Chicago Bulls<\/a>: Cameron Boozer, Forward, Duke<\/p>\nCameron Boozer entered college basketball with enormous expectations and somehow exceeded them. As an 18-year-old freshman, he captured the 2025-26 Naismith College Player of the Year Award, the sport’s highest individual honor.<\/p>\n
Boozer averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists while posting outstanding shooting numbers. The reason he falls slightly lower on some draft boards has less to do with production and more to do with questions surrounding his ceiling. In addition, teams continue to debate whether he projects best as a power forward or an undersized center at the next level.<\/p>\n
Chicago already has an intriguing young frontcourt piece in Matas Buzelis, but adding Boozer would give the Bulls another potential building block. His physical strength and elite basketball IQ provide the foundation of a future All-Star, making this an easy selection for a franchise still searching for long-term answers.<\/p>\n
5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler, Guard, Illinois<\/p>\n
Few prospects boosted their draft stock more during the 2025-26 college basketball season than Illinois guard Keaton Wagler. Initially viewed as one of the nation’s top shooters, Wagler proved he was much more than a perimeter specialist.<\/p>\n
He averaged nearly 18 points per game and elevated his play when it mattered most, recording multiple 20-point performances during Illinois’ run to the Final Four. While he is not a traditional point guard, his scoring ability and offensive versatility make him an appealing fit for the Clippers.<\/p>\n
Darius Garland played well after arriving in Los Angeles in February, but the Clippers still lacked reliable offensive options around him. With Kawhi Leonard continuing to battle injuries, Wagler would have an opportunity to contribute immediately and potentially emerge as the team’s primary scoring threat.<\/p>\n
6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr, Guard, Arkansas<\/p>\n
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 15: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks hoists the Most Valuable Player trophy after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores 86-75 in the 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship game at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Did the Nets select three guards in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft? Yes. That should not prevent them from taking the best player available if Darius Acuff Jr. remains on the board.<\/p>\n
At Arkansas, Acuff consistently carried the offensive load, producing six 30-point games while showcasing elite shot creation and playmaking ability. Despite lacking ideal size, his polished offensive game and advanced court vision helped him average six assists per contest.<\/p>\n
Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, and Nolan Traore are all intriguing young pieces, but none at the moment project as franchise-altering talents. Brooklyn has spent years searching for a true foundation, and Acuff’s ceiling may be too high to ignore.<\/p>\n
7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, Guard, Houston<\/p>\n
The Kings remain one of the few teams in the league without a clear long-term answer at point guard. If Kingston Flemings is available, Sacramento should not hesitate to make the selection.<\/p>\n
At just 19 years old, Flemings was the driving force behind a Houston team that finished seventh in the final AP Top 25 Poll. He averaged 16 points, five assists, and four rebounds while serving as the engine of the Cougars’ offense.<\/p>\n
His combination of speed and playmaking has drawn comparisons to former Kings star De’Aaron Fox. Sacramento still has experienced veterans in DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis, but the franchise is searching for a new face to lead the next era.<\/p>\n
8. Atlanta Hawks: Aday Mara, Center, Michigan<\/p>\n
The Hawks appear focused on winning now, making Aday Mara an attractive option. As the first upperclassman selected in this mock draft, Mara brings both experience and proven production after helping Michigan capture a national championship.<\/p>\n
After spending two seasons at UCLA, Mara transferred to Michigan and enjoyed the best year of his collegiate career. He averaged 12 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks per game while establishing himself as one of the nation’s most impactful two-way centers.<\/p>\n
Onyeka Okongwu remains a productive player, but Atlanta could benefit from additional size and depth in the frontcourt. Mara’s rare playmaking ability in addition to his maturity would allow him to step into a meaningful role immediately.<\/p>\n
9. Dallas Mavericks: Mikel Brown Jr, Guard, Louisville<\/p>\n
Just two years ago, the Mavericks were competing in the NBA Finals. Now, after a series of disappointing decisions and major organizational changes, Dallas finds itself back in the lottery.<\/p>\n
Mikel Brown Jr. is one of the more intriguing prospects in the class. Although inconsistency occasionally surfaced during his freshman season at Louisville, he still averaged 18 points, five assists, and three rebounds before a lingering lower-back injury ended his campaign early.<\/p>\n
Brown’s explosive first step and ability to create separation make him an enticing long-term prospect. After striking gold with Cooper Flagg, the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year, Dallas has another opportunity to strengthen its young core and accelerate its return to contention.<\/p>\n
10. Milwaukee Bucks: LaBaron Philon Jr, Guard, Alabama<\/p>\n
Many scouts believed LaBaron Philon Jr. would have been a first-round selection had he remained in the draft the year before. Instead, he returned to Alabama and significantly improved his stock.<\/p>\n
Philon averaged 22 points and five assists while serving as the face of Alabama basketball. His elite handle and creativity to break down defenses are traits Milwaukee desperately needs as questions continue to surround the franchise’s future, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since winning the 2021 NBA Finals, the Bucks have struggled to recapture that success and have yet to return to the Eastern Conference Finals. Caught somewhere between contention and a rebuild, Milwaukee could view Philon as a player capable of influencing the organization’s next major decision.<\/p>\n
11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, Forward, Michigan<\/p>\n
The Warriors continue searching for ways to maximize what remains of Stephen Curry’s championship window. With that in mind, Yaxel Lendeborg feels like an ideal fit.<\/p>\n
After six collegiate seasons, Lendeborg emerged as the centerpiece of Michigan’s national championship team. His versatility and experience make him one of the most NBA-ready prospects available.<\/p>\n
Golden State’s frontcourt is no longer as formidable as it once was. Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is and Draymond Green are both entering the later stages of their careers, creating a need for younger contributors. The New Jersey native’s ability to play multiple frontcourt positions would allow him to carve out an immediate role.<\/p>\n
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Karim Lopez, Forward, Mexico<\/p>\n
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GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 22: Karim Lopez of the Breakers drives to the basket during the NBL Ignite Cup Final match between Adelaide 36ers and New Zealand Breakers at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, on February 22, 2026, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Fresh off a Western Conference Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the Thunder remain one of the league’s deepest and most flexible organizations. That position allows them to prioritize upside, making Karim Lopez an intriguing option, though it may be a reach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lopez becomes the first international prospect selected in this mock draft who did not play NCAA Division I basketball. Competing in Australia’s NBL, he averaged 12 points and six rebounds while displaying impressive defensive versatility.<\/p>\n
At 6-foot-9 with several years of professional experience already under his belt, Lopez is ahead of many of his peers when it comes to handling physical competition. Oklahoma City’s developmental system makes this an ideal landing spot for a player with significant long-term potential.<\/p>\n
13. Miami Heat: Brayden Burries, Guard, Arizona\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) shoots the ball over Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) during a NCAA Tournament game Saturday, March 28, 2026 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Purdue fell to Arizona 79-64.<\/p>\n
The Heat continue searching for stability in the backcourt, and Brayden Burries could provide exactly that after an impressive freshman season at Arizona.<\/p>\n
Burries began the year as a complementary piece before evolving into Arizona’s primary offensive option. He averaged 16 points and five rebounds while steadily improving as both a playmaker and defender.<\/p>\n
Although Miami selected Kasparas Jakucionis in the 2025 NBA Draft, the organization has yet to fully hand him the keys to the offense. Burries offers another option for Erik Spoelstra to develop, and his two-way mentality aligns well with the culture Miami has built.<\/p>\n
14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr, Forward, Michigan\u00a0<\/p>\n
After narrowly missing the postseason, the Hornets possess one of the NBA’s most promising young cores. Adding Morez Johnson Jr. would further strengthen that foundation for Charles Lee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Following his transfer from Illinois to Michigan, Johnson averaged 13 points and seven rebounds while showcasing his versatility in a variety of roles. At 6-foot-9, he combines his defensive flexibility with strong rebounding instincts, both desperately needed by the Hornets.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kon Knueppel was a homerun draft pick with the fourth selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, while LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller still have room to grow. Johnson may not be the flashiest selection, but he would provide much-needed frontcourt stability and help Charlotte push toward a playoff berth in 2026-27.<\/p>\n
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: 2026 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery projections and top prospects find homes<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With the NBA season set to conclude in the coming weeks, attention will soon shift to the 2026…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":752074,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3780],"tags":[27737,7,7146,17047,41665,17641,813,42824,177,29026,6,12,477,8759,682,468,3892,683],"class_list":["post-752073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-washington-wizards","tag-2021-nba-finals","tag-basketball","tag-caleb-wilson","tag-cameron-boozer","tag-darius-acuff-jr","tag-darryn-peterson","tag-freshman-season","tag-keaton-wagler","tag-memphis-grizzlies","tag-mikel-brown-jr","tag-nba","tag-nba-draft","tag-sacramento-kings","tag-shooting-guard","tag-washington","tag-washington-wizards","tag-washingtonwizards","tag-wizards"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116690682411883166","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/752073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=752073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/752073\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/752074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=752073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=752073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=752073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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