New 2026 NBA Mock Draft with a Blockbuster Ja Morant Trade Idea
The 2026 NBA draft order is finally, officially set.
So, naturally we're here to shake things up a bit.
Because we aren't just running through a typical mock draft. We're upending this particular hypothetical talent grab with an overdue Ja Morant trade by the Memphis Grizzlies. One that would impact a pair of top-10 picks in a draft routinely praised for its collection of top-shelf talent.
Sounds fun, right? Well, let's skip the buildup, then, and put the blessings-counting Washington Wizards on the clock.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
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The Wizards have publicly declared a willingness to consider a trade, and they'll privately weigh the merits of other candidates for this spot, like Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. In the end, though, Washington shouldn't overthink this: Dybantsa has been routinely mocked in the top spot for a while now.
No one offers a better intersection of tools and talent. He checks all of the physical boxes to fill the forever-coveted big wing archetype, and he might pack the most powerful scoring punch in this entire draft. He has room to grow as a distributor and defender, but there are encouraging flashes on both fronts already.
It also doesn't hurt that he should snugly fit into Washington's roster construction, too. The Wizards have talent in the backcourt (Trae Young, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington) and up front (Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr), and they could now have a three-headed monster at the wing (Dybantsa, Kyshawn George and Will Riley). That could be a competitive core as soon as next season and maybe a legitimate contender down the line.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas
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Jazz governor Ryan Smith, a BYU alum, might not admit this, but there's a real chance Peterson emerges as the best player in this draft. There's also little argument that he represents a cleaner on-paper fit with Utah's core than Dybantsa.
In other words, Utah might have as much to celebrate about landing No. 2 as Washington did with getting No. 1. Fit may not be a major factor in selections this early, but ideally you're hoping that the best player available and the best fit are the same person. With Peterson, it sure looks like that's the case—assuming, of course, nothing alarming surfaces on his medical reports.
If he's healthy, his elite shotmaking, secondary creation, off-the-bounce burst and disruptive defense should be perfect complements to a core featuring Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Not to mention, a presumably re-signed Walker Kessler.) There's a blueprint here for Utah to be a factor in the West, and maybe sooner than later.
TRADE at 3. Brooklyn Nets (via MEM): Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
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Brooklyn Nets receive: No. 3 pick, Ja Morant
Memphis Grizzlies receive: No. 6 pick, Nic Claxton, Terance Mann
While there's been some cold water thrown on the idea of the Grizzlies using the No. 3 pick to rid themselves of Morant, the possibility still seems worth exploring for Memphis. Especially if they share any of the concerns about Boozer's athletic limitations or Caleb Wilson's scoring ceiling.
If the Grizzlies would be willing to talk shop, the Nets might be all over this. They've been aiming to up their competitiveness next season, and this deal could help make that happen. Morant's stock is sliding, but he quietly looked great before an elbow injury ended his season (23.5 points, 9.3 assists over his final six outings).
Boozer, though, would be the bigger prize. He's been a decorated winner at every level, and he could be this draft's most polished prospect—as an 18-year-old. He can score from all over, make enough reads to serve as an offensive hub and dominate on the glass. And while he'll be physically challenged defensively, betting on players who are this big, this skilled and this instinctive usually pans out.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
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New Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham has a prospect type. He even has an acronym for it, SLAP: Size, Length, Athleticism, Physicality. Would forward tandems get any more SLAP-y than having Wilson alongside Matas Buzelis?
Those two could be a terror in transition. They might treat the defensive end like they're a living promo for that Everything Everywhere All at Once movie from a few years back. And while you might worry about their individual creation, they could absolutely shine as play-finishers with pass-first (and pass-second) point guard Josh Giddey.
As for Wilson himself, he pairs explosive athleticism with insatiable energy. He power-dunks everything he can, and when he can't get to the basket, he has soft touch from the mid-range and a silky turnaround jumper. His weaknesses might be the most glaring of the top four prospects, but his ceiling might sit as high as any.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois
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The lottery could not have gone better for the Clippers. That's an obvious, literal point, since this is the earliest pick they could've plucked away from the Indiana Pacers, but there's an added bonus here. This should put L.A. in range to take Wagler, whose size and shooting should give him the best chance of any guard in this tier to coexist with deadline addition Darius Garland.
There'd be some defensive concerns with that pairing, but the offensive potential is towering. Like Garland, Wagler plays a step ahead of the defense not with blistering explosion but rather shiftiness, instincts and the understanding of how to leverage his launch-from-anywhere scoring threat against defenders.
He can pilot an attack on his own or dial it up from distance from the co-pilot's chair. That on- or off-ball versatility likely seals this selection.
TRADE at 6. Memphis Grizzlies (via BRK): Darius Acuff Jr., PG/SG, Arkansas
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Memphis Grizzlies receive: No. 6 pick, Nic Claxton, Terance Mann
Brooklyn Nets receive: No. 3 pick, Ja Morant
While the Grizzlies don't need to force a Morant deal at the draft, they could absolutely be hearing opportunity's knock. Again, if they aren't enamored with Cameron Boozer (who might not have the length or explosion to play his power game at this level) or Caleb Wilson (who may never be a great shooter or creator), they could prefer sliding back a few spots and getting Morant's replacement.
Acuff has real head-of-the-snake potential. His on-court leadership is contagious. His scoring and table-setting blend should be perfectly built for an alpha role on offense. His arrival would give the Grizzlies a clear focus on the offensive end, if not an entire identity formed around him.
That's high praise, obviously, but that doesn't mean it's hyperbolic. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie just described Acuff as possibly "the most polished freshman guard prospect I've ever evaluated." Acuff could be awesome on offense, and while defense would be a drag, the Grizzlies could lean on the likes of Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward and Zach Edey to help hide their new floor general.
Throw in the chance to flip Claxton for additional assets—Mann's inclusion would likely be for money-matching purposes only—and this gives Memphis the chance at a real refresh. And the Grizzlies probably need nothing more than that after finally pivoting out of the Morant era.
7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
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Sacramento surely knew Dennis Schröder was never going to be more than a stop-gap solution for the De'Aaron Fox-sized hole in its roster, and the veteran point guard struggled to even handle that job. The Kings clearly need a long-term lead guard, and in Flemings, they could find one with a lot of Fox-like abilities.
Flemings is a blur off the bounce, and he's a master from the mid-range. He can finish at the basket, but he's also capable of feeding teammates with live-dribble deliveries at any point. He competes at an elite level defensively, although his lack of size and strength sometimes limits his impact.
The Kings need young talent in the worst way—they're an atrocious mix of old, expensive and objectively awful—and they especially need a franchise floor general. Flemings is the best bet on the board to scratch that itch.
8. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Mikel Brown Jr., PG/SG, Louisville
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The Hawks didn't quite strike gold with this pick, but they could land a needle-mover all the same. If Brown aces his development and pushes the back problem that plagued him at Louisville behind him, he could give this offense a lot of the same dynamic elements Trae Young once did—only without the lack of size or such glaring defensive concerns.
Brown is a fiery scorer with deep shooting range, but he's just as active getting downhill and finishing at the basket. There isn't a whole lot of in-between with him, either, so his shooting menu should feature a pretty analytically friendly diet. He also shows flashes of high-end creativity as a passer, although the risk-taking sometimes gets carried away.
Either way, he has a lot of elements that can play in Atlanta right away (shotmaking, streak scoring) and others that could take-off with time (offensive organization, primary playmaking). In other words, he can impact this core right now and grow right along with it.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona
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With Cooper Flagg at the franchise forefront but also a good amount of veterans still on this roster, the perfect prospect is likely one who can contribute next season but still offer a sky-high ceiling long-term. That's basically Burries in a nutshell.
He just spent this season showing he can make a slew of winning plays while helping the Wildcats reach the Final Four. He plays hard and strong, he competes at both ends and he is electric in the open court.
Immediately, he can fill an off-ball role alongside Kyrie Irving, but Burries' flashes of creation suggest he could take on more on-ball responsibilities whenever Uncle Drew departs.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee
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The Bucks are reportedly "open for business" on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks, per ESPN's Shams Charania, meaning there's a real chance Milwaukee is making this pick with its next chapter in mind. And given how tricky it will be to add young, high-upside talent to this team—the Bucks won't control their own first-round pick again until 2031—they should be emboldened to take a big swing.
Ament is one of the bigger boom-or-bust candidates on the board. His one-and-done run with the Volunteers perhaps left more questions than answers, but his good moments suggested he could carve out paths to greatness still.
If nothing else, front offices rarely (if ever) quickly abandon hope on a 6'10" swingman who can dribble, shoot and pass, particularly one that was this highly regarded coming out of high school. He isn't super strong, explosive or reliable from range, but blueprint for a big scoring wing with handles is there.
11. Golden State Warriors: Labaron Philon Jr., PG/SG, Alabama
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The Warriors could chase size in this spot, but finding a self-sufficient scorer could be just as beneficial. Philon could not only attack that void right away, he'd also arrive with plenty of long-term potential, which should always be coveted by a club with such an old roster.
His second season with the Crimson Tide was a campaign very well-spent. His scoring output more than doubled (10.6 to 22), and he still managed to improve all three levels of his shooting slash (50.1/39.9/79.8). If he can defend well enough to play next to Stephen Curry (his film on that end looked better before he was saddled with such a heavy offensive burden), Philon could fill a support spacer role next season and maybe handle lead-guard duties down the line.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Aday Mara, C, Michigan
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The Thunder have more draft picks than roster spots (let alone rotation openings), so they could be a candidate to trade up if the front office really fancies any prospect in particular.
If they stay in this spot, though, they could bring in Mara and perhaps see him as a long-term replacement for Isaiah Hartenstein. Mara isn't as mobile, but he offers a similar blend of size (7'3", 255 lbs) and feel. He can control everything on the interior at both ends, and he's good enough passer to serve as a high-post hub.
13. Miami Heat: Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
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The deeper into any mock you get, the less clarity the crystal ball shows. Miami could go any number of different directions here, but Carr could get the nod both for his own outlook and the fact the Heat may need a perimeter scorer depending on how they handle Norman Powell's free agency and Tyler Herro's extension talks.
Carr looks ready for a three-and-D role, but he's also the kind of prospect who could make that label look a little too restrictive. It captures his ignitable shooting and defensive playmaking, but it perhaps undersells his explosiveness, straight-line driving and powerful finishing.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
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The Hornets could see home-run potential here. Not because Lendeborg's upside is particularly enormous—he'll turn 24 before he plays his first NBA minutes—but rather because he does so many things that could help this ascending team take the next step.
In fact, he just did all of those things at such a high level that he just played a featured role in the Wolverines' march to the national championship. He's long, physical and athletic, plus skilled in just about every way. And since he's such a late-bloomer, he could have more growth potential than his biological clock suggests.
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Jayden Quaintance, PF/C, Kentucky
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If the Bulls have visions of building their next roster around big, physical, mobile athletes, Quaintance might be their ideal interior anchor. They have to trust his medicals after the ACL injury that ended his freshman season kept his sophomore campaign from ever getting going, but maybe those setbacks setup a bargain proposition here.
If he can get back to full strength, he has game-breaking upside on the defensive end. His size, length, strength and explosion all make him an impact paint protector, but he's also nimble and instinctive away from the basket. His offensive value may never reach beyond lob finishes and putbacks, but if he's as special as he can be defensively, that won't really matter.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHO): Karim Lopez, PF, New Zealand Breakers
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With the Grizzlies trading down for a point guard earlier in this mock, they could use their other first-round pick to target the 4 spot. Adding Lopez here could complete a starting five featuring Acuff at point, Edey manning the middle and Wells and Coward handling the wing spots.
Lopez's ceiling doesn't seem enormous, but his floor feels impressively high for a 19-year-old. Shooting and creation are question marks, but he offers good positional size, defensive versatility and physical finishing, which he accentuates with savvy off-ball movement.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas
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If the Thunder decide that they can no longer afford to keep Lu Dort around, they might see Swain as a potential replacement.
He projects to be a versatile defensive playmaker who can really cause problems for opposing defenses as a downhill attacker. His three-ball needs work, but he can shine in an off-ball support role if that ever comes around.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington
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If the Hornets feel good about their 4 spot with the Lendeborg selection, they could use this pick to further fortify their frontcourt. While they have a hustle-hard center (Moussa Diabaté) and a huge paint protector (Ryan Kalkbrenner), they don't have a 5 with offensive skills like Steinbach.
He's on the short list of the most polished post scorers in this class, and he's a vacuum on the glass. He can also up his output if his flashes of three-point shooting become a bankable part of his arsenal.
19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
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While the Raptors used their length, defensive disruption and open-court offense to take the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games, Toronto's upset chances were ultimately torpedoed by a lack of perimeter production. That's where Stirtz could help—presumably right away.
He isn't a fast player by any means, but he is a rapid processor who reads the floor like a true lead guard. And since he's also one of the best long-range shooters in this class, his value extends to an off-ball spacer role, which will always be a premium for Toronto given how often it tasks its forwards with initiating the offense.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
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Considering San Antonio's wealth of backcourt talent and franchise centerpiece at center, it'd make sense for the Spurs to attack a forward spot here. Graves just feels like a natural for the Silver and Black as a skills-over-explosion contributor with elite analytical marks.
He is certainly a unique prospect as a no-star recruit who redshirted his first season and then served in a reserve role for a so-so Santa Clara squad, but he was a per-minute machine of across-the-board contributions and elite shooting rates. Assuming this steep climb in competition level doesn't overwhelm him, he has incredible glue-guy potential.
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech
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Detroit desperately needs to expand its offensive menu, and Anderson could help in multiple ways.
He is a crafty creator out of the pick-and-roll and one of the best long-range shooters in this draft. He's also undersized and not explosive, but the tooled-up Pistons might be the perfect team to help him hide those shortcomings.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Morez Johnson Jr., PF, Michigan
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Johnson's stock should be climbing after a strong showing at the combine. He measured well, he tested well, and he showed off three-point touch that suggests he can be much more than just a dynamic defender and physical scorer around the basket.
That defense is the biggest selling point, though. He has the size, speed and instincts to offer true 1-through-5 switchability, and he can wreak weak-side havoc in passing lanes and at-the-rim contests. Philadelphia could see him as both insurance behind Joel Embiid and a physical enforcer alongside him in bigger lineups.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
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If Atlanta pumps more resources into its interior mix, Cenac might be worth the investment. His tools are elite (think big man size and length with a guard's mobility), and his talents look potentially special when he's blocking shots at one end and drilling them from distance at the other.
He needs a little time to polish his approach, as he can get too comfortable on the perimeter and not make great use of that size and explosion around the rim. The Hawks can afford to patiently develop him, though, as their ascending roster might still have a couple of seasons before reaching approaching its apex.
24. New York Knicks: Koa Peat, PF, Arizona
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Peat's NBA outlook appeared a lot better before the season, when he was universally seen as a lottery lock. But the limitations shown during his freshman run continued at the combine, where he measured more like a wing (6'7" without shoes, 6'11¼" wingspan) and shot it like an interior big (6-of-25 on spot-up threes).
Still, scouts who liked him before might think he has fallen too far at this point. Finding his right fit on both ends could prove tricky, but his skill set covers most areas inside the arc, and there isn't another prospect in this class who can match his combination of physicality, toughness and competitive fire.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke
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It'd be great if the draft board delivered a big man here, but the Lakers might see the available options as reaches in this spot. And that's fine. While finding a Deandre Ayton alternative is probably the top external priority, it's also not the only need on this roster.
Shooting will always be a must for L.A.'s support spots, and Evans is a true net-shredder. He's also a developing ball-handler and initiator, and while his defense needs work, he looked better on that end this season than last, so it's at least trending the right direction.
26. Denver Nuggets: Amari Allen, SF/PF, Alabama
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With restricted free agency awaiting Peyton Watson and trade winds swirling around much of this roster, Denver figures to be on the hunt for wing depth. Allen has a real chance to be ready for rotation minutes as a rookie.
Nothing in his profile is particularly special, but it's the dearth of glaring concerns that serves as his biggest selling point. He can score off spoonfed chances, he keeps active on the glass and he should be able to shift through different defensive assignments.
27. Boston Celtics: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
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The Celtics will always take all of the three-point shooting they can get. Veesaar would give them another jumbo shooting option—and perhaps an alternative to re-signing Nikola Vučević—and perhaps serve as much more than a specialist spacer.
The 7-footer moves well for his size, has enough lift to finish lob plays and will throw his weight around on the interior. He'll help out teammates, too, as both a solid screen-setter and a connective passer.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford
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Mike Conley is (relatively speaking) ancient, Donte DiVincenzo is out and Bones Hyland and Ayo Dosunmu are free-agents-to-be. Point guard should be a pretty clear summer priority in Minnesota.
Okorie could be a fun option to attack it. He is one of the fastest players in this class, and he's comfortable operating at top gear. He can shoot from anywhere, and while he isn't an explosive vertical athlete, he's a crafty enough finisher to find points around the rim.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS): Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, Baylor
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Until the Cavaliers decide to move away from their core four, they should probably keep aiming for the perfect complement to them on the wings. While it's unlikely Yessoufou ever becomes that, he does offer the kind of physical tools that are typically unavailable when Cleveland is on the clock.
He has serious bounce, endless energy and plenty of power. He has more tools than talent at this stage, but you can optimistically see how he might become a difference-maker over time.
30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Meleek Thomas, PG/SG, Arkansas
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The offensive end should be easier to navigate next season with Kyrie Irving joining Cooper Flagg, but things could still get a little clunky around them. They should see plenty of appeal in Thomas, then, as his quick-strike scoring can help him serve as a "Get out of a rut free" card.
He is a 6'3" fire-baller with supreme belief in his abilities and enough handles to dislodge himself from tight defenders. His hero-ball tendencies can be trouble at times, but he's never more than one make away from a bucket binge.
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