The 2026 NBA Draft is set to tip off at 8 pm ET at the Barclays Center.
Most NBA fans aren’t expecting any surprises with the top four picks with AJ Dybantsa expected to go No. 1.
TOP NEWS
This will be updated throughout the draft, tracking each pick as it is made.
1. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa
AJ Dybantsa was destined for No. 1 Aaron Baker — IMAGN IMAGES
6’9, 210 freshman forward from BYU
College statistics – 25.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg
This comes as no surprise, as the Wizards have been linked to Dybantsa for months. He now joins Trae Young and Anthony Davis as they try to lead Washington back to the playoffs.
2. Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson
Darryn Peterson heads to Utah with the franchise on his shoulders Mark J. Rebilas — IMAGN IMAGES
6’6, 205 freshman guard from Kansas
College statistics – 20.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.6 apg
The Jazz have been heavily linked to the Jazz for a while, and some view him as the best prospect in this class ahead of Dybantsa. He now heads to Utah, joining 2025 first-round pick Ace Bailey and star forward Lauri Markkanen to try to revitalize the franchise.
3. Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer
Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick, heads to Memphis to team up with Ja Morant and Cedric Coward Jim Dedmon — IMAGN IMAGES
6’9, 250 freshman forward from Duke
College statistics – 22.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 4.1 apg
The son of longtime NBA player Carlos Boozer, Cameron Boozer was named the AP Player of the Year this past season for Duke, leading them to the Elite Eight. Boozer is expected to come in and make an immediate impact, especially since superstar guard Ja Morant is rumored to be on the trade block.
4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson
Caleb Wilson goes to Chicago to be the face of the rebuild Darren Yamashita — IMAGN IMAGES
6’10, 215 freshman forward from UNC
College statistics – 19.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.7 apg
Despite breaking his right hand in February and then right thumb in March and not playing afterwards, Wilson was electric for the Tarheels and one of the best freshmen in college basketball last season. As the Bulls undergo a rebuild led by new HC Tiago Splitter and VP of Basketball Ops Bryson Graham, Wilson is a highly touted player who will be the forefront of the rebuild.
5. Los Angeles Clippers – Keaton Wagler
Keaton Wagler will join Darius Garland in the new LA Clippers backcourt Jacob Musselman — IMAGN IMAGES
6’6, 185 freshman guard from Illinois
College statistics – 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.2 apg
Wagler, the BIG XII freshman of the year last season, is expected to come in and start on day one alongside Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard. His offensive skill makes him a perfect fit to learn from Leonard and be the next Clippers superstar.
6. Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr.
Mikel Brown Jr. heads to Brooklyn to pair with newly acquired Julius Randle Jamie Rhodes — IMAGN IMAGES
6’5, 190 freshman guard from Louisville
College statistics – 18.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.7 apg
The run on guards starts now. The Nets traded for Julius Randle yesterday, and now select Brown Jr. to be their guard of the future. He is a dynamic finisher, shot creator, and pick-n-roll maestro for Randle and the Nets future as they rebuild their young core.
7. Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff Jr.
Darius Acuff Jr becomes the new Kings star, joining NBA vets Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan Nelson Chenault — IMAGN IMAGES
6’3, 190 freshman guard from Arkansas
College statistics – 23.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 6.4 apg
Acuff becomes the latest John Calipari-produced guard to be drafted to the NBA. He was the only NCAA basketball player last season to average more than 23 points, 6 assists, and shoot higher than 44% from three. The Kings need help, with their old stars plus Domantas Sabonis, and Acuff gives them exactly what they need — a young star who will electrify their offense and light the beam.
8. Atlanta Hawks – Kingston Flemings
Kingston Flemings goes to Atlanta to provide much needed offensive firepower Thomas Shea — IMAGN IMAGES
6’4, 190 freshman guard from Houston
College statistics – 16.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.2 apg
Flemings adds to a young Atlanta offense that made the playoffs in the first half-season after the Trae Young era. The Hawks needed more offensive firepower, as demonstrated by the first-round loss to the New York Knicks, and Flemings will provide that for this team.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Morez Johnson Jr.
Morez Johnson Jr is going to Dallas to join his college coach Dusty May Bob Donnan — IMAGN IMAGES
6’9, 255 sophomore forward from Michigan
College statistics (2 seasons) – 10.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.8 apg
After the hiring of Dusty May, Dallas takes one of his national champion Wolverine players in Morez Johnson Jr. Pairing him with Cooper Flagg will give the Mavericks one of the most versatile and fun frontcourts in the NBA, and gives Dusty May his guy to start his Mavericks tenure.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Brayden Burries
Brayden Burries heads to Milwaukee in the post-Giannis era Kirby Lee — IMAGN IMAGES
6’4, 205 freshman guard from Arizona
College statistics – 16.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.4 apg
Brayden Burries becomes the first Buck selection in the post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era, heading to Milwaukee to team up with Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr, who were acquired in the Giannis trade. Burries brings intensity and toughness as the Bucks will try to find their new identity.
11. Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg
Yaxel Lendeborg goes to the Golden State Warriors on the heels of a national championship at Michigan Junfu Han — IMAGN IMAGES
6’9, 230 senior forward from Michigan
College statistics (3 seasons) – 15.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.2 apg
Lendeborg is the second Michigan player drafted already, and was the Big 10 player of the year this past season. After spending his first three collegiate seasons in JUCO, he transferred to UAB, where he lit up the NCAA. He spent last season at Michigan, becoming a national champion. He now goes to Golden State to play alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Aday Mara
Aday Mara goes from the national champion Michigan Wolverines to the burgeoning NBA dynasty OKC Thunder Bob Donnan — IMAGN IMAGES
7’3, 240 junior center from Michigan
College statistics (3 seasons) – 7.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.4 apg
Michigan has back-to-back players selected in Lendeborg and now Aday Mara. Mara’s stats are a bit misleading, as this past season he broke out and averaged 12 ppg and 7 rpg. He joins the OKC Thunder, and with the impending free agency of Isaiah Hartenstein, could be their starting center as soon as next season.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (via Miami) – Nate Ament
Nate Ament goes to the Bucks with the pick acquired for Giannis Antetokounmpo Kyle Ross — IMAGN IMAGES
6’10, 207 freshman forward from Tennessee
College statistics – 16.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
With the pick the Bucks acquired for Giannis Antetokounmpo, they draft who could possibly be his successor in Nate Ament. He’ll join Brayden Burries in Milwaukee as they navigate the post-Giannis era and try to establish a new team identity.
14. Charlotte Hornets – Hannes Steinbach
Hannes Steinbach joins the prolific Charlotte Hornets offense Kamil Krzaczynski — IMAGN IMAGES
6’11, 220 freshman forward from Washington
College statistics – 18.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.6 apg
Hannes Steinbach is a prolific rebounder, and that will be an immediate focal point of the high-octane Charlotte Hornets offense led by LaMelo Ball. Steinbach led the NCAA in rebounds last season as a freshman, and he brings that elite skill to the Hornet’s frontcourt.
15. Chicago Bulls – Dailyn Swain
Dailyn Swain joins the Chicago Bulls rebuild with Caleb Wilson Dustin Safranek — IMAGN IMAGES
6’7, 200 junior forward from Texas
College statistics (3 seasons) – 11.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.6 apg
Dailyn Swain led his Texas team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. He was the only Power 4 conference player to do that last season, and brings that all-around ability to Chicago, joining Caleb Wilson. Swain gives new HC Tiago Splitter a versatile ball-handling forward who can create on and off the ball and crash the glass with the best.
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Memphis) – Bennett Stirtz
Bennett Stirtz joins Aday Mara on the Oklahoma City Thunder Troy Taormina — IMAGN IMAGES
6’4, 180 senior guard from Iowa
College statistics (2 seasons) – 19.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.0 apg
Bennett Stirtz had a rapid rise at Drake University, then transferred to Iowa with his head coach Ben McCollum, where he led the Hawkeyes to the Elite Eight. Stirtz has an innate feel for the game that pairs well with his passing, shotmaking and decision-making ability.
17. Detroit Pistons (via Memphis through OKC) – Ebuka Okorie
Ebuka Okorie goes to Detroit in a pick that has been moved twice on draft night Zachary Taft — IMAGN IMAGES
6’2, 185 freshman guard from Stanford
College statistics – 23.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.6 apg
Ebuka Okorie was the ACC scoring champion last season, and is a high-upside guard with defensive potential. He’ll be a sparkplug off the bench, electrifying Detroit’s bench unit, coming behind Cade Cunningham and pairing with Daniss Jenkins.
18. Charlotte Hornets – Christian Anderson Jr.
Christian Anderson joins the electrifying Charlotte offense Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK — IMAGN IMAGES
6’2, 165 sophomore guard from Texas Tech
College statistics (2 seasons) – 14.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.7 apg
Christian Anderson is the self-proclaimed best shooter in this draft, and the stats back it up. He shot 42% from 3 last season, making on average three a game. Anderson brings this shot-making ability to Charlotte, where he’ll pair with LaMelo Ball and Hannes Steinbach, who was drafted at pick 14. Anderson and Steinbach were teammates on the 2025 FIBA U19 Germany team.
19. Toronto Raptors – Allen Graves
Allen Graves goes across the border to join the Toronto Raptors Jeff Curry — IMAGN IMAGES
6’9, 220 freshman forward from Santa Clara
College statistics – 11.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.8 apg
Allen Graves is a versatile two-way forward who will provide immediate impact on defense, pairing well with Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes. He’s a good, albeit not high-volume shooter who will fit in well with a Toronto team that took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round.
20. San Antonio Spurs – Jayden Quaintance
Jayden Quaintance joins a young and hungry Spurs team fresh off a championship loss looking to get back Brett Davis — IMAGN IMAGES
6’9, 225 sophomore forward from Kentucky
College statistics (2 seasons) – 8.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.4 apg
Jayden Quaintance had a breakout freshman year at Arizona State, then transferred to Kentucky where he tore his ACL and only played in four games. Despite the injury, Quaintance is still a highly intriguing prospect with a over 9 foot wingspan who joins the long line of Spurs first round picks who can make an immediate impact. Coming off an NBA Championship loss, the Spurs get much-needed length to pair with Victor Wembanyama in Quaintance, who can pick up the slack when Wemby hangs out on the perimeter.
21. Memphis Grizzlies (via Detroit) – Karim Lopez
Karim Lopez with Joventut Badalona in Spain
6’9, 225 forward from Mexico
Played professionally with the New Zealand Breakers
The Memphis Grizzlies finally make their second pick, moving back twice from 16 before finally landing at 21, collecting five second-round picks in the process. Karim Lopez becomes the first Mexican-born player to ever be drafted in the first round, and brings professional experience, toughness and elite athleticism to a Memphis team needing talent, joining Cameron Boozer. Lopez will play the entire rookie season at age 19, not turning 20 until after the season.
22. Philadelphia 76ers – Labaron Philon Jr.
Labaron Philon goes to Philadelphia, joining an elite backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe Nathan Ray Seebeck — IMAGN IMAGES
6’4, 177 sophomore guard from Alabama
College statistics (2 seasons) – 16 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.4 apg
Labaron Philon had a dramatic leap in year two, averaging 22 ppg and 5 apg. He went through the NBA draft process last year before returning to Alabama and improving his game. Philon is an elite scorer who will get to learn from Tyrese Maxey, who he studied when working on his game. He will also play alongside Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe, joining a 76ers team that took down the Boston Celtics in round one of the NBA playoffs.
23. Atlanta Hawks – Zuby Ejiofor
Zuby Ejiofor brings size and defensive presence to the Atlanta Hawks Robert Deutsch — IMAGN IMAGES
6’9, 240 senior forward from St. John’s
College statistics (4 seasons) – 10 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.7 apg
Zuby Ejiofor blossomed last season under Rick Pitino at St. John’s, becoming the first Big East player to be named conference Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year in the same season since Josh Hart in 2016. Ejiofor brings elite defensive presence and size to an Atlanta Hawks team lacking both of those things, as seen in the playoffs loss to the New York Knicks in the first round. Ejiofor joins a backcourt of Jalen Johnson, All-NBA third-team selection, and Onyeka Okongwu.
24. Los Angeles Lakers (via NYK) – Cameron Carr
Cameron Carr heads to LA to join the Lakers Reese Strickland — IMAGN IMAGES
6’5, 175 junior guard from Baylor
College statistics (3 seasons) – 13.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.9 apg
Cameron Carr‘s draft stock shot up during his junior season at Baylor, averaging almost 19 ppg after his first two seasons at Tennessee. His 42-inch max vertical was the highest among all guards, and put up 30 points in the Combine scrimmage, improving his stock even more. He is a long, athletic wing who will bring immediate scoring impact to the Lakers’ second unit behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, also getting to learn from LeBron James.
25. Dallas Mavericks (via NYK through LAL) – Sergio de Larrea
Sergio de Larrea pulling up to shoot for Valencia Basket
6’5, 175 forward from Spain
Played professionally with Valencia Basket in Spain
Originally drafted by the Knicks, de Larrea’s draft rights were sent to Dallas, where he joins Morez Johnson Jr. and new head coach Dusty May in Dallas, giving him a developmental prospect as his first task as an NBA coach. de Larrea projects as a high-IQ playmaker to pair alongside Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, as Dallas finds a direction under new president Masai Ujiri.
26. San Antonio Spurs (via Denver) – Tarris Reed Jr.
Tarris Reed Jr brings size and physicality to the Spurs as they try to get back to the NBA Finals Bob Donnan — IMAGN IMAGES
6’10, 260 senior center from UConn
College statistics (4 seasons) – 9.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1 apg
Tarris Reed Jr spent his first two seasons at Michigan before transferring to UConn, where he really came along his senior season, averaging nearly 15 ppg and 10 rpg. The Spurs have now added another big to their roster along with Jayden Quaintance. Doubling down on size, the Spurs are adding to their bench unit which lacks quality players, being led by Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, both entering their second season as NBA players.
27. Boston Celtics – Chris Cenac Jr.
Chris Cenac Jr brings defensive upside and offensive potential to Boston Thomas Shea — IMAGN IMAGES
6’11, 240 freshman center from Houston
College statistics – 9.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 0.7 apg
Chris Cenac Jr. joins a Boston Celtics team lacking frontcourt depth, leaning on Neemias Queta during their short playoff appearance last season before being eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. Cenac Jr. is a raw defensive prospect with offensive upside, who will provide immediate impact in Boston amidst their Jaylen Brown turmoil.
28. Brooklyn Nets (via Minnesota) – Joshua Jefferson
Joshua Jefferson goes to Brooklyn, joining Mikel Brown Jr. and recently acquired Julius Randle Jeffrey Becker — IMAGN IMAGES
6’8, 220 senior forward from Iowa State
College statistics (4 seasons) – 10.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.7 apg
With the pick acquired via the Julius Randle trade, the Brooklyn Nets take Joshua Jefferson, a proven player with plenty of experience. Jefferson is a versatile forward who can defend one through five, make plays and facilitate offensively. Joining Mikel Brown Jr., Jefferson will stay in Brooklyn and be one of the faces of the new Nets team as they sort through their rebuild and find their new identity under recently extended head coach Jordi Fernandez.
29. Sacramento Kings (via Cleveland) – Alex Karaban
Alex Karaban joins Darius Acuff Jr. in Sacramento Kyle Ross — IMAGN IMAGES
6’8, 210 senior forward from UConn
College statistics (4 seasons) – 12.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.0 apg
Alex Karaban was a 4-year player at UConn, starting in all but one game during his college career and winning two national championships. He was the first UConn men’s basketball player inducted into their Hall of Honor while active. Karaban joins Darius Acuff Jr. in Sacramento, bringing elite shooting and a winning pedigree to a team lacking both.
30. Phoenix Suns – Koa Peat
Koa Peat goes to Phoenix to join Devin Booker Kiyoshi Mio — IMAGN IMAGES
6’8, 235 freshman forward from Arizona
College statistics – 14.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.6 apg
Originally drafted by Dallas, Peat’s draft rights were traded to the Knicks, who then sent him to Phoenix. Peat will now have an opportunity to make an immediate impact as the starting small forward alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green. He is a tough, physical forward with rebounding skill and defensive versatility that projects well in the Suns’ system under second-year head coach Jordan Ott.
