The first 2026 NBA mock draft after the trade deadline: Giannis' future shapes the summer

The NBA trade deadline has now passed, and two very distinct races are unfolding for the rest of the regular season. The first is for playoff seeding – whether that be to get into the play-in, avoid it altogether or lock up home-court advantage.

Conversely, some teams are clearly focused on securing the best draft picks possible in June's highly anticipated 2026 draft. Franchises like Memphis and Dallas traded away the likes of Anthony Davis and Jaren Jackson in service of that goal. However, that's not to say Washington and Utah — where Davis and Jackson were relocated — are necessarily fully motivated to win now. As such, it will be interesting to see just how much those new players suit up for the final 30 games or so. The same can be said for Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, which is now expected to move the former MVP this summer after not completing a deal at the deadline.

We took those variables and others — such as New Orleans owing its pick to Atlanta and thus having no motivation to lose games whatsoever, and the potential for Kawhi Leonard's durability issues to resurface in the wake of James Harden and Ivica Zubac being traded away, even if those moves were in the franchise's best long-term interests — into consideration to construct our first 2026 mock draft below.

As for the order of the players themselves, the mock draft should not be confused with our big board, as team needs were considered as early as the No. 2 pick.

Mock Draft

Round 1

Round 1 - Pick 1 Darryn Peterson PG Kansas • Fr • 6'6" / 205 lbs Projected Team Sacramento PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st PPG 21.1 RPG 4.3 APG 1.8 3P% 43.2% In this scenario, Sacramento secures the No. 1 pick. The Kings have the worst record in the NBA, have lost 10 straight and deliberately did nothing to rectify that at the deadline. In Peterson, they land a dynamic guard they can build around for the next generation. Some of his on-again, off-again availability issues have been labeled "bizarre," but between the lines he has size, length, physicality, shot-making and playmaking — essentially everything a franchise could want.

Round 1 - Pick 2 Cameron Boozer PF Duke • Fr • 6'9" / 250 lbs Projected Team Indiana PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 23.3 RPG 9.9 APG 4 3P% 37.5% Indiana's pick will go to the Clippers if it lands between Nos. 5-9, incentivizing the Pacers to keep losing games. What could complicate that is the arrival of Ivica Zubac, who is now the team's center of the future but would probably be best utilized outside the lineup for the next 30 days. With Zubac joining Tyrese Haliburton (following his return from injury next season) and Pascal Siakam, Indiana wants to compete now. Boozer is the player best able to contribute immediately while also bridging the program's future, even if AJ Dybantsa may have higher long-term upside.

Round 1 - Pick 3 AJ Dybantsa SF BYU • Fr • 6'9" / 212 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 23.9 RPG 6.4 APG 3.5 3P% 35.9% With a 13-37 record, the Nets currently have a 48% chance of landing in the top three. In this scenario, they end up with Dybantsa, who would provide a go-to scorer to punctuate a developing young core. The 6-foot-9 wing will be a candidate to go first or second and almost certainly won't fall below No. 3. If Michael Porter Jr. remains in Brooklyn, the two would fit nicely alongside Noah Clowney and Egor Demin.

Round 1 - Pick 4 Caleb Wilson PF North Carolina • Fr • 6'10" / 215 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 20 RPG 9.8 APG 2.8 3P% 25% The Anthony Davis trade was motivated by the fact that Dallas does not control its own first-round pick again until 2031. Between that and the star power atop this draft, 2026 represents the best chance in the foreseeable future to find a long-term running mate for Cooper Flagg. While Dallas would love to land any of the top three, Wilson provides an elite athlete at the four and a defensive playmaker whose offense has proven ahead of schedule at North Carolina.

Round 1 - Pick 5 Kingston Flemings PG Houston • Fr • 6'4" / 190 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 17 RPG 3.4 APG 5.5 3P% 38% Davis may now be a Wizard, but Washington remains highly incentivized to lose. The team keeps its pick if it lands in the top eight; otherwise, it goes to the Knicks. In other words, don't expect to see much of Trae Young and Davis together until next season. Flemings gives Washington an explosive athlete and legitimate creator at lead guard, with the potential to share the floor with Young early and mesh long-term with Tre Johnson.

Round 1 - Pick 6 Keaton Wagler SG Illinois • Fr • 6'6" / 185 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 17.9 RPG 5 APG 4.3 3P% 44.4% Atlanta lands its lead guard of the future in Wagler, who brings positional size, shooting and a deliberate pace that should complement Jalen Johnson. He joins a promising young group that includes Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jonathan Kuminga and Asa Newell, while also benefiting from playing with or behind Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who is under contract through 2027-28.

Round 1 - Pick 7 Mikel Brown Jr. PG Louisville • Fr • 6'5" / 190 lbs Projected Team Memphis PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 15.6 RPG 3 APG 5.1 3P% 27.8% Ja Morant may still be in Memphis, but that could change this offseason. With no true point guard among its young core, the Grizzlies turn to Brown, whose size and skill with the ball stand out. Memphis' organizational culture should help him make necessary physical and defensive gains.

Round 1 - Pick 8 Nate Ament PF Tennessee • Fr • 6'10" / 207 lbs Projected Team Utah PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 17.1 RPG 6.4 APG 2.5 3P% 31.1% Utah is ready to compete after acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr., but the Jazz only retain this pick if it lands in the top eight. Ament adds a versatile combo forward and long-term asset to develop alongside Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler and the rest of Utah's young core.

Round 1 - Pick 9 Jayden Quaintance C Kentucky • Soph • 6'10" / 255 lbs Projected Team Milwaukee PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 5 RPG 5 APG 0.5 3P% 0 Antetokounmpo is expected to be moved this summer, signaling a rebuild. Quaintance provides interior defense and flexibility, whether alongside Myles Turner or as a foundational frontcourt piece.

Round 1 - Pick 10 Koa Peat PF Arizona • Fr • 6'8" / 235 lbs Projected Team Charlotte PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 14.8 RPG 5.6 APG 2.6 3P% 35.3% Charlotte is playing its best basketball in years and pushing for the playoffs. Peat supplies rim pressure and an NBA-ready physicality that this core currently lacks.

From Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 - Pick 11 Thomas Haugh PF Florida • Jr • 6'9" / 215 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 10th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 17.6 RPG 6.4 APG 1.9 3P% 35% One of the picks from the Paul George trade turns into Haugh, a versatile wing who fits OKC's defensive culture and values.

Round 1 - Pick 12 Chris Cenac Jr. C Houston • Fr • 6'11" / 240 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 9.5 RPG 7.8 APG 0.9 3P% 36.5% Cenac's measurables and defensive versatility stand out. He is already spacing the floor and projects as a long-term four or five.

Round 1 - Pick 13 Darius Acuff Jr. PG Arkansas • Fr • 6'3" / 190 lbs Projected Team Portland PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 20.3 RPG 2.9 APG 6.2 3P% 40.8% With Scoot Henderson nearing his season debut, Portland evaluates its future at point guard. Acuff offers scoring and creation, though this pick would convey to Chicago if it lands outside the lottery.

From Atlanta Hawks Round 1 - Pick 14 Hannes Steinbach PF Washington • Fr • 6'11" / 229 lbs Projected Team San Antonio PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 7th PPG 17.8 RPG 11.5 APG 1.6 3P% 35.1% Steinbach provides size, shooting range and inside-out skill to complement Victor Wembanyama.

From Orlando Magic Round 1 - Pick 15 Yaxel Lendeborg PF Michigan • Sr • 6'9" / 235 lbs Projected Team Memphis PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 14.3 RPG 7.2 APG 3.2 3P% 29.8% With a second first-rounder, Memphis adds another jumbo wing with two-way versatility.

Round 1 - Pick 16 Brayden Burries SG Arizona • Fr • 6'4" / 205 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 31st POSITION RNK 4th PPG 15.3 RPG 4.5 APG 2.9 3P% 37.1% Miami faces perimeter turnover. Burries fits the Heat culture and offers positional flexibility and shooting.

Round 1 - Pick 17 Bennett Stirtz PG Iowa • Sr • 6'4" / 190 lbs Projected Team Golden St. PROSPECT RNK 17th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 19.2 RPG 2.4 APG 5 3P% 39.4% Stirtz fits Steve Kerr's system perfectly with shooting, movement and feel for the game.

Round 1 - Pick 18 Labaron Philon PG Alabama • Fr • 6'3" / 175 lbs Projected Team Toronto PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 21.4 RPG 3.5 APG 4.9 3P% 38.5% Toronto still lacks elite guard depth. Philon provides scoring, playmaking and defensive upside.

From Philadelphia 76ers Round 1 - Pick 19 Patrick Ngongba II C Duke • Soph • 6'11" / 250 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 28th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 11 RPG 6.2 APG 2 3P% 29.2% Ngongba offers defensive presence and developing offense as OKC plans for frontcourt flexibility.

From Cleveland Cavaliers Round 1 - Pick 20 Karim Lopez SF Mexico • 6'8" / 224 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 22nd POSITION RNK 4th Lopez is a skilled offensive wing from Mexico playing in New Zealand, offering versatility and developmental upside.

From Philadelphia 76ers Round 1 - Pick 21 Christian Anderson PG Texas Tech • Soph • 6'3" / 178 lbs Projected Team Charlotte PROSPECT RNK 27th POSITION RNK 8th PPG 19.6 RPG 3.4 APG 7.5 3P% 43.6% Anderson gives Charlotte a contingency option at guard with high skill and basketball IQ.

Round 1 - Pick 22 Joshua Jefferson PF Iowa State • Sr • 6'9" / 240 lbs Projected Team L.A. Lakers PROSPECT RNK 30th POSITION RNK 8th PPG 17.3 RPG 7.8 APG 5.1 3P% 40.6% Jefferson's strength, defense, passing and spacing make him a cost-effective contributor.

From Indiana Pacers Round 1 - Pick 23 Cameron Carr SG Baylor • Soph • 6'5" / 190 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 19.4 RPG 5.8 APG 2.8 3P% 40.5% Carr brings length, athleticism and shooting but will need time to add strength.

Round 1 - Pick 24 Isaiah Evans SF Duke • Soph • 6'6" / 180 lbs Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 24th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 14.2 RPG 3.1 APG 1.2 3P% 33.5% Evans provides floor spacing and size around Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

Round 1 - Pick 25 Henri Veesaar C North Carolina • Jr • 7'0" / 225 lbs Projected Team Denver PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 16.8 RPG 9 APG 2 3P% 45.9% Veesaar projects as a long-term backup center option behind Nikola Jokic.

Round 1 - Pick 26 Braylon Mullins SG Connecticut • Fr • 6'6" / 196 lbs Projected Team Boston PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 11.8 RPG 3.4 APG 1.4 3P% 38% Mullins' elite shooting and underrated defense fit Boston's needs.

Round 1 - Pick 27 Aday Mara C Michigan • Jr • 7'3" / 255 lbs Projected Team New York PROSPECT RNK 29th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 10.8 RPG 7 APG 2.2 3P% 0% Mara provides massive size and defensive impact as Mitchell Robinson approaches free agency.

From San Antonio Spurs Round 1 - Pick 28 Morez Johnson Jr. F Michigan • Soph • 6'9" / 250 lbs Projected Team Cleveland PROSPECT RNK N/A POSITION RNK N/A PPG 13.7 RPG 7 APG 1.2 3P% 41.7% Johnson's physicality complements Cleveland's two-big approach.

From Detroit Pistons Round 1 - Pick 29 Tounde Yessoufou SF Baylor • Fr • 6'5" / 215 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 17.7 RPG 5.9 APG 1.7 3P% 31.3% Yessoufou is a high-upside long-term play late in the first round.

From Oklahoma City Thunder Round 1 - Pick 30 Juke Harris SF Wake Forest • Soph • 6'7" / 200 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 40th POSITION RNK 7th PPG 20.9 RPG 6.2 APG 1.5 3P% 36.5% Harris offers size and shooting on the wing to space the floor around Cooper Flagg.

Round 2