2026 NBA Mock Draft with New Blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Idea
The 2026 NBA draft is fast approaching.
It's almost decision time, in other words, and not only for the franchises who will soon align themselves with the hoops world's next batch of up-and-coming ballers. In fact, the most significant decision made over the next week won't even involve a prospect.
Instead, all eyes are firmly fixed on the Milwaukee Bucks and their handling of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Trade winds have swirled around the megastar for ages now, but this could finally be the time when a landscape-shifting trade actually goes down.
The Bucks have a ready and willing trade partner in the Miami Heat, but they reportedly "seem to not be in love with the Heat's offer(s) and continue to discuss trade packages with other teams," per ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Maybe that opens the door for someone else to swoop in and swipe the 10-time All-Star. Perhaps this is all a leverage play in an attempt to drive up offers elsewhere, but Antetokounmpo ultimately winds up taking his talents to South Beach. Or maybe this shows a continued reluctance on Milwaukee's end to actually make a move.
The former certainly feels plausible, but we'll rule it out here and instead use this mock first round to do what the Bucks so far have not: actually broker a blockbuster deal for the Greek Freak.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
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The Wizards are certainly doing their due diligence with this pick, as they should.
Everything theoretically remains on the table, including trading out of this spot. Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, rival teams expect the Wizards not to tip their hands to keep alive the possibility of drawing "out a possible godfather offer" from someone.
In the end, though, you should expect all of these thought exercises to lead Washington to the conclusion already mocked by so many: Drafting Dybantsa without a second thought. Athletic big wings are major needle-movers in the NBA, and his blend of top-shelf tools with high-end talent offers a potential prize unlike any other in this draft.
He could be more consistent as an outside shooter, more engaged as a defender and more creative as a playmaker, but if he checks those boxes, then he's probably a top-10 player in this league. That's exactly the kind of superstar Washington needs to turn the corner from intriguing rebuilder to legitimate competitor.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas
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While Peterson has met with the Wizards, he "does not plan to grant another team a meeting," per ESPN's Shams Charania and Jeremy Woo. That's a less than ideal setup for Utah, which could have questions about Peterson's health after his stop-and-go season with the Jayhawks or might want a better feel for his character and leadership qualities.
This won't, however, dictate which direction the Jazz will go. Just ask swingman Ace Bailey, who avoided Utah in the 2025 pre-draft process and still wound up there as the No. 5 pick. What could impact the decision, though, is the Jazz being reportedly "genuinely torn" on whether to take Peterson or Cameron Boozer (or Dybantsa if he slipped past No. 1), per The Athletic's Tony Jones.
The Jazz might have a real affinity for Boozer—for a lot of reasons that don't involve his father, Carlos Boozer, previously playing for and now working for them—but they don't have need for him in their crowded frontcourt. They do, however, have pressing needs for the shotmaking, defense and creation Peterson could provide in a potentially super prolific pairing with breakout guard Keyonte George.
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
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It's possible the Grizzlies rate Caleb Wilson high enough to challenge this notion, but this should be a no-brainer for Memphis. Boozer, Dybantsa and Peterson are routinely graded in a tier above the rest, so it's as simple as catching whichever falls out of the top two.
If it's Boozer, this could be an identity-forming type of addition to this team. Having him in the same frontcourt as Zach Edey would give Memphis enviable length, all kinds of muscle, elite rebounding and incredibly polished offense. The defensive end might lack some versatility, but the Grizzlies might trust their collective feel and instincts to figure things out.
Boozer is the most skilled player in this class and one of the youngest (18 on draft night). He can score from the paint to the perimeter, create for himself or his teammates and corral those grab-and-go rebounds that could get this group into attack mode way before an opposing defense gets set.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
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If Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer have a tier to themselves, Wilson might have his own a half-step behind them. He is an incredible athlete and an incredibly hard worker, a potent mix that manifests into thunderous finishes, loud defensive playmaking and fast-break fireworks.
Chicago's new regime has a clear vision for the kind of player it covets, and Wilson fits it with ease. If the Bulls want to push the pace, Wilson's rebounding, open-floor handling and anti-gravity explosion would all help keep the pedal floored.
He must improve as a shooter and stay more locked in on defense, but the tools are all there for him to be a star. And the questions about his ability to create offense could be mitigated a bit by slotting him alongside a pass-first point guard like Josh Giddey, who's just as eager to get motoring up the court.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois
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The Clippers are reportedly "listening to trade options," per ESPN's Jeremy Woo, which makes total sense.
If they still have hopes of competing with Kawhi Leonard, they might want more immediate help than a rookie could provide. Even if they're looking to the future, though, their biggest needs don't align with what this prospect tier has to offer (unless they have a higher grade than most Michigan center Aday Mara).
If they keep the pick and spend it on the best available player, they're almost certainly walking away with a guard. Wagler may not lead this tier for everyone, but he is clearly the cleanest fit next to Darius Garland given his positional size (6'6") and off-ball utility as a long-range sharpshooter.
If L.A. put this perimeter partnership together, it would likely set up a multi-playmaker attack, since Garland and Wagler can both play on or off the ball. The group would need to be plenty potent on offense, though, because the defensive question marks would be glaring.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., PG/SG, Arkansas
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The Nets, who've lost 50-plus games in three consecutive campaigns, follow the offensive lead of Michael Porter Jr., a soon-to-be 28-year-old shotmaking specialist who's never been an All-Star. This team needs a franchise-face type of talent to build around and all kinds of shot creation.
Acuff could, at least in theory, potentially tap both birds with a single stone. He served as one of college basketball's brightest stars this past season and performed particularly well under the brightest lights, averaging 29.8 points and 6.5 assists in SEC and NCAA tournament play.
His handle is shifty, his three-ball is fiery and his vision is sharp enough to pilot an attack. While the Nets overloaded on playmakers at the 2025 draft, they didn't add anyone with Acuff's creativity or knockout-powered scoring punch.
7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
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The Kings could be on the cusp of an organizational overhaul. Had they found any takers, they may have already closed the chapter on the Domantas Sabonis-DeMar DeRozan-Zach LaVine core.
This pick, then, should be seen as a foundation-former for whatever comes next. Flemings, an athletic floor general, could be an ideal head of the snake in Sacramento.
His burst will remind Kings fans of De'Aaron Fox's jets, and so will his offensive profile—for better and worse.
Flemings leans heavier on mid-range shots than you'd like, but he shot a good percentage from three with the Cougars (albeit on low volume) and then lit up the shooting drills at the combine.
If he can summon more volume in his perimeter attack and add more strength, he'll have viable pathways to stardom.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (from NOP via ATL): Mikel Brown Jr., PG/SG, Louisville
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TRADE
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Onyeka Okongwu, Jonathan Kuminga, Zaccharie Risacher, Corey Kispert, No. 8 pick (via ATL), No. 27 pick (via BOS) and 2028 first-round pick (via ATL, CLE or UTA)
Boston Celtics receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Buddy Hield
Atlanta Hawks receive: Jaylen Brown, Myles Turner and AJ Green
Why the Bucks do it
If Milwaukee parts with Antetokounmpo, it will want to start forming a young core for the next iteration of Bucks basketball. This package would go a long way toward making that happen.
Okongwu just authored his best season as a pro, Kuminga has flashes of a scoring star and Risacher was the top pick in 2024. All three are 25 and under.
Brown's upside is phenomenal—arguably the best in this tier. He battled injuries and inconsistency at Louisville, so there's some risk in his profile, but the reward looks potentially special. He is a comfortable pull-up shooter from well beyond the arc, an imaginative passer and a skillful finisher.
Milwaukee would also gain two additional first-round picks (including a later selection in this draft) and add Kispert as a money-matcher, a capable floor-spacer and perhaps a low-end trade target for a shooting-starved suitor at some point.
Why the Celtics do it
Boston has hovered around the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes often enough to imagine there's some degree of interest in getting a deal done. Especially after some of the strangeness surrounding Brown. Adding Antetokounmpo would require some schematic changes for the Shamrocks, but the chance to pair him with Jayson Tatum might be too tempting to overcome.
Hield would be a make-the-money-work throw-in, but if Boston helped him rediscover his three-point shooting touch (34.9 percent this past season, 39.5 percent for his career), it could have another momentum-shifter on its hands.
Why the Hawks do it
The Hawks have shown "interest" in Brown, per NBA insider Marc Stein, and they might reasonably conclude that their young core still needs another elite piece to reach the contending ranks. Brown, an Atlanta native, would certainly qualify as a five-time All-Star who just earned All-NBA second-team honors for the second time.
Atlanta's defense might be championship-ready, but its half-court offense needs to catch up. It might cover that ground and then some in this deal, adding a self-sufficient scorer in Brown, a floor-spacing center in Turner (who'd help with this team's lack of interior size) and a knockdown movement shooter in Green.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona
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The Mavericks will (and should) shape all decisions around their long-term impact on franchise centerpiece Cooper Flagg, but they're almost certainly not fully focused on the future. They won't control their first-round pick again until 2031, so tanking is off the table. And they don't sound particularly interested in trading away Kyrie Irving.
In a perfect world, then, they'd spend this pick on someone who can contribute right away but also offer long-term potential. That's essentially what they could be getting with Burries.
Short-term, he'd be a snug-fitting running mate for Irving as a physical off-guard who can shoot, defend and rebound. Long-term, Burries has a non-zero chance to cement himself as Flagg's sidekick if his flashes of on-ball creation become go-to parts of his arsenal.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee
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A short-term future without Giannis Antetokounmpo is bound to look bleak for the Bucks. There's always that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, though, and it could be shining pretty bright after this series of mock moves.
Ament might be an even bigger risk-reward wager than Brown, but these are the kinds of shots a starting-from-scratch squad should be taking. Ament has some worries (his game and frame both need to grow), but he's also a 6'10" swingman who can handle, shoot and pass. If he maxed out his development, he could be an offensive mismatch and a three-level scorer.
Widening the focus for a quick second, a young core featuring Brown, Ament, Okongwu, Kuminga, Risacher and Ryan Rollins could have a pretty fascinating future. There's never a fun way to pivot away from a generational great, but this could be a fun group.
11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara, C, Michigan
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There's a good chance Mara doesn't make it this far. ESPN's Jeremy Woo noted there is "strong interest in him," and he "could ultimately be a player teams trade up to acquire."
There's probably a better chance that if Mara is still on the board, the Warriors snatch him up in a hurry. Size is a standing need in Golden State, and he offers more than anyone in this draft, measuring 7'3" barefoot with a 9'9" standing reach. Spacing would be tricky when slotted alongside some of the Warriors' non-shooting forwards, but his passing and quick processing would be system fits.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
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Despite being conference finalists this season and world champs in the last, the Thunder might need rotation reinforcements soon. Their payroll is set to spike due with big extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren kicking in, but they could cushion some of that blow based on their handling of the $53 million of team options they hold on Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort and Kenrich Williams.
If OKC seeks out a plug-and-play contributor, Lendeborg could be a priority target. He just proved his ability to compete for a big winner, filling a critical (and versatile) for the national champion Wolverines. His raw tools look NBA-ready, and honestly, so do a lot of his talents, especially if his growth as a three-point shooter continues.
13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon Jr., PG/SG, Alabama
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The Heat need more shotmaking and creativity in their perimeter core. And that'll be true even if they re-sign Norman Powell and hang onto Tyler Herro (who's up for another round of potentially contentious extension talks).
Philon's handles are among the best in this class, and he's a crafty creator off of ball screens, meaning he can find his own shot or find scoring chances within the offensive flow. His three-ball and finishing both came alive this season, giving him true three-level scoring ability.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr., PF, Michigan
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The Hornets are early enough into their ascension to not put too much emphasis on team need, but it just so happens that the highest-ranked prospect here also happens to play at a position of need. In fact, Johnson might even cover two helpful spots, since he seems long and bouncy enough to at least handle spot duty as a small-ball big.
His defensive potential is enormous, and it impresses in all facets. He has switchability and quickness on the perimeter, plus strength, springs and sound instincts on the interior. His offensive outlook is murkier, but he has good hands and soft touch around the basket, and his three-ball perked up at the combine.
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington
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Operation overhaul continues for Chicago here with Steinbach arriving to supply elite rebounding, effortless interior scoring and hints of long-range shooting to the mix.
This would be more an offensive-minded pick, but maybe that just makes him a complementary frontcourt fit with Caleb Wilson. And Steinbach, to be clear, isn't hopeless defensively. He has right-place, right-team awareness and enough strength and mobility to reroute straight-line drivers. He just isn't much of a shot-blocker.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHO): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
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As a springy athlete with an ignitable perimeter shot and enviable length, Carr always figured to crush it on the predraft circuit. And that's exactly what he has done, emerging as one of the clear winners at the combine and keeping the good times rolling during workouts.
He projects as mostly a play-finisher and the modern three-and-D wing who has enough handles to zip past hard closeouts and finish at the basket. If the Grizzlies are good with that and don't expect much more, they could see him as a long-term building block.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Jayden Quaintance, PF/C, Kentucky
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It's possible to talk yourself into the Thunder maybe needing one rotation player, but two is probably pushing it. That's probably why this pick is regarded "as one of the most likely in the first round to change hands," per ESPN's Jeremy Woo.
Should OKC decline to make a deal, maybe it would consider throwing a dart at Quaintance. He probably requires patience both to prove he's healthy (he played just four games at Kentucky due to a knee injury that dated back to the previous season) and show how much, if all, he has managed to develop his raw offensive game. Once he's at 100 percent, he could be a dynamic, all-purpose defender and powerful lob-finisher.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Karim López, PF, New Zealand Breakers
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Doubling-up on forwards feels doable for the Hornets. Maybe advisable, honestly, since 2027 free agency awaits Miles Bridges, Grant Williams and Josh Green.
López, one of the best NBA prospects Mexico has produced, might have the size and skill versatility to play right away, plus the growth potential to become something so much greater down the line.
A lot hinges on the development of his distance shooting and ball-handling, but he might check enough boxes to hold Swiss Army knife status.
19. Toronto Raptors: Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech
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The Raptors could try targeting a big man here (Chris Cenac Jr. maybe), but it feels like the backcourt offers better value. And since that's also a need for this team, Toronto might pounce on a perimeter shooter and playmaker like Anderson.
His 2025-26 effort was a masterclass in volume and efficiency, highlighting his precision out of pick-and-rolls and top-shelf shooting. Explosiveness and strength are both worries, but Toronto might have enough of it elsewhere to cover for him, especially if he's helping to solve some of this team's hiccups in the half-court.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Koa Peat, PF, Arizona
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The Spurs could use more size, force and physicality at the forward spot. While it's unclear exactly what Peat will bring to the next level, those items are definitely in his bag.
He's a tough cover inside the arc with soft touch on mid-range jumpers and strong finishes off of two feet. He's also a comfortable handler and a skilled passer for his size.
It just isn't clear how much shooting and creation he'll ever provide, though the Spurs seemingly have everything they'd need to mask those limitations.
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
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The Pistons will be in the market for spacers as long as non-shooters Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson reside in the frontcourt. They'll also be on the hunt for perimeter scoring and creation until someone manages to ease the heavy offensive burden on Cade Cunningham.
Stirtz could be a target regardless which problem area Detroit tries to address. He is a sharpshooter regardless of the setup, he has enough wiggle to ditch defenders off the dribble and his processing skills shine in his playmaking.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas
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The Sixers could eventually decide to do all of their planning around the Tyrese Maxey-VJ Edgecombe backcourt pairing, but they might still hold out hope of winning big with Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Immediate impact is likely desired here, in other words, and Swain can provide that with downhill attacking, advanced passing for his play style and defensive playmaking. He could more easily fit a complementary role with a more reliable outside shot, but hopefully he finds one at some point.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke
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Since the Hawks managed to hang onto one of their first-round picks, they'll have a shot of adding a cost-controlled rotation player. And that could be critically important given how much money they would (theoretically) have tied up in Jaylen Brown over the next three seasons ($183 million).
While parts of Evans' game need further development, his three-point sharpshooting should be NBA-ready. For an offense that too often choked out in the half-court, his off-ball movement and constant shooting threat would buy needed breathing room.
24. New York Knicks: Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
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The reigning champion Knicks might have to immediately enter the big man market with free agency awaiting Mitchell Robinson.
Even if they bring back the bouncy big fella, though, Cenac might still be a fit, since he has the right blend of length, athleticism and shooting to toggle between the 4 and 5 spots.
He needs to get more comfortable with (and committed to) the interior duties that will land on his to-do list, but he should have the size and skills to eventually offer inside-out versatility on both ends.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
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The Lakers don't have to force a center into this spot, but that's probably the preference if the draft board breaks right.
It arguably does in this mock, as Veesaar's play-finishing could make him a potent pick-and-roll partner for Luka Dončić. Veesaar is a bouncy, physical finisher at the basket and just shot a career-best 42.6 percent from three this past season.
26. Denver Nuggets: Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford
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After failing to win a playoff series for the first time since 2022, the Nuggets could use a recharge this summer. Okorie is basically a burst of energy and one of the fastest players in this draft.
He can separate from defenders and then gets downhill in a hurry. While he possesses a mostly reliable pull-up jumper out to the perimeter, he makes it a mission to touch the paint as often as possible.
Okorie could level-up his finishing craft and show better vision as a passer, but those are workable warts at this stage of the draft.
27. Milwaukee Bucks (via BOS): Meleek Thomas, PG/SG, Arkansas
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TRADE
Milwaukee's future pivot continues with another entertaining addition to this post-Giannis roster.
Thomas should be an instant-offense source at this level with slippery handles and all manners of shotmaking in his bag. If he shows enough growth as a passer to handle primary playmaking duties, this pick could be remembered as a home run.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Sergio de Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia
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The Timberwolves would love to find a playmaker here. But since they (rightfully) funnel so much offense through Anthony Edwards, they'd love for that player to be useful off the ball, too.
De Larrea feels like a fit. He is a 6'6" playmaker who thinks the game at a high level and possesses a potent three-ball.
It's tough to tell if he can handle enough to be a primary initiator, but Minnesota should be good with getting a secondary ball-mover with a lights-out jumper.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS): Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
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This could be 10-ish spots lower than Graves actually goes. It's certainly later than analytics think he should land, as he just finished fifth in the country in box plus/minus this season.
Then again, he hit those elite marks in a reserve role on a mid-major, so it's fair to be skeptical, especially when he's facing such a steep climb in competition and isn't an athlete by NBA standards.
That said, he is a 6'9", 225-pounder who does a little of everything, so the size-skill blend makes him worth the wager at some point and possibly a bargain here.
30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Baba Miller, PF, Cincinnati
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Upside plays are tough to find this late after NIL thinned this draft class, but Miller might be the rare 22-year-old who has serious growth potential. He is big, long, explosive and mobile, and if his talents ever catch up to his tools, he could be an impact player all over the court.
He's already an impressive dribbler and distributor for a tooled-up big forward, and with the right amount of seasoning, he could be an all-purpose stopper and an everywhere-at-once chaos-creator on defense.
It'll just take a lot of developmental work to get him there, and he may never be even a passable perimeter shooter.
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