NBA Mock Draft: Conference Tournament Week Tips Off! — March 9, 2026 ...Middle East

Casuals will finally get an opportunity to scout the NCAA’s top talent as a rash of conference tournaments tip off this week. Locally, Chicago Bulls fans will get a chance to check out Keaton Wagler, Hannes Steinbach, and others in an even more competitive environment with the United Center hosting the Big Ten Tournament from March 10-15.

Thanks to a defense-free 126-110 road loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, our 26-38 Bulls remain in the ninth slot in Tankathon’s reverse standings, behind the 23-39 Memphis Grizzlies and the 21-43 Dallas Mavericks.

With Deni Avdija struggling through a back injury, there’s suddenly no guarantee that the 31-34 Portland Trail Blazers will survive the play-in tournament this season. Should they miss the playoffs, the Trail Blazers will retain their own lottery picks. If they make it, their first-rounder will convey to the Bulls. So, Chicago fans should root for Portland down the 2025-26 season’s home stretch.

NBA Mock Draft — March 2, 2026

The Lottery

Sacramento Kings: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU Indiana Pacers: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke Washington Wizards: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas Brooklyn Nets: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina Utah Jazz: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans): Keaton Wagler, SG, Illinois Dallas Mavericks: Darius Acuff, Jr., PG, Arkansas Memphis Grizzlies: Mikel Brown, Jr., PG, Louisville Chicago Bulls: Nate Ament, F, Tennessee Milwaukee Bucks: Labaron Philon, PG, Alabama Portland Trail Blazers: Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers): Hannes Steinbach, PF, Washington Charlotte Hornets: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta Hawks): Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan

In last week’s mock, I tried to imagine scenarios where Wagler would fall to Chicago. He’s the kind of dynamic, playmaking wing I would love to see in the open court alongside incumbents Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey. Otherwise, though, the Bulls should target frontcourt size. There are plenty of appetizing bigs and forwards projected to be available. I have them grabbing Tennessee’s Nate Ament, but — assuming they do hold on to the ninth pick — maybe they should reach a bit and grab Washington power forward Hannes Steinbach or Michigan big Yaxel Lendeborg.

Also, the concept of the mighty San Antonio Spurs adding another lottery pick (via the Atlanta Hawks), especially in what’s supposed to be a stacked 2026 NBA Draft, is absolutely insane.

© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Mid-Round Picks

15. Golden State Warriors: Thomas Haugh, PF, Florida16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Philadelphia 76ers): Koa Peat, PF, Arizona17. Miami Heat: Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers 18. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando Magic): Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston 19. Toronto Raptors: Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke 20. Charlotte Hornets (via Phoenix Suns): Cameron Carr, SF, Baylor

It’s surprising how much size will be available deep into this draft. All these teams, beyond maybe the Miami Heat or Toronto Raptors, could use major frontcourt help. Now it’s just about nailing the picks.

Late First-Rounders

21. Denver Nuggets: Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State Cyclones 22. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland Cavaliers): Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, Baylor23. Los Angeles Lakers: Henri Veesaar, C, UNC Tar Heels24. Philadelphia 76ers (via Houston Rockets): Amari Allen, SF, Alabama25. Detroit Pistons (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Flory Bidunga, C, Kansas26. New York Knicks: Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech27. Boston Celtics: Tyler Tanner, PG, Vanderbilt28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit Pistons): Aday Mara, C, Michigan29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via San Antonio Spurs): Morez Johnson Jr., PF, Michigan30. Dallas Mavericks (via Oklahoma City Thunder): Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas

Last week, I opted to boot injury-battled Kentucky sophomore forward Jayden Quaintance out of the first round entirely. I had projected USC guard Alijah Arenas to be selected near the end of the first round, but I am rescinding his membership and dropping him to the top of the second round, too.

And yes, Michigan could have four guys taken in the top 30.

Also Read

Bulls Fans’ Guide to the SEC Tournament: 5 Projected Lottery Picks Set to Show Out

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