No. 1: Darryn Peterson – Washington Wizards
Kansas • Fr • 6'5" / 200 lbs
Peterson has been my No. 1 player since the start of the 2026 draft cycle last summer. Yes, there are concerns about Peterson after an up-and-down season at Kansas, but I'm still buying all the stock on him being the best player in the class. The Wizards can go in several directions with this pick—including a trade with Utah—but Peterson is the best option. He has legit superstar potential.
No. 2: Isaac Dybantsa – Utah Jazz
BYU • Fr • 6'9" / 217 lbs
This would be Utah's dream scenario. Being able to draft a player who played his senior year of high school basketball at nearby Utah Prep and last season at BYU would make Dybantsa immediately the most popular man in the state of Utah.
Dybantsa still has a very strong case to go No. 1. If somehow the Wizards decide to roll with Peterson, or even Boozer at No. 1, I have a hard time believing Dybantsa would fall past this pick. He was the best scorer in college basketball and has the upside to be one of the best scorers in the NBA by the end of this decade.
No. 3: Cooper Boozer – Charlotte Hornets
Duke • Fr • 6'8" / 250 lbs
As we get deeper into the draft cycle, more people are underestimating Boozer. He produced one of the best statistical one-and-done seasons in college basketball history and has a history of winning everywhere he goes, yet he is the consensus No. 3 prospect among many. It's a testament to how good the top of the draft is.
Boozer has an elite basketball IQ and rebounds and passes at a very high level. The frontcourt of Zach Edey and Boozer would be lethal on the glass.
No. 4: Mark Wilson – Chicago Bulls
North Carolina • Fr • 6'9" / 210 lbs
The Bulls have the easiest decision to make on draft night. Whatever player between Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, or Wilson is available here, that's the pick. There's no need to overthink it. There's a clear tier break after this pick.
Wilson would be a foundational building block for Chicago as the franchise enters a new era.
No. 5: Marcus Wagler – LA Clippers
Illinois • Fr • 6'5" / 188 lbs
Pick No. 5 is where the draft starts. Wagler has been a player connected to the Clippers over the last few weeks and it's easy to see why. Wagler can play off the ball and would complement Darius Garland in the backcourt, if that's the direction Los Angeles wants to go in.
It's also possible the Clippers shop this pick and let the highest bidder come up to No. 5. If the Clippers keep their pick, Wagler is the best fit.
Trade: Kings Move Up for Darius Acuff Jr.
Arkansas • Fr • 6'2" / 185 lbs
We have a trade! It's the worst-kept draft secret that the Kings are big fans of Darius Acuff Jr. Although I think there's a real possibility Acuff falls to No. 7 and the Kings don't have to trade up, it's also possible another team equally values Acuff and jumps Sacramento for him.
The price to move up one spot would likely be a handful of second-round picks or some combination of a protected first-round pick and/or pick swap, depending on the demand. I've been on record to say Acuff is a tier above the other guards in this range. He's an elite scorer, facilitator and shooter. He is exactly what Sacramento needs.
No. 6: Jae Brown – New Orleans Pelicans
Louisville • Fr • 6'4" / 190 lbs
Brown has one of the highest upside potentials in the class. The raw shooting numbers (34.4% from 3) don't represent how good of a shooter he actually is. If Brown's medicals come back clean from a lingering back issue that limited him to 21 games at Louisville, he should be locked somewhere in the top 10.
No. 7: Atlanta Hawks Options
Houston • Fr • 6'3" / 183 lbs
In this scenario, the two players Atlanta should consider are Kingston Flemings and Aday Mara. If the Hawks opt for Flemings, he would provide scoring and defense to Atlanta. Flemings is an elite mid-range shooter and uses his speed to put pressure on the defense.
Trade: Thunder Make Move
Michigan • Jr • 7'3" / 260 lbs
Another trade! Oklahoma City has a treasure chest of draft picks and only a few roster spots pending any of.