2026 NBA Draft Predictions
As the excitement around March Madness builds, the anticipation for the 2026 NBA Draft continues to grow. Although there are four months left until the event, the frontrunners for the top three selections have remained consistent: Darryn Peterson from Kansas, AJ Dybantsa of BYU, and Cameron Boozer of Duke are all considered elite prospects, each with the potential to transform an NFL franchise. The primary uncertainty lies in the order of these picks and which teams will hold the coveted top spots come June.
Strategic Repositioning
With a deep talent pool in this draft class, many NBA teams are strategically repositioning themselves—often referred to as going into ‘tank mode’—in hopes of securing a higher draft position, especially after the All-Star break. Recognizing the significance of this situation, USA TODAY Sports turned to artificial intelligence to craft an initial mock draft for the first round of the selection event. This AI-generated draft anticipates players from college and international leagues who could be eligible to enter the professional ranks.
Draft Order and Predictions
Microsoft Copilot AI formulated the draft order based on current NBA standings, with the franchise holding the worst record slated to make the first selection and the best record assigned the final pick. This process incorporated data from respected mock drafts, existing team requirements, and player evaluations.
Here’s a glimpse at the first round predictions for the 2026 NBA Draft as outlined by Microsoft Copilot:
- Sacramento Kings: Darryn Peterson, Kansas
- Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU
- New Orleans Pelicans: Cameron Boozer, Duke (Note: The Pelicans’ pick here is actually Atlanta Hawks’ property due to a prior trade involving Derik Queen last season.)
- Indiana Pacers: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
- Brooklyn Nets: Kingston Flemings, Houston
- Utah Jazz: Nate Ament, Tennessee
- Dallas Mavericks: Keaton Wagler, Illinois
- Memphis Grizzlies: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
- Milwaukee Bucks: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
- Chicago Bulls: Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky
- Atlanta Hawks: Brayden Burries, Arizona
- Charlotte Hornets: Thomas Haugh, Florida
- Los Angeles Clippers: Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama (Note: The Clippers’ first-round selection would go to the Oklahoma City Thunder based on an earlier trade agreement.)
- Portland Trail Blazers: Braylon Mullins, UConn
- Miami Heat: Chris Cenac Jr., Houston
- Golden State Warriors: Hannes Steinbach, Washington
- Orlando Magic: Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan (Note: The Magic’s first-round choice actually belongs to the Memphis Grizzlies due to a prior trade.)
- Philadelphia 76ers: Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor (Note: The 76ers’ top selection currently goes to Oklahoma City Thunder based on a previous transaction.)
- Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
- Phoenix Suns: Koa Peat, Arizona (Note: The Suns’ pick has been traded to the Charlotte Hornets.)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Patrick Ngongba II, Duke
- Los Angeles Lakers: Cameron Carr, Baylor
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)
- Houston Rockets: Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
- Denver Nuggets: Dash Daniels, Melbourne United (NBL)
- New York Knicks: Ivan Kharchenkov, Arizona
- Boston Celtics: Dailyn Swain, Texas
- San Antonio Spurs: Aday Mara, Michigan
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Isaiah Evans, Duke
- Detroit Pistons: Juke Harris, Wake Forest
Conclusion
This analysis taps into the changing landscape of the NBA, where teams hope to snag top talent in what is expected to be a very competitive draft slated for the summer of 2026. Originally reported by USA TODAY, this mock draft aims to provide insights into the future of the league and the next generation of basketball stars.
