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New 2026 NBA Mock Draft with Warriors Winning Lottery Simulation
The Golden State Warriors limped through this season's final stretch and are now limping into the 2026 NBA offseason.
Uncertainty hangs above just about everyone in Warriors World who isn't named Stephen Curry. Even with that Hall of Fame-bound miracle-worker still on their sides, it sort of feels like this squad needs a miracle as bad as anyone.
There's a non-zero chance the upcoming draft lottery might deliver one. In fact, the latest spin with Tankathon's lottery simulator just did, pumping Golden State 10 spots up the board and into the No. 1 jackpot prize.
If the Warriors wind up this fortunate in real life, would they dangle that prized pick in hopes of finding Curry the kind of proven on-court assistance he'll need to make another push for the crown? Maybe. In this trade-free mock, though, they'll invest it in someone who can help Curry chase championships now and perhaps lead his own expeditions down the line.
Here are the teams that have won the No. 1 pick in our simulations so far:
1. Golden State Warriors: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
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Before Dybantsa started pulling away from the pack as the consensus No. 1 pick, the Warriors may have been the type of team to go a different direction. Cameron Boozer's poise and polish would've meshed with this team's cerebral approach to the sport, while Darryn Peterson's shot-making and defense could've made him an ideal backcourt mate for Curry.
Dybantsa just feels on a different tier from those prospects, offering perhaps the highest ceiling and the fewest risks. He has both elite tools and drool-worthy talents. His scoring punch is knockout-powered at every level, his decision-making and table-setting are in perpetual states of improvement and he has the blueprint for becoming a versatile, disruptive defender.
He would be a break from the norm in terms of Golden State's system—assuming things run the same with Steve Kerr's future unsettled—but maybe that gives him missing-piece potential. The Dubs have desperately needed someone who can create their own advantage and get a bucket, and that might be Dybantsa's sharpest skill entering the Association.
2. Indiana Pacers: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas
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The Pacers can breathe a sigh of relief, since their top-four (and bottom-21) protected pick lands in the safe zone here. That hasn't always been the case with these lottery simulations, so Indy fans should plan on sweating out the next couple weeks.
If the Pacers pick second, Peterson feels like an easy call—provided there's nothing alarming on his medical reports, obviously. His lone season at Kansas was disjointed and disappointing, but it did nothing to dispel the notion he'll be an electric shotmaker at the NBA level. And if everything else meets the initial expectations, he'll have dynamic abilities well beyond that.
If he lands in the Circle City, he can focus on offensive play-finishing and lockdown defense while letting Tyrese Haliburton steer the ship. But in minutes without the All-Star guard, Peterson should also have chances to tap back into some of the playmaking and creation skills he flashed prior to joining the Jayhawks.
3. Washington Wizards: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
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The Wizards are a bit tricky to read, since it's not clear how much they would (or even should) factor in the presence of Trae Young and Anthony Davis into their draft-day decisions. That said, if they end up with the third pick, it should be a simple call so long as they share the common belief that there are three prospects clearly above the rest in this class.
And the helpful thing with Boozer is that he'd be a fit as both an instant-impact addition to a team seemingly looking to up its competitiveness and as a long-term building block with an intriguing core that's still taking shape.
His phsyical tools are fairly forgettable for an NBA prospect, but he reads like the court like a supercomputer, so Washington should be comfortable banking on his problem-solving skills. And since his skill tree branches in so many different directions, it's easy to envision him molding his approach in ways that allow him big-batch 3D-print winning plays wherever the Wizards need him that particular night.
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4. Brooklyn Nets: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
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The Nets might grimace a bit over falling out of the top three, but that expression would turn to exhilaration shortly after throwing on Wilson's tape. After just overloading on playmaking prospects last season, Brooklyn should be giddy to grab someone with his finishing ability.
Because it is, in a word, freakin' ridiculous. He might be this draft's best athlete—as a 6'10" power player—and have its best motor. That's just an absurd combination, and it allows him to viciously dunk everything in sight and keep the highlights coming with tireless chase-down blocks.
Executives reportedly "increasingly believe Wilson could be the second player taken in June's draft," per Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor. Maybe that means Wilson would be a steal in the draft slot where he's most commonly mocked.
5. Utah Jazz: Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois
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If the Jazz can't wiggle their way into the top four, they'll have a decision to make. Granted, it's the same decision facing every other team selecting in this range—which score-first guard to take—but it'll feel more complicated since perimeter scoring might already be a strength in Salt Lake City.
Would Wagler be the simplest fit to plug alongside Keyonte George? Not necessarily, although his size, instincts and shooting could give him a better chance to shine in an off-ball role than Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings and Mikel Brown Jr. would have.
The Jazz would still have to budget some on-ball time for Wagler, because his draft stock really spiked once Illinois gave him complete control of the offense. He could make his mark as a sharpshooter and connective passer, but his creativity and craft help turn his potential from interesting to possibly special.
6. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., PG/SG, Arkansas
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While the Kings couldn't find any takers for their attempted every-vet-must-go liquidation at the deadline, they're clearly over this era and eager to find out what comes next. Especially if what comes next involves the arrival of someone who can fill the De'Aaron Fox-sized hole in this backcourt.
They need offensive direction, general star power and as much talent as they can find. Taking a home-run hack at Acuff feels perfectly on brand and maybe exactly what's needed to send Sacramento down the (long) road to relevance.
His lone season of college ball showed fearless offense, ignitable shotmaking and everyone-follow-me leadership that screams star-quality. The positives could be spectacular and surely more than enough to offset the concerns about non-elite athleticism and most anything related to defense.
7. Memphis Grizzlies: Mikel Brown Jr., PG/SG, Louisville
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It has taken Memphis a minute to tear down this roster—it's still trying to drum up a Ja Morant deal—and it'll take even longer to build it back up. But the Grizzlies could accelerate the reconstruction process by adding an identity-establishing offensive focal point like Brown.
OK, that's really talking about Brown on his best days, and those sometimes come too few and far between. His (injury-impacted) lone season of college ball was defined by consistent inconsistency, but his highs were towering and hinted at transformational impact if everything breaks exactly right.
He is a 6'5" lead guard who feasts on an analytically friendly diet of threes, free throws and close-range finishes, and he flashes the vision needed to keep everyone involved around him. His decision-making runs a touch too ambitious, but the Grizzlies should have time to patiently polish his approach.
8. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
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CJ McCollum has been one of the better stories going this postseason. That said, Atlanta having a 34-year-old non-star on an expiring contract playing this significant of a role after a midseason arrival shows just how little the Hawks have in their post-Trae Young backcourt.
If McCollum was the Band-Aid fix, then Flemings can be the surgical solution that corrects things long-term. He looks ready to run an NBA offense right now with sound decision-making, precision in the midrange, an elite off-the-bounce burst and the kind of defensive activity that will help him fit in right with these Hawks.
Flemings' shooting will be a swing skill, but he should be a safe bet for smart passing, dynamic downhill attacking and relentless defense. And if that three-ball hits, he could be a tone-setting star.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Labaron Philon Jr., PG/SG, Alabama
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The Mavericks absolutely could have tanked harder down the stretch, and not doing so denied them access to the top few prospect tiers in this mock. But if they believe what they saw from Philon this season, they might feel like they're still leaving with a backcourt building block.
His score-first style would be easier to stomach with Cooper Flagg's playmaking ability, plus Philon could learn all of the tricks of that trade from Kyrie Irving. Sustainability questions will always follow these kinds of statistical spikes, but Philon managed to radically up his production (22 points per outing, up from 10.6) while also elevating his shooting rates and keeping his turnovers in check.
He can get wherever he wants and finish wherever he's at. His frame needs filling out, and his shot selection will have to dial back, but Dallas can wait until he's ready and clear the runway as soon as he is.
10. Chicago Bulls: Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona
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After finally cleaning house and embarking on a lengthy rebuilding project Billy Donovan understandably wanted no part of, the Bulls need lottery luck as much as anyone. They get exactly none of it here, slipping back a spot and losing access to the most potential-rich prospects in this class.
Burries isn't the worst consolation prize, though. While he offers more function than flash and is most easily projected into a support role, there are some star-level flashes of creation that suggest he could grow well beyond what he showed with the Wildcats.
Even if he doesn't, though, a lot of what he showed there easily translates to winning basketball: elite motor, forceful finishing, three-level shotmaking and versatility that helps him carve a niche no matter who's around him.
11. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee
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The Bucks have often embraced the young, toosly, risk-reward prospect types, and they may have obvious incentive to go upside-hunting here with Giannis Antetokounmpo's future feeling far from certain. If they're soon to embark on a top-to-bottom rebuild, they should gamble on Ament's unique dribble-pass-shoot skills for a 6'10" teenager.
His lone season at Tennessee was largely a letdown, but there were flashes when everything clicked, and he reminded folks why he was initially viewed as a top-five talent in this draft. If he aces his development, he could be a three-level scorer who can easily rise above defenders for clean looks from anywhere on the floor.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
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Oklahoma City's best-in-basketball roster doesn't show an obvious rotation spot for an incoming rookie now, but maybe that conversation changes soon. This group is about to be prohibitively expensive, which could make the Thunder think twice about eight-figure team options on Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein.
They might need a plug-and-play rookie, which could lead them to Lendeborg, who pairs NBA-ready size and competitiveness with across-the-board versatility. Or maybe the minutes crunch remains and they want a longer-term project ... which could also lead them to him, since he's a late-bloomer who might have a good amount of growth potential left.
13. Miami Heat: Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington
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Any number of different paths could lead the Heat to Steinbach on draft night. Maybe they're ready to commit to the jumbo-sized pairing of Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware (which had a plus-8.2 net rating over 505 minutes this season) and need reliability behind them. Or perhaps they'll need to part with Ware in order to bring back their preferred whale this offseason.
No matter the reason, they could seek out Steinbach. His rebounding and interior finishing could be quick need-fillers. And Miami, in turn, could be the right organization to tap into his shooting potential and mask some of his defensive deficiencies.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Karim Lopez, PF, New Zealand Breakers
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The Hornets had a strong enough second half to seriously consider team need here, and they might see Lopez as the big, two-way forward this roster is missing.
He's a no-maintenance, all-effort role player who can help make life easier on Charlotte's rising stars in so many simple, subtle ways. He understands how and when to find his chances within the offensive flow, and he can already shape-shift through defensive assignments of different sizes and styles.
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Aday Mara, C, Michigan
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Mara is a fascinating prospect, and Chicago could use some fascinating talent for this daunting rebuilding project ahead. He is enormous and plays like it, constantly changing shots at the basket or convincing opponents they aren't even worth the attempt.
On top of being a close-range finisher, defender and rebounder, he's also an instinctive passer who can find open teammates all around him. He's somehow just a really fun fit for the modern game despite not being a shooter or comfortable or competent defender in space.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHO): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
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It wouldn't at all be shocking to see Carr crack the lottery, but the Grizzlies would be thrilled if he fell in their laps. They need his shot-making, bounce and off-the-dribble verve, and they presumably have nothing but time, so waiting for his 175-pound frame to fill out is hardly a deal-breaker.
The NBA will physically challenge him in ways he won't easily figure out, but ignitable shooters with decent size and good hops are always interesting.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Jayden Quaintance, PF/C, Kentucky
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So, remember what we said about how the Thunder could wind up with a rotation opening for one rookie? Well, it's a lot harder to envision floor time for two freshmen, so OKC could invest in another long-term project like it just did with Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topić before him.
Quaintance would come with similar injury concerns—he shredded his knee as a freshman and hardly suited up as a sophomore—but also best-in-the-class defensive potential. If he can get healthy, he could shine as both a bouncy shot-blocker and a nimble defensive-switcher, all while crushing lobs and putbacks on the other end.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Koa Peat, PF, Arizona
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While Charlotte could seek out a center with one of these first-round picks, doubling up on big, two-way forwards might be the better bet. Especially since this center class isn't as deep as it appeared with prospects like Motiejus Krivas and Patrick Ngongba II staying in college.
Peat is physical—though not as big or bouncy as the typical NBA power player—and ferocious, and he knows how to stay within himself. He should find an early niche as a play-finisher, smart passer and versatile defender, but he'll struggle rising above the supporting ranks unless he dramatically improves as a shooter.
19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
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The Raptors generally like bigger, longer, more athletic prospects than Stirtz, but that might be the reason to grab him here. A little mold-breaking might be needed, since Toronto has plenty of long-limbed athletes but not enough shooters or offensive creators.
Stirtz can help with the latter two areas. He's an on-time-and-on-target passer with a three-ball that burns hot both on the catch and off the dribble. Finding a viable offensive role shouldn't be tricky, and if any team can cover for his defensive concerns, it's probably one as lanky and mobile as Toronto.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas
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The Spurs have a generational talent at center (Victor Wembanyama) and three current-or-future stars in the backcourt (De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper). Throwing darts at any and all possible two-way wings is probably the right draft strategy for the foreseeable future.
Swain isn't the perfect fit—his shot could be generously labeled as a work in progress—but he is a creative downhill attacker and switchable, disruptive defender. If San Antonio thinks it can turn him into a credible shooting threat, it could be in business.
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech
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The 21st pick almost certainly won't deliver Detroit its badly needed support scorer and creator to pair with Cade Cunningham, but it can at least help address the problem.
Even if Anderson is only a change-of-pace contributor—he lacks both size and explosion—he could make his mark with deep shooting range, pick-and-roll creation and reliable passing.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
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The Sixers might be another team lamenting the loss of some first-round-caliber centers from this class, but maybe that's a blessing in disguise. Because while a first-round wager on Cenac is not without risk—he's inconsistent and sometimes too comfortable playing away from the basket—it also offers the chance for a pretty sizable reward.
If everything breaks right, he could be a bouncy rim-runner who can launch shots from long range and chase smaller players around the perimeter. There's a universe in which he could soak up minutes both behind and alongside Joel Embiid.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke
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As long as Atlanta is building around Jalen Johnson and relying heavily on Dyson Daniels, it will need to maximize the spacing at other positions the best it can. Evans could help with that, not only due to his shotmaking but also his tireless work off the ball, which demands constant attention from opposing defenses.
He might be immediately deployed as a long-distance specialist, but the hope would be that the growth he showed as a handler and creator as a sophomore could lead to greater gains and an expanded role down the line.
24. New York Knicks: Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan
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If the Knicks head into summer break earlier than expected, they might need frontcourt reinforcements immediately. Johnson could be ready to soak up minutes at either the 4 or 5 spots, helpful versatility with Mitchell Robinson being a free-agency flight risk and Karl-Anthony Towns already popping up in trade rumors.
Johnson can be a helpful NBA defender right now, as he's able to muscle up in the post, glide around the perimeter and wreak havoc from the weakside. Offense isn't a strong suit, but he'll effort his way into transition chances and lob-finishes.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Amari Allen, SF/PF, Alabama
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The Lakers could try to force a 5 into this spot, but the board didn't break right in that regard. So, they could instead pivot toward Allen, who plays the exact three-and-D style L.A. should be locking to stockpile at the forward spots.
His ceiling is limited, but a roster built around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves should be set on star power. L.A., which has every reason to believe its contending window is wide open, would be more focused on Allen's elevated floor.
26. Denver Nuggets: Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford
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Okorie has blink-and-you'll-miss-him burst and the pull-up touch that makes defenders perpetually uncomfortable. The Nuggets might want to see whether he could satisfy their never-ending itch for scoring thump and self-sufficient offense during the non-Nikola Jokić minutes.
Okorie's game will need a bit of reprogramming, because his score-first tendencies won't earn him a lot of fans among front offices that keep moving away from undersized scorers. That said, he's already keeping turnovers down and could see his assists rise with better point-producers around him, so maybe Denver might buy him as a second-team lead guard.
27. Boston Celtics: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
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Between their deadline deal for Nikola Vučević and the fact they're finding playoff minutes for Luka Garza, the Celtics' affinity for stretch centers is obvious. Veesaar's shooting touch, then, could catch the attention of Boston's brass.
What might seal the selection, though, is the potential for him to serve as more than just a jumbo spacer. He sets solid screens, makes quick reads as a passer, finishes above the rim and adds defensive value with paint protection and timely rotations.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
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The Wolves will be counting primary playmakers coming off the board, and there unfortunately aren't enough to go around in this mock. Rather than reaching, they could snatch up the analytically favored Graves here and bet on his two-way playmaking translating.
He's a 6'9" forward who looks like he'll offer shooting, connective passing, rebounding and defensive playmaking. Granted, there are questions about his athleticism and ability to withstand a steep climb in competition, but the size-skill blend can overcome them.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS): Juke Harris, SF, Wake Forest
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Unless the Cavaliers plan on flipping a key member of the power portion of their frontcourt, they should keep chasing wings wherever they can find them.
Harris is a long, athletic wing with an ignitable outside shot and a willingness to defend. His creation is limited, but Cleveland may not need a ton if it sees him suiting up alongside James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, Baylor
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After bolstering the backcourt with Philon earlier in this mock, the Mavericks move out to the wings here and finish the first round with a bet on Yessoufou's physical tools and scoring chops.
He's all power, hustle and explosion at the moment, but that's not the worst combination of a tooled-up swingman. He has to improve his feel and find consistency with his jumper, but those physical gifts offer a decent margin for error. His absolute-best-case-scenario isn't super likely, but it is potentially special, and Dallas should be searching for that kind of upside as it builds things up around Cooper Flagg.
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