2026 NBA Mock Draft: Cameron Boozer takes unexpected fall

The NBA Draft is just 29 days away, and while the Conference Finals are in full swing, GMs are dialing in on their draft boards, cooking up trades, and seeing which prospects fit their teams best. The NBA Draft Lottery didn’t have too many big swings. The Washington Wizards won the first overall pick; there weren’t any crazy lottery risers such as Oklahoma City or Golden State entering the top five.

With the NBA Draft order set, there’s no better time to project who goes where. Here’s how the first 14 picks will go.

1. Washington WizardsAJ Dybansta, Small Forward BYU

AJ Dybansta has gained momentum as the best prospect in the NBA Draft. Dybansta has elite footwork and finishing around the rim, has a smooth midrange game, and can get hot from three-point range at times. The size and athleticism jump off the page as well: standing 6’8 and recording a 42-inch max vertical. Dybansta has an NBA-ready frame and isn’t afraid of contact in the paint.

In terms of fit, AJ Dybantsa will slide right into the starting lineup alongside veteran talent such as PG Trae Young and PF Anthony Davis. The Wizards are all of a sudden one of the most interesting teams in the Eastern Conference, having All-Star caliber veterans and now arguably the best prospect in one of the most talent-filled drafts since 2003.

Darryn Peterson, Guard, Kansas

Darryn Peterson was the consensus No. 1 overall pick for the first half of the College Basketball season, but due to injury and cramping issues, missed games, and the storylines behind missing games and even the second halves of games ended up defining his season more than his actual play.

As a scorer, there’s no prospect more polished than Peterson, who has a quick release on his jumper, can score on all three levels, and doesn’t force up bad shots often. Peterson will fit right in with the Jazz, operating as a primary scoring guard next to PG Keyonte George and the talented frontcourt of Ace Bailey, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler.

Utah misses out on the BYU product, but the consoloation prize could be even better.

Caleb Wilson, Power Forward, North Carolina

Cameron Boozer is widely viewed as the No. 3 prospect in this draft, but Memphis needs a high-ceiling prospect who could be a culture shifter.

Any NBA GMs that are looking for grit, looking for a prospect with a real competitive edge, Caleb Wilson is their guy. Wilson’s athleticism jumps off the screen, with an excellent finish at the rim and a smooth mid-range stroke. The three-pointer is still a work in progress, but his shot form is fluid enough that he can improve with time.

The Grizzlies need a front-court standout after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr to the Utah Jazz. Wilson can be the next piece of their rebuild, pairing him with All-Rookie first-teamer Cedric Coward.

Cameron Boozer, Power Forward, Duke

Like father, like son, Cameron Boozer follows in his father, Carlos’s, footsteps and dons the Chicago Bulls uniform. Boozer is widely regarded as having the highest floor in this draft class. Boozer’s game isn’t as flashy as the others, he’s not jumping out of the gym like AJ Dybantsa or Caleb Wilson.

Boozer is a master of the fundamentals, uses his big frame to gain leverage in the paint, and backs down his defenders before getting a layup or drawing a foul. Maybe Boozers biggest strength is his knack for getting rebounds, constantly winning on the glass against bigger guys.

Developing a face-up game and a mid-range jumper will be key to Boozer’s growth, but he already feels like a guaranteed 15-point, 10-rebound type of player.

Keaton Wagler, Guard, Illinois

The Clippers just traded for Darius Garland in the blockbuster that sent James Harden to the Cavaliers. Drafting a smaller guard like Darius Acuff Jr doesn’t make sense if the idea is to keep Garland.

Keaton Wagler isn’t too much of a drop off, though, a taller guard, standing 6’5, who has great playmaking potential, and is already a great decision maker at the lead guard position. Wagler can also thrive in the present, alongside Garland, thanks to his spot-up shooting.

Darius Acuff Jr, Point Guard, Arkansas

The most exciting offensive talent in this draft, Darius Acuff Jr., had a late-season explosion that had scouts and analysts comparing him to Kyrie Irving. Acuff can score anywhere he wants, has a tight handle and can finish at the rim despite his lack of size.

The only concerns with Acuff are his frame and defensive limitations. Acuff will constantly be hunted on that side of the floor, getting switched onto in pick-and-roll actions. The Brooklyn Nets need excitement, though, and Acuff is as fun a player to watch as any in this class, so at worst, hes going to get butts in seats.

Kingston Flemmings, Point Guard, Houston

Of all the guards that will be selected in the middle to late lottery, Kingston Flemmings has the highest floor. Offensively, he can create and excel as a downhill driver, can explode for dunks in traffic at times, and has great control around the rim.

Flemmings stands out from the other guards because of his defensive skills, his pestering of other guards, and his ability to excel on the floor despite being only 6’2. As a playmaker, Flemmings has a great assist-to-turnover ratio, which would work well in Sacramento, which is in a weird spot with veterans like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan still on the roster and on not great contracts.

Mikel Brown Jr, Point Guard, Louisville

If theres one thing that teams learned around the NBA in these playoffs, its that CJ McCollum is still a viable ball handler for a playoff team, and the Hawks may want to keep him, but they know McCollum isn’t their long term PG.

Atlanta needs a long-term PG to pair with Jalen Johnson; Mikel Brown Jr fits that mold perfectly. Brown has an elite handle, is a great passer, and has the potential to get hot from three on any given night. Brown’s scoring potential was displayed when he dropped 45 points and hit 10 threes against NC State.

Brayden Burries, Shooting Guard, Arizona

Kyrie Irving will be back as the lead guard for the Mavericks as they continue into the post-Luka Doncic era. Cooper Flagg is the core piece of this team, and now to add around him and Irving, the Mavs need an off-ball guard who can spread the floor, enter Brayden Burries.

Burries provides another scoring threat, who was extremely efficient at Arizona, shooting 49% from the field and 39% from three. The future of Klay Thompson in a Mavericks uniform is also in question, so Burries can fill that role and probably excel even more in it next to Flagg and Irving.

Nate Ament, Small Forward, Tennessee

Nate Ament was widely viewed as a top six prospect in this draft before the College Basketball season started, and even showed flashes of that upside at times with Tennessee. Inconsistencies on offense and as a jump shooter plagued Ament and made his draft stock dip.

Ament is still a raw offensive talent with a lot of potential, and the Bucks aren’t strangers to taking long wings with high potential. Selecting Ament is contingent to Giannis Antetokoumpo being traded away from Milwaukee before or immedeatly after the NBA Draft.

If the Bucks are for some reason still wanting to hold onto Giannis, then a guard is where they should go.

11. Golden State Warriors

LaBaron Philon Jr, Guard, Alabama

Golden State’s ideal brand of basketball is to get up and down the floor, and be a high-potency offense from three-point range. LaBaron Philon Jr fits that mold and gives Golden State another offensive creator to complement Stephen Curry for now and be the lead guard when Curry hangs it up.

Philon excels as a scorer, efficient from both the field and from three-point range, and doesn’t hesitate to shoot the ball. Beyond just the outside shooting, Philon has a great floater game as well, which is super important in today’s NBA.

Aday Mara, Center, Michigan

The only true center who’s worth a lottery pick, Aday Mara, is the complete package. Mara is a great passer from the top of the key or middle of the lane, a perfect lob threat, and can block any shot.

Oh, the Thunder are going to need Mara’s size as well, standing 7’3, Oklahoma City probably wishes they had him to attempt to guard Victor Webanyama right now in the Western Conference Finals. OKC will need to fill the center hole as well because they could deal Isaiah Hartenstein off this offseason to free up cap space.

Yaxel Lendeborg, Forward, Michigan

The National Player of the Year runner-up, Yaxel Lendeborg, would be a much higher pick in this draft if he was 3 years younger. At the age of 23, Lendeborg still provides a lot of upside and a safe option in this draft.

Lendeborg is a great shooter from outside, can finish through contact at the rim, and is a versatile defender who can switch onto perimeter guards and hold his own against bigger bigs. Miami could certainly use a plug-and-play type of player who can thrive in any role, spot up on the outside, and even have nights where his scoring potential shows.

Morez Johnson Jr, Power Forward, Michigan

Rounding out the first round prospects from the National Champion Wolverines, Morez Johnson brings some elements to the game that Charlotte is lacking right now.

Johnson brings physicality and tenacity to a Hornets core that needs some more of it, which showed in the Play-In blowout loss they took from the Orlando Magic. An aggressive defender and rebounder, who can make the game messy under the rim and create more opportunities on offense for the Hornets shooters to cash in.

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