The draft lottery has come and gone once again, giving 14 teams an early look at their draft position. The final year of the 14-team lottery ended in fitting fashion, as the league’s worst team secured the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2019. That team was the Washington Wizards, who now control arguably the most valuable asset in the NBA.
This draft class is loaded with high-end talent. There are four legitimate candidates to go first overall, along with a deep group of prospects capable of landing throughout the lottery. Given the value attached to these selections, there is a strong chance at least one lottery pick gets moved on draft night. However, this mock draft will not project trades, only how each team could approach its current selection.
Lottery Picks:
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Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa | Wing | BYU
An elite shot creator with MVP potential, Dybantsa already possesses pro-level rim pressure and downhill scoring ability. The fit makes plenty of sense too. Washington’s roster is loaded with guards and bigs, leaving a clear opening for Dybantsa as the franchise’s long-term wing centerpiece.
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Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson | CG | Kansas
The injury concerns surrounding Peterson have largely faded, revealing one of the premier perimeter talents in the class. His three-level scoring stands out, and he moves comfortably between on-ball and off-ball duties. The remaining questions revolve primarily around his defensive effort.
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Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer | F | Duke
During his freshman season, Boozer answered many of the athleticism critiques with his advanced playmaking feel, polished shooting touch, and low-mistake style of basketball, all traits that should translate immediately. He joins Zach Edey and Cedric Coward in an improved Grizzlies frontcourt.
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Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson | F | UNC
Chicago lucked into the ideal frontcourt fit at No. 4. Wilson brings a relentless motor and an explosive step that should impact both ends immediately. His offensive ceiling, however, still depends on the jumper continuing to develop.
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Los Angeles Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler | CG | Illinois
Wagler fits naturally with the Clippers thanks to his size, shooting, and versatility. He complements Darius Garland off the ball while still capable of handling secondary creation responsibilities. His 6-foot-6 frame also helps cover for some of Garland’s defensive limitations.
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Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | Arkansas
Despite drafting multiple guards last year, none possess Acuff’s offensive electricity. He is a dynamic shot creator with advanced scoring instincts and clutch shotmaking ability. Acuff could become the next John Calipari guard to thrive in the NBA.
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Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings | PG | Houston
At No. 7, Sacramento takes the best player available in Flemings. His blazing speed creates constant paint touches, where he already scores comfortably from the midrange. The three-point shot remains the biggest swing skill in his profile.
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Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Mikel Brown Jr. | PG | Louisville
Brown’s production does not fully capture his talent level. His shooting range stretches well beyond the arc, and he made major strides finishing through contact this season. Atlanta can ease him into a larger role alongside Jalen Johnson early in his career.
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Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries | CG | Arizona
Far from a flashy addition, Burries leans on efficient shot selection, forceful drives and smart decision-making. He shoots well from three and is physically advanced for his age, which will help his two-way impact.
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Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament | Wing | Tennessee
Ament is the type of oversized wing every team covets, pairing guard skills with a smooth jumper. The flashes throughout the season were impressive, though his overall impact still fluctuated too often from game to game.
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Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara | C | Michigan
A passing big with elite vision and feel, Mara brings unique offensive creation from the center position. His shooting could improve, but he slots in next to Steph Curry extremely well.
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Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Yaxel Lendeborg | F | Michigan
Lendeborg is a jumbo playmaker with defensive versatility who fits naturally into Oklahoma City’s system. His age matters less for a team built to compete right now.
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Miami Heat: LaBaron Philon | CG | Alabama
A crafty ball-handler with scoring touch at all three levels, Philon gives Miami another option to run the offense. His passing also took a noticeable step forward this season.
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Charlotte Hornets: Karim Lopez | Wing | New Zealand Breakers
Lopez brings strength and physicality on the wing, and Charlotte offers a strong developmental environment for his long-term growth as a shooter and defender.
Mid First Round (via Tankathon Odds)
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Chicago Bulls (via POR): Jayden Quaintance | F\C | Kentucky
Quaintance remains the top defender in the class, but a limited four-game sample at Kentucky raises concerns. Even so, his ceiling makes him a worthwhile swing for a team thin in the frontcourt.
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Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX): Christian Anderson | PG | Texas Tech
Anderson is a skilled creator who shoots efficiently and brings serious magician juice. With Ja Morant’s future up in the air, Anderson is a logical replacement.
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Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Cameron Carr | SG | Baylor
Carr is a high-upside swing with top-tier athleticism and a solid shooting base. The foundation is there for significant growth on both ends.
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Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Hannes Steinbach | F/C | Washington
Steinbach offers floor spacing, rebounding, and interior scoring. His defensive instincts need refinement, but the effort level and physical makeup are encouraging.
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Toronto Raptors: Chris Cenac Jr. | C | Houston
Cenac is an oversized floor spacer who showed off his toughness frequently while helping Houston pile up wins. Toronto needs a long-term center, and Cenac can certainly answer that call if he develops correctly.
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San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Morez Johnson Jr. | F | Michigan
Johnson’s role is clear: attack downhill and finish plays. With the Spurs owning a surplus on guards, adding an athletic forward who can make Wemby’s life easier would be a massive benefit.
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Detroit Pistons (via Minnesota): Bennett Stirtz | PG | Iowa
Stirtz is a high-IQ playmaker who can lead bench units in Cade Cunningham’s absence. His shooting ability also allows him to thrive off the ball alongside Cade.
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Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Allen Graves | F | Santa Clara
Graves can still return to college for another season, but if he stays in the draft, he offers intriguing long-term frontcourt value. He is an ultra-aggressive defender who also shot 40% from three.
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Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Henri Veesaar | C | UNC
Veesar excels as both a floor spacer and interior play-finisher on screens and handoffs. His defense, specifically shotblocking, will need to be more consistent.
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New York Knicks: Dailyn Swain | Wing | Texas
An athletic defensive disruptor with growing offensive confidence. The shot needs work but his growth as a slasher was noticeable.
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Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat | F | Arizona
Peat is a vicious force who thrives attacking the paint. While his jumper is still developing, he can be a relentless interior scorer.
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Denver Nuggets: Isaiah Evans | SG | Duke
Evans projects as a classic 3-and-D wing. He brings shooting, length, and enough off-ball scoring to contribute early in a limited role.
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Boston Celtics: Amari Allen | Wing | Alabama
A big wing who impacts multiple facets of the game, Allen has a strong shooting base and the defensive chops to contribute right away.
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Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Ebuka Okorie | PG | Stanford
Acquiring Ayo Dosunmu eased the Timberwolves’ need at point guard, but Okorie’s microwave scoring gives them another offensive spark off the bench.
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Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAN): Joshua Jefferson | Wing | Iowa State
If Cleveland wants to win now, adding a more NBA-ready wing makes sense. Jefferson brings strong shooting, advanced passing vision, and a polished feel.
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Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Maleek Thomas | CG | Alabama
Thomas is one of the purest scorers in the class, pairing deep range with a complete rainmaking package. His long-term growth will depend on improving both his passing and defensive consistency.
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