AJ Dybantsa has seized the top spot in ESPN’s latest 2026 NBA mock draft, overtaking Darryn Peterson just weeks before the May 10 lottery. The shift marks the biggest riser-faller move this cycle, with three teams tied for the best odds at landing the No. 1 pick.

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Projected #1 Pick (ESPN Mock): AJ Dybantsa | Draft Lottery Date: May 10, 2026 | Top Prospects: Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr.

ESPN Mock Highlights

  • Washington Wizards projected No. 1 (AJ Dybantsa) — ESPN
  • Indiana Pacers projected No. 2 (Darryn Peterson) — ESPN
  • Brooklyn Nets projected No. 3 (Cameron Boozer) — ESPN

Lottery Odds Leaders

  • Wizards, Pacers, Nets: 14% each — ESPN Lottery Simulator
  • Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings: 11.5% each — ESPN
  • Memphis Grizzlies: 8.0% — ESPN

Top Risers and Fallers

  • Darius Acuff Jr. +2 spots to No. 5 (Sacramento Kings) — Bleacher Report
  • Darryn Peterson fell from No. 1 (March) to No. 2 (latest) — ESPN March Mock
  • Caleb Wilson (North Carolina) steady at No. 4 — On3

Draft Key Dates

  • Lottery + Combine: May 10, 2026 (Chicago) — ESPN
  • 2026 NBA Draft: June 23-24 — YouTube
  • Early-entry deadline passed before lottery — ESPN
Verified Lottery Odds for 2026 NBA Draft
Team No. 1 Pick Odds Source
Washington Wizards 14% ESPN
Indiana Pacers 14% ESPN
Brooklyn Nets 14% ESPN
Utah Jazz 11.5% ESPN
Sacramento Kings 11.5% ESPN
Memphis Grizzlies 8.0% ESPN
Atlanta Hawks (via Pels) 6.8% ESPN
Dallas Mavericks 6.7% ESPN
Chicago Bulls 4.5% ESPN
Milwaukee Bucks 3% ESPN
Golden State Warriors 2% ESPN

Who will be the #1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft?

The 2026 NBA draft lottery takes place May 10 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and the ESPN App, with three teams tied for the best odds. Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets each have a 14% chance to land the top pick, according to ESPN’s lottery simulator. The lottery format, which has been in place since 2019, gives the three worst teams equal 14% odds, with the No. 1 seed dropping no lower than fifth.

Current Projections from Mocks

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo projects AJ Dybantsa (BYU, small forward) to the Washington Wizards at No. 1 in his latest mock. Dybantsa holds the top spot on ESPN’s top 100 big board and has emerged as the front-runner for No. 1 overall, overtaking Darryn Peterson who was previously projected first in Woo’s March 11 mock.

Dybantsa’s rise to No. 1 marks a significant shift in the draft hierarchy, with scouts citing his all-around game and NBA readiness as key factors.

Top Candidates

Three teams tied at 14% means the lottery outcome will dramatically reshape the top of the board. Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings each have 11.5% odds, making them the next most likely candidates for the top pick. The last time a team with relatively low odds won the lottery was 2024, when the Atlanta Hawks won with just 3% odds and selected Zaccharie Risacher No. 1.

“AJ Dybantsa has emerged as the front-runner for No. 1.”

— ESPN NBA Draft Analysts

TL;DR: The Wizards, Pacers, and Nets enter lottery day as co-favorites, but Dybantsa’s ascension to the top of ESPN’s big board makes him the name to watch regardless of which team lands the first pick.

Who are the best 2026 draft prospects?

The 2026 class has drawn praise from analysts, with the entire top-10 in Woo’s latest mock consisting of college freshmen. This marks one of the strongest freshman classes in recent memory, with 29 of 30 projected first-round picks having played college basketball.

Top 100 Big Board

ESPN’s top 100 big board places Dybantsa at No. 1, followed closely by other elite prospects. The top tier features players who have dominated their respective conferences and shown NBA-ready skills.

  • AJ Dybantsa (BYU, SF) — No. 1 on ESPN big board, projected No. 1 to Wizards
  • Darryn Peterson (Kansas, G) — Projected No. 2 to Pacers; 2025-26 stats: 19.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.8 APG in 20 games
  • Cameron Boozer (Duke, PF/C) — Projected No. 3 to Nets; National Player of the Year at Duke, 14th in program history
  • Caleb Wilson (North Carolina, PF/C) — Projected No. 4 to Jazz; consistent top-4 in ESPN mocks
  • Darius Acuff Jr. — Biggest riser, jumped two spots to No. 5 to Kings

Key Names

Beyond the top five, the draft features depth at multiple positions. The first non-freshman in Woo’s mock is Karim Lopez of the New Zealand Breakers, highlighting the international flavor of this class.

Draft watchers note that the 2026 class depth could rival recent strong drafts, with multiple teams potentially finding starters in the 10-20 range.

“Boozer etched his name in the program’s history books this season, becoming the 14th player in Duke history to be named National Player of the Year.”

— On3 Reporter

TL;DR: Peterson’s Kansas numbers (19.9 PPG) validate his top-2 status, while Boozer’s Duke POY honors cement his lottery pedigree.

2026 NBA mock draft: Risers, fallers ahead of the May 10 lottery

The latest ESPN mock by Jeremy Woo shows notable movement from his March projection. The biggest change is at the top, where Dybantsa has overtaken Peterson for the No. 1 spot.

Recent Risers

Darius Acuff Jr. stands out as the biggest mover in the top 10, jumping two spots to No. 5 in the latest projection. This rise reflects strong feedback from team sources and improved workout results.

Mock drafts are projections, not certainties. The lottery can dramatically reshape the board — Dallas won the 2024 lottery with just 1.8% odds (11th-best).

Key Fallers

Darryn Peterson dropped from No. 1 (March mock) to No. 2 (latest), despite strong individual numbers. The change reflects a shifting consensus about NBA readiness rather than any decline in his talent level.

“The biggest riser in the top 10 is Darius Acuff Jr., who jumped up two spots.”

— Adam Wells, Bleacher Report Writer

March vs. April Mock Comparison (Top 5)
Rank March 11 Mock April Mock Change
1 Darryn Peterson AJ Dybantsa Peterson fell
2 AJ Dybantsa Darryn Peterson Dybantsa rose
3 Cameron Boozer Cameron Boozer No change
4 Caleb Wilson Caleb Wilson No change
5 — Darius Acuff Jr. Acuff entered

The implication: Dybantsa’s rise signals a potential paradigm shift in how scouts evaluate ceiling vs. floor for this draft’s top prospects.

TL;DR: Acuff’s +2 spot rise is the draft’s biggest mover; Peterson’s fall doesn’t diminish his talent but reflects tightening competition at the top.

Will the NBA 2026 draft class be good?

Early returns suggest the 2026 class compares favorably to recent drafts. Analysts point to the unprecedented freshman concentration at the top — all top-10 picks are college freshmen — as evidence of a special cohort.

Class Strength Debate

Draft analysts have noted the 2026 class features multiple potential franchise cornerstones, with Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer drawing comparisons to recent top picks. The depth beyond the top five also appears strong.

Vs 2025 Class

Initial assessments rank the 2026 class as potentially stronger than 2025, which featured Cooper Flagg as the clear No. 1. The 2026 group has more separation at the top but also greater depth in the lottery range.

Check Team USA Olympics Hockey Roster 2026 for other 2026 sports projections.

TL;DR: The 2026 class has attracted positive buzz from scouts, with the freshman-dominant top-10 suggesting elite talent emerging earlier in recent cycles.

Where is the next NBA draft in 2026?

The NBA combine and lottery will take place in Chicago on May 10, 2026. The actual draft follows June 23-24, according to league sources.

Draft Location

Specific venue details for the June draft typically get announced closer to the date. The event traditionally alternates between major media markets.

Key Dates

  • May 10, 2026: NBA Draft Lottery + Combine, Chicago
  • June 23-24, 2026: 2026 NBA Draft
  • Early-entry deadline: Passed Friday before May 10 lottery

The NBA announced early-entry candidates before the deadline, with many top prospects officially entering the draft pool.

The pattern: lottery day determines which team lands the top pick, then the draft order fills in for picks 5-14 based on regular-season records. The combine provides final medical clearances and team workouts.

TL;DR: Chicago hosts the lottery May 10; the draft follows June 23-24. Early entries are locked in.

2026 NBA Draft: How do pick trades affect lottery outcomes?

Several pick-swap arrangements will impact how the lottery results translate to actual selections. The most notable involve the Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers.

The Atlanta Hawks will receive the better of the Milwaukee Bucks or New Orleans Pelicans picks post-lottery, per ESPN’s lottery analysis. This pick-swap arrangement gives the Hawks exposure to two potential lottery teams.

Oklahoma City Thunder receive the Clippers’ pick regardless of lottery position, ensuring they land a first-round selection even if the Clippers’ record keeps them outside the lottery.

The Pacers’ pick conveys to the Clippers if it does not land in the top 4. This contingency adds complexity to the lottery’s impact on multiple teams’ draft capital.

Pick protection clauses can dramatically alter a team’s actual draft position from their lottery odds. Always check specific pick terms.

The implication: trade complexity means fans should watch which teams actually receive picks, not just which teams win lottery balls.

TL;DR: Hawks have Bucks/Pels swap rights; OKC gets Clippers’ pick; Pacers’ pick conveys to Clippers if outside top-4.

2026 NBA Draft Prospects: How the full first round could look

Beyond the top five, the first round features additional prospects drawing NBA attention. The 29 of 30 projected first-round picks who played college basketball reflects the continued dominance of the college route.

The first non-freshman in Woo’s mock is Karim Lopez, who plays for the New Zealand Breakers. His inclusion signals teams are keeping international options open for their first-round selections.

For more prospect analysis, see Padres vs Chicago Cubs Player Stats for comparison methodologies used in player evaluation.

The early-entry deadline passing before the lottery locks in the prospect pool. Teams now know who is officially in the draft, allowing for more accurate mock projections heading into lottery day.

TL;DR: 29 college players in round 1; Lopez is first international; early entries are locked.

Confirmed Facts for 2026 NBA Draft

  • Lottery: May 10, 2026, 3 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN App — ESPN
  • Draft: June 23-24, 2026 — YouTube
  • Combine: Chicago, May 10 — ESPN
  • 14 teams eligible for lottery — ESPN
  • Wizards, Pacers, Nets: 14% each — ESPN
  • Dybantsa No. 1 on ESPN big board — ESPN

What’s Unclear: 2026 NBA Draft Rumors

  • Actual lottery results (pre-May 10)
  • Post-lottery mock updates
  • Detailed stats for all top prospects beyond Peterson
  • Full 60-pick mock details
  • International prospect depth beyond Lopez

2026 NBA Draft Timeline

  • June 27, 2025: ESPN first 2026 mock draft released — ESPN
  • March 11, 2026: Jeremy Woo’s March mock draft — Bleacher Report
  • May 8, 2026: Early-entry deadline passed — ESPN
  • May 10, 2026: NBA Draft Lottery and Combine — ESPN
  • June 23-24, 2026: 2026 NBA Draft — YouTube

ESPN 2026 Mock Draft Analysis: What the Experts Say

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has featured Caleb Wilson prominently in his mock drafts, suggesting the North Carolina forward could form a “Big 4” with Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer. This consensus among top analysts strengthens the case for these four prospects separating from the pack.

ESPN’s lottery simulator provides the most granular odds breakdown available to the public, allowing fans to test hypothetical outcomes and understand how pick protection clauses affect their team’s actual draft position.

The Bleacher Report analysis of Woo’s March-to-April changes highlights how quickly draft narratives can shift. Peterson’s fall from No. 1 came despite strong production, demonstrating that team fit and positional need factor heavily into projection.

The lottery’s randomness means even well-informed mocks become obsolete within minutes of the May 10 drawing. Cross-reference multiple sources for the most complete picture.

The catch: all the analysis in the world cannot account for the lottery machine. Teams with 14% odds and teams with 2% odds have both won the top pick in recent years.

TL;DR: Vecenie spotlights Wilson; ESPN simulator offers best odds data; Bleacher Report tracks mock changes. Nothing beats lottery night for clarity.

What is the 2026 NBA draft order?

The draft order is determined by the lottery on May 10, 2026. The top four picks are determined by lottery odds, with the remaining 10 lottery teams ordered by regular-season record (worst record picks first). Non-lottery teams fill picks 15-30 by record.

What is NBA mock draft 2026 tankathon?

Tankathon is a draft tracking tool that simulates lottery odds and maintains updated mock draft boards. The site allows fans to explore how different lottery outcomes would affect their team’s draft position.

What is NBA mock draft 2026 simulator?

ESPN offers a lottery simulator that lets users test scenarios for all 14 lottery teams. Users can see how odds translate to actual picks and understand the complexity of pick-swap arrangements.

Who are the early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2026?

The early-entry deadline passed on Friday before the May 10 lottery. Top prospects including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer have officially entered the draft pool. The NBA announces the complete early-entry list before lottery day.

Is number 69 illegal in the NBA?

No. The number 69 has never been officially banned in the NBA, though some players have chosen not to wear it due to its association with a vulgar connotation. No current NBA player wears 69, but it remains available.

What are the latest 2026 NBA mock drafts from ESPN?

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo projects AJ Dybantsa to the Washington Wizards at No. 1, followed by Darryn Peterson (Pacers), Cameron Boozer (Nets), and Caleb Wilson (Jazz). The latest mock reflects post-March Madness adjustments.

How does the NBA draft lottery work for 2026?

Since 2019, the lottery determines the top four picks using a weighted system. The three worst teams each have a 14% chance for No. 1. The lottery determines only the top four; remaining lottery teams are ordered by record.

Will the 2026 NBA draft class be better than 2025?

Early assessments suggest the 2026 class compares favorably to 2025, with a stronger top tier and better depth in the 10-20 range. The all-freshman top-10 is notable, though individual prospects vary.


Additional sources

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The lottery’s unpredictability shapes early 2026 mock draft simulator ahead of May, much like the risers and fallers among prospects such as AJ Dybantsa.