2026 NBA mock draft: What I’m hearing about how the first round will go

The 2026 NBA Draft is approximately two weeks away, with the Washington Wizards holding the No. 1 overall pick and AJ Dybantsa considered the likely selection. League executives believe the draft is strong at the top and through the lottery, though college player withdrawals due to NIL deals have reduced overall depth, with first-round grades on only around 20 to 25 players. Teams are reportedly considering pre-draft agreements on two-way contracts for players ranked outside the top 44, as talent evaluation beyond that range is seen as largely interchangeable.