2026 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: My Lottery Picks and Team Fits
With the NBA Combine complete and the withdrawal deadline looming, here’s how I would approach the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.
The 2026 NBA Draft is less than a month away, and teams around the league are beginning to finalize their pre-draft workout schedules and big boards. While there aren’t a ton of major changes from my Mock Draft 3.0, there have been some shifts in how I view certain prospects and team fits following the NBA Combine in Chicago. This mock draft isn’t necessarily what I think teams will do, but more so what I would do if I were making the selections based on roster construction, upside, and long-term team building.
The draft is set for June 23 and will take center stage following the completion of the Conference Finals and NBA Finals, which will feature the New York Knicks and the winner of the San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series, currently tied 2-2.
As the draft approaches, the deadline for NCAA prospects to withdraw from this year’s class also looms. Players have until May 27 to remove their names from the draft and return to school.
While none of the prospects currently projected in my first round have withdrawn yet, there are still several key names weighing their options. Once those decisions become official, I’ll release the updated remainder of the first round and break down how the draft board could shift heading into June 23.
1. AJ Dybantsa
BYU
Freshman
Wing
6’9.” | 217
Age on draft night: 19.3
Mock Draft 3.0 Rank: 1
AJ Dybantsa feels like the likely choice for the Wizards at No. 1 overall, and in a draft this deep, it’s hard to argue against it. Washington should listen to offers, but Dybantsa may simply be too talented to pass up, even with prospects like Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer in the mix. He dominated all season, leading Division I in scoring at 25.5 points per game on 51% shooting while showcasing a polished, versatile offensive game. Whether operating as a lead ball handler, creating from the mid-post, or attacking downhill, Dybantsa proved he can score at all three levels. His physical tools only added to the intrigue, measuring nearly 6’9” barefoot with a 42-inch vertical.
The Wizards are already trending upward after adding veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis, and Dybantsa would immediately become the primary scorer alongside a promising young core featuring Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, and Tre Johnson. His offensive firepower paired with Washington’s length and defensive versatility could make them a legitimate playoff contender as soon as next season. The roster construction also helps cover weaknesses: the young wings can help insulate Trae Young defensively, while the team has enough depth to withstand the games Anthony Davis is likely to miss. A projected lineup of Young, Dybantsa, George, Sarr, and Davis offers size, scoring, and versatility across the board. If Dybantsa fully buys in defensively, Washington could become a tough matchup every night.
2. Cameron Boozer
Duke
Freshman
Big
6’9” | 253
Age on draft night: 18.9
Mock Draft 3.0 Rank: 2
Cameron Boozer makes a ton of sense for Utah if the Jazz stay put instead of attempting to move up for AJ Dybantsa. There’s understandable intrigue surrounding Dybantsa and even Darryn Peterson, but Boozer may be the cleanest fit for what Utah is trying to build. The first thing Boozer should probably do when he lands in Salt Lake City is buy No. 5 from Cody Williams, considering his father, Carlos Boozer, wore the number during his six-year run with the Jazz.
Boozer proved at Duke that he’s one of the safest and most productive players in the class, averaging 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists while leading the Blue Devils to the Elite Eight. He’s a high-level competitor who impacts winning and can score in multiple ways, whether dominating inside or stretching the floor from the perimeter. At nearly 6’9” barefoot with a 7’1” wingspan, Boozer has the size and versatility to play both frontcourt spots, though slimming down 10-15 pounds could help maximize his defensive mobility long-term.
What makes the fit especially intriguing is the potential frontcourt combination of Lauri Markkanen, Boozer, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Boozer and Markkanen help compensate for JJJ’s rebounding shortcomings, while Jackson’s elite rim protection and defensive versatility can cover for some of Boozer’s expected defensive lapses early in his career. Offensively, Utah could roll out an enormous five-out lineup featuring Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Markkanen, Boozer, and Jackson, giving them elite size and spacing across the floor. There are still questions about how that group handles dominant interior forces like Nikola Jokic, but the offensive upside is undeniable.
Boozer’s arrival could also make Walker Kessler expendable, allowing Utah to potentially flip him for additional assets. At the same time, the organization still has major roster decisions looming, including Keyonte George becoming extension-eligible this summer. Still, if Utah keeps the pick, Boozer feels like the type of foundational talent who fits both the roster and timeline perfectly.
3. Darryn Peterson
Kansas
Freshman
Guard
6’5” | 199
Age on draft night: 19.4
Mock Draft 3.0 Rank: 4
I’ve been on record saying Darryn Peterson is the best guard prospect we’ve seen in a very long time, and despite some uneven moments at Kansas, I still believe he has the talent to become a multiple-time All-Star. Peterson averaged 20 points per game while shooting 38% from three on seven attempts per game, showcasing significant growth as a perimeter shooter. While he looked more like a pure scoring guard under Bill Self than the downhill attacker we saw at Prolific Prep, the flashes of both versions are what make him so intriguing. If Peterson can combine his elite driving ability with the improved jumper he displayed in Lawrence, you’re talking about a player talented enough to go No. 1 overall and potentially become the best player in the draft.
