The Giannis Antetokounmpo saga finally has a finish line. The Milwaukee Bucks traded their franchise cornerstone to the Miami Heat in a deal that sends Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and multiple draft assets the other way. Suddenly the Bucks own two lottery picks, and every mock draft board just got scrambled.
The 2026 NBA Draft hits Barclays Center on Tuesday night with genuine chaos on deck. The top four feels settled. After that? Nobody really knows. The Bucks holding picks No. 10 and No. 13 creates a whole new set of variables, especially since Milwaukee just flipped the switch from contender to rebuilder in one afternoon.
The Top Four Are Set
Washington takes AJ Dybantsa at No. 1. That’s been clear for months. The BYU freshman wing has the personality and pure talent the Wizards want leading their young core around Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Utah grabs Darryn Peterson at No. 2. Even after Peterson canceled a workout with the Jazz, he met with team officials over the weekend and knows he’s the pick. He fills Utah’s glaring backcourt hole next to Keyonte George.
Memphis gets Cameron Boozer at No. 3. The Grizzlies are thrilled to land the Duke freshman, and there’s no talk of them shopping this pick. Chicago locks in Caleb Wilson at No. 4. New Bulls executive Bryson Graham wants length and athleticism, and Wilson fits that description better than any wing in this class besides Dybantsa.
Where the Madness Starts
The Clippers hold the No. 5 pick and have reportedly made their choice. League buzz points to Keaton Wagler over Mikel Brown Jr., largely because Wagler can play off the ball alongside Darius Garland. The Nets sit at No. 6 and would love Brown if he falls. They just traded Nic Claxton for Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick, so their center rotation is thin. Aday Mara is a target if they trade down or add another lottery pick.
Sacramento wants Darius Acuff Jr. at No. 7. Every team knows it. The Kings aren’t trading up or down. They’re staying and taking whichever top guard falls to them. Atlanta at No. 8 has options. Kingston Flemings or Aday Mara are the two names. But the Hawks are also fielding trade calls, and New Orleans wants to jump inside the top 10 for Nate Ament or Morez Johnson Jr.
Dallas at No. 9 is the wild spot. Dusty May is the Mavs’ new coach, and league sources immediately connected Dallas to Michigan players. Aday Mara is the most linked name. The Mavs are shopping Daniel Gafford and the No. 30 pick to move up. Mike Schmitz isn’t afraid to take frontcourt players early.
Bucks Have Two Shots
Milwaukee’s first pick at No. 10 is Nate Ament, a Tennessee wing the Bucks’ ownership loves. But Brayden Burries is in the conversation too. If Ament goes here, the Bucks likely target Cameron Carr at No. 13. If they take Burries at 10, they go big with Karim Lopez or Hannes Steinbach at 13. No one’s really sure what Milwaukee’s plan is. They’ve been active in trade talks beyond the Giannis deal.
Golden State at No. 11 has real interest in Burries if he slips. Burries worked out for the Warriors and fits their need for a win-now player with long-term growth potential. If Burries is gone, the Warriors like Yaxel Lendeborg or would look to trade back for more assets.
Oklahoma City at No. 12 is the team to watch for movement. They’re considering trading up or down and have genuine interest in Ament, Mara, and Morez Johnson Jr. If they keep the pick, Johnson Jr. is gaining steam. His energy and rebounding would help in playoff battles against San Antonio.
Charlotte at No. 14 wants Johnson Jr. but probably won’t get him. Hannes Steinbach is a strong consolation prize. He’s the most underrated big in this draft and can make an immediate impact as a versatile center who passes well and has a jumper.
Late Lottery and Beyond
The Bulls at No. 15 are targeting backcourt help. Christian Anderson Jr. might go earlier than expected. He’s one of the best shooters in the class and has the quickness to get to the rim despite being 6’1″.
Memphis at No. 16 has interest in trading up. Bennett Stirtz impressed during pre-draft workouts and could be the Grizzlies’ replacement for Ja Morant in the backcourt. Oklahoma City at No. 17 is another trade candidate. Karim Lopez is the name that keeps coming up. He has lottery-level upside but also project risk.
Charlotte at No. 18 would be thrilled if Yaxel Lendeborg falls to them. Lendeborg is a versatile forward with a 7’4″ wingspan who can contribute immediately. Toronto at No. 19 keeps hearing Allen Graves’ name. The Santa Clara freshman is an analytics darling and a point-forward who can plug in next to Scottie Barnes.
San Antonio at No. 20 is looking at Chris Cenac Jr. He needs development but would benefit from playing behind Victor Wembanyama. Detroit at No. 21 would take Labaron Philon Jr. if he’s there. The Alabama guard’s game resembles Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s, and every team wants that.
Philadelphia at No. 22 brought in Dailyn Swain for a last-minute workout. Swain could be a surprise lottery pick or fall to the Sixers. Atlanta at No. 23 is open for business. Ebuka Okorie is the youngest guard in the draft and a boom-or-bust prospect someone will trade up for.
New York at No. 24 is connected to Meleek Thomas. John Calipari has reportedly been pushing for the Knicks to take his former Arkansas guard. The Lakers at No. 25 need wing depth. Isaiah Evans fits the 3-and-D mold and has drawn comparisons to Aaron Nesmith.
Denver at No. 26 might trade this pick. They have cap problems and no flexibility. Koa Peat is an option if they keep it, but the Nuggets could easily move into the second round. Boston at No. 27 wants frontcourt help. Zuby Ejiofor is a workhorse who’s worked out for half the league. His relentless energy and Draymond Green-like passing ability make him an ideal Celtics bench piece.
Brooklyn at No. 28 got this pick from Minnesota in the Randle-Claxton deal. Jayden Quaintance has slipped due to medical concerns, but at this point, the talent is worth the risk for a team that just lost its starting center. Cleveland at No. 29 wants frontcourt depth. Tarris Reed Jr. was a key reason UConn reached the national title game. Dallas closes the first round at No. 30 with Sergio De Larrea, a Spanish guard with a reported promise who gives the Mavs backcourt help while Kyrie Irving recovers from his ACL.
The second round starts with New York taking Henri Veesaar at No. 31. Memphis grabs Joshua Jefferson at No. 32. Minnesota gets Alex Karaban at No. 33. Sacramento adds Trevon Brazile at No. 34. San Antonio picks Jack Kayil at No. 35. The Clippers take Baba Miller at No. 36. Oklahoma City selects Richie Saunders at No. 37. Chicago gets Ryan Conwell at No. 38. Houston takes Bruce Thornton at No. 39. Boston picks Dillon Mitchell at No. 40. Miami gets Nick Martinelli at No. 41. San Antonio takes Emanuel Sharp at No. 42. Brooklyn grabs Ugonna Onyenso at No. 43. San Antonio picks Izaiyah Nelson at No. 44. Sacramento takes Aaron Nkrumah at No. 45. Orlando picks Jaden Bradley at No. 46. Phoenix selects Tobe Awaka at No. 47. Dallas grabs Otega Oweh at No. 48. Denver picks Felix Okpara at No. 49. Toronto takes Braden Smith at No. 50. Washington picks Tobi Lawal at No. 51. The Clippers take Ja’Kobi Gillespie at No. 52. Houston grabs Quadir Copeland at No. 53. Golden State picks Tyler Nickel at No. 54. New York takes Keyshawn Hall at No. 55. Chicago picks Maliq Brown at No. 56. Atlanta takes Nate Bittle at No. 57. New Orleans grabs Trey Kaufman-Renn at No. 58. Minnesota picks Milos Uzan at No. 59. Washington closes the draft with Tyler Bilodeau at No. 60.
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