New 2026 NBA Mock Draft with Blockbuster Kyrie Irving Trade Idea
The NBA draft has a way of kick-starting the trade market.
The 2026 iteration has every bit of the normal landscape-shifting potential. And then some.
The rumor mill seemingly has a new update on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes on the hour, but he's hardly the only star player with the potential to be on the move soon. Teams who strike out on Antetokounmpo could quickly pivot to alternative targets, like nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving.
Potential poachers have kept a close eye on him, despite Dallas' insistince that it wants to slot him next to Cooper Flagg. Skepticism on that claim feels fair, if not warranted. There are a lot of interesting ways to fashion a roster around the Mavs' 19-year-old centerpiece, but providing him with a 34-year-old costar shouldn't be one of them.
Dallas just can't admit as much publicly, or it could torpedo Irving's value before even getting to gauge his market.
Even if the Mavs aren't ready to publicly discuss Irving trades, we are, so let's find him a new home as part of this refreshed mock first round.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
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The Wizards reportedly still don't have their mind up. They "haven't made a decision yet," per The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, and have been "doing a lot of research into Darryn Peterson to understand everything it needs to know about him."
All of that is fine. Washington still has plenty of time to think through things, so why not use it, right?
In the end, though, this time won't change what has felt certain ever since the Wizards struck gold at the lottery. Dybantsa is heading to the District, where this roster could use an impact two-way wing and the kind of megastar potential he undoubtedly possesses.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, SG, Kansas
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The Jazz are reportedly "geniunely torn" on what to do at No. 2, per The Athletic's Tony Jones. This could be another case of a front office having too much time on its hands.
If Peterson's medicals are clean—and ESPN's Jeremy Woo reported they "have not raised major concerns with teams"—then he feels like a no-brainer given his obviously superior fit with this roster. Unless the Jazz are significantly higher on Cameron Boozer, it's hard to see them ignoring the potential clunkiness of adding him to a frontcourt already featuring Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and a presumably re-signed Walker Kessler.
Not to mention, Peterson arguably just deserves the higher prospect grade. If he didn't have such a funky season at Kansas, he might be the consensus No. 1 pick right now. He is an elite shotmaker, aggressive on-ball defender and defensive playmaker and a much better creator and distributor than he showed with the Jayhawks. He could easily have an All-NBA type of future ahead.
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
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Unless the Grizzlies view this class differently than most, this pick should be a simple process. Consensus opinion holds that there are three prospects in this draft ranked above the rest, so Memphis can simply catch whoever falls to it.
That seems most likely to be Boozer, who already feels like a tailored fit for this team. The Grizzlies have historically placed high priorities on smarts and skills, and he might offer the best blend of both in this draft—as an 18-year-old.
He could have a little trouble finding his defensive niche at this level, but the worries kind of start and stop there. The excitement, on the other hand, covers just about everything else that happens on the court: inside-out scoring, playmaking, creation, rebounding, finishing. He could (or maybe even should) be an offensive superstar.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
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Chicago's decision might be even easier than Memphis'. Wilson feels maybe a quarter-step behind the three-elites prospect tier and a half-step ahead of everyone else.
He also sounds like a perfect fit for what the new Bulls' brass wants to build. His tools are tremendous, his athleticism is elite even by NBA standards and his motor might be his best quality.
There are some skill concerns in his profile—he is unproven as an outside shooter and unpolished in most areas—but the blueprint for stardom is clear. If he and his NBA employer ace his development, he might have do-everything potential.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois
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The Clippers wouldn't list guard as a pressing need, but that's really all the draft provides here unless they want to reach. They would probably love to trade down if the right partner presented an offer, but if nothing materializes, they're likely picking between possible backcourt mates for Darius Garland.
Wagler seems the best option of the bunch for his positional size (6'6") and ability to play on or off the ball. A multiplaymaker offense co-piloted by these two could be awfully hard to handle.
Now, the defense might be unsightly, and the vertical explosion would be non-existent, but that's a ton of shotmaking, clever passing, slick handling and soft-touch scoring.
6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., PG/SG, Louisville
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The closer it gets to the start of this draft, the harder it seems for teams not to bet big on Brown's potential. Because his ceiling sits at a skyrscaping height—despite some of the injury and inefficiency issues he encountered with the Cardinals.
If those things were related and won't necessarily be carried forward, then this selection might feel like his clearance for takeoff.
His scoring punch is powerful, and his bucket-getting bag includes everything from he-shot-it-from-where?! deep threes to dynamic finishing at the basket. Now, add showstopping dime-dropping to the equation, and you're left looking at a dynamic floor general in training. The Nets need this kind of offensive firepower, let alone this level of star potential.
7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., PG/SG, Arkansas
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If Acuff lasts this long, he won't fall any farther. Teams drafting after this spot are "working under the impression that the Kings are Acuff's floor," per The Athletic's Sam Vecenie.
The Kings-Acuff connection has been made for a while. Beyond Sacramento's need for the blue-chip talent and offensive excellence Acuff could potentially provide, there's also the fact that Kings general manager Scott Perry actually coached Acuff's father, Darius Acuff Sr., at Eastern Kentucky in the 1990s.
That's a fun link, but Acuff's ability is the driving force behind this decision. It would take a special offensive talent to overshadow the glaring concerns about his defense, but that's absolutely what he possesses. He looks like a true offensive engine and could conceivably wind up as the club's go-to scorer and primary playmaker.
8. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Aday Mara, C, Michigan
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The Hawks could certainly use this pick to fill the lead guard vacancy that Trae Young left behind. But if they're comfortable bringing back CJ McCollum in free agency—and it sounds like they are—then this isn't necessarily a super-pressing need.
Atlanta's lack of size, on the other hand, is both an obvious and immediate concern. And if it's the one that ultimately holds the front office's attention at the draft, then Mara should be a priority target.
No one offers more size in this draft, as he stands 7'3" without shoes and has an absurd 9'9" standing reach. The length alone makes him a deterrent around the basket, but his high IQ approach factors into that best-in-class paint protection, too. His feel for the game also carries over to his passing, which grades out as elite, especially when accounting for his size and position.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona
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Even if Dallas decides to drum up a Kyrie Irving trade, it might still have Burries as the best value on the board. The Mavericks will still want to win sooner than later—they won't control their own first-round pick again until 2031, so tanking is off the table—and they could be legitimately sold on Burries' long-term potential.
Setting his ceiling will come down to his growth as an on-ball creator, but he had flashes with the Wildcats suggesting a lot more is coming on that front.
He has to improve as a passer and seperator to become a true co-star with Cooper Flagg, but that's not an impossible leap to make. Even if Burries doesn't max out his potential, he should be awesome in his role as a three-level scoring option who defends, rebounds and plays especially hard.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
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The Bucks may not, in fact, pivot into their post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era before the draft. However, it sure feels like that shift is coming soon.
Or soon enough, at least, for Milwaukee to make long-term potential the primary focus with this pick.
Flemings could be a fun start for the post-Giannis foundation. Flemings has great burst, elite competitiveness and a reasonable path to stardom if he can add volume to his perimeter shooting.
11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
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With Steve Kerr back on the sidelines to oversee the final chapter of Stephen Curry's career, the Warriors almost certainly want this pick to deliver an immediate contributor—whether that's drafting a polished prospect or trading the selection for established NBA talent.
The Dubs do the former here with Lendeborg, who has the skill and statistical profile of an obvious lottery lock. He just may not actually hold that status for everyone, since he'll turn 24 before logging his first NBA minutes. Given Golden State's ticking clock, though, that shouldn't be an issue.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Morez Johnson Jr., PF, Michigan
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The Thunder might wind up needing a rotation player depending on their handling of the team options tied to Isaiah Hartenstein ($28.5 million), Lu Dort ($17.7 million) and Kenrich Williams ($7.2 million). Johnson sort of players like one of OKC's rotation regulars already.
He is tough, versatile and hyper-disruptive on defense. He's also more than willing to play within himself on offense, leaving his mark as a solid screener, reliable finisher and short-roll passer. If his perimter shot perks up, he could give this group plenty of lineup flexibility with its frontcourt.
TRADE at 13. Dallas Mavericks (via MIA): Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee
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Dallas Mavericks receive: Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson and No. 13 pick
Miami Heat receive: Kyrie Irving, No. 30 pick and No. 48 pick
Why the Mavericks do it
The Mavericks must find legitimate long-term building blocks to slot alongside Cooper Flagg. Gaining a second lottery pick in a loaded draft, a 26-year-old sharpshooter with a string of 20/5/4 stat lines and an All-Star selection on the resume (Herro) and a 25-year-old who was wildly more productive in his second season than his first (Larsson) feels like an obvious way to fast-track the process.
Herro is a little polarizing, but the biggest knock against him (other than dismal defense) is the fact he can't be the best player on a contender. Dallas wouldn't ask him to do that. He'd just be tasked with co-star scoring, secondary creating and elite shotmaking, which are already part of his bag. He could be the same 20/5/4 type producer in that role and probably push for a 50/40/90 shooting slash while doing it.
Ament is also presently polarizing, but his future looks fascinating. His game and frame both need work, but he's already a 6'10" swingman who can handle, shoot and pass. Stardom is not at all off the table.
Why the Heat do it
Miami might prefer to get a deal done for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it can't control that situation. Milwaukee has to sign off on the swap, too, and the fact it hasn't yet could be telling. As ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported, "The Bucks seem to not be in love with the Heat's offer(s) and continue to discuss trade packages with other teams."
Maybe Milwaukee is trying to squeeze everything out of Miami, or maybe the Bucks just don't like what the Heat have on the table. Regardless, there are zero guarantees of Miami getting Antetokounmpo, so it might have to pivot toward an alternative at some point.
Irving would be a pretty spectacular one. Granted, he's 34 and returning from a lengthy layoff after a March 2025 ACL tear, but that's pretty much it for negatives. As for positives, he is a decorated star, a quantity-plus-quality scorer, an efficient shotmaker and maybe the best ball-handler the hoops world has ever seen.
The Heat have had issues with their half-court offense for years, and a healthy Irving has a non-zero chance of serving as their one-stop solution. Between Irving's awesomeness, Miami's hesitation to pay Herro and the fact the Heat are trading down as opposed to out of this draft, this could get a handshake agreement out of the Miami front office.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington
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The Hornets did a good job of finding a workable rotation at the 5 with Moussa Diabaté and Ryan Kalkbrenner. If they want more than adequate play at the position, though, they probably need to pump more resources into it.
Steinbach is the best rebounder in this draft and one of its best interior scorers, too. He has also dabbled with adding distance shooting to his skill set. If that shot comes around, he could be an uber-productive pick-and-roll partner for LaMelo Ball.
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
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Adding Carr to this Carr would further the front office's goal of improving this group's length and athleticism. He measured the longest wingspan among perimeter players at the combine (7'0.75"), posted the second-best standing vertical (38") and tied for the second-highest max vertical leap (42.5").
His tools are top-notch, and his three-ball runs fiery hot. He could be more physical and a bit more creative off the bounce, but a three-and-D baseline with chances to grow above it feels entirely doable.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHO): Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech
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The Grizzlies need to find a Ja Morant replacement soon, and Anderson would be a reasonable candidate to test out.
He'll be physically tested at this level for his lack of size, but his skills could be sharp enough to overcome it. He is arguably the best shooter in this draft, and he might be its best pick-and-roll playmaker, too.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Jayden Quaintance, PF/C, Kentucky
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Unless the Thunder really feel the need to dial back their budget, they probably aren't opening two spots in the rotation. That's probably a good argument for trading this pick, but if the right deal doesn't surface, it might also embolden OKC to take on a project.
Quaintance is a major question mark due to a knee injury that prematurely ended his freshman season at Arizona State and limited him to just four outings at Kentucky. Team sources are "consistently expressing concern around his medicals" still, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo, but if the Thunder feel Quaintance can eventually get healthy, they might envision a rich long-term reward for this mid-cost investment.
When healthy, he is incredibly explosive and unfairly mobile for a 6'10", 255-pounder. His defense potential is enormous: think a stingy, intimidating rim protector who also provides 1-through-5 versatility on switches. Even if he's nothing more than a lob-finisher on offense, he could still be special.
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Karim López, PF, New Zealand Breakers
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If the Hornets make both of their first-round picks, it would make sense for at least one of them to deliver a forward. Miles Bridges, Grant Williams and Josh Green are all slated for 2027 free agency, so their could be big holes to fill soon.
López, the best NBA prospect Mexico has ever produced, maybe isn't ready for a rotation role right now, but he could be soon. He already has an NBA frame, and he has at least baseline abilities in most branches of the skill tree. He just doesn't have one true standout skill, and he needs to level-up his shooting and handling.
19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
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Center and point guard are the two positions most prominently featured on Toronto's summer shopping list. The latter seems the more logical to fill here based on who's left on the board.
Stirtz, who turns 23 in October and isn't very explosive, doesn't have the highest ceiling, but he does offer impressive readiness as a shooter, decision-maker and offensive initiator. The fact he can operate both on and off the ball would also help him find his way fit within a Scottie Barnes-centered system.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Koa Peat, PF, Arizona
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The Spurs learned some painful (but ultimately valuable) lessons during their NBA Finals loss. They also may have wondered whether they have enough size and physicality next to Victor Wembanyama up front.
If they want more of both, Peat would bring them in abundance. He brings all the muscle and might of a traditional power forward, only he's a better ball-handler and passer than that description would provide. Shooting and creation are long-term questions, but the Spurs might be best equipped to mask those limitations.
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Labaron Philon Jr., PG/SG, Alabama
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This is later than Philon is typically mocked, but the Pistons wouldn't be complaining. They clearly need more creation and better spacing alongside Cade Cunningham, and Philon is the best bet on the board to bring both.
He has dizzying dribble moves he can string together, shooting touch at every level and enough feel to orchestrate an offense. His physical tools are forgettable, but the Pistons' roster would allow them to sacrifice some size and explosiveness in pursuit of more offensive skill.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas
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With Joel Embiid and Paul George still chewing up huge chunks of the payroll, the Sixers will take all of the cost-controlled depth they can find. Reliability should be a draft focus, in other words, and Swain feels pretty likely to deliver.
Now, how much he delivers will hinge on the improvements he's able to make to his shaky shot. Even without a knockdown jumper, though, he'll be helpful to have for his length, athleticism, downhill attacking, connective passing and defensive playmaking.
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke
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While the early Mara pick would answer some questions for Atlanta, it may not due much to cure this club of its offensive ills in the half-court. The Hawks could lean on Evans for that.
While he needs to grow as a creator and attacker, his movement shooting alone should breathe life into this attack. His off-ball activity and ability to launch from anywhere would make him the kind of role player who demands constant surveilance by the defense.
24. New York Knicks: Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
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The Knicks hadn't even enjoyed their championship parade yet when team governor James Dolan warned of possible spending restrictions this summer. If Mitchell Robinson didn't feel like a major flight risk in the afterglow of that title run, the bouncy big fella sure feels like one now.
Frontcourt reinforcements might be a must here, in other words, and Cenac could intrigue for the possibility of filling multiple roles within it. He lacks polish (with his skills and his approach), but he has big man size and swingman fluidity, so with the right amount of patience, he could handle minutes at the 4 and the 5 with ease.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
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Ahead of a critically important offseason for the franchise, Luka Dončić has one wish for this roster: "an A-list center," per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
Veesaar isn't that, but his addition could be a step in the right direction. Defense is a bit of a question mark (despite him bringing good energy to that end), but he would shine as an inside-out play-finisher alongside a playmaker like Dončić.
26. Denver Nuggets: Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford
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Given Denver's annual search for depth, anyone with hopes of being a reliable reserve should interest the Nuggets. Okorie could at least qualify as that.
He collects paint touches like trading cards, and his scoring range stretches beyond the three-point arc. His passing production underwhelmed in college, but it might ramp up in a hurry with NBA-caliber scorers around him.
27. Boston Celtics: Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
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The Celtics have never had great wing depth behind stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and honestly, it's hard to say how much longer they'll even keep that talented twosome together.
There are a lot of reasons, then, for Boston to perhaps target Graves, starting with the fact he might be really good. His analytics were great, and even if they warrant skepticism since they're connected to a mid-major's second-teamer, they indicate great feel, versatility and a willingness to play within his limits.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Sergio de Larrea, PG/SG, Valenica
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The Timberwolves need to pluck a playmaker out of this pick. Mike Conley is old, Donte DiVincenzo is in the middle of a long Achilles recovery, and free agency awaits both Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland.
De Larrea could help scratch that itch. He's a 6'6" ball mover who makes smart, quick decisions. He's also a good enough shooter to hold value off the ball, which is a must for anyone sharing the backcourt with Anthony Edwards.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS): Meleek Thomas, PG/SG, Arkansas
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The Cavaliers were struggling to find self-sufficient scorers behind star guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. The search certainly won't get easier with Dennis Schröder now surfacing in trade rumors.
Cleveland could use more something-out-of-nothing creativity, and Thomas possesses the requisite skills and confidence to supply that. He can be prone to bouts of tunnel vision, but his handles, shooting and finishing all point toward an instant-offense future.
TRADE at 30. Miami Heat (from OKC via DAL): Alex Karaban, SF/PF, UConn
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If Miami makes an acceleration attempt this summer, it might only want prospects who can compete right away. Karaban's polish, efficient production and winning pedigree are all instant-impact indicators.
His shotmaking would help this offense breathe, his off-ball cutting would capitalize on the high-end talent around him and his defense fight should fit with this organization's approach.
