NBA Mock Draft 2026

After being unable to release 2 prior mock drafts this year due to my schedule (I usually release 3 prior to the NBA Draft), I am excited to release my 2026 NBA Mock Draft!  The top of this draft is expected to be exciting, as there are generally 4 players who are considered elite talents, then a bunch of guards to mostly round out the top-10, and then a bunch of others before most believes it drops off.  There were a lot of players who dropped out due to NIL and the next couple of drafts being weak, but I think there are interesting players across the board.

All of my drafts are aggregates of several drafts and are intended to give an idea of what the draft is looking like at this point in time; there will be a lot of movement of picks during the draft, so there will be a lot of teams with different needs at different points, which is why I usually don’t force a pick based on need.  These selections are not a reflection of what I think of each pick or how I would rank the prospects (this will be released prior to the draft).  The picks are divided into three sections:  for the lottery, I provided vitals, in depth analysis, comparison, and the fit with the team.  For the remaining first round picks, I provided vitals, brief analysis, and comparison (I didn’t include fit with the team since many of these picks get traded on draft night).  For the second round, I provided vitals.  The comparison is based on project style if all goes well in the NBA with their potential; this does not indicate what their careers will be.  Lastly, note that I am doing this as a hobby and will almost certainly miss something that professionals will see; take my analysis with a grain of salt in that regard, and please do not think my opinions should supersede any other scouting reports, especially in a draft that contains so many different opinions.

All measurements listed are based on their NBA or G-League Combine results (some international players were measured after the fact due to international commitments during the combines).  Heights are without shoes, so you can realistically add 1-1.5 inches to each height when they’re on the court.  If a player has an (I) next to their name, this means they were one of 24 players invited to the draft (a number that is way too high in my opinion, but I digress)

 

1: Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa (I)

BYU, Fr, 19, SF, 6’8.5, 217 lbs., 7’0.5 Wing

Style Comp: Reggie Lewis, DeMar DeRozan on offense with young Jaylen Brown’s midrange/paint drive

While there is a lot of debate about who will be the top pick in the draft, Dybantsa is currently looking like the favorite to be selected by Washington, though it sounds like it could be a tossup.  I think the combination of his athleticism and ability to get to his spots, both of which he is able to utilize in tandem.  He is able to utilize his athleticism to both toy with and get past defenders, which will be amazing as his handle continues to improve (it’s not bad now, but it has improved) so that he can also utilize changes of paces better.  Watching games where he is clicking is a joyfully insane and comedic think to watch because it looks like nobody can stop him; there were games I watched where I wondered if he could toss the ball at the wrong basket and it still go into the correct one.  He is a high level scorer, elite at making difficult shots, has shooting upside (I think he will shoot better with NBA spacing and talent around him), is a decent defender for his pedigree and age, is a solid playmaker, is a solid rebounder, and has been shown that he can succeed at a high usage.  Some of his weaknesses are that he doesn’t have the best shot selection, has inconsistencies with his shot, has wavering defensive effort, is a little raw with his decision making on defense, and turns the ball over more than I’d like to see.  That said, I would like to emphasize that I’m not worried about these weaknesses because a lot of these are normal for 5-star recruits who are used to having a large scoring load; I think he can at worst improve on these weaknesses.  There has been a lot of comparisons to the late great Celtic Reggie Lewis (off-topic, but I think he would have been a Hall of Famer and a Finals MVP had he not died young), which I think is apt due to his ability to make difficult shots while also being a good defender.  That said, I think that we could see a blend of DeMar DeRozan and a young Jaylen Brown on offense.  While these might seem to contradict each other, what I envision is the ease of being able to get to his spot like DeRozan while also being crazy aggressive like Brown (though more smooth than him early in his career).

Despite Washington acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis last season, who will likely be stars in the short-term, I’m not sure if anybody on the team is going to end up being a superstar in the future (I think Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Will Riley, Jaden Hardy, and Tristan Vukcevic have all shown glimpses, though I’m not optimistic that any would be the top player on a competitive team).  While Dybantsa dominated with a high usage rate in college, I think we could see his efficiency improve.  I think he could succeed as a two-way player who can develop into a potential top option pretty quickly.

While Washington is doing their due diligence (with some reports being that they brought Cam Boozer in for a workout), it’s reportedly between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.  While a lot of media sources would like to make you believe that Dybantsa is a lock, I don’t think it is; in fact, reports are that both Dybantsa and Peterson seem to be under the impression that they are going to be the top pick at this time, which is interesting (and maybe concerning).

2: Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson (I)

Kansas, Fr, 19, SG/PG, 198.8 lbs., 6’9.75 Wing

Style Comp: RJ Barrett, SGA if it all works out

Despite an up-and-down season from Peterson at Kansas, I think Peterson is still in the running for the top pick in the draft, something that is sounding like more of a possibility as the draft approaches; at the same time, some people are speculating he will go third, making him vs. Cam Boozer one of the closest 2-man race for a pick in this mock.  Like Dybantsa, he is an amazing scorer who can get to his own spots easily due to elite athleticism; when he is clicking (which happens more than he gets credit for), he can really do a lot, especially on offense.  I think there is a case to be made that he has the highest upside in the draft.  He is a great shooter, has a nice handle, has defensive upside, and could probably be a better playmaker than he’s shown.  On the court, his weaknesses are that he often settles for difficult shots, his effort often fluctuated when his shot wasn’t falling (which isn’t shocking at his age), is raw on defense, and could improve as a passer.  The biggest question is what’s going on with his health, as he was often in and out of games due to cramping issues.  The explanation that came out of his camp was that is was due to too much creatine (which is a side-effect of that), which I hope is true since that would explain the cramping and the lack of explosiveness in college compared to high school.  Of course, I can dream big and hope that he achieves the ability and skillset of SGA, but let’s be a little more reasonable and compare him to what RJ Barrett is, especially in Toronto.  He has always been a good athlete who is good at getting to his spot, but I think his shot selection, efficiency, and defensive effort has improved significantly in Toronto, which makes him a high-level starter; if that’s a floor for Peterson, that’s a solid selection here.

No matter what, it could be a little awkward with roles in Utah entering next year as Ace Bailey would likely go to the bench, but Peterson would be a great fit there.  I think his scoring ability will be a fun thing to pair with the playing style of Keyontae George in the backcourt.  I think the best thing about his fit in Utah is that he can focus on his strengths (scoring utilizing his athleticism) while being able to develop a bit.  I think Utah could be good, but Lauri Markkanen, George, and Jaren Jackson will be greater focuses on offense in many games, which will allow Peterson to iron out the inevitable rookie mistakes that happen with all young players.

While some are starting to treat Cam Boozer as the favorite due to Peterson’s unwillingness to meet with the team, the same thing happened with Ace Bailey, and Utah was more than willing to draft him (I personally think it has worked out swimmingly thus far).  The more interesting aspect to me is the fact that Boozer’s dad, Carlos Boozer, works with the Utah Jazz.  There also might be some smoke with Walker Kessler’s contentious free agency.

3: Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer (I)

Duke, Fr, 18, PF, 6’8.25, 252.8 lbs., 7’1.5 Wing

Style Comp: More offensively skilled Al Horford

Breakdown

Boozer has been a highly touted prospect until he stepped foot at Duke, and he exceeded expectations in his lone season at Duke, making him a likely top-3 (and potentially top-2) pick in the draft.  He is an insane competitor who has had amazing success at each level while consistently starring at both ends.  He also has nice size, is very strong, is a great shooter, has impressive footwork, has demonstrated an ability to pop or roll off of picks successfully, is a good passer, is extremely efficient, and is easy to fit with other stars.  The biggest concern is the combination of lack of traditional athleticism and difficulty determining his position in the NBA, as it could be an awkward decision whether he will be a 4 or a 5 in the NBA; I used to have concerns about this, but I think the initial success that Collin Murray-Boyles found as a rookie makes me more bullish on Boozer’s upside, especially since I think Boozer is more skilled than Murray-Boyles is.  He also doesn’t have the best bounce, might have initial difficulties against NBA size and athleticism, and has stretches where he can fade from plays (I think this is more due to him focusing on making the right plays for winning, which is good to see in most situations).  I will admit that I don’t love my comparison of Horford since Horford was a sneaky good athlete who was more athletic than he got credit for.  With this comparison, I am more thinking about how Boozer could have similarities to both an early Horford as a physical guy in the paint or a later Horford by being an excellent shooter all while having an extremely high IQ (as a side bar, Horford blew teams away in his draft interviews with how smart and mature he was to the point that teams treated him mentally like a 31-year-old instead of a 21-year-old).

Even with Ja Morant still on the Grizzlies at this time, it makes sense for Memphis to take whoever they believe will be best to star for them going forward.  Boozer’s efficient scoring, IQ, and competitiveness will be a great fit with Memphis.  I am excited for his pairing with Zach Edey and Cedric Coward, who both look like great players already (even if they don’t end up being stars, I think they will be very good starters on competitive teams).  They have a lot of players who are 26 or younger who are at least good or have shown glimpses (including Scotty Pippen Jr., Cam Spencer, GG Jackson, Santi Aldama, Taylor Hendricks, and Walter Clayton); even if they need another star or Boozer doesn’t end up becoming the star they’re hoping, getting good role players is a very important start of a rebuild (look at San Antonio’s rebuild, which started with acquiring and developing guys like Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson).

I don’t think this will impact the draft given his current low value, but Ja Morant’s free agency looms over their offseason.  If they can’t trade him for value, it is worth monitoring if they plan to continue to work together going forward…until he has trade value or can be easily dumped.

4: Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson (I)

UNC, Fr, 19, SF/PF, 6’9.25, 210.8 lbs., 7’0.25 Wing

Style Comp: Aaron Gordon…but not quite?  Maybe some Jalen Johnson?  Maybe modern Shawn Kemp?

While most consider Wilson to be the fourth pick out of the top-4, he is an amazing talent who has star potential, though he is a little more raw than the players above him in my opinion.  I think the most exciting part about his game is his athleticism and how he uses it on both ends of the court; on offense, he is an amazing finisher, and on defense, he is already a versatile defender.  Additionally, he has great size, is a comfortable ball handler, is an amazing rebounder, has some upside with his jumper, and could end up guarding bigs if he can gain some strength (this would be huge with defensive versatility).  On the other hand, he is skinny, doesn’t have a good jumper at this point, is raw on defense, and doesn’t have the best shot selection; I think a team drafting him will need to be a bit patient, especially since it will probably take a little bit for him to be NBA ready.  I am admittedly at a bit of a loss for who to compare Wilson to.  When you see the athleticism and finishing on the court, Aaron Gordon is the easiest comparison, especially if Wilson develops into a strong defender, but I don’t know if this is the right selection.  Jalen Johnson might be right due to Johnson’s improved playmaking and handle, both of which I think can translate for Wilson; I also think that a modern Shawn Kemp could be interesting given the finishing ability and the glimpses of handle that he probably could have shown had he been born in a different era.

I know that Chicago is going to be linked to Wilson due to their past selections of some longer forwards (notably with Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams, and Noa Essengue), but they need a star, and this is their clearest swing for one.  While Buzelis looks great, Giddey looks very good, and they have some other young guys who they can take a swing on (including Leonard Miller, Rob Dillingham, and Essengue), they don’t have someone with star upside.  It will likely be rough at first, but that’s okay; I think his athleticism will let him fit on both ends as long as they give him time and let him develop properly.

It is worth noting that Chicago now has a new coach and lead executive, so we’ll see what their target is.  They also reportedly brought in a variety of players for workouts, including Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemings, Nate Ament, and Morez Johnson, all of whom could end up being drafted before the 15^th pick.

5: Los Angeles Clippers – Mikel Brown Jr. (I)

Louisville, Fr, 20, PG, 6’3.5, 190.2 lbs., 6’7.5 Wing

Style Comp: Early career Manu Ginobili, Kevin Porter Jr. (on the court)

This pick is where the draft is going to start, and is one that I think a lot of people will be surprised by.  While a lot of people are predicting Keaton Wagler, I think this is more due to people seeing a natural fit in position; that said, the combination of reports of the Clippers looking into trades and not loving Wagler make me think that Brown is more likely here.  He is such a smooth player who looks the part of a skilled guard; he also plays with a certain level of chaos which I honestly kind of like for a young player.  He has solid size, is a solid passer, has a nice handle, is a creative ball handler, has shooting upside, is competitive, and performed well in the athletic events at the Combine.  On the other hand, his shooting efficiency is inconsistent, he turns the ball over more than I’d like, the decision making needs to improve, and he has some health issues; he also isn’t a great defender at this point, though I think this will improve will reps and being less of a focus on offense.  I don’t like comparing prospects to Hall of Famers, but I think the chaos and flair that Ginobili had in his game while also being such a creative ball handler and steady passer is a great comparison; if he can develop in such a way where he can hone it in while also still keeping some of the chaos in him, I think he could be special.  Another possibility is if he ends up being like Porter (only on the court, please), he could end up being a talented guard who can provide a level of chaos, but his ceiling would be limited significantly.

Let’s cut to the chase about L.A.: I have no idea what this team in the short-term or long-term.  In the short-term, they have Kawhi Leonard assuming he is not suspended for his part in the Aspiration investigation (for those of you who don’t know a ton about this, Pablo Torre has some unbelievable reporting regarding this that I would recommend); otherwise, their short-term impact would depend on how Darius Garland recovers and how Bennedict Mathurin is in a full season in L.A.  In the long-term, they have nice pieces, but no guaranteed stars, especially since Garland is already 26; if they take this pick, Brown has high upside, so it makes sense to give it a go with him.  While it makes sense to question the fit with Garland, I don’t think banking on building around Garland is the best plan (as much as I love him) given that he played 19 games with the team.

There are mixed reports about what the Clippers are going to do with this pick.  While a lot of people are predicting Keaton Wagler to be drafted here, there are also reports out that the Clippers aren’t too fond of Wagler.  There are also reports that they’re going to trade this pick; keep an eye out for whether they trade down to one of the many teams with a lottery pick and a pick in the mid-late teens.  They also have been linked to Wagler, Brayden Burries, and Aday Mara.

6: Brooklyn Nets – Keaton Wagler (I)

Illinois, Fr, 19, SG, 6’5, 188 lbs., 6’6.25 Wing

Style Comp: Ty Jerome, Austin Reaves if he can pick up the pace

Wagler is an interesting player at this point in the draft since he appears to be a guy who doesn’t have the highest ceiling but could fit easily along stars.  His skillset makes him project to be a steady combo guard, which is a nice skillset to have due to the versatility it provides that doesn’t get enough attention from a lot of fans.  He is a great shooter and passer while also appearing to have a high IQ on both ends.  That said, he isn’t a good athlete for this point in the draft, struggles against size and athleticism in the paint, isn’t a great defender, and might take a couple years to find his footing; I am concerned that he has a low ceiling given his skillset at this moment, which might be a stretch for someone at this point in the draft.  The Jerome comparison might sound cruel on first glimpse for a lottery pick, but he had an amazing season in Cleveland in 2025 as a high-level combo guard off the bench.  Despite not being the best athlete (I thought he was so unathletic entering the draft that I thought drafting him with a top-40 pick was insane), he showed what he could do with a nice shot, handle, and IQ; I could see Wagler being that at worst.  I don’t think he will be Reaves given Reaves’ superior athleticism in this comparison, but Wagler was a high level scorer in college who could score in a variety of ways, so maybe he could be Reaves if he can operate at a faster pace.

This is an awkward spot in the draft for a Brooklyn team who has a bunch of young guards, especially since they drafted multiple last year.  While I would make the case for Brooklyn to draft whomever they think has the highest ceiling, but the counterpoint would be that these players might not be able to reach their ceiling if they can’t fit with another player.  Wagler’s ability on or off the ball makes him an easy fit when playing with other ball handlers or when he needs to handle the ball a little more in a lineup.

While there are reports of them being interested in trading down, Sacramento’s draft interests have not been subtle (we’ll get to that next); as such, watch out for them to draft Darius Acuff to try to tempt Sacramento.  They also have reportedly had interest in Brown, Kingston Flemings, Nate Ament, Aday Mara, and Karim Lopez.

7: Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff (I)

Arkansas, Fr, 19, PG, 6’2, 185.8 lbs., 6’6.5 Wing

Style Comp: Discount Jalen Brunson with a bit more speed

This pick may be the top pick outside the lottery that feels pretty good since the Kings have not made it so clear that they love Acuff.  His combination of shooting and playmaking were on full display in college as a rookie, where he thrived on offense.  He is also fast, has a nice handle, is impressive at getting to his spots, is agile, is a great lob tosser, has nice shot selection, is pretty consistent for his age, is confident and comfortable on the court, is strong for his size, and could thrive when pushing the pace in transition.  I think the biggest question with him is about his defensive effort; if he doesn’t work harder on that end, it will be tough for him to find a role at the end of games.  I don’t think Brunson is the perfect comp for Acuff, but Acuff his a skilled guard who doesn’t have the best jumping ability and whose defense can waiver at times.  The reason that I think this is a fine comp is due to the fact that Acuff is strong, a good shooter, and a good playmaker.  I also think Acuff has shown a level of consistency not often found at this age, which is something that you see in Brunson as well.

I feel kind of bad for Sacramento fans; after finding success in 2023, the team made mistake after mistake to reach the point where they are now a rebuilding team despite likely being in the luxury tax.  While Sacramento needs a lot at this point, they need a point guard going forward and a star to build around.  I’m a bit higher on Acuff than most because I think he is such a great shooter and playmaker, which will allow him to succeed on offense.  While he isn’t that good on defense, the good news is that almost nobody else in the starting lineup does either, so he could be right at home on both ends, for better or worse.  I think Acuff-Domantas Sabonis pick and rolls could be a lot of fun; I also wonder if Acuff and Zach Lavine will be able to be a fun alley-oop combo.

Sacramento has also been linked to Wagler and Kingston Flemings.

8: Atlanta Hawks – Kingston Flemings (I)

Houston, Fr, 19, PG, 6’2.5, 183.4 lbs., 6’6 Wing

Style Comp: Keyontae George, higher level version of Daniss Jenkins

To continue the run of guards (and not quite finish it yet, as a spoiler), Flemings is a really fun and exciting player who could be an interesting prospect to build around.  He is an insane athlete and has demonstrated an ability to showcase this skill on both ends of the court.  He is also an efficient shooter (despite it looking funky), is a great playmaker, is a good perimeter defender, and is insanely competitive.  That said, his shot selection can be spotty, he struggles from the 2, he is a bit skinny, he could struggle on defense at first, he doesn’t take a boatload of 3’s, and he struggles at times from 2.  The biggest question is the jumper; if a shot is going in, I often follow the mindset of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, though it’s worth noting that the shot is a little flat, which is far from ideal.  While some who watched George’s struggles over his first couple years might be a little nervous before a breakout season last year, I think the competitive scoring ability while also being a good playmaker is something that you could see from Flemings.  I will admit that I see a lot of similarities in playing style to Daniss Jenkins with the creativity of how he can score and the sneaky good court vision, though I think Flemings will be a better player than Jenkins is (which is promising because I find Jenkins is already a very good player).

After trading away Trae Young, Atlanta is coincidentally in an amazing spot for the short term and long term, as they have a star in Jalen Johnson, several good players in Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jonathan Kuminga, Onyeka Okongwu, Jonathan Kuminga, and Corey Kispert, and some guys who have shown glimpses in Zacharie Risacher and Asa Newell.  While they could use a drop defender as a big, especially one who could pair with Okongwu, they could use another guard for the long-term, even with the rise of Alexander-Walker and them extending C.J. McCollum.  They don’t need Flemings to be amazing immediately and can let him get used to the NBA a bit, but he will be able to fit well with his scoring touch and ability to find his teammates; his defensive effort will also earn him minutes.

Atlanta is expected to explore to both point guards and bigs.  They have been linked to Brayden Burries and Aday Mara; that said, there seems to be uncertainty with who they will take; there’s reporting that they are also considering trading down.

9: Dallas Mavericks – Brayden Burries (I)

Arizona, Fr, 20, SG/PG, 6’4.5, 215.4 lbs., 6’6 Wing

Style Comp: Donte DiVincenzo, Eric Gordon

After some uncertainty between picks 5-8, Burries is a player who has been linked to Dallas due to both sides reportedly having mutual interest and Burries’ camp being a little careful of distributing information to teams with picks prior.  He looks like a guy who will project to be a nice 3-and-D guard who can do a lot on both ends of the court, which is a valuable commodity, even if he doesn’t become a star.  He has great size, is a good shooter, is an efficient finisher, has a good handle, and is a physical defender.  On the other hand, he isn’t a good enough playmaker to be a lead guard, looks for his own shot more than looking for the right play (which isn’t unusual for players his age), misses reads on defense, and isn’t the fastest.  Another concern with him is that he doesn’t necessarily have a go-to skill; while a lot of draft busts didn’t have one on offense, the bigger concern with this is that they sometimes don’t have something to go to in a slump.  DiVincenzo might sound like an odd comparison, but I think the combination of shooting and physical defense makes this a reasonable goal.  If Burries improves offensively, Gordon would be an exciting outcome due to how prolific of a scorer he was in his prime.

Right now, the future of Dallas is off to a solid start in its recovery from the inexplicable Luka Doncic trade with Cooper Flagg, as well as a couple nice players in Derrick Lively (when healthy) and Cam Christie, but they could use some more, especially since they shouldn’t view the team as competing at this moment.  Even if Burries is a starter/high level bench player, he projects to be a good combo guard who can thrive off the ball.  I think he will fit well alongside Flagg, and they could do worse with getting a nice supporting cast member in the draft.

While Burries is the expected selection at this time, they have reportedly brought in a ton of guards for workouts, including Wagler, Acuff, Brown, Flemings, and Christian Anderson, as well as a big in Aday Mara (which is interesting to see what their Derek Lively plans are).

10: Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament (I)

Tennessee, Fr, 19, SF, 6’9.5, 210.8 lbs., 6’11.5 Wing

Style Comp: Brandon Ingram, what I hoped/thought Leonard Miller would be

Now that the Giannis Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee is likely to come to an end, they have the opportunity to start over, and Ament is a reasonable enough place to start.  I think the biggest thing about Ament is that he is smooth due to how fluid of a mover he is.  He also has great size, shooting upside, passing upside, defensive upside, and defensive versatility.  The biggest catch with him is that he is so raw and will likely take a good amount of work before he can be at an NBA level.  He also is a poor finisher for his size, is a streaky shooter, isn’t that fast, isn’t that strong yet (I think he can gain strength in the NBA), needs to develop defensively, and struggled athletically at the combine, though I don’t think he’s a terrible athlete.  While I don’t think it’s fair to hold him to the standard of being Ingram, who has developed into a great player, Ingram came into the league as a fluid and smooth player who took a little bit to find his footing in the NBA, especially as he got a little stronger.  As for Miller, I thought he would be such a versatile wing who could finish and shoot efficiently while also being able to do a lot; I’m still holding out hope that the glimpses he showed in Chicago were not a fluke, but there is a fear with how raw Ament is that he doesn’t end up making it.

I expect that the Bucks will be trading Antetokounmpo, so they will need someone for the future.  At this point in the draft, I don’t feel like there is a clear star developmental project, especially since a couple of the players I like from an upside standpoint are likely going to be drafted later in the first round.  Ament is a smooth player who likely won’t be a star, but he could end up developing well if they’re patient with him.  He is raw, but Milwaukee is a good spot given how bad they likely will be without Antetokounmpo and the fact that the only player I think they should prioritize for the future is Ryan Rollins.

At this point, expect Milwaukee to trade Antetokounmpo.  Something worth noting related to this is that teams have said that interactions with Milwaukee make them come away with the belief that Milwaukee will have another first round pick.  They have also been linked to Brown, Flemings, Labaron Philon, and Christian Anderson.

11: Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg (I)

Michigan, RS Sr, 23, PF, 6’9.5, 210.8 lbs., 6’11.5 Wing

Style Comp: John Collins during Atlanta’s Conference Finals run, more polished Thaddeus Young

Lendeborg took quite the journey to make it here, as he didn’t play much in high school due to academic reasons, played 3 seasons in Junior College, played 2 seasons at UAB, and then transferred to Michigan and led them to a championship.  Now that he is looking to make a jump to the NBA, I think he is a versatile player who can do a lot of things to help win, which will make him easy to fit alongside stars.  He has nice size, has a high IQ, has nice playmaking vision, is a good defender, and has amazing positioning.  The biggest criticism about him is his age, which will likely limit his upside given the fact that he is turning 24 this season.  Additionally, he isn’t the fastest player (though he did will with it at the Combine), isn’t the best jumper, and struggles to create offense for himself.  I know that the Collins comparison is weird given Collins’ superior athleticism and the oddly specific qualifier, but during the Conference Finals run in 2021, Collins bought into the role of finishing at the rim, shooting from the corners, rebounding, and competing on defense, which is something I think Lendeborg will thrive in.  I don’t love the Thaddeus Young comparison due to Young’s inconsistencies at points in his career, but he was a versatile 4 who was able to do a good amount, especially on offense.

Golden State is in a tough situation as a team at the tail end of their competitive run due to the age of their stars, but they still want to compete.  Lendeborg gives them a bench piece who I think will be ready to contribute a role in the NBA.  While he thrived at Michigan last season, I think he is more suited to be a supporting cast member due to his struggles creating for himself, but they have the roster that will allow him to do that.  I expect that Lendeborg will be willing to do the little things and not expect to be treated as a star if that’s not his role, which will put him in the team’s good graces.

With Steve Kerr coming back, I would expect an NBA-ready player is more likely to be selected than a project.  They have also been linked to Burries and Mara.  They are also reportedly exploring trades to improve the team using this pick.

12: Oklahoma City Thunder – Aday Mara (I)

Michigan, Jr, 21, C, 7’3, 259.8 lbs., 7’6 Wing

Style Comp: Zach Edey with a bit more passing, Roy Hibbert

Like Lendeborg, Mara was a huge winner of transferring to Michigan, as he had a breakout season and is likely to be drafted no later than the lottery.  Once he was drafted at the Combine and everyone discovered that his listed 7’3 height was accurate and that he has a 7’6 wingspan, everyone started salivating by just how huge he is.  He is also a great shot blocker and rim protector who should be a good drop defender, is a strong finisher, has a solid passing touch for a big, is strong, and is a talented lob catcher.  That said, he is a poor shooter, is stiff and doesn’t have the best mobility, and struggles outside paint, making him likely to struggle in transition.  The other thing I am surprised that not many are discussing is that he only played 23.4 MPG his last year in college, which is concerning for a guy who is 21.  The perfect comparison is tough to find given the lack of drop defenders who were also good passers.  The reason for the Edey comparison is because I think Edey showed how a guy who wasn’t the fastest can have success in the NBA, especially since I had him as a second-round player on my board that year due to his struggles in playing in transition on both ends, something I was scared of.  Hibbert was a strange pick as a comparison, but he is a talented defender while also showing some playmaking glimpses.

Even though OKC has multiple bigs on their roster who are skilled, acquiring Mara makes sense for OKC because they can get a huge backup big who is a great rim protector and finisher.  While they might not need him to be an amazing big, OKC can use him as a big that is on a cheaper contract than a lot of good drop defenders, which helps save some money as well.

There have been rumors that Oklahoma City will be trying to trade up, especially since they have two picks in the teens and other teams are interested in trading down.  They have also been linked to Ament.

13: Miami Heat – Labaron Philon (I)

Alabama, So, 20, PG, 6’2.5, 176.2 lbs., 6’6.25 Wing

Style Comp: Rod Strickland, Lou Williams with some playmaking

Breakdown

After Philon decided to return to school for his sophomore year, he broke out in a huge way, and now that multiple teams in the lottery have expressed interest in him, it looks like he capitalized on this move.  While he is a talented player, his aggressive scoring mindset is something that should find him a bench role at worst.  He is also a good shooter, good finisher, good playmaker, has a nice handle, and is confident; he also improved dramatically from his freshman to sophomore year, not only putting up better numbers in college but also improving from a skillset standpoint.  That said, he is not a good defender, his decision making can waiver, isn’t that high of a jumper, and didn’t perform well athletically at the Combine.  I think the biggest question is whether he will be best served as a starter or 6^th man; while some would act like he should fall in the draft, a high-level bench player is usually a good selection when looking at draft results retrospectively (in redrafts for a lot of drafts, usually high-level bench players start being selected in the top-10, which isn’t something that a lot of people consider during the draft and instead expect late-first round picks will be All-NBA selections).  If Philon is a starter in the league, I think he can end up being something similar to Strickland, who was able to be both an aggressive scorer and great playmaker while also having a nice game.  If he is a bench player (I think that will be what happens), I think he could be someone like Williams, who was aggressive at finding his shot and an aggressive scorer off the bench, though I think Philon will be a better playmaker than Williams was.

If Miami acquires Giannis Antetokounmpo, then this pick will be with Milwaukee, in which Philon’s scoring ability will be an interesting place to help start their impending rebuild.  I think his combination of scoring, shooting, and playmaking will make him be able to earn a role off the bench for Miami, especially if he plays insanely hard.  I think the most important part for him is that he is extremely confident, which will help allow him to compete to earn minutes in an intense environment.

They are reportedly trying to get Antetokounmpo; if they trade for him, then this pick will likely go to Milwaukee.  If they keep the pick, they have been linked to Lendeborg.

14: Charlotte Hornets – Morez Johnson (I)

Michigan, So, 20, PF, 6’9, 250.6 lbs., 7’3.5 Wing

Style Comp: Isaiah Stewart (especially if he develops a jumper), Aaron Gordon (according to him)

Johnson is the third Michigan player in the lottery who greatly benefited from transferring to the school and then winning a championship, with this potentially being the lowest that he will be drafted.  I think the biggest thing that teams love about Johnson is the physicality and competitiveness at this size, which makes him an enticing prospect to envision how he will fit with the team.  He is also a great athlete who can jump high, strong, a hard worker, an efficient scorer, and a good defender.  That said, he is still raw, doesn’t like to shoot, and struggles as a rim protector.  I think there will be some awkwardness with what position he will play at first due to his size, as he isn’t a good enough rim protector to be a 5 and isn’t skilled enough offensively to be a 4, though I still think he will be able to find a role easily in the league.  While not the perfect comparison due to the lack of jumper and rim protection, I think Stewart is an interesting comparison due to the competitiveness on defense and the mean streak that is a great fit for a physical team.  He has compared himself to Gordon, which is a noble goal due to the defensive versatility and cutting ability, though I’m not sure that he will reach that level offensively.

Despite the success of players like Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner last season, Charlotte has expressed interest in another big, but I think that looking for a guy who is more of a 4 makes sense due to the potential of Miles Bridges being traded on the last year of his contract (it’s also good to have someone for the long-term to fill the role).  I think his defense would be a valuable asset for a team that is starting to be competitive again.  While he is limited offensively, I think he could have success when playing alongside LaMelo Ball in transition due to his athleticism.

Charlotte is reportedly interested in getting a big, with Johnson being expected if available.  It is worth watching if they make any trades this offseason, as they have some players who are rumored to be traded this season.  They also have been linked to Allen Graves.

 

15: Chicago Bulls – Hannes Steinbach (I)

Washington, Fr, 20, PF, 6’10.25, 248 lbs., 7’2.25 Wing

Style Comp: Isaiah Hartenstein, maybe Alperen Sengun to a certain extent

Steinbach is a guy whose stock might have been help with how bigs have been valuable over the last few years, even if he likely won’t be a star.  He is great in the paint, an efficient scorer, is a great rebounder on both ends, doesn’t foul a ton, picks up a lot of steals for a big, is strong, is a decent athlete, is competitive, has shooting upside, and is good at his positioning.  On the other hand, he doesn’t appear comfortable in his jumper, doesn’t pass much, has stretches with a lot of turnovers, and is likely not a versatile defender.

16: Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Carr (I)

Baylor, RS So, 21, SG, 6’4.5, 184.4 lbs., 7’0.75 Wing

Style Comp: Devin Vassell, Tim Hardaway Jr. if the defense doesn’t pan out

After two injury filled seasons, Carr broke out at Baylor this past season and killed it at the Combine, greatly improving his stock.  He is a freak athlete, good shooter, great dunker (I think he could be a potential Slam Dunk Contest winner), has a solid handle, is improving as a passer, has shot blocking upside, is a solid defensive rebounder, and is long.  That said, his defensive effort is poor, he misses a lot or reads defensively, he didn’t play much in his first two seasons in college due to injuries, and isn’t the best playmaker; in general, I question what his upside can be if the defensive effort stalls.

17: Oklahoma City Thunder – Karim Lopez (I)

New Zealand Breakers (Australia/New Zealand), 19, SF, 6’8.25, 221.8 lbs., 6’11.5 Wing

Style Comp: Keegan Murray, Franz Wagner if he develops properly

Lopez will likely be the first international selection, and possibly the only international player to be drafted in the first round.  He has nice size, is strongfor his age, is a decent mover, is a solid finisher due to his strength, has demonstrated glimpses of playmaking, and will likely be an average shooter.  On the other hand, he is raw, is a poor defender at this point due to effort and missing read, and has a rocky handle at this point.

18: Charlotte Hornets – Bennett Stirtz (I)

Iowa, Sr, 22, PG, 6’2.5, 186.2 lbs., 6’6 Wing

Style Comp: Andrew Nembhard, Pat Spencer with some on-ball ability

After a successful year at Iowa, Stirtz likely benefited from returning for his senior season to likely guarantee a first-round selection.  He is a great shooter who is adept both on and off the ball, is a good playmaker, has a high IQ, is competitive, is good at getting steals, and did well in the Combine at jumping; I also think he will be able to contribute quickly in the NBA.  That said, he is skinny, is largely a below the rim player, has limited upside, will likely struggle defensively, and could struggle with NBA size and physicality at first; while he hasn’t demonstrated much athleticism in his playing style, some have said he is a solid athlete, though he doesn’t always realize it.

19: Toronto Raptors – Christian Anderson (I)

Texas Tech, So, 20, PG, 6’1, 180.4 lbs., 6’6.25 Wing

Style Comp: Aaron Holiday, Darius Garland if he better utilizes his athleticism

Despite a breakout year this season, I think Anderson’s surprise athletic numbers in the Combine have potentially skyrocketed his value in the Draft.  He is an amazing shooter, a creative finisher, an elite playmaker, is good at getting steals, and is confident.  On the other hand, he is skinny, isn’t that tall (though he has a longer wingspan than I expected, will likely struggle with physicality, will struggle defensively for a few years, and could take a couple years to develop.  Something I’m intrigued about is his athleticism, as he demonstrated impressive Combine numbers but didn’t utilize his athleticism in his playing style.

20: San Antonio Spurs – Allen Graves (I)

Santa Clara, RS Fr, 19, 6’7.75, 225.6 lbs., 7’0 Wing

Style Comp: Dario Saric?  I think he’s so raw that I’m not sure what he’ll be

While every year contains an analytics darling that folks online and certain teams fall in love with, Graves is an interesting test case given that he came off the bench at Santa Clara.  He has nice size, has a solid handle, is an efficient scorer, is good at getting steals, is an aggressive offensive rebounder, and has upside to be a secondary playmaker.  However, he operates at a low usage, isn’t a good athlete, hasn’t been consistent enough on defense, and is someone who I think is very raw.  The thing that not enough people bring up is the fact that he came off the bench at Santa Clara; while there are first round picks who come off the bench, especially those who are younger, they at least come from bigger schools, making me question why we’re convinced that Graves is good enough to make the NBA immediately despite not being able to start for a non-power conference team.

It is worth noting that San Antonio has been linked to Graves.

21: Detroit Pistons – Ebuka Okorie (I)

Stanford, Fr, 19, PG, 6’1.25, 186 lbs., 6’7.75 Wing

Style Comp: Collin Sexton

Okorie had a stunning breakout season this year which has made me excited, though some scouts are still a bit skeptical.  He is an explosive athlete, great finisher, good shooter (especially from the left size), is good at finding his shots, and will likely have more attempts from 3 off the catch in the NBA, which he is better at.  However, he is a poor defender, isn’t tall, isn’t that great of a playmaker for a lead guard, takes more off-the dribble 3’s than I would like, and oddly is much worse at shooting from the right side than the left side; I think he projects to be a backup guard more than a starting guard.  Something I do want to address is that there are scouts that acted like he didn’t have enough experience while playing in the ACC, but I think that’s silly because many of them treat Allen Graves like he had enough experience despite coming off the bench at Santa Clara.

While Detroit is reportedly looking at trades to improve their offense, they are expected to also be looking at guys in the draft who are either guards who can create their own shots or are great shooters.  They have also been linked to Carr, Stirtz, and Cenac (I’m confused by the last one, but alas).

22: Philadelphia 76ers – Dailyn Swain (I)

Texas, Jr, 20, SG/SF, 6’6.5, 211.2 lbs., 6’10 Wing

Style Comp: Jaime Jaquez, maybe Gui Santos?

Swain is a bit of a polarizing player likely dependent on what you think of his jumper.  He has nice size, is an efficient finisher, is a good free throw shooter (making me think there might be some potential there), is improving as a shooter, is a good defender when engaged, was a good driver in college, and is improving as a playmaker.  However, his handle can be sloppy, resulting in a lot of turnovers, his shot is raw and a bit funky (the stroke is pretty slow), he isn’t as engaged defensively as most prospects at his age, he struggled athletically at the Combine, and likely will struggle against NBA defenses unless his 3 develops.

23: Atlanta Hawks – Jayden Quaintance

Kentucky, So, 18, PF, 6’9, 250.6 lbs., 7’3.5 Wing

Style Comp: Robert Williams without the passing

While there is almost always a player who has a wide draft range due to injuries, Quaintance appears to be a real test of this.  He is a freak athlete, great rebounder, great rim protector, strong finisher, and has been highly touted, especially with him being as long and young as he is.  That said, the biggest test of all is his health, as he only played 28 games across 2 seasons and 4 games last year; he is also raw, struggles at passing, and is a poor shooter.

While San Antonio will likely be looking for depth, they have expressed interest in Allen Graves.

24: New York Knicks – Chris Cenac Jr. (I)

Houston, Fr, 19, PF/C, 6’10.25, 239.6 lbs., 7’5 Wing

Style Comp: Jalen Smith, Marvin Bagley…for better or worse

While raw, Cenac is a bit polarizing due to his playing style and perimeter focus despite his strength and size.  He has great size, is a good athlete, is a good rebounder, is a great defender for his age, and his year in college appeared to help out his IQ and poise.  On the other hand, he is really raw, has a low floor, is an underwhelming finisher, isn’t physical enough for his strength, doesn’t pass, and fouls a bunch (though that’s not shocking for his age); the big swing is his jumper, and while he shot well in college, I don’t believe in his shot.

25: Los Angeles Lakers – Isaiah Evans (I)

Duke, So, 20, SF, 6’5.5, 186 lbs., 6’8.75 Wing

Style Comp: Corey Kispert, Julian Champagne with a more consistent jumper

While Evans has a low ceiling, I expect a team late in the first round would like to pounce on him due to his fit.  He is a great shooter and solid perimeter defender who is likely to become a steady 3-and-D player; he is also competitive and has solid length.  That said, he isn’t a great athlete, is a limited playmaker, is skinny, and will likely struggle against size and athleticism, making me concerned about what his floor his.

26: Denver Nuggets – Meleek Thomas

Arkansas, Fr, 19, PG/SG, 6’3, 189.6 lbs., 6’6.75 Wing

Style Comp: Jordan Clarkson, Bones Hyland

Thomas had a successful rookie year, and while he is a bit polarizing, I could see him be a good player.  He is an amazing shooter, is aggressive at getting to his spots, has a solid handle, is physical and competitive, has some playmaking potential, and is a competitive defender who could develop into being a nice combo guard.  However, he is skinny, is resistant to going into the paint, isn’t a great athlete, isn’t that strong, misses some reads offensively, and can improve defensively, especially since he can be too reactive on that end of the court.

While this will be unlikely to impact their draft, they are reportedly interested in making a trade, with the most notable name being Christian Braun.

27: Boston Celtics – Henri Veesaar

UNC, RS Jr, 22, C, 6’11.25, 227.2 lbs., 7’2 Wing

Style Comp: Santi Aldama, Kelly Olynyk

Veesar is an interesting player who was a great college player, there are a lot of questions about his fit in the NBA.  He is a good finisher, great rebounder, is improving as a passer, has shown glimpses of screen setting, and shot well in college.  That said, he is a poor defender, is a poor free throw shooter (this makes me suspect about his jumper, isn’t strong, and bails on screens too much, all of which make suspect how his game will translate in the NBA.

Boston is reportedly looking for a big; I could see them taking the best player available with this pick and worrying about a big via trade or free agency.  They have been in the mix for Giannis Antetokoumpo as well, which means there are two things to watch: how does this selection change if the Bucks are taking it, and what this means about the status of Jaylen Brown on the team, even without a trade.  They also have been rumored to be interested in trading up.

28: Brooklyn Nets – Koa Peat

Arizona, Fr, 19, PF, 6’7, 245 lbs., 6’11.25 Wing

Style Comp: Precious Achiuwa, Vince Wilfork if he played basketball

Peat was a highly touted prospect who fell dramatically entering this draft, though I think teams have shown that physicality is valuable.  Even still, he is strong and physical, plays hard, is a good passer, has defensive upside, and is improving as a rebounder.  That said, he isn’t a good defender at this time, isn’t fast or a good jumper, is a poor shooter (he shot well from 3 on small sample size, but I don’t buy it), is a below the rim player as a big, and in general feels like a player who would have benefitted from another year or two in college.

29: Cleveland Cavaliers – Sergio de Larrea

Valencia Basket (Spain), 20, PG/SG, 6’6, 204 lbs., 6’9 Wing

Style Comp: Kasparas Jakucionas, maybe Malcolm Brogdon

For some reason de Larrea has been a bit polarizing, although I am higher on him.  He is a good playmaker, shooter, has size, has defensive upside, and has a high IQ on both ends, making me think that he projects to have success as a lead guard or combo guard.  However, he struggles mightily finishing at the rim, isn’t strong yet, and isn’t a great athlete; I could see him struggling as a rookie.

30: Dallas Mavericks – Zuby Ejiofor

St. John’s, Sr, 22, PF, 6’7.5, 245.2 lbs., 7’2 Wing

Style Comp: Ideally Onyeka Okongwu, more than likely a backup like Xavier Tillman or Precious Achiuwa

Ejiofor mad the most of his time at St. John’s, which has resulted in a lot of believers.  He is competitive, is a great finisher, is a great defender, is a good playmaker for a big, is a solid free throw shooter (making me have some belief in his shooting upside), is a competitive offensive rebounder, is a great athlete, is physical, and is a good cutter.  On the other hand, he isn’t a good (or confident) shooter, relies on a lot of strength and size (which will not be as prevalent in the NBA), can’t be trusted to create shots, and might be too small to be a guaranteed 5 while not skilled enough to play the 4.

 

31: New York Knicks – Tarris Reed Jr.

UConn, Sr, 22, C, 6’9.75, 263.6 lbs., 7’4.25 Wing

32: Memphis Grizzlies – Joshua Jefferson

Iowa State, Sr, 22, PF/SF, 6’7.75, 246.2 lbs., 6’10.75 Wing

33: Minnesota Timberwolves – Alex Karaban

UConn, RS Sr, 23, SF/PF, 6’6.75, 225.2 lbs., 6’11 Wing

34: Sacramento Kings – Baba Miller

Cincinnati, Sr, 22, SF/PF, 6’10.5, 208.2 lbs., 7’1.75 Wing

35: San Antonio Spurs – Jack Kayil

Alba Berlin (Germany), 20, PG/SG, 6’3.5, 189 lbs., 6’8.75 Wing

36: Los Angeles Clippers – Richie Saunders

BYU, Sr, 24, SG, 6’5, 204.8 lbs., 6’8.75 Wing

37: Oklahoma City Thunder – Ryan Conwell

Louisville, Sr, 22, SG,6’2, 214.8 lbs., 6’7 Wing

38: Chicago Bulls – Trevon Brazile

Arkansas, RS Sr, 23, PF, 6’9.5, 225.6 lbs., 7’3.75 Wing

39: Houston Rockets – Emanuel Sharp

Houston, RS Sr, 21, SG, 6’2.75, 208.4 lbs., 6’3 Wing

40: Boston Celtics – Braden Smith

Purdue, Sr, 22, PG, 5’10.25,166.6 lbs., 6’3.25 Wing

41: Miami Heat – Dillon Mitchell

St. John’s, Sr, 22, SF, 6’6.75, 202.2 lbs., 6’10.5 Wing

42: San Antonio Spurs – Jaden Bradley

Arizona, Sr, 22, PG, 6’2.5, 205.4 lbs., 6’6.25 Wing

43: Brooklyn Nets – Ugonna Onyenso

Virginia, Sr, 22, C, 6’11, 236.8 lbs., 7’4.75 Wing

44: San Antonio Spurs – Ja’Kobi Gillespie

Tennessee, Sr, 21, PG, 5’11.75, 181.8 lbs., 6’4 Wing

45: Sacramento Kings – Bruce Thornton

Ohio State, Sr, 22, PG, 6’0, 223 lbs., 6’5 Wing

46: Orlando Magic – Izaiyah Nelson

South Florida, Sr, 22, C, 6’8.25, 219.4,7’2.5 Wing

47: Phoenix Suns – Otega Oweh

Kentucky, Sr, 22, SG, 6’4.25, 216 lbs., 6’8.25 Wing

48: Dallas Mavericks – Nick Martinelli

Northwestern, Sr, 21, SF/PF, 6’6.5, 223.6 lbs., 6’10 Wing

49: Denver Nuggets – Maliq Brown

Duke, Sr, 22, PF, 6’8, 216.6 lbs., 7’0.75 Wing

50: Toronto Raptors – Felix Okpara

Tennessee, Sr, 21, C, 6’10, 237.4 lbs., 7’2 Wing

51: Washington Wizards – Aaron Nkrumah

Tennessee State, Sr, 24, SF, 6’5, 188.8 lbs., 6’10.25 Wing

52: Los Angeles Clippers – Tyler Bilodeau

UCLA, Sr, 21, PF, 6’7.25, 228.2 lbs., 7’0.75 Wing

53: Houston Rockets – Tyler Nickel

Vanderbilt, Sr, 22, SG, 6’6, 217.4 lbs., 6’8.5 Wing

54: Golden State Warriors – Milos Uzan

Houston, Sr, 23, PG/SG, 6’3, 185 lbs., 6’5 Wing

55: New York Knicks – Tobi Lawal

Virginia Tech, Sr, 23, PF, 6’7.25, 214.4 lbs., 7’2.25 Wing

56: Chicago Bulls – Keyshawn Hall

Auburn, Sr, 23, SF, 6’6, 227.4 lbs., 6’10.25 Wing

57: Atlanta Hawks – Tobe Awaka

Arizona, Sr, 22, PF, 6’8, 261.4 lbs., 7’2.25

58: New Orleans Pelicans – Bryce Hopkins

St. John’s, RS Sr, 23, SF/PF, 6’6, 218.8 lbs., 6’10.5 Wing

59: Minnesota Timberwolves – Quadir Copeland

NC State, Sr, 22, PG, 6’5.25, 218.8 lbs., 6’10.75 Wing

60: Washington Wizards – Rafael Castro

George Washington, Sr, 23, PF/C, 6’9, 224.4 lbs., 7’1.25 Wing

 

Next 10

1. Nick Boyd, Wisconsin, RS Sr, 25, PG, 6’1, 176.2 lbs., 6’2.5 Wing
2. Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana RS Sr, 24, SG, 6’3.5, 204.4 lbs., 6’7.5 Wing
3. Nate Bittle, Oregon, RS Sr, 23, C, 6’11.5, 253.8 lbs., 7’6 Wing
4. Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State, Sr, 22, PG, 6’1.5, 200.4 lbs., 6’2 Wing
5. Jaden Henley, Grand Canyon, Sr, 22, SG, 6’6, 207.2 lbs., 6’6 Wing
6. Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue, Sr, 23, PF/C, 6’7.75, 241.2 lbs., 6’10.5 Wing
7. Naom Yaacov, Filou Oostende (Belgium), 21, PG, 6’1.25, 184.8 lbs., 6’2.25 Wing
8. Malique Lewis, South East Melbourne Phoenix (Australia), 21, SF/PF, 6’6.5, 224.8 lbs., 7’1.25 Wing
9. Seth Trimble, UNC, Sr, 21, PG/SG, 6’1.5, 200.6 lbs., 6’7.75 Wing
10. Kylan Boswell, Illinois, Sr, 21, PG, 6’1.25, 226 lbs., 6’7 Wing

 

 

What will teams do with so few international prospects and underclassmen available?

Anybody who has paid attention to past several years of the draft may have noticed or heard of the fact that the second round is usually full of international players who are unlikely to come over to the NBA anytime soon, who are known as draft-and-stash players since the team owns the draft rights but aren’t signing them immediately.  If anybody was counting as intently as I did (if you weren’t, I’m very glad for your sake that you’re not as crazy as I am), you may have noticed only one player who isn’t a senior drafted in the second round (international player Jack Kayil) and two non-seniors in the next-10 who aren’t seniors (Naom Yaacov and Malique Lewis, both of whom played internationally).  On top of that, the last college player on my mock draft who isn’t a senior is Koa Peat at 28^th.  While one or two are possible to fall to the second round, this entire thing is such an oddity.

The reason we are seeing this unusual circumstance is twofold.  First, the ability for college players to capitalize on NIL deals and earn money on endorsements allows many players who could be stars in college but be second round picks (or even late first round picks) to make more money in college during a year than they would in the NBA.  On top of that, if they have an amazing year, they could end up being a higher pick the following year and make more money.  Additionally, the 2026 and 2027 high school classes are not highly touted at this point in time, so a lot of players with remaining eligibility would rather take a chance of getting drafted higher than even be a late first round pick.  While players will inevitably emerge and exceed expectations, the one-and-done players or young international players are not expected to be as impressive as those in 2023, 2025, and 2026 (could we just pause for a second to marvel at the fact that we could end up with 3 unreal draft classes in 4 years?).

I am curious as to what this means for the second round, especially if a team has a second rounder but don’t have a 2-way spot to use a senior on.  I expect every international player who declared will be drafted and some others who are automatically eligible due to their age.  Otherwise, I wonder if any players who are injured will end up being treated as draft-and-stash players (while the one to watch in this case is Richie Saunders, he could end up being drafted early enough that he could sign a standard contract).  Another possibility is that any college player who signs with an international club could end up being drafted as a draft-and-stash player, even if they were not on any boards to begin with; an example of this is Justinian Jessups, who I didn’t think had a chance of being drafted but ended up being a second round pick in 2020 after signing in Australia.  No matter what happens, it could end up being the strangest second round that I have seen since I started paying attention to the draft 10 years ago.

 

 

Who do you think will be the top pick in the draft?  Are there any players you are interested in?  Let me know in the comments!