Early 2026 NBA mock draft: Boozer, Peterson, or Dybantsa at No. 1?
The NBA season is more than a quarter of the way done, and it's becoming clearer which teams are likely to land lottery spots and which are postseason-bound.
Here's an early look at a mock draft of the 14 lottery selections with teams arranged according to the current NBA standings. We considered team-specific needs while factoring in that U.S. collegiate players have had a greater chance to display their worth than their counterparts from abroad.
Darryn Peterson (Kansas) 🇺🇸
Position: Combo guard
Height: 6-foot-6
Age: 195 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 19.3 | 3.8 | 2.8 | 52.8 | 42.3 | 76.9 |
Although the sample size is small due to a nagging hamstring injury, Peterson displayed elite scoring ability against Missouri and North Carolina while trying to get back to 100% fitness. He's a lead guard with a knack for producing at both ends and a talented scorer with a quick first step. He can dominate on and off the ball and makes his teammates better. Peterson's energy on defense and rebounding skills should translate to the pros. His size, length, and physicality are also big pluses.
NBA comparison: Brandon Roy
AJ Dybantsa (BYU) 🇺🇸
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 210 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 22.3 | 6.9 | 3.3 | 57.1 | 30 | 76.6 |
Dybantsa fits the profile of a top-tier wing who's lethal in transition and finishing at the rim. He's lightning-quick and one of the best athletes in the draft, though his offensive skill set isn't limited to areas that benefit from his impressive athleticism: He can also score from mid-range and has effective pull-up and step-back form on his jumper. Dybantsa is a menace on the boards and possesses a spry second jump that helps him on the glass. It's easy to see why scouts are enamored.
NBA comparison: Tracy McGrady
Cameron Boozer (Duke) 🇺🇸
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 250 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 23.3 | 10 | 4 | 56.7 | 33.3 | 76.7 |
Some players are just winners. Boozer fits the profile, and he's arguably the draft's most polished prospect. His dominant season at Duke is a testament to that. He possesses superstar potential and will be a foundational piece for a Kings team that's desperate for a rebuild. A three-level scorer and gifted rebounder, Boozer has an appealing mix of size, skill, and power. The one knock against him is a lack of explosiveness, though he has all the intangibles teams covet.
NBA comparison: Chris Webber
Caleb Wilson (North Carolina) 🇺🇸
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 215 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 19.5 | 10.8 | 1.3 | 54.8 | 28.6 | 71.4 |
While the top three picks are essentially nailed down, there's more variance with the selections that follow. Wilson is a very enjoyable player to watch due to his energy, selflessness, and personality. Front offices are sure to be captivated by him during interviews. He makes a sizable impact on the defensive end and on the boards, and his athleticism shines in transition. Questions remain about whether he can create his own opportunities and operate in the half court, though NBA coaching should help address this.
NBA comparison: Jermaine O'Neal
Kingston Flemings (Houston) 🇺🇸
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 190 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 15.3 | 3.5 | 4.9 | 58.8 | 48.4 | 78.4 |
An electric start at Houston has vaulted Flemings into the lottery picture on many draft boards, and while his impressive shooting splits may not be sustainable, he might have the most upside of any guard in this class. Flemings has the size to play at both guard positions and the quickness to excel in pick-and-roll sets, plus his bouncy burst allows him to convert at the rim and draw fouls. His speed and footwork can certainly add value to an NBA defense. We're drinking the Flemings Kool-Aid.
NBA comparison: De'Aaron Fox
Nate Ament (Tennessee) 🇺🇸
Position: Small forward/Power forward
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 207 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 15.3 | 6.9 | 2.8 | 38 | 30.4 | 79.7 |
Ament has often been tasked with playing a power forward role at Tennessee but projects to be a titanic wing at the next level on account of his shooting, movement, and ball skills. The three-level scorer has massive upside and contributes on the defensive end by grabbing rebounds and guarding multiple positions. During his freshman season, Ament has faced obstacles that aren't unusual for five-star talents who could benefit from a spell in the weight room, though he does fit the profile of an impact starter in the NBA.
NBA comparison: Paolo Banchero
Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville) 🇺🇸
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 190 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 16.6 | 3 | 5.1 | 38.1 | 26.8 | 83.8 |
Brown is among the best ball-handlers in the draft and provides the Hornets with a deft mix of advanced playmaking and shot creation. He has the form and ability to create space to excel on the perimeter, though that hasn't necessarily translated to the scoresheet during an up-and-down statistical season. His pure shooting mechanics indicate that his percentages should be better, and his athleticism has improved since his year at DME Academy, where he was largely a below-the-rim finisher.
NBA comparison: Darius Garland
Koa Peat (Arizona) 🇺🇸
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 235 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 14 | 5 | 2.7 | 55.7 | 0 | 64.3 |
Peat's impressive start at Arizona has seen the bruising big shoot up draft boards. His athleticism and physical attributes should make up for a relative lack of size as a power forward at the next level. He already has an NBA body, and his presence in the paint is significant. Peat, who's quite comfortable with the ball in his hands, is a fluid mover despite his robust frame. Questions remain about his shooting, and with the prevalence of stretch-bigs in the pros, he'll need to improve in those areas.
NBA comparison: Blake Griffin
Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky) 🇺🇸
Position: Power forward/Center
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 255 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 71.4 | 0 | 0 |
Quaintance was projected by some to be a lottery pick last year following a promising freshman campaign at Arizona State that ended early due to a knee injury. Now at Kentucky, the monstrous 18-year-old forward has played just once but possesses an NBA-ready frame, plenty of athleticism, and a very high ceiling. Quaintance is just scratching the surface as an active defender with on-ball skills and playmaking that are unusual for a player of his size. The Bucks would be wise to take a flyer on him.
NBA comparison: Ben Wallace
Neoklis Avdalas (Virginia Tech) 🇬🇷
Position: Small forward/Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 215 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 14.6 | 3.5 | 5 | 44.4 | 37.1 | 68.1 |
We're extremely high on Avdalas. He has an NBA-ready frame and skill set that fits the profile of the modern wing who can thrive on the perimeter and off the dribble. Twice awarded Greek League Best Young Player before joining Virginia Tech, Avdalas boasts high-end positional size and movement. He's also a skilled passer in the pick-and-roll, he can guard three positions, and he has the lateral quickness to stay in front of opponents - all assets that a Mavericks side eyeing a rebuild should prioritize.
NBA comparison: Deni Avdija
Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston) 🇺🇸
Position: Power forward/Center
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 240 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 9.4 | 7.6 | 0.6 | 49 | 38.1 | 56.3 |
Cenac, the second Houston freshman on this list, provides a mix of size and athleticism with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and an ability to beat opponents to spots on the floor. He's benefited from playing with two elite facilitators in Flemings and Milos Uzan. Cenac operates well in the post thanks to a solid fadeaway and jump hook, and, like many swift-footed bigs of this generation, is surprisingly quick and coordinated. However, he'll need to add weight to thrive at the next level. He'd be the best player on the board for a Trail Blazers roster stacking bigs.
NBA comparison: Kel'el Ware
Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor) 🇧🇯
Position: Small forward/Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 215 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 18.5 | 5.8 | 1.9 | 48.1 | 32.1 | 79.2 |
Another player whom we're higher on than most mock drafts is Yessoufou, one of two Baylor Bears - alongside Cameron Carr - expected to go in the first round. Yessoufou has a sturdy frame and physical assets. At the college level, he bullies his way into the paint, converting high-percentage attempts. He's also a capable defender. He's unlikely to make an immediate impact in the league, but some patient development will help fine-tune elements of his game to eventually make him a contributor at both ends.
NBA comparison: Lu Dort
Thomas Haugh (Florida) 🇺🇸
Position: Power forward/Small forward
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 215 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 17.3 | 6.3 | 2.3 | 48.6 | 33.8 | 73.5 |
The second non-freshman to appear on this list after Quaintance, Florida's Haugh has taken a massive leap in his junior season with the Gators. While some teams may be hesitant due to his age (22), Haugh can get buckets at one end while outworking opponents at the other courtesy of a high motor and an endless supply of hustle. Those attributes can't be easily taught and often translate at the next level for role players. He'll do the dirty work that many NBAers shy away from.
NBA comparison: Dorian Finney-Smith
Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) 🇵🇷
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 235 lbs
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 15.6 | 7.1 | 1.4 | 59.4 | 40 | 86.4 |
Despite widely being considered a first-round pick ahead of last year's draft, Lendeborg returned to Michigan for his senior season. Like Haugh, one of the main knocks against Lendeborg is his age. (He'll turn 24 before the start of his rookie campaign.) However, he's a more polished talent than most of his peers, and his versatile skill set and penchant for being a disruptor on defense are NBA-level attributes. The Spurs should get an instant contributor who'll fulfill his potential before completing his rookie-scale deal.
NBA comparison: Obi Toppin
On the lottery bubble: Labaron Philon (Alabama), Dash Daniels (Melbourne United), Hannes Steinbach (Washington), Karim Lopez (New Zealand Breakers), Braylon Mullins (UConn)