The NBA season is quickly approaching the end of its first full month, but some teams — as always — are already looking to the future.
The NBA draft has seen potentially generational players come through in recent seasons, from Victor Wembanyama going to the San Antonio Spurs as the No. 1 overall selection in 2023, to Cooper Flagg heading to the Dallas Mavericks in April.
The 2026 NBA draft class is poised to be deep and loaded with talent, offering teams the chance to instantly improve. And, given the instant impacts rookies like Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Cedric Coward and VJ Edgecombe have already had this season, this upcoming class should provide the same upside.
Here is the first USA TODAY Sports 2026 NBA mock draft of the season:
USA TODAY Sports 2026 NBA Mock Draft
Draft order determined via record through Nov. 24 games
1. Washington Wizards: Darryn Peterson (G), Kansas
The Wizards have taken a few swings on guards in the draft, but they need a long-term solution. Tre Johnson (No. 6 overall rookie) may blossom into that, but Peterson, the freshman guard, has excellent size (6-foot-5) and athleticism, and his scoring ability should infuse efficiency into an offense that ranks 28th in rating (107.9). Peterson has been dealing with a hamstring strain, but his versatility and ball handling is sorely needed in Washington.
2. Indiana Pacers: AJ Dybantsa (F), BYU
He’s built like a prototype wing for the modern NBA and Dybantsa, the 6-foot-9 freshman, would thrive in Indiana’s controlled chaos offense. Dybantsa plays above the rim and is an explosive athlete who attacks the basket. His game is fluid and polished, and he would bolster a solid, young core for the Pacers, who could return to championship contention next season, when fully healthy.
3. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Mikel Brown Jr. (G), Louisville
If the Hawks opt to move on from Trae Young at some point, Brown presents an ideal replacement. A point guard with decent size (6-foot-4) built very much in a style similar to Young, Brown has excellent scoring instincts and range, and isn’t afraid to draw contact to get to the line. He dropped 29 points and five assists in an eight-point win over Kentucky.
4. Brooklyn Nets: Cameron Boozer (F/C), Duke
The best player on an undefeated Duke team, Boozer leads the Blue Devils in points (21.1), rebounds (9.9), assists (4.0), steals (1.7) and blocks (1.3) per game. Boozer may not be a dominant scoring threat in the pros, but his game is balanced and he consistently makes winning plays, whether or not they show up in a box score. If the Nets look to move center Nic Claxton, Boozer would be a nice replacement.
5. Charlotte Hornets: Caleb Wilson (F/C), North Carolina
Perhaps no player has improved his stock more so far this college basketball season than Wilson, a high-motor forward who is not afraid to operate and rebound near the rim. He’ll need to continue to bulk up and refine his jump shot to draw out defenses more. Hornets forward Miles Bridges is signed through next season, so Wilson, a freshman, provides an excellent frontcourt option for the future.
6. Dallas Mavericks: Nate Ament (F), Tennessee
The Vols finally played a ranked opponent in Houston, but Ament has shown plenty of traits early in his freshman year that project nicely to the NBA; he can handle the ball and distribute, and he can score from all levels on the court. The Mavericks are a tough team to gauge, given that they may be entering a rebuild. Alongside Flagg, Ament would give Dallas a pair of fluid athletes with size.
7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings (G), Houston
This is a case where the need outweighs the draft board. Since trading De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento has needed a point guard. But with Peterson and Brown off the board, the Kings are forced to settle for Flemings, who has shined for the No. 2 Cougars with his efficiency and playmaking. He’s hitting shots at an absurd 63.3% clip and has an explosive get-off when on the ball.
8. Utah Jazz: Chris Cenac Jr. (F/C), Houston
Finding a stretch forward in the same style as Lauri Markkanen would be ideal, but if the Jazz do opt to move him before the deadline, it will be hard to uncover a player with that skill set at this position. Either way, the Jazz need a center and Flemings’ teammate follows him here. Cenac has the frame (6-foot-11, 240 pounds) to step in right away, and his ability to knock down perimeter shots should get him instant playing time.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Koa Peat (F), Arizona
It’s almost unfair for the Thunder to be in position to add even more elite talent, but the Thunder have the unique ability to take on projects whom they can refine. Peat has the physical tools, power, footwork and touch at the rim to play in the NBA, but he needs to develop a more consistent jumper.
10. Memphis Grizzlies: Neoklis Avdalas (G), Virginia Tech
The Grizzlies have a decision to make on Ja Morant’s future, and coach Tuomas Iisalo also needs to make a determination on the shape of the offense; will they emphasize pace and spacing, or will they continue to rely on pick-and-rolls? Avdalas is a versatile playmaker who can play point guard just as easily as small forward. He has excellent vision and thrives in transition. It makes a ton of sense.
11. Milwaukee Bucks: Labaron Philon (G), Alabama
Since the Damian Lillard experiment failed, the Bucks have needed a long-term answer at point guard. Ryan Rollins has been solid, but Philon thrives in pick-and-rolls and would be a seamless fit alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Knocking down 3s at a 40.7% rate helps, but Philon will need to limit his turnovers.
12. Portland Trail Blazers: Karim López (F), New Zealand Breakers
The Blazers haven’t shied away from unconventional picks, so, in this spot, they go for playmaking and offense along the wing. López is only 18, but has flashed power and determination in his ability to get to the rim. His defense is a question, but his ability to lace shots from deep should make him an interesting project at the pro level.
13. Chicago Bulls: Jayden Quaintance (C), Kentucky
This is a tricky pick to project because Quaintance remains sidelined in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament he sustained while at Arizona State. He was only 17 during his freshman season and he’s not a good perimeter shooter, so he wouldn’t be a long-term replacement for Nikola Vučević, but Quaintance is plenty athletic, can run the floor, protects the rim and can be a lob threat.
14. Boston Celtics: Darius Acuff Jr. (G), Arkansas
Since trading Jrue Holiday, the Celtics haven’t found an answer at point guard, and Acuff fits what Boston does offensively; he’s a steady 3-point shooter (43.8%) and creates for his teammates. He’ll need to stay determined on defense to find a spot in the rotation with the Celtics, but the assertiveness and skill set are all there.
15. Golden State Warriors: Thomas Haugh (F), Florida
This is a perfect fit at a position of need. The Warriors desperately need scoring and fluid offense from the wing, as Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green continue to age. Haugh is versatile on offense and should fit Steve Kerr’s scheme with ease, and he also is an above-average, high-effort defender, which will go a long way — something that has led to Jonathan Kuminga at times falling out of favor.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic): Hannes Steinbach (F/C), Washington
He has the size and frame to step in right away, and his production shores up Memphis’ frontcourt. He ranks third in the country in rebounds (12.8 per game) and has flashed sound technique on offense, blending power and finesse.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Dame Sarr (F), Duke
This is such a Thunder pick; Sarr is long, hyper-athletic and flashes defensive promise. He’s not a dominant scorer or creator, but his shooting has improved. He’ll be able to sit and develop in what has become the best program in the NBA.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tounde Yessoufou (F), Baylor
The glaring question mark here is his shooting; Yessoufou is knocking down 3s at just 26.3% and will need to stay in the gym to carve out a consistent spot in the NBA. But he’s strong, powerful, aggressive and relentless in his defense and attacking. The Timberwolves will love all that. If his shot improves the rest of the season, he’ll end up in the lottery.
19. Charlotte Hornets (via Suns): Bennett Stirtz (G), Iowa
They added a ton of shooting last offseason, and the LaMelo Ball uncertainty may prompt the need for a new point guard, especially with Collin Sexton on an expiring deal. In this move, Charlotte nabs an experienced distributor who should fit in right away. Stirtz’s ability to operate in pick-and-rolls makes this a great fit, especially since he won’t need the volume shooting that Ball does.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Yaxel Lendeborg (F/C), Michigan
Even though he’s one of the older players projected to be available, the Spurs could get a little younger at forward, and Lendeborg presents a plug-and-play option who won’t need to score the ball to find his value. He has high-level basketball intelligence and touch and his passing and defense should make him a rotation staple.
21. New York Knicks: Braylon Mullins (G), Connecticut
This would be a dream scenario for the Knicks. Mullins has yet to make his college basketball debut, but he’s an excellent perimeter shooter and attacks the rim. He’s also a plus defender with his size (6-foot-5). He’ll need to bulk up, but if he flashes, he could rise up the draft board.
22. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Aday Mara (C), Michigan
They picked up Kristaps Porziņģis on a one-year rental, and his deal expires at the end of the season, so finding a long-term replacement is a priority. Mara does not have the shooting range or scoring capability, but Mara is a rim protector whose best offensive gift is his passing. If he bulks up some, he could become dominant on the glass.
23. Miami Heat: Cameron Carr (G/F), Baylor
His freshman season at Tennessee, he averaged 1.6 points per game. As a sophomore, that total jumped to 4.8. But now that Carr has transferred to Baylor, he’s dropping 23.0 and 5.5 rebounds and he fits perfectly with what Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has done to Miami’s offense. Carr is explosive and athletic and excels at driving the ball. He’s shooting the 3 at an absurd 52.9% clip. And his defense, though not wholly refined, is diverse and relies on his length and lateral speed — something the Heat values intensely.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Dash Daniels (G), Melbourne United (Australia)
Cleveland does have its backcourt set, though Darius Garland has become an injury risk as of late. Daniels is much more of a project, anyway. The younger brother of Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, Dash Daniels is still 17 and takes after his brother with his defensive prowess. He will need to refine his shooting and demonstrate that it can be a threat, but he’s a developmental prospect.
25. Toronto Raptors: Isaiah Evans (G), Duke
Although he may have a very specified role at the next level, Evans’ shooting ability should earn him playing time early on. He will still need to diversify his game some more and will need to be more consistent on defense, otherwise, teams will target him.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Rockets): Zuby Ejiofor (F), St. John’s
A bit of a tweener, certain teams may have a hard time finding a fit for Ejiofor. The Thunder, however, will value his defensive intensity and passing. An inconsistent shot may prevent him from moving up the draft board.
27. Los Angeles Lakers: JT Toppin (F), Texas Tech
The Lakers appear as though they will be moving on from LeBron James at the end of the season, so there will be a massive hole to fill at forward. Toppin is a 20-year-old junior who won’t need much time to acclimate and he has a rounded game that should get him instant minutes.
28. Denver Nuggets: Meleek Thomas (G), Arkansas
The benefit about joining a team like the Nuggets is that there won’t be instant pressure to step in. Known for his instant offense, Thomas will need to develop his playmaking and defensive consistency.
29. Detroit Pistons: Matt Able (G), NC State
Though he’s not starting for the Wolf Pack, Able has become the key perimeter scorer off the bench. The Pistons are always looking for more shooting, so the freshman would be a nice developmental piece to pair alongside Duncan Robinson.
30. Washington Wizards (via Thunder): Flory Bidunga (F), Kansas
Though he was known mostly for his defensive presence down low, Bidunga has started the season strong and may be moving up the draft board. He’s averaging 16.7 points per game (after posting just 5.9 last season), and he held his own against Cameron Boozer in a matchup Tuesday, Nov. 18.