New 2026 NBA Mock Draft with Blockbuster Kawhi Leonard Trade Idea

The Los Angeles Clippers kicked off a youth movement ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

The rest of the hoops world is still waiting to see whether they'll complete it.

Because while high-priced veterans James Harden and Ivica Zubac were sent packing, Kawhi Leonard went nowhere. Maybe his departure was simply delayed, though.

While the Clippers could always opt to keep him around, there are many reasons to think they'll let him go: like his age (35 in June), their position in the championship race (nowhere near the top) and his long-term uncertainty (one more season under contract).

Let's do what L.A. hasn't, then, and make finding him a new home a priority in this new mock first round.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU

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No one has lost bigger than the Wizards over the past three seasons—or even come close—so it felt entirely appropriate when they were crowned the biggest winner at this year's lottery. Even after assembling an intriguing young core and swinging (discounted) deals for Trae Young and Anthony Davis, this roster needs a long-term centerpiece to build around.

That's why Washington will be so careful with this selection. And it's why the constant chatter connected to this pick has been that "there's still uncertainty around which direction Washington will go," as ESPN's Jeremy Woo recently relayed. It could be simple due diligence, but it's just as possible the Wizards see legitimate top-of-the-board potential in Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer or even Caleb Wilson.

In the end, though, Dybantsa continues to feel like the best bet. Star big-wings might be the most coveted archetype in the league, and he has the tools and has flashed the talent of becoming exactly that. He's almost certain to be a three-level scorer and versatile defender, and then there are gobs of growth potential with his playmaking, creation and defensive playmaking.

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas

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The Jazz might feel some sentimental attachment to Dybantsa, but getting Peterson with the No. 2 pick might actually be a best-case scenario for this club.

He is, without question, a cleaner roster fit. Utah is overloaded with frontcourt talent and has a clear vacancy in the backcourt next to ascending guard Keyonte George. Peterson could be the perfect pairing as an elite shot-maker and dogged defender who also offers some creation and penetration of his own.

It's also worth debating whether he's actually the top prospect in this class. He didn't always look the part during a disjointed season at Kansas, but his skills and positional size both point toward stardom in his future.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke

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With Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. gone, and Ja Morant having one foot out the door, the Grizzlies have handled most of the teardown portion of their rebuilidng project. Now, they need to get busy laying the foundation for whatever comes next.

Boozer might be the ideal building block. He is probably the most polished prospect in this draft, and he hasn't even turned 19 yet. He can dismantle defenses in the post with power and finesse, shoot from the perimeter and initiate offense as a point-forward. He's also an excellent rebounder and instinctive (though not particulary toolsy) defender.

He has winning pedigree, elite production and the adaptability to help his team however he's needed. Get him to Grind City and pair him with Zach Edey, Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells, and suddenly this young core could appear as one of the most intriguing in the Association.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina

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If the Bulls' rebuild goes according to plan, they're about to construct a roster centered around length, athleticism and physicality. Wilson seems almost lab-created for this design.

He is tooled-up and twitchy, and his aggressiveness is accentuated by both power and explosion. He is looking to punish opponents at all times, and when he can't get within arm's reach of the rim, he can comfortably launch into soft-touch turnaround jumpers. Not to mention, he should be a game plan-destroying menace on the defensive end.

It'll be a while before his offensive ceiling gets set—shooting is very much a work-in-progress part of his arsenal—and yet he still seems capable of helping an organization create an identity. Chicago needs nothing more than that, and it should feel great about setting a foundation with Wilson and Matas Buzelis.

5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois

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If the Clippers need some convincing that Wagler is worth the No. 5 pick—and they might not; he has a chance to be special—a process of elimination might get them there. They probably don't have the appetite for another small guard after adding Darius Garland at the trade deadline, and they might question the value of reaching for a center in this spot.

So, maybe Wagler is something of a by-default choice here. Or, again, maybe he's someone they just really like. It could easily be the latter, as his positional size (6'6"), lights-out shooting, penchant for passing and turnover avoidance can help him thrive as either an on-ball creator or an off-ball spacer and secondary passer.

Defense and athleticism don't earn high marks, but everything else in his profile looks promising. If nothing else, a Garland-Wagler backcourt would be awfully hard to handle for opposing defenses.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., PG/SG, Louisville

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Not all draft boards will feature Brown this high. His one-and-done run with the Cardinals was impacted by a back injury and inconsistency, so there are some legitimate warts here.

Given the state of the Nets' roster, though, they should be more focused on ceilings than floors. And his flashes were some of the brightest in this entire class. Catch his best film, and you'll swear you're seeing a 6'5" floor general who can launch from anywhere (and at any time), finish around and above the rim and pick apart defenses with pinpoint passes.

His risk-taking can be troublesome, but it also points toward elite confidence and advanced creativity. He'll have to be more selective with picking his spots still, but Brooklyn should welcome the experimentation until it has a better shot at competing.

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., PG/SG, Arkansas

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The Kings are "frequently tied" to Acuff, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo, and they seem like one of his most logical suitors. They need young, ascending talent in the worst way, and their offensive hierarchy could soon undergo a complete overhaul, and Acuff might be the stone that slays both birds.

He'd immediately fill their vacancy at point guard, bringing slick handles, all-over-the-floor scoring and low-turnover playmaking to the position. He understands both how to read a defense and how to use that knowledge to manipulate it.

If the Kings ever worked their way to basketball's big stage, he might look great in the spotlight, too. During SEC and NCAA Tournament play, he averaged 29.8 points and 6.5 assists.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

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The Hawks might have hoped their superfirst would land even higher, but they still wound up where they need to be to find their Trae Young replacement. Flemings obviously doesn't play the same game, but Atlanta might appreciate his differences while also noticing some similarities.

Like Young, Flemings is a natural live-dribble passer and comfortable, confident pull-up shooter. Unlike Young, Flemings is also a twitchy athlete and tone-setting defender, meaning he shouldn't get overwhelmed physically (despite also being undersized).

Flemings' three-point volume must increase for him to thrive in an offense that will continue running through All-Star forward Jalen Johnson, but Flemings' percentages have been strong, and he shot the heck out of it at the Combine.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona

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Buries played an invaluable role on a title contender at Arizona. If Dallas is as bullish about the Cooper Flagg-Kyrie Irving pairing as it claims, maybe it could optimistically picture Buries doing the same for this team.

If the Mavs want to be competitive next season—they don't control their first-round pick, so tanking is off the table—they should see plug-and-play potential with Burries. He should be a good shooter and defender right away and quite possibly a great rebounder for his position.

What could seal this for Dallas is that it could get instant impact from Buries without necessarily sacrificing upside. He may never be a top-shelf star, but he could be very good if he can level up as an off-the-dribble creator and playmaker.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee

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The Bucks only have this pick, but they've "been operating as if [they] will have multiple selections in this year's draft," per ESPN's Jeremy Woo. That probably means a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade is coming soon and also likely stresses the importance of Milwaukee prioritizing long-term potential with this pick.

Ament is risky for a top-10 pick, but he was also supposed to be a top-five prospect in this class. An up-and-down, injury-impacted season with the Volunteers shouldn't lower his ceiling too much. He still has walking-mismatch potential if he aces his development.

He is a 6'10" forward who offers shooting, creation and passing. His shooting needs to improve, and adding strength is a major must, but the outline of a lanky, two-way forward is still visible enough for Milwaukee to take the plunge.

TRADE at 11. Los Angeles Clippers (via GSW): Aday Mara, C, Michigan

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Los Angeles Clippers receive: No. 11 pick, Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski

Golden State Warriors receive: Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr.

A deal like this probably wouldn't get done in advance, because L.A.'s interest might hinge on how the draft board looks. But if Mara makes it to here—which might largely come down to whether the Hawks take him at No. 8—the Clippers could feel compelled to act.

Between the deadline deals for Garland and Bennedict Mathurin (a restricted free agent), and the mock drafting of Wagler at No. 5, L.A. would be building a compelling young core around the perimeter. But it would still need a big to tackle that glaring void at center, and Mara might be a dream candidate for the job.

He is massive (7'3" barefoot with a 9'9" standing reach), impressivly mobile for his size and truly instinctive as a passer. He's also excellent with all of the interior duties you'd expect him to handle, like protecting the paint and finishing with force. He has "interior anchor" written all over him.

If the Clippers could get him and another possible building block in Podziemski, they might be convinced to get out of the load-management business with Leonard. Especially if they think Butler can return in time from his Jan. ACL tear to re-establish his value and be flipped for additional assets ahead of next season's deadline.

As for the Warriors, Leonard wouldn't make them any younger or less vulnerable to the injury bug, but he could be the co-star Stephen Curry needs and wouldn't blow up the trade budget because of his considerable availability issues. Throw in Jones to make this group more athletic and active defensively on the perimeter, and they might be convinced to bypass this shot at adding young talent in an effort to give Curry another crack or two at high-level competition.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington

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The Thunder might soon need to make financially driven cuts to their core. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams set to cost this club $123.3 million next season (and considerably more in subsequent campaigns), the time to trim expenses might be now, which could put Isaiah Hartenstein and his $28.5 million team option on the chopping block.

If OKC winds up needing a replacement center, Steinbach could be ready for rotation minutes right away. Rebounding is already an elite skill of his, and he could be a hugely helpful play-finisher since he can score around and above the rim but also flashes real touch on his outside shot.

13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon Jr., PG/SG, Alabama

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Whether the Heat keep this pick or use it as part of a package to reel in a whale, expect them to focus on finding more scoring help and shot-creation. They just can't summon a lot of something-out-of-nothing opportunities with their personnel, and that's without accounting for the possible departure of Norman Powell (unrestricted free agent) or Tyler Herro (extension-eligible and unsigned past next season).

If Philon's shooting gains this past season were sustainable, then he might have a lot of what this offense needs. Despite not being a great athlete, he offers three-level scoring, and the kind of shiftiness that routinely helps get him where he wants.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan

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The Hornets have a wealth of talent on the perimeter, so the frontcourt should hold their focus here. Especially if Lendeborg makes it this far, which admittedly he may not, since he's in possession of a pretty unique blend of size, length and versatility.

Then again, he's pretty ancient for a lottery prospect (turns 24 in September), so maybe the lottery-chasers will decide he's not for them. That could be a huge boon for Buzz City, since Charlotte could use a long-term 4 and would welcome a player with this kind of toughness, competitive fire and two-way utility.

15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky

You'd have to think new Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham has noticed this club's glaring void at center. You might also assume that, given his affinity for "SLAP: Size, length, athleticism and physicality," he might also be a big fan of Quaintance, a springy center with a 7'5.25" wingspan and outrageous mobility for his size.

He is, to be clear, a question mark after having his college career sidetracked by a major knee injury, but his healthy version could make him a perennial All-Defensive candidate and impact rim-runner.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHO): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor

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The Grizzlies should be chasing talent wherever they can find it, and the best-player-available path could point them straight to Carr.

He showed out at the Combine and should continue crushing it on the workout circuit, where his bounce, three-ball and length are all ready to impress. A wing rotation featuring Carr, Coward and Wells should be fully loaded with shotmaking and defensive disruption.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas

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It's hard to see the Thunder spending both of their first-round picks, as they could either try packaging them move up or perhaps flip this one for future draft capital. If they stay here, though, they might picture Swain slotting into a wing rotation that could subtract Lu Dort ($18.2 million team option) or Kenrich Williams ($7.2 million team option) over this offseason.

Swain does just about everything other than shoot. His downhill driving and finishing are the most powerful parts of his arsenal, but he's also a good passer (especially for the slasher archetype) and a versatile defender.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston

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The Hornets could stay in frontcourt with their second pick of the opening round and try snatching up a combo big who would help unlock more lineup possibilities.

Cenac can play the part of a bouncy rim-runner, but he's probably more comfortable on the perimeter, where he moves like a wing and launches like a more consistent shooter than his current form (33.3 percent in college). His approach needs some tweaking, but if developed right, he could make an impact as both a big 4 and an athletic 5.

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa

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This would be more of a needs-based pick, but Toronto might be good with that. There's only so much upside to be found this late in the draft, after all, and this group happens to have pretty well-defined needs at point guard center.

Here, the Raptors attack the former with Stirtz, an elite shooter who reads the floor like a throwback floor general. He isn't very long or explosive, but he knows how to get open, gets into his shots quickly and trusts his ability to score from all over the floor.

20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Karim López, PF, New Zealand Breakers

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This is one of those picks that might feel like a steal in the moment—and then again later with hindsight. San Antonio should be stockpiling wings in between its crowded backcourt and star center, and López would add some different elements to this roster.

He's already built like an NBA player (6'8" barefoot, 222 lbs), and he moves off the ball like a seasoned pro. He lacks consistency with his shot and burst off the bounce, but the pros easily outweigh the cons, and he's certainly capable of growing as a shooter and on-ball creator.

21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech

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The Pistons are forever in the market for spacing and scoring support. Anderson could supply both, while scratching another nitch for shot-creation.

He might be the best shooter in this draft, and he get red-hot both on the move or off the dribble. He's also a crafty, clever decision-maker, particularly out of pick-and-roll plays.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan

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After appearing problematically top-heavy in the playoffs, the Sixers will be on the search for reliable reserves. That's true for every spot on their roster, but it should be extra relevant at center, since Joel Embiid is the questionable designation personified, and Andre Drummond is heading toward unrestricted free agency.

Johnson, who was a huge winner at the Combine with great measurements, athletic testing and shooting drills, seems like one of the safest bets on the board. Even if he survives on mostly spoonfed scoring chances, he'll be such an asset on defense as a switchable stopper and havoc-wreaker that his impact will feel substantial.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke

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With Jalen Johnson leading this team and Dyson Daniels playing a pivotal role, the Hawks should have a standing order for three-point shooting. Especially since some of their best-on-paper perimeter shooters aren't guaranteed to get nightly rotation roles (Corey Kispert, Buddy Hield).

The sales pitch for Evans should be easily (and eagerly) digested, then. He is probably the best movement shooter in this draft, and he helped his stock with better on-ball showings as a sophomore.

24. New York Knicks: Luigi Suigo, C, Mega

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Suigo isn't universally locked into first-round mocks, but you sort of get the sense that he might be once the draft gets here. His physical dimensions are comical (nearly 7'3" barefoot with a 9'6" standing reach), and he has enough perimeter talents to fashion himself as the Italian Wemby.

He doesn't have enough self-creation to fully fit that label, but he is comfortable launching from three and finding open teammates on the move. Inside the paint, he's exactly the kind of finisher, paint protector and power player that his huge frame says he should be.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

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Jaxson Hayes is headed for unrestricted free agency, and Deandre Ayton is...well, Deandre Ayton. The Lakers would love to shake-up their center mix this summer, and the draft might allow it if Veesaar makes it this far.

It's possible he won't. He's a 7-footer who's always looking to drop the hammer around the basket, and he just shot a career 42.6 percent from three. He's also a smart, simple passer and a pretty nimble defender for his size.

26. Denver Nuggets: Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara

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The Nuggets should probably look to fortify the forward spots, because they're about to get hit. Potential poachers will push hard for Peyton Watson in restricted free agency, and if Denver re-signs him, "the belief around the league" is that it will trade away Cameron Johnson or Christian Braun to afford Watson's deal, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps.

Graves looks like he could at least help fill in the gaps, and maybe do a lot more if his elite analytics are to be believed. At worst, he looks like a 6'9", 225-pound shot-maker, rebounder and defensive playmaker. At best, he's all of those things and a reliable creator for himself and his teammates.

27. Boston Celtics: Zuby Ejiofor, C, St. John's

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The Celtics received better-than-expected play from their center position this past season, but nothing that should prevent it from being an offseason focus for the front office. Especially if they don't plan on covering the cost of Nikola Vučević's free agency.

Ejiofor, who had a near-silent start to his career at Kansas before becoming an indispensable puzzle piece for St. John's, already has an NBA motor and all the physicality needed to bang with bigs. His shooting touch needs more work, but it's notably not hopeless.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford

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Mike Conley is 38, Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland are free agents, and Donte Divincenzo is still in the early stages of recovery from a torn Achilles. Point guard is almost certainly a priority position for the Timberwolves this summer.

Bolstering the backcourt with a scoring threat like Okorie could be fun. He's probably more of a scorer than a lead guard, but maybe Minnesota wouldn't mind since it already funnels most possessions through Anthony Edwards. The Wolves just need to help their star breathe, and Okorie could command attention for his elite burst and pull-up shooting threat.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS): Joshua Jefferson, SF/PF, Iowa State

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This could be an everything's-on-the-table type of offseason in Cleveland after such a lopsided loss in the Eastern Conference finals. Even if the Cavs stay committed to this core, though, it's clear this roster needs help.

Jefferson could provide some right away. And in a lot of different ways. He's a 6'9", 240-pound power player who rebounds and finishes with force, but he's also a comfortable ball-handler, creative passer and improved long-range shooter.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Koa Peat, PF, Arizona

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If the Mavericks are thinking long-term with Cooper Flagg as their franchise focal point, then another dart throw would make sense in this spot. Peat might offer the best buy-low potential in this class, since he was supposed to be a lottery prospect and is now clinging to the very back end of the opening round.

Now, his stock has slipped for a reason: He can't shoot. He hardly ever tried at Arizona and was seldom successful in Combine drills. If Dallas can look past that, though, it could see a lot to like about a big, physical power player who can finish at the rim, pile up points from midrange, feed open teammates and handle different defensive assignments.