The 2026 NBA Finals are in the rearview mirror, and with the Knicks celebrating a championship, the league’s focus has shifted squarely to the draft. This class is widely considered one of the deepest in years, and the next week of workouts and meetings will determine how the first round shakes out.
While the top four names — AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson — are locked in, the real intrigue begins at No. 5. The Clippers, Nets, and Kings hold the keys to a domino effect that could send several talented guards sliding or soaring. And the biggest mover right now? Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr.
Brown’s Rise to No. 6
Brown’s stock has quietly climbed over the past few weeks, and league sources say his workouts have impressed multiple teams in the top eight. After dealing with back issues during his freshman season — which cost him the final six games — Brown is reportedly at full health and has looked explosive in private sessions. One front-office executive with a top-10 pick told ClutchPoints: “Watching him in the gym has been incredible. His back problems are a thing of the past, and he looks every bit like the second-best guard in this class behind Darryn Peterson.”
The Clippers, picking fifth, have shown serious interest in Brown. But the Nets at No. 6 are also high on him, according to sources. Brown has already met with Brooklyn’s front office in Orlando, and another meeting is scheduled before draft night. The Hawks at No. 8 are also a potential landing spot, though multiple sources indicate Brown is unlikely to fall that far.
What This Means for Wagler, Acuff, and Flemings
If the Clippers grab Brown, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler could slip into the waiting arms of the Nets — or further. The Bulls have been trying to move up from No. 15 to grab Wagler, whom they view as a top guard option after a recent workout. Wagler’s floor appears to be No. 8 with the Hawks, but there’s a strong chance he won’t get past Brooklyn at six.
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. is another wild card. His elite scoring — including 28.4 points per game over his final 14 outings—has drawn comparisons to Jalen Brunson in terms of offensive impact despite being just 6’2″. The Kings are widely believed to love Acuff and would take him at No. 7 if he’s available. That dynamic has led to chatter that the Clippers and Nets might be playing mind games with Sacramento to force a trade-up.
Houston’s Kingston Flemings, meanwhile, has impressed every team he’s worked out for. Some scouts believe he’d be a top-five pick in most drafts, but with so much guard talent ahead of him, he could fall to No. 9 (Mavericks) or No. 10 (Bucks). Either team would be getting a steal.
The Rest of the Lottery
Outside the guard logjam, there’s plenty of movement. Duke’s Cameron Boozer remains the safest bet in the class, but whispers persist that the Grizzlies could take Caleb Wilson at No. 3 instead — a parallel to the 2022 draft when Orlando unexpectedly selected Paolo Banchero over Jabari Smith Jr. Wilson’s length and two-way potential have some evaluators ranking him ahead of Boozer long-term.
Tennessee wing Nate Ament is drawing interest from the Nets, Thunder, and Mavericks as a top-10 talent despite needing development. Michigan’s trio of Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson Jr. are all viewed as lottery-caliber bigs. And Baylor’s Cameron Carr helped himself as much as anyone at the combine, scoring 30 points in a scrimmage and locking himself into the top 20.
San Antonio’s selection at No. 4 could shape the entire draft. If they take Caleb Wilson, Boozer falls to Chicago at No. 5 — but Taureen Prince’s medicals could complicate that. The Bulls are also exploring trades to move up for a second first-round pick.
Final Takeaways
One week out, this draft is defined by uncertainty in the middle of the lottery. The guard class is historically deep, but where each player lands will depend on a handful of decisions in the 5-8 range. Teams like the Warriors, Thunder, and Hornets are sitting at 11-14, waiting to pounce on any slide.
As one league source put it: “There’s going to be a record number of trades in the first round. Everybody wants in on this class.”
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