The Chicago Bulls have not one, but two first-round picks in this summer’s 2026 NBA Draft! In addition to our own lottery selection (which has a 20.3 percent chance of landing in the top four, per Tankathon), we also nabbed the Portland Trail Blazers’ No. 15 pick.
On Monday afternoon, the NBA announced the winners of multiple first-round tiebreakers, thus fully locking in the draft order beyond the lottery. The lottery order will be determined on May 10.
Today, we’re taking a special deep dive how the first round might play out in an update playoffs edition of our mock draft.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
6-foot-9, 210 lbs.Freshman
Bringing in Dybantsa would give the Wizards a massive frontline between himself, Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis. Whether Davis is long for D.C. is another question, but in theory, the consensus All-American forward is so good that his addition — in combination with the returns of a “miraculously” healthy Davis and Trae Young next fall — could lift the Wiz from lottery morass for the first time since 2020-21.
2. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
6-foot-9, 250 lbs.Freshman
Carlos’ son offers a fairly complete offensive bag. The 2026 Naismith Award winner averaged 22.5 points on .556/.391/.789 shooting splits, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks while guiding the Blue Devils to a (somewhat disappointing) Elite Eight finish.
There is, of course, direct positional overlap between Boozer and four-time All-Star Pascal Siakam — but Siakam at least has the footspeed to theoretically keep up with small forwards defensively, while the fact that he’s 13 years older means that Indiana may just bring Boozer along slowly. But Boozer is too talented to pass up here.
3. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas
6-foot-3, 190 lbs.Freshman
Another All-American First Teamer, Acuff made quite the impression this year for John Calipari’s Razorbacks. His 23.5 points (on .484/.440/.809 shooting splits) and 6.4 assists paced the SEC this past season. Although the Nets just drafted a ton of point guards, Brooklyn should gamble on upside here. Darryn Peterson seems likely to actually be selected in the top three ahead of Acuff, although this writer is skeptical of his commitment and so has demoted him as usual this week.
We’re not alone.
“He could break into the Top 3 depending on how the lottery goes,” a scout told Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney recently.
4. Utah Jazz: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
6-foot-4, 205 lbs.Freshman
While Caleb Wilson is generally considered to be the next pick following Peterson, we’re promoting Burries after he also enjoyed a robust NCAA Tournament showing. The All-Big 12 Teamer can play on or off the ball and has flexed impressive muscles defensively. While Keyonte George enjoyed a big season with Utah, the Jazz are likely still on the hunt for his long-term backcourt mate.
5. Sacramento Kings: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
6-foot-10, 215 lbs.Freshman
Wilson broke his thumb during a team practice and ultimately missed the end of the season. He was still exciting enough during his 24 healthy contests to earn consensus All-American honors. He averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks for the 24-9 Tar Heels during Hubert Davis’ final season with the program. Sacramento is so bad that it could use help absolutely everywhere. In theory, Wilson could pair well alongside likely 2026 All-Rookie Team center Maxime Raynaud.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images6. Memphis Grizzlies: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
6-foot-5, 205Freshman
Peterson had been considered the top prospect heading into the season, but a litany of supposed injuries and questions about his interest in playing for Bill Self’s 24-11 Jayhawks have caused a slide. At least, to me. Even if Memphis doesn’t opt to move on from Ja Morant, the Grizzlies would still be wise to take a chance on this talented combo guard — should the All-Big 12 honoree fall this far.
7. Atlanta Hawks (from NO): Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
6-foot-6, 185 lbs.Freshman
Wagler was a relatively unheralded prospect heading into his one-and-done collegiate season. A 46-point masterpiece against Purdue in January put him on the NBA’s radar in a big way, and he’s been climbing ever since. Illinois made a surprise Final Four berth, largely behind Wagler’s heroics. His scoring and playmaking would make him a fun complement to what the Hawks are building, alongside All-Star point forward Jalen Johnson and All-Defensive Team guard Dyson Daniels.
8. Dallas Mavericks: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
6-foot-4, 190 lbs.Freshman
After this year, the Dallas Mavericks don’t have full team control over their pick until 2031. Their pick next season conveys to them only if it lands within the top two, otherwise it will land with the Charlotte Hornets. So Dallas needs to make sure it lands a prospect with All-Star upside that it can pair for the next decade or so with likely Rookie of the Year forward Cooper Flagg. Flemings boasts the downhill burst to keep up with Flagg in full-court sets, although he needs to finesse his 3-point shooting.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images9. Chicago Bulls: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
6-foot-9, 230 lbs.Senior
We’ve litigated the Lendeborg fit in Chicago for weeks. I’m now fully rooting for this outcome if we draft in this vicinity. The All-American consensus pick is plenty athletic, has a great motor, and has a good handle for his position. Under ex-president Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls rarely prioritized the power forward or center spots in the draft. It’s time for that to change.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
6-foot-4, 180 lbs.Sophomore
The 22-year-old has been all over draft boards, and could easily fall out of the lottery. Still, on a Milwaukee team desperate for backcourt help, the All-Big Ten guard could be a nice fit. Will Giannis Antetokounmpo even be on the roster next fall, though? There’s the rub.
11. Golden State Warriors: Koa Peat, PF, Arizona
6-foot-8, 235 lbs.Freshman
Peat’s big weakness is, ironically, the Golden State Warriors’ big strength: frequent 3-point shooting. But Golden State is absolutely desperate for size with upside at the power forward position. Peat took just 0.6 triples a night during his lone collegiate season, although he made 35 percent of them.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC): Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee
6-foot-10, 207 lbs.Freshman
Ament, an All-SEC Teamer, had a horrific 2-for-12 March Madness shooting night during a defeat to the eventual champion Wolverines. An ankle injury in February also limited his availability a bit. He’ll need some time to grow — given the Thunder’s depth, he may need some G League run if the defending champs do draft him. At least the Thunder can afford to wait.
13. Miami Heat: Mikel Brown, Jr., PG, Louisville
6-foot-5, 190 lbs.Freshman
A back ailment impeded Brown’s availability in March, but he’s another top-tier point guard prospect who could help elevate Miami’s guard play. Also, the Heat know all about how to develop young pieces, and this was an All-ACC Teamer.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Labaron Philon, PG, Alabama
6-foot-4, 185 lbs.Sophomore
Philon had an inconsistent one-and-done season with Alabama. The Hornets are theoretically pretty set at the point with 24-year-old All-Star LaMelo Ball, but his health issues and poor defense might make him more replaceable than he seems.
© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images15. Chicago Bulls (from POR): Dailyn Swain, F, Texas
6-foot-7, 200 lbs.Junior
Swain might actually be a reach here. During his first year for the Longhorns, the All-SEC honoree did seem to develop as the year moved along, and he could really help Chicago bolster its depth along the wing. He averaged a career-best 17.3 points on .542/.344/.815 shooting splits, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals a night.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (from ORL): Hannes Steinbach, PF, Washington
6-foot-11, 220 lbs.Freshman
The best rebounder in college last year at 11.8 boards a game, Steinbach could help fill the void left after the Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson to the Utah Jazz at the deadline. Memphis has a ton of draft equity thanks to its decisions to ditch Jackson and Desmond Bane, so the team should be able to add a lot of talent going forward.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from PHI): Thomas Haugh, F, Florida
6-foot-9, 210 lbs.Junior
Haugh might have less upside than some other pieces in this terrain, but he feels likely to be a steady role player at the next level. The 2025 NCAA champ earned All-American Second Teamer honors last season and enjoyed his most prolific scoring output at 17.1 points per. For a Thunder club that may need to turn over its frontcourt soon, he could be a safe play.
18. Charlotte Hornets (from PHX): Morez Johnson, Jr., PF, Michigan
6-foot-9, 255 lbs.Sophomore
Johnson looked far better at Michigan than he had at Illinois in 2024-25. Assuming Brandon Miller can do a serviceable job at small forward, the rim-rolling Thornton Township High alum could be a fun replacement for troubled starting forward Miles Bridges after his three-season, $75 million contract expires in the summer of 2027.
19. Toronto Raptors: Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
6-foot-5, 175 lbs.Sophomore
Is Cameron Carr the next Cam Thomas? That’s the knock on the prolific scoring guard at the next level. He’s significantly bigger than Thomas, though, and could in theory offer up more defensive resistance against opponents.
20. San Antonio Spurs (from ATL): Chris Cenac, Jr., C, Houston
6-foot-11, 240 lbs.Freshman
As a stretch big (he was a 33.3 percent shooter from deep on 2.4 triple tries per, good for a non-perimeter college player), Cenac could sneak into the lottery. But this year’s draft class features plenty of talent at the power forward and center positions, so it’s hard to project exactly who’ll pick him up. The Spurs could be looking for a long-term Luke Kornet upgrade backing up Victor Wembanyama. If he gets good enough, there’s a world where he could help the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year play major minutes at the four spot.
21. Detroit Pistons (from MIN): Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers
6-foot-9, 225 lbs.
Lopez might fit right in with the mighty Pistons. His 7-foot-1 wingspan would endear him to the club’s massive frontline. The 19-year-old out of Mexico had a somewhat up-and-down stint in Australia’s pro league, the NBL.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (from HOU): Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona
7-2, 260lbJunior
Could the Lithuanian big man turn into Philadelphia’s eventual Joel Embiid replacement? True to form, Embiid is once again unlikely to play for the 76ers this season (unless the club hangs on to somehow beat the Boston Celtics in the first round). Krivas is a beast on the boards, having averaged 8.2 rebounds in just 25.4 minutes last year. He also rejected 1.9 shots a night. He lacks Embiid’s well-rounded scoring game, but could be a fun lob partner for likely All-NBA Team point guard Tyrese Maxey.
23. Atlanta Hawks (from CLE): Christian Anderson, Jr., G, Texas Tech
6-foot-2, 165 lbs.Sophomore
A 41.5 percent shooter from beyond the arc this season, Anderson could get squeezed by a surplus of talented guards earlier in the draft, and land with a pseudo-contender in this range. The All-Big 12 Most Improved Player could help supplant some of the spacing Atlanta lost when it ditched Trae Young. CJ McCollum, after all, is no spring chicken.
Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images24. New York Knicks: Aday Mara, C, Michigan
7-foot-3, 240 lbs.Junior
Devotees of these lists know that I don’t always include Aday Mara, but the reigning Michigan champ’s 11 blocks across four NCAA Tournament games have endeared him to me. He had two uneven seasons at UCLA, but blossomed as a fascinating defensive option with the Wolverines. Could the All-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year wind up being a long-term replacement for the oft-hurt Mitchell Robinson at the center spot?
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Tounde Yessoufou, G/F, Baylor
6-foot-5, 215 lbs.Freshman
Los Angeles desperately needs an injection of youth along the wing. Even next to Cameron Carr, Yessoufou got buckets at Baylor. He averaged 17.8 points on 46.5 percent shooting from the field and 74.6 percent shooting from the charity stripe, while grabbing 5.9 boards per. The bad news? He was a poor shooter from deep, making just 29.3 percent of his 5.3 takes from 3-point range. He also had more turnovers (1.9) than he did assists (1.6). But the Lakers have plenty of 3-point shooting and passing, so in theory his weaknesses could be masked by their strengths.
26. Denver Nuggets: Amari Allen, SF, Alabama
6-foot-7, 205 lbs.Freshman
Allen could use a bit more college seasoning, but would also be the kind of intriguing, high-upside project a contending club like Denver could afford to take a flier on now. Or maybe he just returns to school and tries to improve his stock for the supposedly less-competitive 2027 NBA Draft. The 2026 SEC All-Freshman Teamer averaged 11.4 points on .446/.341/.738 shooting splits, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists this year for the Crimson Tide in 32 games (24 starts).
27. Boston Celtics: Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State
6-foot-8, 220 lbs.Senior
Jefferson is a versatile scorer and was a consensus All-American this year with the Cyclones. He averaged a career-best 16.4 points while slashing .471/.345/.700 for Iowa last year, along with 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks a night. The Celtics have plenty of defense at the forward spot behind All-NBA superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but Jefferson could help bring a bit more offense to the team’s bench.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from DET): Flory Bidunga, PF/C, Kansas
6-foot-9, 220 lbs.Sophomore
The explosive Bidunga could provide insurance should the Timberwolves eventually move on from Julius Randle or Rudy Gobert and promote recently re-signed third big Naz Reid to a starting role. Like Gobert, Bidunga isn’t really a floor-spacer, but a forceful athlete above the rim with a respectable handle for a big.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (from SA): Alex Karaban, PF, UConn
6-foot-8, 210 lbs.Senior
The 23-year-old redshirt senior showed out in a big way during the Huskies’ 69-63 defeat in the NCAA championship game, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley have never been the most comfortable pairing up front, and one wonders if someone like the two-time UConn champ could be installed with a look towards a future without Allen. Karaban’s addition, should he hit, could also allow Mobley to finally be a full-time center, which feels like his natural position.
30. Dallas Mavericks (from OKC): Juke Harris, G/F, Wake Forest
6-foot-7, 200 lbs.Sophomore
The 2026 ACC Most Improved Player enjoyed a breakout stint with Wake Forest in 2025-26. He averaged 21.4 points on .444/.332/.783 shooting splits, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals a night. He could be a fun addition to the retooling Mavericks.
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