Editor’s note: This story has been updated to further clarify various trades and pick swaps.
Who will be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft? AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer?
A lot of the draft experts were split heading into the college basketball season and they still aren’t quite certain with the NCAA Tournament right around the corner. The same apparently goes for AI.
After USA TODAY Sports initially queried Microsoft Copilot for its version of a 2026 NBA mock draft for the first round based on information and analysis currently available on the internet last month, we followed up now that March Madness is almost here. There were some variations, most notably at the top of the draft, and it’s perhaps a reflection of the uncertainty surrounding Peterson’s availability at Kansas this college basketball season.
The decision between Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer is likely to define this year’s class, and could depend on which team is picking No. 1. That, of course, remains somewhat nebulous due to the varying odds offered by the NBA draft lottery system and the number of teams tanking this season in order to best position themselves in what’s considered a deep draft class. For the purposes of this mock draft, team selections are based on NBA regular-season records as of March 9, 2026 and account for relevant trades, pick swaps and stipulations.
Here’s Microsoft Copilot’s 2026 NBA mock draft, version 2.0, as curated by USA TODAY Sports:
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2026 NBA mock draft by USA TODAY Sports
You can compare AI’s picks to the latest USA TODAY 2026 NBA mock draft by clicking here.
2026 NBA mock draft: AI picks first round
USA TODAY Sports asked Microsoft Copilot AI to generate a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft featuring only players who could be eligible this year.
Microsoft Copilot assigned the draft order based on current NBA records (as of games played before Monday, March 9), with the worst record getting the No. 1 pick and the best record getting the No. 30 pick. It used current mock drafts from reputable websites, as well as team needs, prospect analysis and potential pick swaps/protections, to determine the first-round selections for each team in this exercise.
AI models still have issues with accuracy as seen in the mock draft below. Of particular note, Microsoft Copilot had several picks inaccurately assigned to teams based on previous trades and pick swaps.
Here’s a 2026 NBA first-round mock draft, according to Microsoft Copilot AI, as of March 9.
5. Utah Jazz: Kingston Flemings, Houston9. Chicago Bulls: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville15. Atlanta Hawks: Patrick Ngongba II, Duke
Note: The No. 15 pick would belong to the San Antonio Spurs in this scenario based on a pick swap acquired by San Antonio in the 2023 trade in which Dejounte Murray went from the Spurs to the Hawks.
17. Miami Heat: Braylon Mullins, UConn19. Toronto Raptors: Chris Cenac, Jr., Houston20. Phoenix Suns: Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Note: The No. 20 pick would belong to the Charlotte Hornets in this scenario based on a complicated pick swap situation that also includes Orlando and Memphis.
22. Denver Nuggets: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
Note: The No. 23 pick would belong to the Atlanta Hawks in this scenario based on a complicated pick swap situation that also includes San Antonio.
24. Houston Rockets: Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)
Note: The No. 24 pick would belong to the Philadelphia 76ers in this scenario based on a complicated pick swap situation that also includes the LA Clippers, Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Note: The No. 25 pick would belong to the Detroit Pistons in this scenario based on a pick swap involved in their deal at the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
27. Boston Celtics: Hannes Steinbach, Washington
Note: The No. 25 pick would belong to the Minnesota Timberwolves in this scenario based on a pick swap involved in their deal at the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
Note: The No. 29 pick would belong to the Cleveland Cavaliers in this scenario based on a complicated pick swap situation that also includes San Antonio.
Note: The No. 30 pick would belong to the Washington Wizards in this scenario based on a complicated pick swap situation that also includes the LA Clippers, Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA mock draft 2026: AI makes first round picks for all 30 teams