The 2026 NBA Draft approaches with great anticipation, being considered one of the most anticipated of all time. The new crop of talent promises to reveal several players with the potential to become Hall of Fame members, although, as with all recruitment, some athletes may not live up to expectations. The difficulty of maintaining and standing out in the league is immense, however, this is expected to be one of the best drafts in the history of professional basketball.
The day marks a pivotal moment in the future of professional basketball, celebrating the transition of young men who excelled in high school and college to the world’s top league.
In recent days, several informants and league professionals were consulted to investigate the buzz leading up to a historic night in Brooklyn. For those looking for an overview of the main points of interest of the 2026 NBA Draft, detailed coverage is available.
Possible surprise in Washington Wizards’ first pick
The possibility of an unexpected pick still generates speculation, although most NBA contacts point to AJ Dybantsa as the likely first pick for the Washington Wizards. Bookmakers also indicate the young talent as the favorite to be selected first on Tuesday night.
However, it is important to remember that last-minute surprises are part of Draft history. Just four years ago, in 2022, the Orlando Magic reversed general expectations by selecting Paolo Banchero as their first pick, even though Jabari Smith Jr. was predicted to be chosen. Smith Jr. ended up falling to third place, and the Magic’s decision proved to be the right one. This historic episode serves as a vivid reminder that pre-Draft predictions, even the most solid ones, can change drastically moments before drafts.
As such, an upset with the selection of Darryn Peterson over Dybantsa remains a real possibility. The Washington team has invested heavily in Peterson’s analysis. It would be surprising, but not shocking, if the Wizards opted for Peterson, who about four months ago was considered by many as the main projection for the first selection.
“Washington always keeps its strategies secret, acting in a way that makes it appear that they are more cunning than other teams,” said a general manager of an Eastern Conference team.
Another possible twist would be for the Utah Jazz to try to move up to first place to secure Dybantsa’s pick. The player’s father, Ace, declared this morning that he “doesn’t know where it will be, but AJ will be the number 1 choice”, adding that his son “doesn’t care which team he goes to, he just wants Adam Silver to say his name first at 8:08 pm tonight”.
If the draft order is different from Dybantsa, Peterson and then Boozer, the narratives that emerge next will be quite interesting to analyze. Cam Boozer being the second pick for the Utah Jazz is believed to be a strong possibility; four NBA executives consulted stated that they would choose Boozer at second position, with two of them projecting that the Jazz will make exactly that option.
Chicago Bulls have a big chance of drafting Caleb Wilson
While Dybantsa is a strong candidate for the Wizards’ first pick, the selection of Caleb Wilson by the Chicago Bulls is seen as an even greater certainty in the 2026 Draft. The player, who spent just one year at UNC, has the potential to develop the best career in the NBA among all athletes in this class. He is described as an exceptional athlete with a winning mentality and an excellent teammate. The fact that the Bulls, with the fourth pick, have the opportunity to acquire a talent with Wilson’s potential demonstrates the depth of this edition of the Draft, suggesting that the true unpredictability begins with the Los Angeles Clippers in fifth place.
Split of opinions on point guards among the top 12 picks
A race for five point guards expected to be selected after just one college year is expected between the fifth and twelfth picks, or even as high as tenth. Among the names highlighted are Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Brayden Burries, Kingston Flemings and Keaton Wagler.
A survey of NBA scouts and general managers revealed that Acuff, Brown and Wagler received votes for the top spot among point guards, while Acuff, Brown, Burries and Flemings also appeared in votes for the bottom spots. The strength of the 2026 Draft lies not only in the first four picks, but also in these five point guards, all of whom have the potential to become All-Stars in the future, even if not all of them reach that level.
“They’re all really good,” commented one Western Conference executive. “If you looked at the first to the thirtieth team, each one would have a different order. There won’t be a big consensus, because it will depend on the type of player you prefer: the speed, the size, the shot?”
In the NBA environment, there is a slight inclination that the Los Angeles Clippers will select Keaton Wagler with the fifth pick. His trajectory is remarkable: from a little-known prospect to a one-and-done after a single year at Illinois that included a Final Four appearance.
Clippers, Hawks and Thunder among teams most likely to swap lottery positions
The teams considered most active in possible negotiations for their lottery positions are the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and Oklahoma City Thunder. While it’s hard to imagine the Clippers giving up the fifth pick, the team has conducted several surveys. The current projection has Mikel Brown Jr. headed to Los Angeles.
The Atlanta Hawks have tested numerous prospects over the past month, and two sources described the team as extremely active in calls. However, given the talent available among point guards, it is unlikely that the Hawks will part with their position. There is also speculation about the possibility of the team selecting Aday Mara with the eighth pick. As for the Thunder, the general belief is that Sam Presti won’t keep two rookies at picks 12 and 17, given that the roster is already pretty complete even after the Aaron Wiggins trade. It remains to be seen if any team will do OKC a favor and take on one of these picks.
Rumors about Nate Ament’s arrival at the Milwaukee Bucks
19-year-old Nate Ament, who averaged 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in 35 games for Tennessee, is considered one of the most difficult draft prospects to predict. The highest-pick team he had workouts for was the Brooklyn Nets, who hold the No. 6 seed, but that selection seems unlikely. Ament is also not seen being picked in the top eight. While there are rumors that he could fall beyond the 15th pick, that possibility is also questioned. Your most likely selection range is between 9th and 14th position, but which team will take the risk?
Ament had a decent year at Tennessee, but didn’t have the explosive performance some expected. The main problem was his ability to shoot, coupled with an ankle injury that hampered him at the end of the season. With the Milwaukee Bucks now owning the Nos. 10 and 13 picks, it would be logical for the team to consider the 6-foot-2 player and evaluate his potential. There is a chance the Dallas Mavericks select him ninth, but the expectation is that that pick will be Arizona’s Brayden Burries.
Fun facts about five other important prospects
Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan):Information indicates that his minimum position in the Draft would be 14th, by the Charlotte Hornets. Although he does not have the dynamic offensive potential to justify a top 10 pick, his physical characteristics and ability to be a “cohesion player”, fundamental in a national champion team, consolidated his status in the lottery. He recently trained with the Brooklyn Nets, but the team appears to be using misdirection tactics regarding his selection.
Christian Anderson (Texas Tech):While he is not projected to be a lottery pick, there is speculation as to whether the Milwaukee Bucks (13th pick) or Charlotte Hornets (14th pick) could select him. Anderson was the best college point guard last season in terms of shooting and passing combinations. He performed excellently in interviews and his reputation appears to be growing in the final hours before the Draft. The Memphis Grizzlies, with the 16th pick, are believed to be a strong possibility if he is still available. It’s unlikely to go past the 18th pick, with Charlotte’s second pick. Toronto (19th) and Detroit (21st) don’t believe he will still be available.
Labaron Philon (Alabama):The assessment of Labaron Philon is quite inconsistent; Some teams value him, while others rank him well below the mid-20s pick range. There are those who believe he will emerge as one of the 12 best players in this Draft a decade from now. The Milwaukee Bucks have shown interest, and he could be selected at No. 13. Otherwise, some analysts predict a decline for twenty-something picks.
Koa Peat (Arizona):Koa Peat’s poor shooting performance at the combine appears to have every team in the top 15 picks concerned. However, the idea that he will fall to 25th or worse is considered exaggerated. There is a lot of speculation surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers with the 22nd pick. The Peat discussion is seen as overrated, and many believe he will have at least a 10-year NBA career. He should be selected in the top 20 easily, but it remains to be seen if any team in this range will have the courage to make that gamble.
Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky):Unfortunately for Jayden Quaintance, his draft value suffered a setback. His medical history is not favorable, with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in early 2025 seemingly pushing him into the mid-twenties pick range. There is a possibility that he falls to the second day of the Draft. Last season he played less than 100 minutes. One general manager with a pick in the twenties stated, “I have no idea how good he really is, or can be,” which is not an encouraging sign.
In general, the Draft is considered too robust not to offer some surprising moments on Tuesday night. With the Washington Wizards as the first pick, the excitement and build-up to the selections will begin immediately.