2026 NBA Draft: Top 10 Projections and Pistons Options

The 2026 NBA Draft features a deep first-round class headlined by BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, and Duke big man Cam Boozer as the consensus top three selections. The Detroit Pistons, holders of the 21st pick following a mid-season trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, face decisions that could shape their offseason strategy, including a potential trade-up scenario for Michigan's Morez Johnson.

Who Are the Expected Top 10 Picks in the 2026 NBA Draft?

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU

Dybantsa is the most complete prospect available. The BYU freshman led the nation at 25.5 points per game, moving fluidly at 6'9" and using precise footwork to generate clean looks at the rim. His shooting remains a work in progress but should improve. His frame requires added strength for the physical demands of the professional level. Washington's roster, which pairs young talent with veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis, would benefit from his immediate contribution and considerable ceiling.

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Peterson is the most polarizing prospect in this class. His shot-making talent draws comparisons to Kevin Durant, and he brings elite athleticism with flashes of passing and defensive instinct. A load management controversy during his freshman season, however, has raised legitimate questions about his character, competitiveness, and durability. If those concerns are answered, Peterson gives Utah the primary scorer its young core needs. The risk is evident; so is the reward.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cam Boozer, Duke

Boozer carries the highest floor in this draft. He is a proven competitor who improves teams through passing, post scoring, and steady production on both ends. He is not a physical specimen or a dynamic athlete. His traditional style, often operating with his back to the basket at Duke, invites questions about his fit in the modern NBA. He did not demonstrate the ability to create his own shot consistently. Memphis may simply conclude that his overall contributions outweigh the athletic limitations.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

Wilson is widely viewed as the last prospect in this class with a realistic chance of reaching multiple All-Star selections. At 6'10", he is arguably the draft's best pure athlete, with the length and leaping ability to project as a high-level rim protector. His ceiling could make him the best player in this class. His floor, however, is notably lower than the prospects above him. He lacks a single reliable skill to carry into the league, having scored primarily through rim running, transition, and post play. The post-up game is largely obsolete in the modern NBA without extraordinary efficiency. Wilson will need to develop other scoring methods and add weight to his frame. Chicago must trust its development program to unlock his potential.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler, Illinois

Wagler's rise from a three-star high school recruit to a consensus top-ten selection is uncommon. The Illinois freshman averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, driving the team's Final Four run. He plays a methodical style built on high-level shot-making rather than exceptional athleticism. At 6'5", he shoots over defenders and navigates to the rim without blistering quickness. His archetype resembles Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a tall, slender guard the Clippers drafted and traded too soon in 2019. He will need to add strength to maintain his college efficiency at the professional level.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

Acuff is the most dynamic scoring guard available outside the top four. He produced exceptional offensive statistics at Arkansas under a coach with a proven record of developing All-Star guards. The primary concerns are his size and defense. If he can manage against NBA-level length and improve on the defensive end, he projects as a legitimate primary creator. If not, his range narrows considerably, from a Trae Young-style volume scorer to a bench specialist. For a Brooklyn franchise still searching for direction after the Kevin Durant era, Acuff represents the best available chance to acquire a star at this position.

7. Sacramento Kings: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

Brown averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists at Louisville, demonstrating advanced skill in ball-screen situations. Back issues affected portions of his freshman season but appear to have resolved. He scored 45 points against NC State in his final game, making ten three-pointers. His decision-making with the ball requires refinement, and he can be chaotic offensively at times. Sacramento needs youth in its backcourt, and Brown's upside makes him a compelling selection here.

8. Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings, Houston

Flemings lacks the visibility of other freshman guards in this class but offers notable efficiency. He creates scoring opportunities with consistency, fills it up at all three levels, and posted an exceptional assist-to-turnover ratio for a freshman in a competitive conference. He performed reliably for a national title contender. Atlanta requires a guard capable of creating with the ball, particularly with CJ McCollum approaching free agency. Flemings could assume that role directly or function within a three-guard rotation alongside Nickiel Alexander-Walker, given his defensive capability. He may well be the player teams regret passing on.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, Arizona

Following the acquisition of Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in 2025, Dallas should prioritize immediate contributors. Burries fits that requirement. He averaged 16.1 points, shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three-point range, leading Arizona to the Final Four. At the combine, he measured 6'4" with a 6'8" wingspan, projecting as a starting-caliber two-way guard. He was the best shooter on an Arizona team that struggled from the perimeter and brings a committed defensive approach. His limitations as a primary creator are noted, but his value lies in impacting both ends of the floor. A high-level two-way role player with potential for more is the reasonable expectation.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Yaxel Lendenborg, Michigan

Lendenborg can guard all five positions and demonstrated secondary playmaking ability in his final collegiate season. His three-point percentage has improved each year, he rarely turns the ball over, and he passes well for his size. He projects as a versatile wing who contributes to winning in multiple ways, capable of stepping in as a high-level role player from day one. At 24, he is older than typical draft selections, but his basketball experience is limited, having played only one year of high-level competition. Each season, he has expanded his game. The primary concern is recurring questions about his maturity. His best fit would be in an established organization, making this a considerable bet on Milwaukee's culture. The upside justifies the risk at ten.

What Options Do the Detroit Pistons Have at Pick 21?

Trajan Langdon faces the most consequential offseason for Detroit in decades. The 21st selection is one component of a broader roster construction effort, but securing an immediate contributor could influence the team's short-term trajectory.

Cameron Carr, Baylor

Carr may not remain available at this position following a strong combine performance. At Baylor, he averaged 18.9 points per game on 49.4/37.4/80.1 shooting splits. His combination of length, athleticism, and shot-making addresses a clear need for a Detroit team that lacked offensive production during the postseason.

Could the Pistons Trade Up in the 2026 NBA Draft?

Detroit could move from pick 21 to pick 16 to select Morez Johnson from Michigan. The proposed trade would send the 21st pick, two future second-round selections, and Marcus Sasser to Memphis in exchange for the 16th pick. Johnson has risen steadily on draft boards and appears unlikely to be available at 21. Acquiring him would provide Detroit with flexibility to use Jalen Duren or Isaiah Stewart in a subsequent trade, as the organization has been linked to Trey Murphy III and Kawhi Leonard. The ability to move one of its existing big men while preserving other assets would serve the front office's objectives.

Why Does Organizational Stability Matter in the NBA Draft?

This draft class offers depth in first-round talent, providing even late lottery teams with access to meaningful contributors. The distinction between this year and previous seasons is the concentration of proven ability at the top and the availability of immediate-impact players beyond the first five selections. Organizations that identify and develop talent efficiently will gain an advantage. Those that rely on potential without adequate development structures risk repeated failure. The draft rewards preparation and institutional stability, qualities that separate consistent contenders from franchises trapped in perpetual rebuilding. Talent alone does not build a winner. Structure does.