New 2026 NBA Mock Draft with Blockbuster Jaylen Brown Trade Idea
Folks are talking, wondering and speculating about Jaylen Brown's NBA future—with or without the Boston Celtics.
Now, it's probably worth noting that both Brown and the Shamrocks have tried dousing this trade fire with buckets of cold water. But it's still hard not to notice the smoke, like Brown discussing how much he enjoyed this largely Jayson Tatum-less (and playoff success-free) season, or Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady relaying some frustration with the franchise on Brown's side of things.
If nothing else, this seems like a situation worth monitoring, if not discussing. It at least has drummed up interest in Brown around the Association with NBA insider Marc Stein reporting that the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers are all expected to have "legitimate trade interest" in the star swingman.
While running through an updated mock first round, we'll use this speculation as the springboard for our next star trade idea, sending Brown to one of the aforementioned suitors and changing ownership of a top-10 pick.
Let's put the Wizards on the clock and get rolling, shall we?
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
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Dybantsa just led the nation in scoring (while shooting 51 percent from the field) despite being an inconsistent shooter from range (33.1 percent). And he did that as a teenaged freshman who lost his best teammate in the middle of February (Richie Saunders, who tore his ACL).
This type of scoring ability from an athletic, 6'9" wing isn't seen often, and it almost always points toward a high-end outcome. Even if Dybantsa doesn't grow as a creator, defender and distributor—and, to be clear, his drive and natural tools both suggest he absolutely should—he has a pretty clear path toward wing-scoring stardom.
If the Wizards are unconvinced Dybantsa is the best prospect in this draft, they could trade back a spot or two to try snatching up whichever player sits atop their board. Still, given their need for stardom and this roster's ability to welcome an impact wing, you'd think they would welcome him with open arms.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas
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The Jazz could explore (and seemingly are exploring) the option of trading up for Dybantsa, who finished his high school career and spent his lone season of college ball in Utah. Narrative aside, though, they might love how this draft board shapes up.
That's partly because of fit. Assuming the Jazz re-sign restricted free agent Walker Kessler, they should be loaded in the frontcourt, but their backcourt shows a starting vacancy alongside ascending guard Keyonte George. Dybantsa could theoretically fit there as a jumbo guard, but Peterson would be the more natural fit with better off-ball scoring, shooting and perimeter defense.
This also just revolves around Peterson himself. If the medical issues he encountered at Kansas are a thing of the past, his ceiling is enormous, since he has shown the ability to succeed both on and off the ball and contribute on both ends. As ESPN's Jeremy Woo put it, "If we assume good health moving forward, Peterson's ceiling is arguably the highest in this draft."
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
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The Grizzlies could reach for a Ja Morant replacement here, or turbo-charge their athleticism with Caleb Wilson. Their infant-stage rebuild really needs this pick to pan out, though, so they could be drawn to Boozer's relative safety.
While not quite the perfect prospect with some questions over how his lack of vertical pop will affect him at this level, he might be the most skilled player in this class—as an 18-year-old. He can score from all over, create scoring chances, dominate the glass and even initiate offense as a point-forward.
A Boozer-Zach Edey frontcourt wouldn't be the fleetest of foot, but it would be massive, polished and decorated with all kinds of accolades. It feels like an identity-forming foundation for the franchise's next era.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
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As new executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham reworks this roster, he has a precise vision for how it should look. "We want...guys who have SLAP: Size, length, athleticism and physicality is going to be felt on the defensive side of the ball," Graham told reporters. "We would love to have size, length, athleticism and physicality all across the board."
The Bulls hadn't enjoyed their lottery fortune at the time of the hire, but as soon as they did, things sort of crystallized in terms of how Graham would handle this pick. If they want elite physical tools and the willingness to use them defensively, then they absolutely want Wilson.
He's probably the least polished among the top prospects, but his tools could be the sharpest. His explosion and defensive range already appear elite, and his competitive fire is contagious. The Bulls might be working with a mostly blank canvass, but a Wilson-Matas Buzelis tandem feels pretty SLAP-y.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois
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While the draft lottery could not have gone better for the Clippers—this pick would've stayed with the Pacers had it landed any higher—it still left L.A. with a dilemma.
This tier is largely stocked with undersized scoring guards, and the Clippers may not want one after swapping out James Harden for Darius Garland at the deadline.
L.A. could reach for a center like Aday Mara, but Wagler offers better value while still offering a conceivable fit alongside Garland. Wagler's ceiling might stretch highest in an on-ball role, but the Clippers might see enough shooting in these guards to think they could successfully toggle between primary and secondary playmaking duties.
Wagler, who stood 6'5" barefoot, isn't a great athlete, but he uses changes of pace and direction to stay a step ahead of defenders. He's always sniffing out passing and attack lanes, and he is a legitimate scoring threat from all over the floor.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., PG/SG, Arkansas
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The Nets surprised many when they kept all five of their first-round picks last year and invested most of them in playmakers. They are apparently curveball candidates this year, too, with league sources connecting them to Aday Mara and Nate Ament, per Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor.
If Brooklyn wants to extract the most value from this pick, though, then it should take the top guard on the board. Some might argue to Kingston Flemings or Mikel Brown Jr., but Acuff had the most electric season of the three, averaging 23.5 points on 48.4/44/80.9 shooting with 6.4 assists against 2.2 turnovers.
His size isn't great, and his defense can be dreadful, but he has all of the necessary skills to be an offensive star. His shooting stroke is pure, his shooting range is deep and his decision-making is ultra-reliable.
7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
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The Kings seem to covet Acuff, but you'd figure anyone who could serve as the long-term replacement for De'Aaron Fox would rank high on their board. Flemings could not only do that, he might even give them flashbacks of their old floor general, as B/R's Jonathan Wasserman used Fox as Flemings' NBA comparison.
That speaks to Flemings' elite burst, plus his ability to pepper in pull-ups on the move (especially from mid-range) and find passing lanes while playing full-throttle. It also perhaps points to some questions about his long-range shooting, though he posted a strong percentage in college (38.7) and aced his shooting drills at the Combine.
Flemings doesn't have great dimensions, but he squeezes what he can out of them with effort, instincts and physicality. He'll get challenged defensively due to his lack of size, but he plays with the right kind of fight to meet those challenges head-on.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (via ATL): Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee
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TRADE. New Orleans Pelicans receive: No. 8 pick, Jonathan Kuminga (sign-and-trade), Zaccharie Risacher, 2028 first-round pick (via ATL, CLE or UTA)
Atlanta Hawks receive: Jaylen Brown, Yves Missi
Boston Celtics receive: Trey Murphy III, Onyeka Okongwu, Kevon Looney, 2030 first-round pick swap (via ATL)
The Hawks might be willing to pay a premium for Brown, a Georgia native, since their young core looks ready to fly but probably needs a top-shelf talent to really take off. He could be the go-to option they lack in the half-court while adding even more length, physicality and disruption to their perimeter group. Missi, meanwhile, could address this group's lack of size at center.
If the Celtics don't turn a Brown trade into a Giannis Antetokounmpo megamove, they probably wouldn't want a pile of picks in exchange for their star. So, they could instead seek out a package like this: a plug-and-play near-star in Murphy, an impact stretch big in Okongwu and a future first-round swap to perhaps dangle in a future deal (plus Looney to mostly make the money work but also serve as emergency depth).
Finally, the Pelicans could get back the pick they used to climb up for Derik Queen at last year's draft. They'd obviously have to love someone on the board to this deal, but maybe they see high-end potential in Ament, a 6'10" swingman who can dribble, shoot and pass. His year was disjointed at Tennessee, but it looked like he might be making a star turn before an ankle injury disrupted his rhythm.
If they love Ament and like Kuminga, then maybe they could talk themselves into ending Murphy's extended stay on the rumor mill. Especially if they think they could get Risacher, the top pick in 2024, back on track and use the additional first to either expand their young core or grease the gears for a future trade.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Mikel Brown Jr., PG/SG, Louisville
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There are certainly more consistent prospects than Brown, but there aren't many who put better flashes on film. When he had it rolling, he looked like an offensive superstar, pairing limitless shooting range with highlight passes and electric finishing.
His frame needs filling out, and his aggressiveness probably needs dialing back, but he also makes enough "Wow!" plays to understand his willingness to take chances.
As long as Kyrie Irving is around, the Mavericks wouldn't need to rush it with Brown's development. That said, Irving obviously isn't a timeline fit with Cooper Flagg, so you'd think that once Brown proves he's ready for more of a featured role, Dallas would have no issues clearing out Irving to open one up.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Aday Mara, C, Michigan
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With Giannis Antetokounmpo appearing on his way out, the Bucks would seemingly love to chase upside with this pick. After the run on guards, though, and the trade-up for Nate Ament, there may not be a super potential-rich prospect left on the board.
Then again, maybe Milwaukee sees a special kind of future for Mara. This was, after all, his first season in a featured role (he saw sporadic action over two seasons at UCLA), and he spent it as an integral part of Michigan's championship puzzle.
He is enormous (7'3" barefoot with a 9'9" standing reach) and dominates the interior exactly as you'd expect a player this size to do. What you wouldn't expect, though, is the vision and feel he shows as a guard-like passer, throwing lobs, feeding shooters and dissecting defenses with quick big-to-big deliveries.
11. Golden State Warriors: Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona
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This likely sets the floor for Burries' realistic draft range, and there's a real possibility (if not a probability) that he'll be gone before Golden State gets on the clock. If he makes it here, though, he isn't falling any farther.
Not to go all two-timelines on this team, but the win-now Warriors would appreciate Burries' physicality, defense and scoring versatility. Meanwhile, the post-Stephen Curry iteration of this club would be excited to see if Burries' on-ball creation and self-sufficient scoring might spike in a more featured role.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
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If OKC's ouster in the Western Conference finals leads to any money-motivated subtractions—Lu Dort's $17.7 million team option could be tough to stomach given his offensive limitations—this club might wind up needing this pick to deliver a rotation-caliber rookie.
Lendeborg is one of the best instant-impact bets on the board. His length, athleticism and tenacity are all top-shelf tools, and his skill versatility allows him to touch most areas of the stat sheet.
13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon Jr., PG/SG, Alabama
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As currently constructed, the Heat have a pressing need for perimeter scoring and creation. That itch could also skyrocket in significance and urgency if Miami opts to move on without one of Norman Powell (unrestricted free agent) or Tyler Herro (extension-eligible).
In other words, Philon should be an immediate need-filler and could be a borderline necessity if this group subtracts an All-Star guard. Philon is a slippery scorer with soft shooting touch and enough passing feel to at least serve as a secondary playmaker.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Karim López, PF, New Zealand Breakers
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The Hornets are approaching the final season on the contracts of Miles Bridges, Josh Green and Grant Williams. Adding depth at the forward spots feels like a must, and López might have the game and frame needed to walk into a rotation role right away.
The sturdy 6'8" swingman has shown flashes of just about everything. His shot and handle could use more polish, but he looks like he should be a helpful spot-up shooter, off-ball mover, connective passer and versatile defender.
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington
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Operation SLAP continues for Chicago here with the Bulls fortifying their 5 spot with Steinbach, perhaps the best rebounder in this class and one of its top post scorers, too.
Defense could be a challenge, as he's neither vertically explosive nor particularly nimble, but if he's controlling the glass and keeping the scoreboard spinning, the Bulls can probably live with that limitation. That rings especially true if they buy his upside as a legitimate spacing threat.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHO): Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford
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After playing it safe with Cameron Boozer earlier, the Grizzlies can afford to take a bigger swing on a possible Ja Morant replacement here.
Okorie is on a short list of this draft's top speedsters, and he uses that quickness to consistently pave paths into the paint. His pull-up jumper is another tool to keep defenders off-balance and uncomfortable. Passing isn't an obvious strength at the moment, but his playmaking might perk up with more scoring help than he had at Stanford.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
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The Thunder don't need two first-round picks on this roster right now, but maybe that changes if they try to reel in their spending. And those cuts could hit hard along the wings with Dort and Kenrich Williams ($7.2 million team option) looming as possible subtractions, and Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe appearing as trade candidates.
If OKC senses a need for wing depth, Carr could be a priority. He erupted following a transfer from Tennessee to Baylor, showing a deep bag of scoring tricks, a three-ball that can run fiery hot and the right blend of length and athleticism to be a pesky defensive playmaker.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Jayden Quaintance, PF/C, Kentucky
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While the draft board could always change plans, it seems like Charlotte should use both of its first-round picks to solidify the frontcourt. After adding a big forward at No. 14, the Hornets could target a springy center here.
Quaintance's medicals will be closely scrutinized after a knee injury greatly impacted both of his college seasons, but if he's healthy, he has game-breaking potential on the defensive end. The bouncy 6'10" big man can erase shots at the rim and stay in front of perimeter players on switches. His obvious rim-running appeal should look even better alongside a playmaker like LaMelo Ball.
19. Toronto Raptors: Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech
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The Raptors would presumably love to leave this draft with either a point guard or center added to the mix. The remaining bigs would feel like reaches here, so Toronto could target Anderson in hopes of making its offense more dynamic.
He's one of the best shooters in this draft and one of its more clever creators out of pick-and-rolls. In other words, he'd be an asset when the Raptors' playmaking forwards were running the show and an asset when tasked with create-something-out-of-nothing duties.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan
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Johnson crushed it at the Combine, posting strong measurements, athletic tests and even shooting drills. He quite possibly positioned himself to get picked even earlier than this.
If he makes it this far, though, the Spurs might sprint to the podium to make this pick. Their disruptive defense could grow even stingier with his strength, quickness and ability to blow-up plays as a weakside helper, and their offense could benefit from another dynamic finisher—and seemingly budding shooter.
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
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The Pistons have to find Cade Cunningham more offensive support this offseason. Adding Stirtz would be a strong start.
He can toggle between on- and off-ball roles as a high IQ initiator, savvy ball-mover and knockdown shooter. He underwhelms as an athlete and could be targeted defensively because of that, but Detroit could be confident in the rest of this roster's ability to help hide his limitations.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas
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The Sixers could search for center insurance here—it'll be a perpetual need for as long as Joel Embiid is manning the middle—but their wing rotation could probably use more bodies, too.
Both Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes have free agency awaiting them, and even if Philly re-signs both, it might still want more protection behind them.
Swain's shooting is one of the bigger swing skills in this draft range, but his defense and downhill attacking should be day-one strengths. He's also an impressive passer for a scoring wing.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Luigi Suigo, C, Mega
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The Hawks need size and strength on the interior, and that wouldn't really change after our mock trade sending out Onyeka Okongwu and bringing back Yves Missi. Atlanta could still be thinking big here, and this draft class doesn't get much bigger than Suigo.
Suigo, who has been dubbed the "Italian Wemby" in some circles, measured a hair under 7'3" barefoot, weighed 289 pounds and posted a 9'6" standing reach. His mere paint presence should make him a two-way asset, even before you factor in an intriguing skill set with shot-making, passing and comfort handling the ball.
24. New York Knicks: Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
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Back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, the Knicks should feel emboldened to take the best-player-available route here. And it just so happens that the draft board provided a BPA candidate who could also qualify as a need-filler, since New York might need a replacement for Mitchell Robinson (an impending free agent) or simply a change-of-pace option in its power rotation.
Cenac is fascinating—very toolsy, uniquely skilled and raw in a way that brings some risk but also builds imagination for what his future might hold. He is long and hoppy enough to handle rim-running duties, but he often prefers to play on the perimeter, where he's shown a willingness to launch and the mobility needed to keep in front of smaller players.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke
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The Lakers could certainly try targeting a big man here, but wing depth and shooting are needs, too. Evans could provide the latter two, and possibly more if he continues his growth as a ball-handler and playmaker.
Early on, though, he'd be utilized as a shooting specialist, and he could absolutely cook in that role.
Evans is a shooting threat from all over, and he demands constant attention from opposing defenses because he's always relocating and is comfortable (and competent) launching on the move.
26. Denver Nuggets: Koa Peat, PF, Arizona
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Peat's decision to stay in the draft was a bold one. He had lottery buzz before the season, but he showed enough weaknesses—primarily as a shooter and shot-creator—to no longer look like a first-round lock.
That said, maybe Denver senses some bargain opportunity here with the chance to add a prospect that has been more highly regarded than the kind that typically land in its range. Peat's power and competitiveness are NBA-level strengths, and he just proved he's willing to execute his role on a winning team with the Wildcats.
27. Boston Celtics: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
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The Celtics typically load up with as many shooters as they can get, and they naturally have an affinity for floor-spacing bigs.
Once financial constraints forced them to split from the likes of Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis in 2025, they pivoted to Luka Garza and Nikola Vučević.
But Vučević is a free agent now, and Garza is unproven as a rotation regular, so Boston could continue its stretch-big search with Veesaar. He is a 7'0" play-finisher both around the rim and beyond the three-point arc.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Sergio de Larrea, SG, Valencia
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The Timberwolves need backcourt reinforcements. Mike Conley is 38, Donte DiVincenzo is in the early stages of recovering from a torn Achilles, and both Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland are free agents.
Minnesota could see major appeal in de Larrea, a 6'5" guard who can create offense for others or finish scoring chances created for him. He can light it up from long range, he thinks the game at a high level and he competes on the defensive end.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS): Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
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The Cavaliers are major-shake-up candidates after getting rocked in the Eastern Conference finals. Even if they remain committed to this core, they clearly need to work on strengthening the supporting cast around it.
Graves would be one of the more interesting options on the board. The 6'9", 225-pounder has elite analytics and intriguing skills, but he's also a bit of a mystery box after filling a reserve role at a mid-major. Another season at the collegiate level could've boosted his draft stock, but maybe that means Cleveland would be getting a major bargain.
"Many NBA executives would have rather seen Graves go back to college and prove himself against better teams, while also improving his athleticism. If he had done that, he could've been a top-10 pick in 2027," Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor wrote. "If Graves falls to the late teens or 20s, some team could be picking up a major steal."
30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Meleek Thomas, PG/SG, Arkansas
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Assuming the Mavericks aren't heavily factoring Kyrie Irving into their long-term plans—an assumption that, for what it's worth, their new president Masai Ujiri would caution against—then they could have an appetite for another backcourt scorer here, despite taking Mikel Brown Jr. earlier in this mock.
They'll need multiple scoring threats to keep defenses from overcrowding Cooper Flagg, and Thomas is the kind of quick-strike net-shredder who can pile up points in a hurry.
Thomas' supreme confidence can plague his shot-selection at times, but he is confident for a reason. He can make shots from all over and free himself off the dribble.
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