Dalton and Tristi's NBA mock draft 3.0: Who Warriors, Kings pick in first round originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
And just like that, the 2026 NBA Draft is right around the corner.
Yes, the Finals still are underway. Everybody has been locked in watching the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, and they should be. But for the other 28 teams, their eyes are on the draft.
Can the Kings find a franchise savior with the No. 7 pick? Will the Warriors add a rookie who can help Steph Curry right away with the 11th pick?
The draft now is less than two weeks away, so it’s time for another guessing game. Dalton Johnson and Tristi Rodriguez predict all 30 first-round picks with plenty of changes in our mock draft 3.0.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
Dybantsa makes it through three rounds as the first pick in our mock drafts. From high school to his one season at BYU, Dybantsa has shown he has the makings to be a star. We’ll see if he keeps the top spot. –Dalton Johnson
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
A superstar will soon be born again in Utah since Donovan Mitchell’s departure. Peterson’s services will give the Jazz a nightmare backcourt duo alongside Keyonte George. –Tristi Rodriguez
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cam Boozer, PF, Duke
In the end, Boozer might be the most ready-now prospect, and the best in the long run. The Grizzlies still are big winners with the third pick. –DJ
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina
Wilson’s infectious smile will soon grace Chi-Town, and so will his athletic, 6-foot-10 two-way abilities. –TR
5. LA Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
The Clippers get their pick of point guards as the draft starts to really get interesting. They could also go super-sized and take Michigan center Adaya Mara. Instead, they land on Keaton Wagler, at 6-foot-6 with an exceptional feel for the game, to pair next to Darius Garland. –DJ
6. Brooklyn Nets: Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
It was revealed earlier this week that Ament and fellow draft prospect Karim Lopez were going head-to-head in a workout with the Nets. Ament has been heavily linked to Brooklyn in recent weeks, and it appears they could roll the dice on him. –TR
7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas
With the Nets’ reported interest in Nate Ament increasing, that could change everything for the Kings – in the best way possible.
The Kings have had their eye on Acuff Jr., but there is concern that he won’t still be on the board by the seventh selection. Some reports have even indicated that Scott Perry could opt to trade up just to secure Acuff Jr., but with this route, that wouldn’t be necessary.
The connections between Acuff Jr. and the Kings date back to when Perry coached his dad, Darius Acuff Sr., at Eastern Kentucky in 1997.
The two are both Detroit natives.
In one season at Arkansas, Acuff Jr. averaged 23.5 points on 48.4-percent shooting, with 3.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.2 turnovers in 35.1 minutes through 36 games. He also shot an impressive 44.0 percent from beyond the arc on 5.8 3-point attempts per game.
It is no secret that the Kings need a starting point guard. Not only does Acuff Jr. fill that void, but he also checks several boxes Sacramento needs as a pure three-level scorer who can get a bucket when he needs to.
And perhaps most importantly, the star potential is there, something needed for a team like the Kings, who finished 22-60 last season. –TR
8. Atlanta Hawks (via NO): Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
CJ McCollum did what he needed to do to lead the Hawks to a first-round playoff appearance, but his lack of consistent help is why the Hawks got the first-round boot. Brown Jr. gives Atlanta at least another consistent shot creator to pair with McCollum. –TR
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
When there’s smoke, there’s fire, and these two sides keep getting connected to one another. Burries does a bit of everything well and is a strong 6-foot-4 combo guard at 215 pounds who can get downhill and can help on both sides of the ball. –DJ
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Kingston Flemings, G, Houston
The Bucks can go a number of ways. They also might be operating under the assumption they’ll have another first-round pick from a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Here, the Bucks bring in a point guard who can guide them into the future and has star potential. –DJ
11. Golden State Warriors: Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan
What order Michigan’s Big Three goes will be as interesting as who the Warriors wind up selecting here. The Warriors have multiple areas to address, and Johnson’s athleticism and defensive versatility would be an instant spark for a team looking to get back on the right path.
Johnson already impressed as Mr. Dirty Work in his two years at Michigan and now has been rising up boards throughout the pre-draft process. He came in at 6-foot-9 barefoot and an extremely strong 251 pounds at the combine as a tweener who can play the 4 and the 5 with an elite profile of a 7-foot-3 wingspan and 8-foot-11 standing reach before owning athletic drills. Johnson can guard out on the wings and be an absolute two-way difference-maker down low.
Though his shot is questioned, he has shown feel and touch, shooting 78.2 percent from the free-throw line last season. In Big Ten play, Johnson went 10 of 25 from 3-point range (40 percent). The Warriors will be working Johnson out, per sources, and he could solidify himself as a true option here for them. –DJ
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara, C, Michigan
OKC’s offseason began slightly earlier than anticipated after falling just short of defending its 2024-25 NBA title, which means Isaiah Hartenstein could enter unrestricted free agency. Mara would be the best option to back up Chet Holmgren. –TR
13. Miami Heat: Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan
A team like the Heat feels like they’d love to see the Warriors and Thunder pass on Lendeborg. He’s a plug-and-play pick who can play the 3, 4 and even small-ball 5 with his 7-foot-3 wingspan. The Heat don’t waste time here. –DJ
14. Charlotte Hornets: Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers
Lopez’s draft value has gone up and down over the weeks, but his physique at 19 years old has been enticing for NBA owners and front offices. –TR
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor
Adding Wilson and Carr in the first round gives the Bulls a nightmare in transition for opposing defenses. Carr is a long athlete who has a smooth shot from deep. He won the combine, and the Bulls could win the first round with these two picks. –DJ
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX): Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama
Ja Morant’s time in Memphis appears to be nearing an end, so the focus is on the future. Philon Jr. is a shifty combo guard who can both handle the ball but also get a bucket when he needs to as a creative three-level scorer. –TR
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
If the Thunder do keep this pick, Cenac is worth the swing. He’ll need time to develop and the Thunder might be the perfect home for him. –DJ
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Hannes Steinbach, PF/C, Washington
The Hornets need to bolster their frontcourt, and through the combine, Steinbach climbed the rankings and solidified his status as a first-round draft prospect. –TR
19. Toronto Raptors: Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech
Look past Anderson’s height at just under 6-foot-1 barefoot and put on the tape. Anderson can put the ball on a string and be lights out from three. In an early-season win against Duke, Anderson scored 27 points and had five assists and made five 3-pointers. –DJ
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky
Despite showcasing one of the most embarrassing defeats in NBA history in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, it’s no secret that the young Spurs will be a problem in the West for a while. Quintance could be a welcome addition to something special brewing in San Antonio. –TR
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Bennett Stirt, PG, Iowa
The new-age Grit and Grind Pistons need to get Cade Cunningham some more help in the backcourt. Stirtz checks the boxes as a playmaker and deep threat who can help get Cunningham off the ball more. He’s not an overwhelming athlete, but he is a highly skilled player. –DJ
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Koa Peat, F, Arizona
Philly needs reliable frontcourt depth – emphasis on reliable. Peat is a well-rounded player who’s capable of doing a little bit of everything on the floor. –TR
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
After taking Brown with their first pick, the Hawks bring in frontcourt help with their second. Veesaar is a 7-foot senior who also shot 42.7 percent beyond the arc. He can be a great complement for Onyeka Okongwu. –DJ
24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
The Knicks are one win away from their first NBA championship in five long decades. Graves could be an intriguing option for Mike Brown and the Knicks. –TR
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Tarris Reed Jr., C, UConn
With Doncic leading the Lakers, they need more talent at center. In comes Reed, who does not miss around the rim, is a lob threat and averaged 19.5 points and 13.2 rebounds per game in the NCAA tournament. –DJ
26. Denver Nuggets: Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound athletic forward/wing will offer frontcourt support to complement Nikola Jokíc and Jamal Murray. –TR
27. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Evans, Wing, Duke
Given a bigger role as a sophomore, Evans was a major reason for Duke’s success. He can space the floor and instantly take part in the Celtics’ 3-point contest. –DJ
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford
Okorie is a lightning-quick point guard who emerged as a standout freshman at Stanford. His presence would allow Anthony Edwards to play more off the ball and more to his original position as a true shooting guard. –TR
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SA) – Meleek Thomas, SG, Arkansas
Instant offense. That’s what Meleek Thomas brings and who he can be right away in the NBA. Thomas shared a backcourt with Acuff and averaged 15.6 points per game while shooting 41.6 percent beyond the arc in his one season at Arkansas. –DJ
30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State
Jefferson’s draft stock has increased in recent weeks. He’s a highly versatile, playmaking forward, often referred to as a “point-forward.” –TR
