James' 2026 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: The Final Board Before Draft Night
The final mock draft of the cycle arrives as blockbuster trades reshape the first round.
Mock Draft 5.0 is here, and with the opening round of the 2026 NBA Draft set to begin tonight, the league has already been thrown into chaos. As teams prepare to make their selections on draft night, the league was shaken by a pair of blockbuster trades that have already reshaped the landscape of this mock.
The biggest move came Monday night when Milwaukee officially ushered in a new era, sending franchise icon and 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. In exchange, the Bucks landed a massive package headlined by Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, multiple future first-round picks, and Miami’s No. 13 overall selection in tonight’s draft. Veteran forward Bobby Portis is also headed to South Beach as part of the deal.
Elsewhere, a three-team trade involving Minnesota, Brooklyn, and Chicago further altered the first-round order. The Nets acquired Julius Randle along with the No. 28 pick from the Timberwolves, while Minnesota moved down to No. 33 and added forward Mo Gueye from Chicago. The Bulls, meanwhile, addressed their frontcourt by acquiring center Nic Claxton.
With Milwaukee now selecting at No. 13 and Brooklyn taking control of the No. 28 pick, the board has shifted considerably heading into what should be a wild first round.
1. AJ Dybantsa
BYU
Freshman
Wing
6’9.” | 217
Age on draft night: 19.3
Mock Draft 4.0 Rank: 1
There has been a big push for the Wizards to take Peterson here from various sources, but I still think the Wizards will go with Dybantsa. I do believe that if Peterson is able to combine the slashing ability that we saw from him prior to Kansas with the improved shooting from his freshman year, then he is the best prospect in the draft.
