2026 NBA Mock Draft: AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 in Our Top 30
- Matt Babcock
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
As the 2026 NBA Draft process starts to come into sharper focus, several key dates are approaching. The deadline for early entrants to declare is tomorrow, April 24. The NBA Draft Lottery is set for May 10, and the Draft Combine will run May 10-17 in Chicago. For college players considering a return to school, the NCAA early-entry withdrawal deadline is May 27. The final NBA withdrawal deadline is June 13. All of it should help bring greater clarity to the draft picture ahead of the draft on June 23-24.
With so many stay-or-go decisions still looming, we are keeping this mock draft to a Top 30 for now. Between the transfer portal, NIL, and the number of players still weighing their options, there is simply too much uncertainty to project much further with confidence.
With that in mind, below is our Top 30 mock draft, with links to full scouting reports.
Lottery (1-14)
Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU →
After a dominant freshman season at BYU, confidence in Dybantsa’s long-term outlook has never been higher.
Indiana Pacers – Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas →
Peterson’s up-and-down season has left more questions than answers. The pre-draft process should be telling.
Brooklyn Nets – Cameron Boozer, F/C, Duke →
As steady as they come, there may not be a safer pick in this year’s draft than Boozer.
Utah Jazz – Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina →
At 6-foot-10, Wilson is a pogo stick with as much upside as anyone in the class. He could go even higher.
Sacramento Kings – Kingston Flemings, G, Houston →
A speed demon with moxie, presence, and the talent to become a lead guard a franchise can build around.
Memphis Grizzlies – Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas →
With uncertainty surrounding Ja Morant’s future in Memphis, Darius Acuff Jr. could make sense as a potential long-term answer in the backcourt.
Atlanta Hawks – Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois →
A smooth 6-foot-6 shooter and on-ball creator, Wagler is easy to envision achieving long-term success wherever he lands.
Dallas Mavericks – Nate Ament, F, Tennessee →
The future in Dallas centers around Cooper Flagg, and Ament’s long-term upside makes him an intriguing potential fit alongside him.
Chicago Bulls – Brayden Burries, G, Arizona →
With Josh Giddey already under a big contract, Burries makes more sense as a complementary piece than another primary ball handler.
Milwaukee Bucks – Labaron Philon, G, Alabama →
It is not every year a team can land a player with offensive-engine potential at No. 10, and that is exactly what Philon offers.
Golden State Warriors – Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville →
A skilled shooter and scorer who can play on or off the ball, Brown feels like a natural fit in Golden State, where learning from Steph Curry could be invaluable.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers →
Sam Presti has built a champion and still has a surplus of picks. Karim Lopez would give the Thunder a talented, versatile forward to add to an already loaded roster.
Miami Heat – Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan →
A 6-foot-9 hybrid forward with a well-rounded skill set, Lendeborg could go from cutting down the nets at Michigan to contributing right away in South Beach.
Charlotte Hornets – Aday Mara, C, Michigan →
No one helped themselves more during March Madness than Mara, and the skilled 7-foot-3 center may ride that momentum all the way into the mid-first round, if not the lottery.
