2026 NBA Mock Draft: Isaac Trotter predicts all 30 first-round picks after last-second developments
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- AJ Dybantsa is projected to the Washington Wizards at No. 1, with the BYU freshman averaging 25.5 PPG and 6.8 RPG while being described as a potential 'leading the NBA in scoring' talent and 'worthy choice to become the face of the Wizards' franchise'
- Darryn Peterson is projected to the Utah Jazz at No. 2, with the Kansas PG (20.2 PPG, 38.2% from three, 43% on midrange) compared to Devin Booker as a 'rangy 6-foot-5 shot-maker' who could anchor a competitive core alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler
- Cameron Boozer is projected to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3, where the Duke PF (22.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG) would form what Trotter calls a frontcourt that 'absolutely vaporizes opponents on the glass' alongside Zach Edey
- Caleb Wilson goes to the Chicago Bulls at No. 4, with the North Carolina PF (19.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG) called a 'competitive psychopath' whose transition scoring and defensive versatility fit Chicago's pace-first identity
- Keaton Wagler is projected to the LA Clippers at No. 5, where the Illinois PG (17.9 PPG, 39.7% from three) would give the team a backcourt option alongside Darius Garland while also bringing surprising offensive rebounding (21 games with multiple offensive boards)
- Darius Acuff Jr. falls to the Brooklyn Nets at No. 6, with the Arkansas PG (23.5 PPG, 44% from three) cited for a '49-point, five-assist, one-turnover game against Alabama' — Trotter calls the Nate Ament-to-Brooklyn buzz a 'bluff' aimed at luring Milwaukee to trade up from No. 10
- Trotter frames this as a 'Big Three, not a Big Four' draft, with Mikel Brown Jr. (Sacramento at No. 7, Damian Lillard comp), Kingston Flemings (Atlanta at No. 8, 'fastest point guard in this class'), and Brayden Burries (Dallas at No. 9, with Klutch's Rich Paul connection) rounding out the top tier ahead of Tuesday's draft and a looming Giannis Antetokounmpo trade that could shake up the order
Why it matters: With Tuesday's draft days away and a Giannis trade potentially reshaping the board, Trotter's mock signals that Washington is pivoting to build around Dybantsa as its new face, Utah is choosing to accelerate its rebuild via Peterson's shot-making rather than trading Markkanen, and Memphis is doubling down on a bruising frontcourt identity by pairing Boozer with Edey. The Brooklyn-Milwaukee dynamic at picks 6-10 is the leverage point to watch, since Trotter explicitly calls the Ament-to-Brooklyn smoke a bluff to bait a trade up from No. 10.
