NBA · 8 hours ago

CBS Sports Reveals Updated 2026 NBA Mock Draft

John Canady

Host · Writer

30) Dallas Mavericks: C Luigi Suigo, Italy
This would be a long-term investment for Dallas, but the upside is difficult to ignore. Luigi Suigo possesses rare size and intriguing perimeter skill for a player of his height, making him one of the more fascinating developmental prospects in the class. If he reaches his potential, he could become an ideal frontcourt partner for Cooper Flagg.

"Suigo is a potential 7-foot-3 stretch-five man." — Adam Finkelstein
1) Washington Wizards: F AJ Dybantsa, BYU
The Wizards land the type of franchise-changing talent every rebuilding team hopes to find in AJ Dybantsa. His ability to create his own shot, score from anywhere on the floor, and overwhelm defenders with his physical tools gives Washington a potential future superstar to build around. Pairing him with the organization's young core would instantly accelerate the timeline.

"He legitimately has the potential to lead the NBA in scoring one day, but also has to prove that he can consistently impact, and ultimately, drive winning." — Adam Finkelstein
2) Utah Jazz: G Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Darryn Peterson feels like a natural fit for where Utah is headed. The Jazz need another dynamic playmaker to grow alongside Keyonte George, and Peterson brings the size, shot-making, and offensive creativity to become a centerpiece in the backcourt. If he stays healthy, this pairing could give Utah one of the league's more intriguing young guard duos.

"Peterson is a very clean fit alongside Keyonte George in what should be Utah's backcourt of the future." — Adam Finkelstein
3) Memphis Grizzlies: F Cameron Boozer, Duke
The Grizzlies would be getting one of the safest bets in the draft with Cameron Boozer. His combination of toughness, production, basketball IQ, and winning pedigree makes him an ideal cornerstone piece for a team looking to reestablish itself. A frontcourt featuring Boozer and Zach Edey would give Memphis plenty to build around for years to come.

"Boozer has the highest floor in this draft, and probably an underrated ceiling." — Adam Finkelstein
4) Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
Chicago would be swinging for upside with Caleb Wilson, and the payoff could be massive. His athleticism, motor, and defensive potential fit the type of modern forward every team covets. The Bulls could afford to be patient while Wilson continues to expand his offensive game and polish his overall skill set.

"Wilson is a prospect with legit star type outcome and potential." — Adam Finkelstein
5) LA Clippers: G Keaton Wagler, Illinois
If the Clippers stay put, Keaton Wagler could be exactly what they need in the backcourt. His size and shooting would allow him to play alongside Darius Garland while also handling lead guard duties when needed. The versatility and feel for the game make him an especially appealing fit on a veteran roster trying to contend.

"It's his feel for the game and natural instincts that may be his true superpower." — Adam Finkelstein
6) Brooklyn Nets: G Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
The Nets are still searching for a true offensive engine, and Darius Acuff Jr. could help solve that problem. He's an aggressive creator who can put pressure on defenses and generate offense for himself and others. Brooklyn has young pieces in place, but Acuff brings a level of shot creation the roster currently lacks.

"He gives them the type of alpha creator they don't otherwise have yet." — Adam Finkelstein
7) Sacramento Kings: G Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
Sacramento would be adding one of the most polished guards in the class with Mikel Brown Jr. His ball-handling, passing vision, and overall feel for the position could provide stability in the backcourt while giving the Kings another long-term building block. There's reason to believe his shooting numbers will continue to improve at the next level.

"Brown is incredibly skilled, has complete control of the ball, and is a pinpoint passer." — Adam Finkelstein
8) Atlanta Hawks: G Kingston Flemings, Houston
Kingston Flemings would bring athleticism and defensive intensity to Atlanta's young core. His ability to attack the paint and make life difficult for opposing guards fits well alongside the Hawks' current perimeter pieces. If the jump shot proves to be real, this could end up looking like one of the better value picks in the lottery.

"He's an elite athlete who can get a piece of the paint on demand and rise up explosively at the rim." — Adam Finkelstein
9) Dallas Mavericks: G Brayden Burries, Arizona
The fit between Brayden Burries and Cooper Flagg is easy to envision. Burries brings toughness, scoring punch, and defensive versatility, giving Dallas another reliable two-way piece on the perimeter. His NBA-ready frame should allow him to contribute early while he continues to develop his offensive game.

"He is a strong and aggressive two-way guard who can get downhill with force." — Adam Finkelstein
10) Milwaukee Bucks: F Nate Ament, Tennessee
Milwaukee could afford to gamble on upside, and that's exactly what Nate Ament offers. The tools are obvious with his size, skill, and fluidity as a forward, even if consistency remains a work in progress. For a franchise facing uncertainty, betting on long-term potential makes plenty of sense.

"There's still glaring potential." — Adam Finkelstein
11) Golden State Warriors: C Aday Mara, Michigan
Aday Mara would give Golden State a different dimension in the frontcourt without sacrificing the ball movement that defines the Warriors. His passing ability, rim protection, and size make him an intriguing fit in Steve Kerr's system. Finding a 7-foot-3 center who can facilitate is not something teams come across often.

"He's also got sneaky mobility, good hands, real passing ability, and provides vertical spacing." — Adam Finkelstein
12) Oklahoma City Thunder: F Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
The Thunder are in win-now mode, making Yaxel Lendeborg a logical target. He impacts games in a variety of ways, from defending multiple positions to facilitating offense and knocking down open shots. Oklahoma City doesn't need a savior; it needs contributors, and Lendeborg checks that box.

"Lendeborg is one of the more versatile two-way players, and specifically defenders, in the draft." — Adam Finkelstein
13) Miami Heat: G Labaron Philon, Alabama
Miami has questions to answer in the backcourt, and Labaron Philon could help provide clarity. He's a productive scorer who thrives with the ball in his hands and has shown the ability to run an offense efficiently. The Heat have long valued guards who can create, and Philon fits that mold.

"A gifted shot creator, Philon stuffed the stat sheet as the focal point of one of college basketball's fastest offenses." — Adam Finkelstein
14) Charlotte Hornets: F Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Morez Johnson Jr. feels like a strong fit for a Charlotte team that could use more toughness and physicality in the frontcourt. His rebounding, defensive versatility, and improved shooting give him multiple pathways to contributing at the next level. The Hornets would be adding a player capable of doing plenty of the dirty work.

"He fits a need for Charlotte, both positionally as well as with his rugged physicality." — Adam Finkelstein
15) Chicago Bulls: C Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky
The Bulls double down on length and athleticism by adding Jayden Quaintance, one of the most disruptive defensive talents in the class. His ability to protect the rim, switch defensively, and finish above the basket gives Chicago another high-upside frontcourt piece. If the medicals check out, this could end up being one of the steals of the draft.

"He's long, powerful, violently athletic at the rim, and a real game-changer on the defensive end of the floor." — Adam Finkelstein
16) Memphis Grizzlies: F Hannes Steinbach, Washington
Memphis continues to build out its frontcourt with Hannes Steinbach, a skilled big who does a little bit of everything. His rebounding and feel for the game would complement Cameron Boozer and Zach Edey nicely, giving the Grizzlies flexibility with different lineup combinations. There's a lot to like about the long-term fit.

"He's a skilled and smart big man who has elite hands and is a high-volume rebounder." — Adam Finkelstein
17) Oklahoma City Thunder: F Karim Lopez, Mexico
The Thunder have never been afraid to bet on upside, and Karim Lopez fits many of the traits they've historically targeted. He plays with energy, embraces physicality, and impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Oklahoma City could afford to let him develop while adding another versatile piece to an already loaded roster.

"He checks many of the boxes that OKC has historically prioritized." — Adam Finkelstein
18) Charlotte Hornets: F Dailyn Swain, Texas
After addressing the frontcourt earlier, Charlotte adds perimeter versatility with Dailyn Swain. His defensive mindset, ability to attack the rim, and secondary playmaking would fit nicely alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. The Hornets can live with some shooting inconsistency if the rest of his game translates.

"Swain would check a lot of boxes as a defensive-oriented big wing." — Adam Finkelstein
19) Toronto Raptors: G Christian Anderson, Texas
The Raptors could use more offensive firepower in the backcourt, and Christian Anderson brings exactly that. Few players in this class can match his shooting ability and overall skill level with the ball. Toronto would be betting that his offense outweighs any concerns on the defensive end.

"Anderson is one of the most skilled players, and maybe the best shooter, in this draft." — Adam Finkelstein
20) San Antonio Spurs: G Cameron Carr, Baylor
The Spurs continue adding young talent around Victor Wembanyama with Cameron Carr. His blend of athleticism, length, and shot-making gives San Antonio another perimeter weapon with room to grow. Landing in a stable development environment could help him maximize his potential.

"He's one of the few perimeter prospects in this draft who can combine length, athleticism, and shot-making." — Adam Finkelstein
21) Detroit Pistons: G Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Bennett Stirtz makes a lot of sense for Detroit as a secondary playmaker next to Cade Cunningham. His shooting and decision-making would help keep the offense organized while also creating more space for Cunningham to operate. Sometimes the best fits are the simplest ones.

"He's a highly skilled true point guard with an elite feel for the game." — Adam Finkelstein
22) Philadelphia 76ers: F Koa Peat, Arizona
Philadelphia could use more toughness and physicality in the frontcourt, which makes Koa Peat an intriguing option. His ability to attack downhill and embrace contact would bring a different dimension to the roster. Playing alongside Joel Embiid could also help mask some of the spacing concerns.

"The Sixers could benefit from Peat's strength, physicality, intangibles, winning pedigree, and ability to get downhill." — Adam Finkelstein
23) Atlanta Hawks: F Chris Cenac Jr., Atlanta
With questions looming in the frontcourt, Chris Cenac Jr. would give Atlanta another developmental big man worth investing in. The physical tools are easy to see, and his defensive versatility should be attractive to a team looking to get younger. If the production catches up to the talent, this could be a home run selection.

"He has size, length, athleticism, mobility to slide laterally, and some developing face-up skill." — Adam Finkelstein
24) New York Knicks: C Tarris Reed Jr., UConn
The Knicks could be preparing for life after Mitchell Robinson, and Tarris Reed Jr. would help soften that transition. He's a physical interior presence who rebounds, finishes through contact, and brings more offensive skill than many realize. New York would be getting a player who fits its identity.

"Reed was as good as any big man in the NCAA Tournament." — Adam Finkelstein
25) Los Angeles Lakers: C Henri Veesaar, North Carolina
The Lakers have been searching for long-term answers in the frontcourt, and Henri Veesaar offers a unique skill set. His ability to stretch the floor while still functioning as a true center could open up the offense in a variety of ways. If the defensive consistency improves, his value only increases.

"A stretch-five who shoots it with ease out to the three-point line." — Adam Finkelstein
26) Denver Nuggets: G Ebuka Okorie, Stanford
Denver could use additional guard depth, and Ebuka Okorie would bring speed and shot creation to the roster. His ability to collapse defenses off the dribble could create opportunities for teammates while easing some of the burden on the Nuggets' primary creators. There's plenty to like about the fit.

"He has terrific speed and can get a piece of the paint on demand." — Adam Finkelstein
27) Boston Celtics: F Allen Graves, Santa Clara
The Celtics have long valued versatile players who impact winning in multiple ways, and Allen Graves fits that profile. He rebounds, passes, defends, and takes care of the basketball while also stretching the floor. Boston would be getting a player whose game aligns with the organization's philosophy.

"Graves is an analytic darling who has elite BPM metrics." — Adam Finkelstein
28) Minnesota Timberwolves: G Isaiah Evans, Duke
Few players in this class are as pure a shooter as Isaiah Evans. Minnesota could maximize that skill immediately by placing him next to Anthony Edwards, creating more space for the offense to operate. His shooting alone gives him a pathway to early minutes.

"Evans looks like the type of shooter you can run plays for in the NBA." — Adam Finkelstein
29) Cleveland Cavaliers: G Meleek Thomas, Arkansas
The Cavaliers could use another source of instant offense, and Meleek Thomas fits that description perfectly. He's capable of heating up quickly and creating points without needing much time or space. That type of scoring punch becomes even more valuable if Cleveland's backcourt changes this offseason.

"Meleek Thomas is the type of instant offense bucket-getter who could provide a microwave scorer off the bench." — Adam Finkelstein
30) Dallas Mavericks: C Luigi Suigo, Italy
This would be a long-term investment for Dallas, but the upside is difficult to ignore. Luigi Suigo possesses rare size and intriguing perimeter skill for a player of his height, making him one of the more fascinating developmental prospects in the class. If he reaches his potential, he could become an ideal frontcourt partner for Cooper Flagg.

"Suigo is a potential 7-foot-3 stretch-five man." — Adam Finkelstein
1) Washington Wizards: F AJ Dybantsa, BYU
The Wizards land the type of franchise-changing talent every rebuilding team hopes to find in AJ Dybantsa. His ability to create his own shot, score from anywhere on the floor, and overwhelm defenders with his physical tools gives Washington a potential future superstar to build around. Pairing him with the organization's young core would instantly accelerate the timeline.

"He legitimately has the potential to lead the NBA in scoring one day, but also has to prove that he can consistently impact, and ultimately, drive winning." — Adam Finkelstein

CBS Sports Reveals Updated 2026 NBA Mock Draft

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES

EDITOR'S PICKS

For the Best of SportsGrid, Grab the App

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES