this pick for Denver because it just makes too much sense for both sides. Eijofor is one of the more underrated prospects in this class and his defensive energy along with his versatility is a great player to have for the Nuggets who are all looking to surround Jokic with winning players.

Peyton Watson is hitting RFA and I am not sure they will be able to retain him due to their current cap situation. Spencer Jones is also going to be a free agent and he will be a cheaper return to bring back. Aaron Gordon has also gotten hurt the past two playoff series they have been in.

With all of this taken into consideration, Eijofor is someone who can come in and take on a role of one of those previously mentioned guys, for a much cheaper cost. His winning experience in college will bring great value to this Nuggets team and defense.

The long wait finally arrives, after a ton of questions and medical red flags, Jayden Quaintance has the opportunity to be the steal of the draft after almost falling out of the first round. 

As I am writing this up, Boston is one of the finalist for Giannis Antetokounmpo, so there is a pretty good chance this pick ends up in Milwaukee.

Either way, whoever is picking would probably take the chance on him by this point. Quaintance showed he can be an elite shot blocker in his limited play over the two seasons of college ball he played. On top of that, he can crash the glass and score off the dribble.

He is an elite opportunity to go low risk, high reward on, and honestly I feel as if he can really change a franchise if he stays healthy.

Another one of those "lottery ticket" type of players at the back end of the first round is Koa Peat, as he was a top rated kid coming out of high school who has the frame and athleticism to compete with anyone. Unfortunatley, his downside is he has no ability to shoot the three ball.

But for Minnesotta, he is allowed to develop a little bit, and try to learn how to adjust to the NBA lifestyle and role. He also has the ability to come in and be a spark defensively for short stints without even having to take a jump shot.

There isn't anyone else they have worked out that is available, but not also a late second round guy either that they would reach for.

Rumors swirling are that they are interested in getting Derrick White from Boston for Naz Reid. If so, this would be a frontcourt opening that is filled. They also are rumored to love Labaron Philon, so watch out for Minnesota trading up into the top 20 to get their guy.

The connection between Cleveland and Veesaar is one that hasn't been rumored, but I feel like it is such a great fit. No matter what, I believe that the Cavs will come out of this first round with a center.

Veesaar definitely has the chance to go higher, but with how my board has gone, he ends up here in Cleveland which could be a good opportunity for him. He brings obvious size, shot blocking, and can stretch the floor. He gives Cleveland the opportunity to run lineups where both he and Jarrett Allen can be on the floor together.

Taking a guy who can do things to maximize your minutes, rotations, and lineup is a home run hit when you are picking 29th.

A name to watch here as well as a shock pick... Jaden Bradley out of Arizona.

The final pick in the first round is one that I made for Dallas in my Mock 2.0, which is one of the fastest rising prospects on everyones board. Baba Miller has one of the longest wingspans in this draft class, and evaluators fall in love with his defensive profile.

For Dallas, they took Burries at 9, which helps their backcourt depth and defensive upside. Alongside Cooper Flagg, Miller could be a scary prospect to develop and create a two headed monster defensively with each other.

There are also rumors going on now that the Mavs following the hire of Dusty May, could look to package the 30th pick with a player like Daniel Gafford and move up into the top 20. Assuming this being the case, they most likely would try and target Steinbach before a team snags him. Or they go big like I mentioned before at 8 and snag one of the guards.