The 2026 NBA Draft was already one of the most anticipated events in recent memory. Then everything changed.
Just hours before draft night, the Milwaukee Bucks pulled off a franchise-altering blockbuster, sending two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in a move that instantly reshaped the NBA landscape. The deal didn’t just shake up championship odds it completely altered draft strategies across the league.
With Milwaukee acquiring additional assets, including another first-round selection in the 2026 draft, analysts scrambled to update their projections. Among them was CBS Sports insider Gary Parrish, who released his final first-round mock draft featuring several surprising selections and a dramatically different outlook for teams impacted by the Giannis deal.
At the center of the draft remains one of basketball’s brightest young stars, AJ Dybantsa, but the ripple effects of Milwaukee’s blockbuster trade can be seen throughout all 30 picks.
And if Parrish’s projections prove accurate, several franchises could be taking major steps toward defining their futures.
Wizards Land Their Franchise Star at No. 1
According to Parrish, the Washington Wizards will use the first overall pick on BYU sensation AJ Dybantsa.
The freshman phenom enters draft night as the overwhelming favorite to hear his name called first. Dybantsa dominated college basketball during his lone season at BYU, finishing as the nation’s leading scorer and showcasing an elite offensive package that has NBA scouts buzzing.
What separates Dybantsa isn’t simply his scoring. It’s his combination of size, athleticism, shot creation, and versatility that has evaluators projecting him as a future NBA superstar.
If the projection becomes reality, Washington would pair Dybantsa with established stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis, creating a fascinating core capable of accelerating the franchise’s return to playoff contention.
Utah Takes a Chance on Darryn Peterson
At No. 2 overall, Parrish projects the Utah Jazz selecting Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.
Peterson’s freshman season wasn’t without challenges. Injuries interrupted portions of his campaign and consistency occasionally became an issue. Yet despite those concerns, many talent evaluators still believe Peterson possesses one of the highest ceilings in the entire class.
When healthy, the former Kansas standout flashed elite scoring ability and often looked capable of taking over games against top competition.
The Jazz appear willing to bet on that upside.
Adding Peterson alongside Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. would give Utah one of the most intriguing young foundations in the Western Conference.
Memphis Begins New Era with Cameron Boozer
The Memphis Grizzlies find themselves entering a transitional period, and Parrish believes Duke star Cameron Boozer could become the face of the franchise’s future.
Projected at No. 3 overall, Boozer arrives with a reputation for consistency, maturity, and winning basketball.
Throughout his time at Duke, Boozer demonstrated the complete skill set NBA teams covet. He can score inside, stretch defenses, rebound effectively, and impact games without needing the ball constantly in his hands.
Parrish highlighted Boozer’s reliability as one of the key reasons Memphis could make him the centerpiece of its rebuild.
For a franchise seeking stability amid significant roster changes, Boozer may represent the safest elite prospect available.
Bulls Stay the Course with Caleb Wilson
At No. 4, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson heads to the Chicago Bulls in Parrish’s latest projection.
Wilson has spent much of the pre-draft process firmly entrenched among the consensus top four prospects.
While questions remain about his long-range shooting consistency, few players in the draft can match his combination of athleticism, defensive versatility, and relentless competitiveness.
Chicago appears unlikely to overcomplicate the decision.
Wilson’s upside and physical tools make him a logical addition for a Bulls franchise searching for a foundational building block.
Clippers Eye Backcourt Upgrade
The Los Angeles Clippers own one of the most intriguing spots in the lottery.
Parrish notes that Los Angeles could potentially move down via trade, but if the organization keeps the fifth selection, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler becomes the projected choice.
Wagler helped lead Illinois to a Final Four appearance while emerging as one of the nation’s most complete guards.
His ability to operate both on and off the ball provides valuable flexibility, and his size could help address a major need in the Clippers’ backcourt.
A pairing alongside Darius Garland could create one of the league’s more dynamic guard combinations.
Brooklyn Targets Massive Upside
The Brooklyn Nets continue rebuilding, and Parrish predicts they’ll swing for upside by selecting Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. with the sixth pick.
Brown battled injuries throughout portions of his freshman season but consistently demonstrated elite scoring potential when healthy.
One performance in particular caught attention a remarkable 45-point explosion against NC State that reminded scouts exactly why he was considered one of the nation’s premier prospects.
For a rebuilding franchise, betting on elite talent often makes sense.
Brooklyn may be willing to accept the risk.
Kings Find Their Next Offensive Weapon
At No. 7, Arkansas star Darius Acuff Jr. lands with the Sacramento Kings.
The reigning SEC Player of the Year has become one of the most discussed prospects in this year’s draft class.
Acuff’s offensive creativity, scoring instincts, and playmaking ability stand out immediately on film.
Defensive concerns still exist, but his offensive ceiling could be too high for Sacramento to ignore.
If developed properly, Acuff has the potential to become the offensive engine the Kings have been searching for.
Hawks Move On After Trae Young Era
Atlanta’s post-Trae Young future begins with Houston standout Kingston Flemings in Parrish’s mock draft.
Projected eighth overall, Flemings elevated his stock significantly during Houston’s Sweet 16 run, proving capable of handling major responsibilities on the biggest stages.
His combination of athleticism, perimeter shooting, and playmaking gives Atlanta a potential long-term answer at point guard.
The Hawks need a new floor general.
Flemings may be exactly that.
Mavericks Stick with Brayden Burries
The Dallas Mavericks generated headlines earlier this week by hiring former Michigan coach Dusty May.
Despite speculation connecting Michigan stars Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. to Dallas, Parrish projects Arizona guard Brayden Burries at No. 9.
Burries has frequently been linked to Dallas throughout the pre-draft process.
However, a trade-down scenario remains a possibility depending on how the board unfolds.
Bucks Begin Life After Giannis
No team faces a bigger challenge entering draft night than Milwaukee.
Replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo is impossible.
Finding the next cornerstone is essential.
Parrish projects Tennessee forward Nate Ament as the Bucks’ first selection at No. 10 overall.
Ament entered college basketball with top-five expectations but experienced an inconsistent freshman season.
Still, his size, athleticism, and long-term potential remain extremely attractive.
For a franchise suddenly entering a new chapter, Ament represents a gamble worth taking.
Remaining First-Round Projections (11-30)
- Golden State Warriors — Aday Mara, C, Michigan
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers) — Morez Johnson Jr., C, Michigan
- Milwaukee Bucks (via Heat) — Hannes Steinbach, PF, Washington
- Charlotte Hornets — Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan
- Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers) — Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor
- Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic) — Christian Anderson, SG, Texas Tech
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers) — Karim Lopez, PF, New Zealand Breakers
- Charlotte Hornets (via Magic) — Labaron Philon, PG, Alabama
- Toronto Raptors — Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
- San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks) — Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara
- Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves) — Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford
- Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets) — Tarris Reed Jr., C, UConn
- Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers) — Chris Cenac Jr., PF, Houston
- New York Knicks — Henri Veesaar, F, North Carolina
- Los Angeles Lakers — Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke
- Denver Nuggets — Koa Peat, PF, Arizona
- Boston Celtics — Joshua Jefferson, PF, Iowa State
- Brooklyn Nets (via Timberwolves) — Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky
- Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs) — Zuby Ejiofor, C, St. John’s
- Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder) — Dailyn Swain, SF, Texas
Draft Night Has Arrived
The 2026 NBA Draft is no longer just about the next generation of stars.
It’s also about the aftermath of one of the league’s biggest blockbuster trades.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is headed to Miami. Milwaukee is entering rebuild mode. Multiple franchises believe they’re one pick away from changing their future.
Now comes the moment every front office has been waiting for.
Will AJ Dybantsa become the next No. 1 overall superstar? Can Darryn Peterson justify the hype? And which projected picks will leave fans stunned when the commissioner steps to the podium?
The answers are finally just hours away.
