There is a switch-up all the way at No. 3 as players jostle in a loaded top 10
By Gary Parrish May 8, 2026 at 4:56 pm ET • 1 min read 
David Jensen / Getty Images We've known that the 2026 NBA Draft would be loaded for several years now thanks to a freshman class filled with stars. For a while, most believed Darryn Peterson would go No. 1 overall -- and he still might. But, for whatever it's worth, the betting markets have swung heavily in the direction of AJ Dybantsa.
He's the favorite now.
The 6-foot-9 wing was spectacular at BYU this season while averaging a national-best 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 51% from the field. Combine that with the questions that emerged about Peterson during his uneven season at Kansas, and Dybantsa is now -450 to be selected first.
Peterson is +450.
After that, it's Duke's Cameron Boozer at +1000.
As you likely know, the NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled for Sunday, at which point we'll know exactly who is picking first, second, third, so on and so forth. The Wizards, Pacers and Nets have the best chances to secure the first pick -- but it could also go to the Jazz, Grizzlies, Hawks, Mavericks, Bulls, Bucks, Warriors, Heat, Hornets or ... Thunder. Yes, Oklahoma City really could get the No. 1 pick, crazy as that sounds. If it happens, Monday will make for an incredible day of sports talk.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
For now, let's focus on the projected order, based on lottery odds and final records, and give Dybantsa to the Wizards at No. 1. But make sure to circle back after the lottery on Sunday because that's when this mock draft will be updated with the proper order that'll be set by a bunch of bouncing ping pong balls in Chicago.
Mock DraftRound 1 Round 1 - Pick 1
AJ Dybantsa SF BYU • Fr • 6'9" / 215 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st PPG 25.5 RPG 6.8 APG 3.7 3P% 33.1% Partly because he had an incredible freshman year, partly because Peterson did not, Dybantsa, again, has emerged as the favorite in the betting markets to be selected first next month. He's a jumbo-sized wing and natural scorer who led the EYBL in points per game after his freshman season of high school and the entire nation in points per game during his freshman year at BYU. Based on that trajectory, and Dybantsa's awesome physical tools, it should surprise nobody if he also someday leads the NBA in scoring. Round 1 - Pick 2 
Darryn Peterson PG Kansas • Fr • 6'6" / 205 lbs Projected Team Indiana PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 20.2 RPG 4.2 APG 1.6 3P% 38.2% Peterson's talent is undeniable, but there are obvious questions among front office members about his competitiveness and ability to maximize his gifts because of the way his one season at Kansas unfolded. He was special in spots, clearly. But Peterson was also in and out of the lineup a lot -- sometimes by his own choice -- and that fact has raised concerns in some corners that the electric playmaker will need to alleviate in the pre-draft process to ensure he remains an option at No. 1 and solidifies a spot in the top two. Round 1 - Pick 3 
Caleb Wilson PF North Carolina • Fr • 6'10" / 215 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 19.8 RPG 9.4 APG 2.7 3P% 25.9% Brooklyn needs a star and Wilson has the tools to become one if the perimeter shooting improves -- and maybe even if it doesn't. His season ended prematurely because of multiple injuries, the first of which happened Feb. 10 in a loss at Miami. It was an awful development for North Carolina (that might've cost Hubert Davis his job), but it shouldn't negatively impact Wilson's stock much, if at all, other than how it robbed him of the chance to enhance his reputation and leave a real mark in Chapel Hill. The Atlanta native is an elite athlete with a top-shelf motor who shined in matchups against Duke, Kansas and Ohio State. His range seems to be second at best, fourth at worst. Round 1 - Pick 4 
Cameron Boozer PF Duke • Fr • 6'9" / 250 lbs Projected Team Utah PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 22.5 RPG 10.2 APG 4.1 3P% 39.1% Boozer, the reigning CBS Sports National Player of the Year, has very low bust-potential given how he's simply never not been awesome in a way that impacts winning at any level at which he's played. That said, some do worry that his star potential is also low in part because he's mostly a below-the-rim forward who can struggle with the type of size and athleticism he'll consistently face in the NBA. My guess is that Boozer will be good and even make All-Star teams -- but I'm less sure he'll ultimately be a top-three player from this loaded draft, which is among the reasons I could see him falling to this spot where the Jazz could snatch him up and add him to a frontcourt that's already talented with Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. Round 1 - Pick 5 
Darius Acuff Jr. PG Arkansas • Fr • 6'3" / 190 lbs Projected Team Sacramento PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 23.5 RPG 3.1 APG 6.4 3P% 44% Acuff just became the first player to lead the SEC in both points and assists since Pete Maravich did it at LSU in 1970. Special talent. Fun player. Do I wish he were taller? Yes. Do I wish he weren't a negative-defender? Also yes. But the offensive skill-set and reliable jumper are too much to pass on at this point in this draft, and that's why I expect Acuff to become the 12th player in history to become a top-five pick after a season with John Calipari. Round 1 - Pick 6 
Keaton Wagler PG Illinois • Fr • 6'6" / 185 lbs Projected Team Memphis PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 17.9 RPG 5.1 APG 4.2 3P% 39.7% The Grizzlies seem determined, one way or another, to finally move on from the Ja Morant era that lasted seven years and mostly just resulted in some cool highlights and unfortunate controversies. Given the number of high-level lead guards in this draft, it would shock nobody if Memphis, after remaining in this range, selects Morant's replacement with their first of two first-round picks -- and Wagler is the pick here. He went from a sub-100 prospect in the Class of 2025 to a definite top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft -- all in less than a year -- thanks to his great positional size, ability to process things and reliable perimeter jumper. From New Orleans Pelicans Round 1 - Pick 7 
Kingston Flemings PG Houston • Fr • 6'4" / 190 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 16.1 RPG 4.1 APG 5.2 3P% 38.7% Flemings wasn't the highest-rated recruit in Houston's freshman class -- but he emerged as the program's best prospect and player while helping the Cougars win 30 games and advance to the Sweet 16. He's the rare 19-year-old who is both a top-tier athlete and a reliable shooter. It's not difficult to envision Flemings as a big part of what could be a bright future in Atlanta, sparked by the exit of Trae Young. Round 1 - Pick 8 
Mikel Brown Jr. PG Louisville • Fr • 6'5" / 190 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 18.2 RPG 3.3 APG 4.7 3P% 34.4% This is where the draft breaks, at least in my mind, but perhaps only because Brown played just 21 games in his one season at Louisville. His back was an issue. Will it be moving forward? That's for the doctors to determine. But, if not, Brown is a top-five talent available outside of the top five. Round 1 - Pick 9 
Brayden Burries SG Arizona • Fr • 6'4" / 205 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 10th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 16.1 RPG 4.9 APG 2.4 3P% 39.1% Koa Peat was the talk of Arizona's freshman class early -- especially after he got 30 points in that season-opening win over Florida. But it was Burries, also a first-year player, who emerged as the leading scorer for a team that won the Big 12's regular-season title and advanced to the Final Four. He's a physical guard who can shoot and rebound. Burries would make sense for a Chicago franchise rebuilding. Round 1 - Pick 10 
Yaxel Lendeborg PF Michigan • Sr • 6'9" / 235 lbs Projected Team Milwaukee PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 15.1 RPG 6.8 APG 3.2 3P% 37.2% Lendeborg transferred from UAB to Michigan and was the best player on a team that won the 2026 NCAA Tournament one year after he didn't even win Player of the Year honors in the sport's 11th-best conference (American). Just an awesome story. That he's already 23 years old will turn some franchises off -- but if Milwaukee decides to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo, adding somebody who is plug-and-play should be the priority, at which point Lendeborg's age should be mostly irrelevant to the decision-making process. Round 1 - Pick 11 
Morez Johnson Jr. C Michigan • Soph • 6'9" / 250 lbs Projected Team Golden St. PROSPECT RNK 21st POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 13.1 RPG 7.3 APG 1.2 3P% 34.3% Johnson has left the door open to return to Michigan, but is expected to remain in the draft as an assumed lottery pick. He's one of three projected top-15 prospects who helped the Wolverines win the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The 6-9 forward shot above 60% from the field as one of the Big Ten's best players -- but his real value is on the other end, where Johnson anchored college basketball's best defense in his first year at Michigan after transferring from Illinois. From Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 - Pick 12 
Aday Mara C Michigan • Jr • 7'3" / 255 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 12.1 RPG 6.8 APG 2.4 3P% 30% Mara transferred to Michigan after two years at UCLA and was among the biggest reasons the Wolverines won the Big Ten regular-season title outright and then also the national championship. At a time when being big is back in style in the NBA, Mara has great positional size and is constantly altering shots. On offense, he's a high-end passer and efficient scorer. With Isaiah Hartenstein's future unclear in OKC, Mara could be an inexpensive replacement if the Thunder don't want to exercise the $28.5 million team option on their starting center. Round 1 - Pick 13 
Labaron Philon PG Alabama • Fr • 6'3" / 175 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 22 RPG 3.5 APG 5 3P% 39.9% Not every prospect who returns to college actually enhances his draft stock -- but Philon definitely did. The sophomore guard played more on-the-ball for Alabama than he did in the previous season, and the result was better assist numbers and a 3-point percentage that jumped to 39.9. The unusual number of top-shelf lead guard prospects available this year will push Philon down further than he'd go in most drafts, but that just makes him a steal at this point. Round 1 - Pick 14 
Jayden Quaintance C Kentucky • Soph • 6'10" / 255 lbs Projected Team Charlotte PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 5 RPG 5 APG 0.5 3P% 0 Mark Pope might be less on the hot seat at Kentucky if Quaintance had played more than four games this season. He cost a lot of money and did little. Regardless, I saw him up close in the CBS Sports Classic, and he made an obvious impact in that game. Unless the medicals are scary, Quaintance should not fall much further than this. From Portland Trail Blazers Round 1 - Pick 15 
Nate Ament PF Tennessee • Fr • 6'10" / 207 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 16.7 RPG 6.3 APG 2.3 3P% 33.3% Ament had an up-and-down freshman season for the Vols -- but the talent is undeniable. Less than a year ago, the 2025 McDonald's All-American was considered a possible top-five pick. So getting Ament here would be nice for a Bulls franchise clearly in rebuild-mode after more than a decade of mostly being stuck in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference. From Phoenix Suns Round 1 - Pick 16 
Hannes Steinbach PF Washington • Fr • 6'11" / 229 lbs Projected Team Memphis PROSPECT RNK 17th POSITION RNK 7th PPG 18.5 RPG 11.8 APG 1.6 3P% 34% You might've noticed this mock draft is light on prospects currently playing overseas, and that's because lots of the top international names have been lured stateside via big NIL/revenue-share payments. Steinbach was one such player. The 20-year-old German proved to be an elite rebounder on both ends in his one season at Washington. The Grizzlies need help everywhere in a "moving forward" phase for the franchise after both Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. were traded. Getting Wagler and Steinbach in the top 16, which is what this mock is projecting, could expedite the rebuild. From Philadelphia 76ers Round 1 - Pick 17 
Cameron Carr SG Baylor • Soph • 6'5" / 190 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 18.9 RPG 5.8 APG 2.6 3P% 37.4% Carr emerged as a real first-round option after transferring from Tennessee to Baylor and having one of the biggest breakout years in the sport while averaging 14.1 more points per game with the Bears than he averaged with the Vols. The 21-year-old has long arms and a solid-enough jumpshot. He'd fit in well with OKC's possible dynasty. From Orlando Magic Round 1 - Pick 18 
Karim Lopez PF Mexico • 6'8" / 224 lbs Projected Team Charlotte PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 11.9 RPG 6.1 APG 2.0 Lopez should be the first non-college player off the board. He's a physical wing with lots of positives. If the 3-point shot comes around, and he doesn't prove to be a liability on defense, Lopez would be a terrific snag here. Round 1 - Pick 19 
Bennett Stirtz PG Iowa • Sr • 6'4" / 190 lbs Projected Team Toronto PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 7th PPG 19.8 RPG 2.6 APG 4.4 3P% 35.8% It's rare for somebody to end up as a first-round pick after starting a college career at the Division II level, but Stirtz has a real chance to do it. Concerns about how he'll be able to guard his position in the NBA are valid. But Stirtz is a lead guard with a good assist-to-turnover ratio and a reliable jumper. If I were running a franchise, I wouldn't overthink this one. He can play. From Atlanta Hawks Round 1 - Pick 20 
Chris Cenac Jr. PF Houston • Fr • 6'11" / 240 lbs Projected Team San Antonio PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 8th PPG 9.5 RPG 7.9 APG 0.7 3P% 33.3% Cenac will not be selected in this draft in a way that correlates with where he was ranked coming out of high school -- but he's still a possible top-20 pick after starting for a Houston team that finished 30-7. Some have argued he should've done another year at Houston, and I get that. But there's little risk of Cenac falling out of the first round, and a future in San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama sounds appealing. From Minnesota Timberwolves Round 1 - Pick 21 
Christian Anderson PG Texas Tech • Soph • 6'3" / 178 lbs Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK 22nd POSITION RNK 8th PPG 18.5 RPG 3.6 APG 7.4 3P% 41.5% Anderson went from an intriguing freshman at Texas Tech to one of the Big 12's stars and best prospects. The sophomore from Atlanta kept the Red Raiders relevant even after JT Toppin, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, went down with a torn ACL in February. Anderson has been described as the best shooter in this class. He made 41.5% of the 7.9 3-pointers he attempted this season. From Houston Rockets Round 1 - Pick 22 
Koa Peat PF Arizona • Fr • 6'8" / 235 lbs Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 14.1 RPG 5.6 APG 2.6 3P% 35% Peat impacts winning in a variety of ways and was among the reasons Arizona won the Big 12's regular-season championship before advancing to the Final Four. Good size. Good body. Intriguing prospect. The issue is that he's a 6-8 wing who doesn't really shoot, evidence being that Peat only took 20 3-pointers in 36 games with the Wildcats. That's not ideal for the modern NBA, and why Peat's draft range seems vast. From Cleveland Cavaliers Round 1 - Pick 23 
Tarris Reed Jr. C Connecticut • Sr • 6'11" / 265 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 32nd POSITION RNK 7th PPG 14.7 RPG 9 APG 2.3 3P% 0% If Mara helped himself more than any other prospect in the NCAA Tournament, Reed isn't far below on the list. The UConn big averaged 19.5 points and 13.2 rebounds in the Big Dance while helping the Huskies reach the championship game. He could add depth to an Atlanta frontcourt that needs reinforcements. Round 1 - Pick 24 
Allen Graves PF Santa Clara • Fr • 6'9" / 225 lbs Projected Team New York PROSPECT RNK 30th POSITION RNK 9th PPG 11.8 RPG 6.5 APG 1.8 3P% 41.3% Seemingly every year now there's an off-the-radar prospect who generates attention largely because of an interesting statistical profile. Graves is that player in this draft. The 6-9 forward was a zero-star prospect in the Class of 2025 but is now a 19-year-old with options. He could return to college at a new school for lots of money or remain in the draft, where his ability to make shots and rebound with a good body should secure him a guaranteed contract. Round 1 - Pick 25 
Isaiah Evans SG Duke • Soph • 6'6" / 180 lbs Projected Team L.A. Lakers PROSPECT RNK 24th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 15 RPG 3.2 APG 1.3 3P% 36.1% Evans is a high-volume 3-point shooter with good positional size who shot 38% from beyond the arc in two seasons with one of the best brands and teams in college basketball. That's a good place to start his evaluation. The 20-year-old wing could be a nice piece for a Lakers franchise building around Luka Doncic. Round 1 - Pick 26 
Joshua Jefferson PF Iowa State • Sr • 6'9" / 240 lbs Projected Team Denver PROSPECT RNK 37th POSITION RNK 11th PPG 16.4 RPG 7.4 APG 4.8 3P% 34.5% Jefferson spent four years in college going from a role player at Saint Mary's to a star at Iowa State, where he was an All-American this season while helping the Cyclones win 29 games. He's a big forward who just gets things done and projects as a versatile option that could theoretically fit in any rotation. Round 1 - Pick 27 
Henri Veesaar C North Carolina • Jr • 7'0" / 225 lbs Projected Team Boston PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 4th PPG 17 RPG 8.7 APG 2.1 3P% 42.6% Michael Malone's first year at UNC would've been a lot simpler if he could've kept Veesaar in school, but the talented big man decided to forgo his final year of eligibility in favor of a professional career. Did Veesaar leave money on the table with this move? Perhaps. But it's a move that made the draft deeper after other first-round prospects like Braylon Mullins and Thomas Haugh decided to remain in college. From Detroit Pistons Round 1 - Pick 28 
Dailyn Swain SF Texas • Jr • 6'8" / 225 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 27th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 17.3 RPG 7.5 APG 3.6 3P% 34.4% Swain followed his coach, Sean Miller, from Xavier to Texas and emerged as the Longhorns' leading scorer. The 20-year-old from Ohio is more of a driver than a shooter -- and he probably needs to become a better shooter to justify a first-round grade. But there's definitely stuff here for Minnesota to work with, starting with the idea that Swain is an explosive athlete who can impact the game on both ends. From San Antonio Spurs Round 1 - Pick 29 
Tounde Yessoufou SF Baylor • Fr • 6'5" / 215 lbs Projected Team Cleveland PROSPECT RNK 33rd POSITION RNK 5th PPG 17.8 RPG 5.9 APG 1.6 3P% 29.3% Like several others, Yessoufou has options to return to college for a big number and might actually do that. But if the dynamic scorer remains in the draft, he's an obvious option late in the first round. There are concerns about his 3-point percentage, which finished below 32% in his one season at Baylor. But the level of production the 20-year-old former McDonald's All-American has displayed since high school should not be ignored. From Oklahoma City Thunder Round 1 - Pick 30 
Ebuka Okorie PG Stanford • Fr • 6'2" / 185 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 29th POSITION RNK 9th PPG 23.2 RPG 3.6 APG 3.6 3P% 35.4% Kyrie Irving remains under contract in Dallas for at least another year -- but that doesn't mean the Mavericks shouldn't explore point guard options. Okorie should be among them if he's still available here. The 19-year-old led the ACC in scoring and tallied at least 33 points five different times. 
