Having reached the halfway point of the season, it felt like the right time for another NBA mock draft. Since Mock Draft 1.0, there have been significant changes across the board. Conference play has revealed a lot about this year’s top prospects, and the big storyline this time around is Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, who has risen from off the radar into the high lottery.
Wagler is not the only riser. Several prospects have climbed boards, while others have slid since our first edition. I won’t spoil the rest, so let’s get into the 2026 NBA Mock Draft 2.0.
Methodology: Lottery order is based on one randomized Tankathon simulation. Picks 15 through 30 reflect Tankathon standings at the All-Star break.
Lottery Picks
1. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Darryn Peterson | CG | Kansas
Everything about Peterson’s game screams pro-ready. He is silky smooth with a nearly unguardable jumper and elite athleticism. The only concern is availability. He has dealt with multiple minor injuries that raise questions about durability, but the talent is undeniable.
2. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa | Wing | BYU
After early inconsistencies, Dybantsa has found his rhythm with improved playmaking and three-point growth. Pair that with elite midrange scoring and rim finishing, and Washington lands a potential generational scorer with MVP upside.
3. Dallas Mavericks: Cameron Boozer | F | Duke
More lottery luck for Dallas lands another elite Duke forward. Boozer wins with feel and decision-making rather than overwhelming physical tools. Next to Flagg, his athletic limitations become far less of a concern.
4. Brooklyn Nets: Caleb Wilson | F | UNC
With a point guard already in place, Brooklyn adds an explosive athlete in Wilson. He is a violent downhill attacker with a strong handle, powerful finishing, and real defensive upside. His jumper has improved significantly this season.
5. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings | PG | Houston
Flemings is the safest bet among point guards in this class. At 6’4” with length and real two-way ability, he combines elite speed with advanced angles to break down defenses and get to his spots.
6. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler | CG | Illinois
The biggest riser in the draft. Wagler, once the 150th-ranked recruit, has exploded onto the scene. He shoots it at volume, creates off the dribble, and flashes real on-ball playmaking.
7. Utah Jazz: Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | Louisville
Brown started slow but has caught fire, including back-to-back huge scoring nights while shooting over 60 percent from three. He is the best pure shooter in the class and has grown more comfortable embracing physical play.
8. Memphis Grizzlies: Nate Ament | Wing | Tennessee
Ament has rediscovered his form and again looks like the long, shot-making wing teams covet. With improved rim pressure and a more consistent jumper, he profiles as a future star if it all clicks.
9. Milwaukee Bucks: Jayden Quaintance | F/C | Kentucky
If Milwaukee enters a reset, they will need a defensive anchor. Quaintance can protect the rim and switch on the perimeter. His offense is still developing, but the defensive ceiling is elite.
10. Chicago Bulls: Hannes Steinbach | C | Washington
Chicago’s roster lacks a true big. Steinbach provides floor spacing, rebounding, and interior scoring. His defensive instincts still need work, but the effort and tools are there.
11. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Braylon Mullins | SG | UConn
San Antonio adds shooting. Mullins is an off-ball sniper with downhill juice if run off the line and fits cleanly alongside their young core.
12. Charlotte Hornets: Koa Peat | F | Arizona
Peat is a downhill force who lives in the paint. The jumper is still developing, but surrounded by shooters he can be a relentless interior attacker.
13. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Chris Cenac Jr. | F/C | Houston
Cenac is a smooth, oversized floor spacer who fits OKC’s system. He defends well enough and brings offensive versatility that matches the Thunder’s style.
14. Portland Trail Blazers: Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | Arkansas
Acuff is a creative scorer and playmaker with elite touch in the paint. He brings needed shot creation and playmaking to Portland’s backcourt.
Mid First Round
15. Miami Heat: Brayden Burries | CG | Arizona
Burries fits Miami’s identity. He is physical, attacks downhill, draws fouls, and plays with a strong defensive motor.
16. Golden State Warriors: Cameron Carr | SG | Baylor
Carr is an upside swing with elite athleticism and improving shooting. The tools are there for a major leap.
17. Memphis Grizzlies (via ORL): Labaron Philon | CG | Alabama
If Memphis reshapes its backcourt, Philon brings scoring punch and playmaking with a strong floater and midrange game.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Thomas Haugh | F | Florida
Haugh is a plug-and-play piece who contributes across the board. He defends, shoots, and moves well without the ball.
19. Charlotte Hornets (via PHX): Karim Lopez | Wing | NZ Breakers
Lopez brings physicality and strength on the wing. His development hinges on consistent shooting and defensive focus.
20. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz | PG | Iowa
A high-IQ guard who controls tempo, excels in pick-and-roll, and makes tough shots despite average athleticism.
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Amari Allen | Wing | Alabama
A jumbo wing who contributes everywhere. Allen has a strong shooting base and defensive tools with immediate impact potential.
22. Los Angeles Lakers: Patrick Ngongba II | F/C | Duke
Ngongba is a reliable finisher with strong defensive fundamentals and good passing feel for a big.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Aday Mara | C | Michigan
A passing big with elite vision and feel. Mara brings unique offensive creation from the center position.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Yaxel Lendeborg | F | Michigan
An older prospect but highly productive. Lendeborg brings physical scoring and transition ability with a ready-made game.
25. Denver Nuggets: Tounde Yessoufou | Wing | Baylor
An explosive athlete with a nonstop motor. He thrives off-ball and fits well next to Jokic.
26. New York Knicks: Christian Anderson | PG | Texas Tech
Anderson is a creator who shoots at a high level and brings offensive punch, even if he is targeted defensively.
27. Boston Celtics: Dash Daniels | CG | Melbourne United
Daniels brings defensive intensity with improved scoring versatility and fits Boston’s system.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAN): Dailyn Swain | Wing | Texas
An athletic defender with growing offensive confidence. The shot is inconsistent but the tools are clear.
29. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Alijah Arenas | CG | USC
Arenas is working back from a major injury but still flashes three-level scoring ability and long-term upside.
30. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Tyler Tanner | PG | Vanderbilt
At 6’0”, Tanner compensates with elite explosiveness, relentless defense, and strong playmaking instincts.
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