As the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, several clubs are angling for that top pick. But whose name will be called with the pick is still a matter of some debate. So let’s run through some of our options with a good, old-fashioned 2026 NBA Mock Draft.
The 15-16 Chicago Bulls continue to hover along the periphery of the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.
Chicago is a bit more hapless than its record appears. The Bulls are loaded with expiring contracts at key positions of need, and the team’s front office has yet to tip its hand as to its appetite for retaining, say, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, or Zach Collins. Nikola Vucevic, presumably, is gone.
So it would behoove the Bulls to position themselves well ahead of what’s expected to be a loaded draft.
Dale Young-Imagn ImagesThe names in the top five may be fairly familiar, but their order continues to feel a bit fluid. For now, there seem to be three performative tiers: the Nos. 1-2 picks, the Nos. 3-4 picks, and the fifth option.
This week’s rankings are culled from Tankathon’s latest NBA reverse standings as of Tuesday, Dec. 30.
2026 NBA Mock Draft — First Round
The Top 5
1. Indiana Pacers — AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
Last week, Josh opted to elevate the BYU swingman to the top spot of his mock, ahead of Kansas point guard Darryn Peterson, who had been my No. 1.
In an NBA heavy on backcourt stars and a bit light on big wings, the 6-foot-9 forward could be a great future star for Indiana. Also, practically speaking, the Pacers already have a big lead guard in Tyrese Haliburton.
Dybantsa has been on fire thus far in his NCAA career. Through 13 games, Dybantsa has been averaging 23.1 points while slashing .591/.333/.771, 7.2 boards and 3.8 dimes per.
2. Washington Wizards — Darryn Peterson, PG, Kansas
Peterson, a speedy 6-foot-6 two-way combo guard out of Kansas, has only been fitfully available this year thanks to quadriceps and hamstring injuries. But when he does play, he shows why he’s seen as the potential No. 1 pick. I hate it when one-and-done players already miss significant chunks of seasons with injuries, so I’m just tempering my expectations a bit and slotting him at No. 2 for now.
Across his four games for the 10-3 Jayhawks, he’s been averaging 19.3 points while slashing .523/.423/.769, plus 3.8 boards, 2.8 dimes, 1.3 swipes, and 0.8 blocks in just 26.3 minutes per.
3. Atlanta Hawks (from NO) — Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
Two weeks ago, I demoted Boozer to the No. 4 pick behind Caleb Wilson. Wilson’s defensive upside intrigues me, but Boozer’s aptitude as a three-level scorer makes him possibly the most complete offensive player among next year’s projected draft class.
But he’s on pace to do something pretty extraordinary. The Athletic tweets that Carlos Boozer’s kid could average at least 23 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists for the first time in four decades.
Cameron Boozer is on pace to become the first Division I player in 40 years to average at least 23–10–4 ? pic.twitter.com/4amB6e3YRq
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) December 23, 2025On the year, the 6-foot-9 power forward has been averaging 23.3 points on .567/.333/.767 shooting splits, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game for the 11-1 Blue Devils.
4. Sacramento Kings — Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
Wilson snuck into the top three for me two weeks ago, ahead of Boozer, for his defensive acumen. The 6-foot-10 freshman forward has been a steady scoring hand, too, notching 20 or more points in all but two of his 13 games thus far.
per my film-based net plays 'metric', caleb wilson's game-to-game variance tops the 2026 class in the game i've charted, so i visualized those 7 gamesmost of his high variance stems from defensive fluctuation, but even his worst games are still fairly good compared to the class pic.twitter.com/AfPjd57IIN
— Ben Pfeifer (@bjpf_) December 28, 20255. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) — Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
A 6-foot-10 combo forward, Ament may be playing up a position with the Volunteers. The Thunder’s last two top first-round picks have yet to make their pro debuts, which, hierarchically, on a win-now team is fine. But if there’s one position of need for Oklahoma City, it’s big forward depth.
Ament may have the scoring upside of a Paolo Banchero, but starting out with the champs, he’d be more like their Herb Jones. Ament’s finishing around the rack has not been great, but Oklahoma City is huge on development, which could be a big advantage for him.
The Rest of the Lottery
6. Brooklyn Nets — Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
7. Charlotte Hornets — Mikel Brown, Jr., PG, Louisville
8. Dallas Mavericks — Koa Peat, PF, Arizona
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (from OKC) — Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky
10. Milwaukee Bucks — Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn
11. Portland Trail Blazers — Labaron Philon, PG, Alabama
12. San Antonio Spurs (from ATL) — Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
13. Chicago Bulls — Chris Cenac, Jr., PF/C, Houston
14. Memphis Grizzlies — Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas
Cenac has snuck into the lottery — and to the Bulls — after being a mid-first rounder last time. The 6-foot-11 big man has been averaging a modest 9.4 points on .486/.409/.611, 7.4 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks a night. His 7-foot-3 wingspan and 9-foot-1 standing reach are impressive. He has the kind of above-the-rim athleticism and pick-and-roll mobility that Chicago has been sorely lacking in the frontcourt.
Post-Lottery First Rounders
15. Golden State Warriors — Thomas Haugh, F, Florida
16. Atlanta Hawks (from CLE) — Darius Acuff, Jr., PG, Arkansas
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHI) — Dame Sarr, F, Duke
18. Memphis Grizzlies (from ORL) — Cameron Carr, SF, Baylor
19. Miami Heat — Neoklis Avdalas, SF, Virginia Tech
20. Toronto Raptors — Tounde Yessoufou, SF, Baylor
21. Charlotte Hornets (from PHX) — Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers
22. Boston Celtics — Zuby Ejiofor, PF, St. John’s
23. Minnesota Timberwolves — Dash Daniels, SG, Melbourne United
24. Los Angeles Lakers — Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (from HOU) — Patrick Ngongba, C, Duke
26. Denver Nuggets — Sergio de Larrea, G, Spain
27. Cleveland Cavaliers (from SA) — Alex Karaban, F, UConn
28. New York Knicks — Tomislav Ivisic, C, Illinois
29. Detroit Pistons — Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke
30. Washington Wizards (from OKC) — JT Toppin, F, Texas Tech
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