2026 NBA mock draft: AI predicts every first-round pick after combine

Mark Giannotto, USA TODAYSat, May 23, 2026 at 10:02 AM UTC

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The 2026 NBA Draft is starting to come into focus.

The draft lottery and scouting combine are over and workouts at team facilities around the country are underway before the Washington Wizards officially go on the clock with the No. 1 pick. The top-four prospects have seemingly been decided but there's no defining consensus yet on what order they might be selected. The real intrigue starts after that, with a bevy of talented guards and a few intriguing wings and bigs for NBA teams to sort through.

That uncertainty is reflected in mock drafts across the country, as well as the latest first-round mock draft conducted by USA TODAY Sports through Microsoft Copilot's artificial intelligence chatbot. Though AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson remain atop the draft board, there are any number of directions the draft could take from there.

Prospects like Michigan's Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr., Baylor's Cameron Carr and Santa Clara's Allen Graves were among the players to see their stock rise in the eyes of AI after a fresh batch of intel in recent weeks. Alabama's Labaron Philon and Duke's Isaiah Evans, meanwhile, dropped a few spots in this AI mock draft, while several others fell out of the first round entirely based off Microsoft Copilot's analysis.

Here's a breakdown of Microsoft Copilot AI's latest 2026 NBA mock draft coming out of the NBA draft lottery and scouting combine, including the chatbot's reasoning for making each first-round pick:

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2026 NBA mock draft by USA TODAY Sports

You can compare AI's picks to the latest USA TODAY 2026 NBA mock draft by clicking here.

2026 NBA mock draft: AI picks first round after scouting combine

USA TODAY Sports asked Microsoft Copilot AI to generate a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft featuring only players who could be eligible this year. The chatbot was asked to base its selections on current mock drafts from reputable websites since the conclusion of the NBA Draft Scouting Combine, as well as the latest intel on team needs, prospect analysis and potential draft withdrawals.

Note:AI models still have issues with accuracy as seen in the mock draft below. Of particular note, Microsoft Copilot needed additional prompts after several picks were inaccurately assigned to teams.The average mock draft pick referenced for each player was compiled by USA TODAY Sports using 10 of the latest mock drafts from national websites around the country, including USA TODAY.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa -

Average mock draft pick: 1

AI analysis: "Washington continues a full rebuild and prioritizes primary offensive upside. Dybantsa profiles as a high-usage, shot-creating wing — exactly the type of player the roster currently lacks."

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas -

Average mock draft pick: 2

AI analysis: "Utah’s roster features size and frontcourt depth but needs a perimeter creator who can generate offense at multiple levels. Peterson’s ability to score both on and off the ball complements an already established interior foundation."

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, Duke -

Average mock draft pick: 3

AI analysis: "Memphis benefits from adding a halfcourt offensive stabilizer ... Boozer’s post scoring and passing provide structure in playoff settings, reducing reliance on guard-driven creation."

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina -

Average mock draft pick: 4

AI analysis: "Chicago has lacked frontcourt athleticism and defensive versatility. Wilson fills that gap as a modern, switchable forward."

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5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler, Illinois -

Average mock draft pick: 6

AI analysis: "Wagler provides a developmental piece who can grow into a larger offensive role without requiring immediate high usage."

6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas -

Average mock draft pick: 6

AI analysis: "Brooklyn’s roster lacks a central offensive organizer. Acuff addresses that need as a primary ball-handler, capable of structuring possessions and initiating offense consistently."

7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, Houston -

Average mock draft pick: 8

AI analysis: "Flemings adds another downhill guard, ensuring continuity in tempo and playmaking alongside the existing backcourt."

8. Atlanta Hawks: Aday Mara, Michigan -

Average mock draft pick: 10

AI analysis: "Mara supplies rim protection and interior size, helping offset long-standing defensive limitations in guard-heavy lineups."

9. Dallas Mavericks: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville -

Average mock draft pick: 8

AI analysis: "Another playmaker who can initiate offense, Brown provides secondary creation, improving lineup flexibility."

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, Tennessee -

Average mock draft pick: 11

AI analysis: "Milwaukee targets youth and positional versatility. Ament projects as a two-way forward capable of defending multiple positions while developing complementary scoring skills alongside established stars."

11. Golden State Warriors: Brayden Burries, Arizona -

Average mock draft pick: 9

AI analysis: "Golden State continues to prioritize skill and shooting within a motion system. Burries offers shot creation that translates within a read-and-react framework."

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers (NBL) -

Average mock draft pick: 16

AI analysis: "Oklahoma City reinforces its philosophy of collecting long, versatile wings. Lopez fits seamlessly into a system built on interchangeability and decision-making."

13. Miami Heat: Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan -

Average mock draft pick: 12

AI analysis: "Miami adds a high-motor, physical forward whose defensive effort and versatility align with the team’s established identity and development approach."

14. Charlotte Hornets: Cameron Carr, Baylor -

Average mock draft pick: 15

AI analysis: "Charlotte builds around LaMelo Ball by adding an athletic wing finisher capable of thriving in transition and benefiting from high-level playmaking."

15. Chicago Bulls: Hannes Steinbach, Washington -

Average mock draft pick: 15

AI analysis: "After adding a mobile forward earlier, Chicago balances the frontcourt with a traditional interior presence capable of rebounding, screening, and anchoring inside."

16. Memphis Grizzlies: Morez Johnson, Jr., Michigan -

Average mock draft pick: 18

AI analysis: "Memphis continues to emphasize physicality. Johnson provides rebounding and interior toughness, reinforcing a defense-first supporting structure."

17. Oklahoma City Thunder: Labaron Philon, Alabama -

Average mock draft pick: 14

AI analysis: "Oklahoma City adds another decision-maker in the backcourt, maintaining depth and flexibility within its multi-handler system."

18. Charlotte Hornets: Chris Cenac, Jr., Houston -

Average mock draft pick: 22

AI analysis: "Charlotte complements its earlier selection with a developmental rim protector, addressing defensive gaps in the frontcourt."

19. Toronto Raptors: Koa Peat, Arizona -

Average mock draft pick: 25

AI analysis: "He allows their best player (Scottie Barnes) to stay on the perimeter more and improves both physicality and lineup flexibility."

20. San Antonio Spurs: Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky -

Average mock draft pick: 18

AI analysis: "San Antonio focuses on building a functional frontcourt around Victor Wembanyama. Quaintance offers defense and rebounding, allowing Wembanyama to operate more freely."

21. Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Evans, Duke -

Average mock draft pick: 25 (appeared in 9/10 mock drafts)

AI analysis: "Detroit addresses spacing concerns by adding a perimeter shooter, improving offensive balance around its primary initiator."

22. Philadelphia 76ers: Dailyn Swain, Texas -

Average mock draft pick: 22

AI analysis: "Philadelphia reinforces wing depth with a two-way contributor, capable of defending multiple positions while contributing offensively."

23. Atlanta Hawks: Bennett Stirtz, Iowa -

Average mock draft pick: 20

AI analysis: "What the Hawks don't have is a guard who stretches defenses consistently. Stirtz fills that exact gap."

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves, Santa Clara -

Average mock draft pick: 25

AI analysis: "A high-impact, low-maintenance forward whose analytical profile signals winning basketball ... an archetype NBA front offices increasingly prioritize in the late first round even without star-level usage."

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Christian Anderson, Texas Tech -

Average mock draft pick: 22

AI analysis: "The Lakers add backcourt depth with a guard capable of handling and perimeter shooting, supporting a roster built around high-usage stars."

26. Denver Nuggets: Henri Veesaar, North Carolina -

Average mock draft pick: 26

AI analysis: "Veesaar is one of the few late-first true floor-spacing bigs (about 43% from 3) who can play within structure ... Perfect (Nikola) Jokic backup/partner archetype — keeps spacing intact when Denver staggers lineups."

27. Boston Celtics: Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor -

Average mock draft pick: 30 (only appeared in 6/10 mock drafts)

AI analysis: "Boston leans into its identity: long, switchable, physical wings. ... Developmental 3-and-D piece who fits Boston’s playoff style immediately."

28. Minnesota Timberwolves: Ebuka Okorie, Stanford -

Average mock draft pick: 24

AI analysis: "Minnesota can afford an upside swing on a scoring guard riser coming out of the combine process ... (for) bench scoring and secondary creator next to (Anthony) Edwards."

29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Alex Karaban, UConn -

Average mock draft pick: 34 (appeared in 5/10 mock drafts)

AI analysis: "Cleveland needs size, shooting and decision-making on the wing. ... Plug-and-play forward who complements Harden/Mitchell without needing usage."

30. Dallas Mavericks: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas -

Average mock draft pick: 29 (appeared in 5/10 mock drafts)

AI analysis: "Dallas adds a young shot-creator to develop behind its stars. ... Secondary ball-handler and scoring guard to ease offensive burden long-term."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA mock draft 2026: AI makes first-round picks for all 30 teams

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