With the draft lottery and the annual scouting combine now complete, the 2026 NBA draft picture is beginning to settle. Analyst Jeremy Woo released his updated 60-player projection on May 19, one month before the June 23 draft, spotlighting the Washington Wizards’ first No. 1 selection since 2010.
Top tier remains a four-man race
Woo reports that 6-foot-8½ freshman swingman AJ Dybantsa of BYU is still the favorite to open the draft, though league sources see little separation among the leading quartet: Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer and North Carolina big man Caleb Wilson. Executives told Woo the lack of a unanimous No. 1 could invite trade conversations among the clubs holding the first four picks – Washington, the Utah Jazz, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls – but any movement would likely develop closer to draft night.
How the board stands after Chicago
The combine, held May 12-18 in Chicago, provided teams with official measurements and medical data. Highlights from Woo’s first-round projection include:
1. Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU (Freshman)
• Measured 6-8½ without shoes, 217 lbs, 7-foot-½ wingspan
• Recorded a 42-inch maximum vertical leap
2. Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson, PG/SG, Kansas (Freshman)
• 6-4½, 199 lbs, 6-9¾ wingspan
• Teams awaiting full medical review after in-season cramping issues
3. Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer, PF/C, Duke (Freshman)
• 6-8¼, 253 lbs, 7-1½ wingspan
• Viewed by scouts as the draft’s safest selection
4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina (Freshman)
• 6-9¼, 211 lbs, 7-0¼ wingspan
• Weighed lighter than expected, profiling as a power forward early in his career
5. LA Clippers (via Indiana) – Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois (Freshman)
• 6-5, 188 lbs, 6-6¼ wingspan
• Considered a natural fit next to veteran point guard Darius Garland
6. Brooklyn Nets – Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas (Freshman)
• 6-2, 186 lbs, 6-6½ wingspan
• Nets weighing whether to draft a guard or trade down
7. Sacramento Kings – Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston (Freshman)
• 6-2½, 183 lbs, 6-3½ wingspan
• Impressed clubs with interview poise and athletic testing
8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans) – Aday Mara, C, Michigan (Junior)
• 7-3, 260 lbs, 7-6 wingspan
• Massive frame makes him the probable first center taken
9. Dallas Mavericks – Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville (Freshman)
• 6-3½, 190 lbs, 6-7½ wingspan
• Health of a lingering back injury remains under review
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament, SF/PF, Tennessee (Freshman)
• 6-9½, 211 lbs, 6-11½ wingspan
• Polarizing skill set could appeal to a Bucks roster potentially headed for major change
Key dates and next steps
Front-office personnel travel to Los Angeles this week for pro-day workouts ahead of the NCAA withdrawal deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET on May 27. College players have until that cut-off to decide whether to remain in the draft pool or return to school.
The full second round of Woo’s mock features 30 additional prospects, from UConn forward Alex Karaban at No. 31 to Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso at No. 60, underscoring a class scouts describe as deep in guard and frontcourt depth.
Teams will continue individual workouts and medical evaluations throughout June before gathering at Barclays Center for the draft on June 23.
Source: ESPN
