AP's NBA mock draft: After top 4,
eyes on guards with the Clippers at No. 5 and the Nets at No. 6
[June 23, 2026]
By AARON BEARD and BRIAN MAHONEY
Throughout the lead-up to the NBA draft, the No. 5 spot has been
where it becomes difficult to project picks.
BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson of Kansas, college player of the
year Cameron Boozer of Duke and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson have
been locked into the top four spots in each version of the AP's mock
draft. The Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and
Chicago Bulls hold the first four selections Tuesday night in
Brooklyn.
Then there are a number of talented scoring guards available, such
as Keaton Wagler of Illinois, Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas, Kingston
Flemings of Houston and Mikel Brown Jr. of Louisville. But it's
tough to gauge how much the Los Angeles Clippers, at No. 5, would
want another small guard after acquiring Darius Garland from
Cleveland last season for James Harden. Or whether the Brooklyn
Nets, at No. 6, want any guard at all after taking four when they
had an NBA-record five first-round picks last season.
Maybe the players gave some hints Monday. Wagler said he worked out
for the Bulls and Clippers but canceled a workout with the Nets, so
perhaps he knows he's not falling past No. 5. Brown said he met
multiple times with the Nets, so their interest is assumed to be
real. He moves up in the final version:
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, forward, BYU
The 6-foot-9, 217-pound Dybantsa averaged a national-best 25.5
points by pressuring defenses with his ability to create his own
shot, get to the foul line (national-best 229 makes and 296
attempts) and find teammates (3.7 assists). Synergy rated him as
“Excellent” in its analytics rankings as the ball handler in
pick-and-roll scenarios (87th percentile) and post-ups (94th). He
averaged 26.9 points in seven games against top-10 foes, including
35 points in a loss to Final Four-bound Arizona and a near
triple-double (29 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) in an upset of
sixth-ranked Iowa State.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, guard, Kansas
There’s no questioning the talent and athleticism, nor the
playmaking and scoring skillset. The 6-5, 199-pound Peterson
averaged 20.2 points by attacking off the bounce or in transition,
shot 38.2% on 3-pointers and made 82.6% of his free throws. The
biggest questions arose from his availability. He dealt with a
full-body cramping issue that required hospitalization before the
season, missed 11 games due to injury or illness and frequently had
limited minutes for uncertainty with his day-to-day status.
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, forward/center, Duke
The 6-8, 253-pound son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer
became the fifth freshman voted AP men’s national player of the
year. He averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds, capable of
finishing through contact (55.6% field goals) or stepping outside
(39.1% on 3s). Synergy rated him as “Excellent” against man defense
(94th percentile), on post-ups (86th) and spot-up shots (95th). He’s
a strong passer (4.1 assists) out of double-teams and while
initiating offense, notably assisting on Isaiah Evans’ late
3-pointer to beat reigning national champion Florida.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, forward, North Carolina
Wilson was an immediate star with explosive athleticism and a
spotlight-embracing personality. The second-team AP All-American
averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds while thriving at the rim and
in transition with his go-go-go motor. He'll need to add strength to
a lean frame (6-9, 211) and improve his 3-point stroke (25.9%).
Wilson had a national-best 66 dunks when he went down with a broken
left hand in mid-February, then he broke his right thumb in practice
when he was on the verge of returning in March.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (from Indiana): Keaton Wagler, guard,
Illinois
The 6-5, 188-pound freshman went from four-star recruit to
second-team AP All-American in leading Illinois to its first Final
Four since 2005, averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2
assists. He shot 39.7% on 3-pointers, including hitting nine 3s in a
46-point performance against Purdue. He won the Jerry West Award as
the nation’s top shooting guard, though he's a slim build lacking
elite athleticism.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., guard, Louisville
The 6-5, 180-pound guard averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists, but
showed his scoring potential when he went for 45 points and 10
3-pointers against N.C. State in February. There were also three
other 29-point outputs. The biggest concern was back issues, which
sidelined him for eight games at midyear then resurfaced to sideline
him for the final six — including two March Madness games.
7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., guard, Arkansas
The 6-2, 186-pound freshman is a dynamic lead guard who ranked third
nationally in scoring (23.5) and 14th in assists (6.4). His standout
performances included scoring 49 points in a double-overtime loss at
Alabama, along with a three-game tear (91 points, 12 3-pointers) for
the Razorbacks’ first SEC Tournament title in 26 years.
8. Atlanta Hawks (from New Orleans): Kingston Flemings, guard,
Houston
The 6-3, 183-pound freshman was a third-team AP All-American as a
lead guard capable of being disruptive defensively. Flemings was an
efficient shooter (47.6% overall, 38.7% on 3s, 84.5% on free throws)
capable of pressuring teams in transition or off the dribble. He
finished with a nearly 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and posted a
Cougars freshman-record 42 points in a loss to Texas Tech.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, guard, Arizona
The Mavericks will have a new coach in Dusty May and a top-10 pick
to improve the roster. Burries, a 6-4, 215-pound freshman combo
guard, has a sturdy frame and two-way potential. He was the scoring
leader (16.1) for a 36-win Final Four team, shooting 49.1% overall
and 39.1% from 3-point range. He was fourth at the combine in
standing vertical leap (35 inches).
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, forward, Tennessee
There’s an intriguing blend of versatility and fluid athleticism
with the 6-10, 211-pound freshman, a playmaking passer and No. 2
scorer (16.7) for a team that reached the NCAA Elite Eight. He’ll
need to add strength and he leans on his jumper, with spot-up shots
accounting for nearly 19% of his usage, according to Synergy. But a
monthlong run in the Southeastern Conference (22.8 points with 39.1%
shooting on 3s from Jan. 10 to Feb. 20) highlighted his potential,
and the Nets need some size after going guard-heavy when they had
five first-round picks last year.
11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara, center, Michigan
He stood out — literally — in the massive lineup that powered
Michigan’s title run and projects as a defensive force. The 7-3,
255-pound junior from Spain averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and
2.4 assists while ranking sixth nationally in blocks (2.6). He led
all players measured at the combine in standing reach (9-9) and was
second in wingspan (7-6).
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from the L.A. Clippers): Yaxel Lendeborg,
forward, Michigan
The UAB transfer has a 6-9, 241-pound frame and good wingspan
(better than 7-3). He also shot 37.2% from 3-point range in the
highest volume of his career and showed a competitive fight in
battling through ankle and knee injuries during the Final Four
against Arizona and in the title game against UConn.
13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon Jr., guard, Alabama
The slender 6-3, 176-pound sophomore thrived as a scorer (22.0) and
a playmaker (5.0) as a third-team AP All-American, making a leap in
his shooting efficiency (50.1% overall, 39.9% on 3-pointers). He
thrived as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls (94th percentile in
Synergy) and repeatedly beat man defenses in the halfcourt (90th).
[to top of second column] |
Illinois' Keaton Wagler celebrates after Illinois beat Iowa in an
Elite Eight game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, March
28, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr., forward,
Michigan
The 6-9, 251-pound sophomore is a versatile player with physicality,
and a strong frame could even have him see time as a small-ball
5-man. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He has
a better than 7-3 wingspan and thrived as a cutter, in post-ups and
in finishing at the rim — providing a fit with a Charlotte roster
already stocked with shooters and scorers like LaMelo Ball, Kon
Knueppel and Brandon Miller.
15. Chicago Bulls (from Portland): Karim Lopez, forward, New Zealand
Breakers (Australia)
The 6-8, 222-pound native of Mexico has spent two seasons playing in
the National Basketball League’s “Next Stars” developmental program
that produced lottery picks LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr —
taken by the Wizards with the No. 2 pick in 2024. The 19-year-old
averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds last year with his
versatility, athleticism and a nearly 7-foot wingspan.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (from Phoenix via Orlando): Cameron Carr,
guard, Baylor
The 6-5, 184-pound sophomore transferred after two seasons at
Tennessee and blossomed in a lead role with the Bears, averaging
18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 49.4%
overall and 37.4% on 3s. He ranked among combine leaders in standing
vertical leap (second at 38 inches) and max vertical leap (third at
42.5 inches).
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Philadelphia): Hannes Steinbach,
forward/center, Washington
The 6-10, 248-pound native of Germany matched Duke star Cameron
Boozer for the national lead with 22 double-doubles after averaging
18.5 points and a national-best 11.8 rebounds in his lone college
season. Steinbach shot 57.7% from the field, hit 18 3s (34.5%) and
averaged 1.2 blocks with his better than 7-2 wingspan.
18. Charlotte Hornets (from Orlando via Phoenix): Dailyn Swain,
guard/forward, Texas
The 6-7, 211-pound wing spent two seasons at Xavier before thriving
in a lead role with the Longhorns, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5
rebounds and 3.6 assists. He also showed active hands by averaging
1.6 steals. He’ll need to improve his outside shooting after hitting
just 34.4% last year and 29.3% through three seasons.
19. Toronto Raptors: Christian Anderson, guard, Texas Tech
The 6-1, 180-pound sophomore was a third-team AP All-American who
averaged 18.5 points while ranking fifth nationally in assists
(7.4). He projects as a scoring playmaker who shot 40% on 3-pointers
over two seasons. He thrived as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll
scenarios (93rd percentile in Synergy) and as a spot-up shooter
(90th).
20. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta): Chris Cenac Jr., center,
Houston
The 6-11, 240-pound freshman arrived as a McDonald’s All-American
with rangy skills and outside shooting that made him MVP of the NBPA
Top 100 camp in summer 2024. He took a complementary role for a
top-10 team, averaging 9.5 points and a team-best 7.9 rebounds. He
hit 30 3-pointers (33.3%) to show inside-out ability, graded out
well at the rim by Synergy and ranked fifth at the combine in
wingspan (7-5).
21. Detroit Pistons (from Minnesota):
Bennett Stirtz, guard, Iowa
The 6-3, 186-pound point guard went from Division II to Drake and
then to Iowa, where he led the Hawkeyes to their first NCAA Elite
Eight since 1987. He averaged 19.8 points, 4.4 assists and 1.4
steals, becoming the first player to lead Iowa in those three
categories in 26 years. Synergy rated him as “Excellent” as the
ballhandler in pick-and-roll scenarios (91st percentile), working in
isolation (84th) and finishing at the rim (90th).
22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Houston via Oklahoma City): Jayden
Quaintance, forward/center, Kentucky
Health is the biggest question for the 6-9, 253-pound sophomore. The
former McDonald’s All-American was a physical, athletic presence at
Arizona State before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his
right knee in February 2025. He transferred to Kentucky but played
only four games amid lingering issues in that knee. He was fourth
among all players measured at the combine in wingspan (better than
7-5).
23. Atlanta Hawks (from Cleveland): Ebuka Okorie, guard, Stanford
The 6-1, 186-pound freshman was a surprise star, ranking seventh
nationally in scoring (23.2). He’s a bit undersized but had the
burst to score in transition or the halfcourt. He posted eight
30-point games, including 40 in a win against Georgia Tech.
24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves, forward, Santa Clara
The 6-8, 226-pound Graves was the West Coast Conference’s freshman
of the year and top sixth man in a complementary role. He averaged
11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 51.2% overall and 41.3%
from 3-point range. He also showed defensive potential by averaging
1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks, making him a complementary fit for the
newly crowned NBA champions.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat, forward, Arizona
The 6-7, 245-pound freshman was a key part of a Final Four team that
spent nine weeks at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll. He scored primarily
in transition, on post-ups or as the roller in pick-and-roll
scenarios while averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
He hasn’t shown much range (7 of 20 on 3s). Peat tied for fifth at
the combine in standing vertical leap (34.5 inches).
26. Denver Nuggets: Meleek Thomas, guard, Arkansas
The 6-3, 190-pound freshman is a defense-stretching scorer (15.6)
alongside top pro prospect Darius Acuff Jr. He shot 47.9% from
3-point range (56 of 117) after Christmas, a 25-game stretch
spanning the Razorbacks’ run to the SEC Tournament title and the
NCAA Sweet 16.
27. Boston Celtics: Henri Veesaar, center, North Carolina
The 6-11, 227-pound junior fits today’s desired mold of bigs who can
step outside. The 22-year-old from Estonia thrived (17.0 points, 8.7
rebounds) in a breakout year that included shooting 42.6% on 3s (40
of 94) after going just 31.6% (19 of 60) in two seasons at Arizona.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit): Isaiah Evans, guard, Duke
The sophomore offers game-turning ability to heat up from outside,
shooting 38% on 3-pointers through two college seasons and hitting
at least four 3s in 14 games last year. He’ll need to add bulk to a
wiry 6-6, 186-pound frame to handle physical play.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (from San Antonio via Atlanta): Tarris Reed
Jr., center, UConn
The 6-10, 264-pound senior with a better than 7-4 wingspan blossomed
as an interior force as the Huskies reached the NCAA title game. He
had career-high averages of 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists
and 2.0 blocks while showing good touch in the paint, and would
provide some needed physicality to the Cavs.
30. Dallas Mavericks (from Oklahoma City via Washington and
Philadelphia): Zuby Ejiofor, forward, St. John's
The 6-8, 245-pound Ejiofor is a physical frontcourt presence with a
high motor and a sturdy frame offering defensive potential, both
with his ability to tussle in the paint and in moving his feet to
handle switches.
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