New 2026 NBA Mock Draft with Blockbuster LaMelo Ball Trade Idea
The Charlotte Hornets finally delivered their long awaited breakthrough.
Well, sort of.
While a scorching second half helped them flip a 16-28 start into 44-38 finish to the 2025-26 NBA season, they still wilted at the worst possible time. In a win-or-go-home Play-In Tournament game with the (often offensively inept) Orlando Magic, the Hornets never bothered showing up. They were down 22 after the first quarter and their 31-point deficit at halftime wound up being the game's final margin, too.
Charlotte showed some clear growth during the campaign, but it also sent a late reminder of just how far away it still might be. And perhaps that spurs the front office toward rethinking this core—primarily, its remaining three-year, $130.7 million commitment to LaMelo Ball.
Because while he's the biggest name in Buzz City, he's also on a short list of the most polarizing players in the Association. For an offense-first (offense-only?) star, he's never been super efficient (career 41.8 field-goal percentage), nor particularly discerning with his decision-making (career 3.2 turnovers per contest).
If the Hornets want out of the Ball business—and, to be clear, there is zero indication they actually do—maybe they could facilitate that split during the upcoming draft. Let's examine how that might look while running through a fresh mock draft featuring a blockbuster Ball trade.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
1 of 30
Mock drafters continue hammering home that the Wizards' decision in this spot is far from settled. Those same pick prognosticators essentially all keep sending Dybantsa to the District, though.
As they should. He just looks destined to land somewhere between really good and great. Teams are forever hunting for star big-wings, and he's built from that very blueprint. At worst, he figures to be a 20-ish-point scorer with explosive athleticism and three-level scoring. At best, he could be closer to a 30-point producer, plus a capable secondary playmaker and a chaos-creator on defense.
His arrival on the wings might position Washington to truly compete in the Eastern Conference as soon as next season and would increase the brightness for this loaded young core.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas
2 of 30
There are more fun narratives to follow with this pick. Like, say, Utah making a daring move for Dybantsa after watching him star in this state the past two seasons. Or the Jazz uniting Cameron Boozer with his father Carlos, a former All-Star performer who's back with the franchise in a front office role.
That said, the basketball fit certainly appears the cleanest with Peterson, who could slot alongside Keyonte George right away as an ignitable shotmaker, support creater and ready-willing-and-able defender. Pair those guards with this roster's wealth of talent up front, and maybe the Jazz can impact the Western Conference race sooner than later.
Let's also not gloss over the fact Peterson was often regarded as the top prospect in this class and might still hold that title after not for the injury issues he encountered at Kansas. If those are in the rearview, maybe Utah will see best-in-class potential in him again.
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
3 of 30
Boozer won't celebrate his 19th birthday until a few weeks after the draft. That doesn't seem possible when combined with the fact he is generally (if not universally) regarded as the most polished prospect in this class.
His skills, smarts and instincts are just almost never seen in a player this young—let alone this big (6'9", 250 lbs). He's a smooth post scorer who doubles as a 40 percent shooter from distance and moonlights as a jumbo ball-handler and creator. And while he'll be physically challenged by the NBA's length and quickness, his rapid processing opens up all kinds of problem-solving possibilities.
Put him in the same frontcourt as Zach Edey, and it feels like the retooling Grizzlies would already have their next identity built around power, force, size and skill.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
4 of 30
Assuming the Bulls don't dial up any deals, they should be in for a stress-free start to this draft. This class is widely seen as having a four-player tier at the top, so Chicago can just stand pat and snatch up whoever slips to this spot.
While any of the four would probably feel like a home run given the Bulls' glaring need for blue-chip talent, Wilson might seem like a moon shot given how clearly he fits what this new front office wants to build. He's a long, lanky forward with anti-gravity athleticism and insatiable energy, or exactly the kind of player this new regime is looking to get.
Chicago's rebuild figures to be a long one—in large part because the previous regime was so reluctant to get it going—but having Wilson and Matas Buzelis at the foundation could go a long way toward bringing this new vision to life.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois
5 of 30
The No. 5 pick might be the biggest pivot point of this draft, and it could reveal plenty about L.A.'s approach to the annual talent grab. Because there might be a best-player argument to be made here for Darius Acuff Jr. And there's almost certainly a best-fit label draped around Aday Mara, whose 7'3", 255-pound frame could immediately fill the void created by the deadline subtraction of Ivica Zubac.
With Wagler, though, the Clippers could see the convergence of both worlds.
With lead-guard creativity, off-guard shooting and big-guard size (6'6"), he might be regarded by many as the best player on the board. And since he should have significant off-ball value, he's probably the most natural fit with Darius Garland among this guard-heavy tier.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., PG/SG, Arkansas
6 of 30
Remember when the Nets loaded up on guards and playmakers while spending five first-round picks in last year's draft? Well, don't expect that to have any bearing on this pick.
They need an offensive star, and Acuff looks like the one. He's an ignitable scoring threat from all over with the ball control, pace and feel of a floor general.
He's also not an outstanding athlete, nor a particularly invested defender, but his offensive ceiling sits too high to worry about those things too much. Plus, he helped ease some concerns about a lack of size while measuring 6'2" without shoes and with a 6'7" wingspan at the Combine.
7. Sacramento Kings: Mikel Brown Jr., PG/SG, Louisville
7 of 30
The Kings appear to be targeting Acuff with this pick, per Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor and ESPN's Jeremy Woo, but the draft board may not cooperate. One would still assume they'll use this selection to fill their vacant lead guard gig, and the interest in Acuff might point toward Sacramento coveting an offensive-minded prospect for the position.
Brown just so happens to have sky-high potential on the offensive end. Maybe as much as Brown; maybe as much as anyone in this draft, honestly. Because if you Brown's best moments, you're talking about a 6'5" lead guard with unlimited shooting range, knockout-powered pull-up scoring punch, finishing around and above the rim and the arm talent to deliver every pass in the book.
Now, that's the rosiest scouting report you could compile for Brown, and it glosses over the inconsistency and back injury he battled in college. But Sacramento is so short on young talent that it should be far more focused on the reward than the risk. And Brown's best-case scenarios are possible fortune-changers.
8. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Aday Mara, C, Michigan
8 of 30
The Hawks are certainly a candidate to attack their Trae Young vacancy in this spot, but they also need more size on the interior. And no prospect has more to offer than Mara, who tallied the tallest height (7'3" barefoot) and longest standing reach (9'9") at the Combine.
He makes the most of his measurements, too, as an intimidating shot-blocker, reliable short-range finisher and active rebounder. He also shows special feel as a passer, hinting at some new possibilities for a Hawks' offensive menu that needs to expand its half-court offerings.
These dimensions don't come around often, and they're almost never tethered to playmaking like this. His limitations are real—defending in space, scoring outside of the restricted area—but the tools-plus-talent tandem looks awfully tantalizing.
TRADE at 9. Charlotte Hornets (via DAL): Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona
9 of 30
Charlotte Hornets receive: Kyrie Irving, No. 9 pick
Dallas Mavericks receive: LaMelo Ball, No. 14 pick and No. 18 pick
The Hornets just finished their sixth season with Ball. It was only their second with a winning record, their sixth without a playoff trip and the sixth in which someone else paced them in win shares (Kon Knueppel this time around). While they'd surely like to keep building on their second-half momentum, maybe they're just unconvinced that Ball can lead a winning team. Maybe they credit that stretch run less to him and more to the addition of Knueppel, the ascension of Brandon Miller and some out-of-nowhere gains on the defensive end.
Charlotte should be dreaming big right now, and perhaps it believes a steadier hand at point guard is needed to realize that. Or maybe it feels it needs a little more time to bring everything together and thinks that task would be simpler without Ball's money on the books and with a top-10 pick in a loaded draft instead of two selections in the mid-teens.
Either way, this shakeup works. Short-term, a healthy Irving should be far easier to follow than Ball. You may not always know if Irving is playing, but you know what you'll get if he does: elite shotmaking, all-time handles, offensive ingenuity and the ability to work both on and off the ball. He could show this young roster what's required to win for a year or two (he has a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28) or even stick around longer if the partnership proves especially fruitful.
The Hornets also add a building block in Burries, who offers both plug-and-play polish and flashes of shot-creation that hint at star potential. In short, they could better their chances of winning both now and in the future while collecting both the best player in the trade and the highest draft pick.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
10 of 30
With Giannis Antetokounmpo awaiting his ticket out of town, the Bucks better plan on approaching this pick with their next chapter as the focus. They should chase the most upside they can find here, although in this mock they don't have to absorb too much risk to gain a potentially substantial reward.
Flemings' measurements weren't great at the Combine, but he was predictably awesome in the athletic testing and wildly encouraging in shooting drills. He looks like the real deal, even if he's a tad undersized.
He is an elite athlete who can reach top speeds few others can hit and still not have it speed up his decision-making. He might be the most natural floor general of this guard group, showing excellent feel for running an offense and playing with a tone-setting passion.
11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
11 of 30
With Steve Kerr back, Stephen Curry remaining at an elite level and Golden State preparing for another star search, the Warriors' win-now intentions are on full display. And prospect can present a better win-now pitch than Lendeborg, who just played a featured role in the Wolverines' march to the title.
He is obviously on the older side (he'll be 24 as a rookie), but he possesses some of the sharpest tools and most versatile skill sets in this entire draft. He could walk into a glue-guy role right away and perhaps develop into much more over time if he continues growing as a shooter and shot-creator.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee
12 of 30
The Thunder, who also hold the No. 17 pick, might be the clearest trade-up candidate in this draft. They have more first-round selections than roster spots, and their rotation is already overflowing with championship-level talent.
If OKC stays here, though, it probably makes sense to use this pick with only the future in mind. Especially if Ament is still on the board, which he definitely could be after an up-and-down season with the Volunteers. His game and frame both need work, but his long-term appeal as a 6'10" swingman who can dribble, shoot and pass is both clear and compelling.
13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon Jr., PG/SG, Alabama
13 of 30
Miami might prefer to use this pick as part of a blockbuster trade, but if that isn't happening, the Heat should follow the best player available path. Especially if that player comes with as much perimeter promise as Philon, who just averaged 22 points and 5 assists while posting a pristine 50.1/39.9/79.8 shooting slash.
They can get pretty bogged-down in the half court, but a slick creator like Philon could help get things unclogged. He might be more of a shotmaker and shooter than a true lead guard, but that could be exactly what they want since they task frontcourt players like Bam Adebayo and Jaime Jaquez Jr. with creation duties already.
TRADE at 14. Dallas Mavericks (via CHO): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
14 of 30
Dallas Mavericks receive: LaMelo Ball, No. 14 pick and No. 18 pick
Charlotte Hornets receive: Kyrie Irving, No. 9 pick
Pushback from Mavericks' fans is expected. Dallas, remember, won't control its first-round pick again until 2031, so giving up a top-10 selection in a loaded draft could be tough for some to stomach.
Think about the mission, though: Loading up with long-term keepers around last year's top pick, Cooper Flagg. Now, think about the possibilites on the board: Use the No. 9 pick and keep the 34-year-old Irving for another season or two, OR acquire a hyper-productive 24-year-old in Ball and two top-20 picks.
The Mavs would still need to nail those picks, obviously, but Carr could help make that happen. A Combine star in measurements, testing and a scrimmage, he's a lanky shot-maker with serious springs and more than enough natural tools to be a disruptor on the defensive end.
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington
15 of 30
Chicago's effort to grow bigger, stronger and more physical this summer would be furthered with this selection. Steinbach absolutely aced the measuring-tape tests at the Combine, showing the right size-length combo (6'10" barefoot with a 7'2" wingspan) and added bulk (248 pounds, up from 220 at the start of the college season).
His activity on the glass might be the single most elite skill in this class, and he's also a polished scorer in the post. If his flashes of perimeter shooting ever morph into more, he could be a textbook tough cover with paint-to-the-perimeter utility.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHO): Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech
16 of 30
The Grizzlies already torso-deep in rebuilding waters with only an overdue Ja Morant trade left on the tear-down to-do list. Even if Memphis has to extend this partnership a bit due to a lack of market interest, it's clear this franchise must take a new direction at lead guard.
Anderson might be the most interesting wager to make. He might be the best shooter in this draft, and he's on a short list of its top table-setters. And while he's on the smaller side and not particularly athletic, Memphis might like its chances of masking those deficiencies with a Boozer-Edey-Cedric Coward frontcourt.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan
17 of 30
While the Thunder don't have obvious openings now, they do face some financial decisions that could create a couple. Sizable team options on Isaiah Hartenstein ($28.5 million), Lu Dort ($18.2 million) and Kenrich Williams ($7.2 million) could all give this front office plenty to think about, particularly with pay raises for Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander kicking in soon.
If OKC decides to decline at least one of those options, it might immediately be in the market for size, athleticism and chaos-creation on defense. Johnson offers all of the above, plus powerful finishing and hints of shot-making and quick-read passing.
TRADE at 18. Dallas Mavericks (via ORL): Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
18 of 30
Dallas Mavericks receive: LaMelo Ball, No. 14 pick and No. 18 pick
Charlotte Hornets receive: Kyrie Irving, No. 9 pick
In our hypothetical deal, Dallas has given Flagg a franchise floor general in Ball and a high-end three-and-D wing with Cameron Carr. Now, the Mavericks can attack the interior, where Daniel Gafford looms as a logical trade candidate (should Dallas go asset-hunting) and Dereck Lively III keeps encountering availability issues.
Cenac would be a fascinating dart to throw. He has the length and bounce of a rim-runner, but he moves more like a wing and sometimes shoots like one, too. That inside-out versatility always intrigues—particularly for someone standing 6'10" barefoot with a 7'5" wingspan—and the idea of a stretch big opening driving lanes for Flagg sounds all kinds of fun.
19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
19 of 30
Given how much money Toronto has tied to this core, the Raptors might be more focused on roster fits than most. Especially since their first-round defeat showed such obvious deficiencies at point guard and center.
The draft board could simplify the decision, since any remaining big might feel like a reach. Conversely, this is the right range for Stirtz, a talent over tools contributor with lights-out shooting, functional handles and one-step-ahead processing as a passer.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Karim López, PF, New Zealand Breakers
20 of 30
The Spurs could attack a niche need here, but their roster feels talent-rich enough already for them to just grab the best prospect and assemble the puzzle later. It just so happens that López, a reasonable choice for best player available, also holds need-filling potential as a big, physical forward.
He plays hard, embraces contact, makes smart moves off the ball and capably defends multiple positions. It seems like he already has a pretty safe jack-of-all-trades base. That said, if he can ramp up his shooting and deepen his off-the-dribble bag, he just might rise above the support ranks.
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke
21 of 30
Detroit's offense needs a lot of things, but breathing room sits near the top of the wish list. Evans' sharpshooting and off-ball activity could give oxygen to this group.
He might only fit a specialist role for the time being, but the growth of his off-the-dribble game suggests more creation could be coming at some point. And even if he's never a high-end playmaker, the Pistons shouldn't have a problem with that, since they'll have Cade Cunningham handling chief distributing duties anyway.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
22 of 30
The Sixers appeared problematically top-heavy this postseason, so they really need this pick to produce a rotation-quality player. Graves has a chance to be exactly that with good positional size (6'9", 225 pounds), great analytics and a versatile skill tree.
He does so many different things well, like shooting, creating, rebounding and blowing up actions defensively. He just won't be a good athlete at this level, and it's unclear how he'll handle the steep climb in competition.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford
23 of 30
If the Hawks go big with their first pick, look for them to go backcourt shopping here. Especially if a point guard prospect as intriguing as Okorie is still up for grabs.
He has tremendous burst (maybe the best in this class), and his scoring punch is powerful from all three levels. He isn't a natural playmaker, but the Hawks could be more willing to forgive that weakness than most, since their offense will continue running through All-Star swingman Jalen Johnson first.
24. New York Knicks: Jayden Quaintance, PF/C, Kentucky
24 of 30
The Knicks might need to seek out size here, since there's a real chance free agency winds up luring Mitchell Robinson away. Quaintance might be the perfect replacement—for better and worse.
Like Robinson, Quaintance is absurdly bouncy and impressively mobile for his size (6'10", 255 lbs). He's also just as littered with availability concerns due to the devastating knee injury that prematurely ended his freshman season and effectively prevented his sophomore campaign from ever getting started.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
25 of 30
If the draft board cooperates, the Lakers would presumably love to land a center here. This mock delivers a pretty compelling one in Veesaar, a 7-foot spacer with enough bounce and force to finish plays around and above the rim.
Giving Luka Dončić a screen-setter who can pop out for threes, explode to the basket or make smart, simple passes out of the short roll might be an offensive cheat code. Defense would be the concern, but honestly, that might be L.A.'s big worry regardless how this roster takes shape around Dončić and a presumably re-signed Austin Reaves.
26. Denver Nuggets: Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas
26 of 30
Denver's roster is top-heavy and expensive as heck. Cost-controlled contributors are a must if this going to work, and the Nuggets could see real plug-and-play possibilites with Swain.
He isn't much of a shooter, but he is one of the better finishers and passers among wings in this class. He can also offer a good amount of versatility on defense, which might be a must if Denver can't afford to bring back Peyton Watson.
27. Boston Celtics: Luigi Suigo, C, Mega
27 of 30
While Suigo didn't quite drive the wait-he's-how-big?! discussions at the Combine, he was the biggest talking point not named Aday Mara. And, honestly, the dimensions aren't that different: just under 7'3" barefoot with a 7'5" wingspan and a 9'6" reach.
Boston could use that kind of size on the interior, plus it would love his willingness to launch from long range. He looks like he can handle all of the typical interior work, and he enhances that value by being a clever passer, capable shooter and powerful finisher.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Jack Kayil, PG, ALBA Berlin
28 of 30
Kayil committed to Gonzaga in October, but he has since opted to stick in this draft, creating "speculation around the NBA...that Kayil received a first-round promise," per Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor.
Maybe Minnesota gave it. The Wolves clearly need help in the backcourt, and Kayil offers both an NBA-ready build and the right blend of shooting potential and playmaking feel to fit on or off the ball.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS): Amari Allen, SF/PF, Alabama
29 of 30
The Cavaliers keep trying to find the right fit at small forward, but that search is very clearly ongoing. Nothing that has happened this postseason would suggest Cleveland has its long-term solution at that spot.
To be clear, there's a real chance Allen wouldn't fully fill that void, either, but he'd be a sensible target just to find out. He defends multiple positions, gets active on the glass and can finish most scoring chances others create.
30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, Baylor
30 of 30
With now three picks in the first round of this mock, the Mavericks can afford to shoot for upside here. And few, if any, prospects in this range have more to offer than Yessoufou.
His physical tools are elite, and he maximizes their impact by playing with tremendous, contagious energy. He needs better feel and more consistent shotmaking, but Dallas can be patient with his development while playing the long game in hopes of eventually giving Flagg a legitimate chance at sustained success.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
