New NBA Mock Draft 2026 Drops by ESPN's Jeremy Woo amid Dybantsa, Peterson Rumors Before Round 1

One day out from the 2026 NBA draft, ESPN's Jeremy Woo continues to forecast BYU forward AJ Dybantsa going first overall to the Washington Wizards.

Woo led off with Dybantsa in his newest mock and had Kansas guard Darryn Peterson going second to the Utah Jazz.

Peterson declined to work out for Utah, which presented a curveball late into the draft process. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported Sunday he was sending a message about where he stands in the 2026 class by only personally showcasing his skills to Washington.

Woo nonetheless reported that "Dybantsa is still considered by rival teams to be the favorite" for the Wizards.

That aligns with the reporting from the final mock draft by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.

"Rival executives continue to speculate that the Washington Wizards will take AJ Dybantsa," Wasserman said. "And if they do surprise the league, it will be with Darryn Peterson, though sources say Washington has remained very tight-lipped during the process."

Here's how Woo projected the top 10 selections:

Pick	Player
1. Wizards	AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
2. Jazz	Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
3. Grizzlies	Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
4. Bulls	Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina
5. Clippers	Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
6. Nets	Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
7. Kings	Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
8. Hawks	Kingston Flemings, G, Houston
9. Mavericks	Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
10. Bucks	Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

Assuming the first four picks unfold as many have expected for weeks, the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 5 could be the first true wild card.

"The Clippers have been at the center of trade rumors over the past week, and rival teams say they'll have options available, including moving back in the draft," Woo reported.

And even if L.A. keeps its pick, there isn't one clear favorite. Woo said Illinois' Keaton Wagler and Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. are most commonly connected with the Clippers.

Keaton Wagler Highlights

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According to the draft expert, the Atlanta Hawks at No. 9 are potentially another "major inflection point in the draft." They could trade back or stay put and select the best player available. Atlanta certainly has a long-term need for a point guard after having traded Trae Young to the Wizards ahead of the deadline.

And overshadowing everything is the specter of a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. The Milwaukee Bucks set the draft as their internal deadline for confirming their next steps with the two-time MVP, but the absence of a deal speaks for itself.

Without any overwhelming offers on the table, Milwaukee could simply ignore its own deadline and allow for trade negotiations to extend into free agency.

If Giannis is on a different team by Tuesday night, it could have serious ramifications on the first round.