SB Nation’s final mock draft shows Washington’s No. 1 pick up for grabs while Milwaukee’s haul from the Giannis blockbuster reorders the top of the board.
1 pick. Washington now sits atop the draft board with two elite guard prospects in AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer leading the charge. 1 talent if teams prioritize floor spacing.
The Wizards’ front office faces a brutal choice: take the safer floor general or roll the dice on the higher-ceiling wing. Milwaukee’s return package from the Giannis deal includes three first-round picks, vaulting them into the top tier of draft-night maneuvering. 26 picks, giving them the firepower to trade up, package for a star, or load up on role players.
Analysts expect Milwaukee to target a high-upside big to pair with Damian Lillard, with Victor Wembanyama’s name already circulating in trade scenarios. The draft landscape also reshapes the middle of the lottery. 5 pick, is suddenly in play for a franchise cornerstone after shipping out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder could pivot to a defensive anchor like Kel’el Ware or a playmaking big like Ron Holland, depending on their long-term timeline. 6 are widely assumed to take the draft’s most polished prospect, likely a guard with playoff-ready instincts. This draft class is unusually deep at the guard position, with Dybantsa, Boozer, and a third prospect, Arkansas’ Anthony Black, all projected in the top 10.
The glut of ball-dominant guards could force teams to make tough decisions about positional fit, especially in the frontcourt where Boozer’s size and shooting create matchup problems. Teams with aging wings—like the Los Angeles Clippers—might eye Dybantsa as a long-term replacement for Kawhi Leonard’s two-way profile. The Giannis trade didn’t just redistribute draft capital; it accelerated the league’s shift toward positionless basketball.
Prospects like Boozer, who can play and guard multiple positions, align with modern NBA trends favoring versatility. Scouts note that Boozer’s ability to switch onto guards in the playoffs makes him a prototype for the league’s evolving defensive schemes, while Dybantsa’s athleticism fits the NBA’s growing emphasis on transition play and rim pressure. The draft’s top-heavy guard class reflects a league in transition, where traditional bigs are declining in value and guards who can create their own shot and defend multiple positions are the new currency.
The 2026 class mirrors the 2020 draft, which saw guards like LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and James Wiseman rise to the top—only this time, the guard glut is even more pronounced. Teams without a clear franchise guard are now forced to overpay for secondary playmakers, while contenders with aging wings are hunting for Dybantsa-style two-way wings to bridge generational gaps. The Bucks’ draft haul adds another layer of intrigue.
With three first-rounders, Milwaukee can afford to be patient, but the pressure to win now with Damian Lillard is real. The franchise’s identity is in flux, and the draft provides a rare opportunity to reset without sacrificing immediate competitiveness. Scouts warn that overvaluing draft capital without a clear plan could lead to another false start, but the Bucks’ front office has shown a willingness to take calculated risks under new leadership.
NBA insiders are already framing this draft as a referendum on the post-Giannis era. “Teams are recalibrating their entire draft boards based on Milwaukee’s new reality,” said ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. ” What’s next: The draft order is locked, but the trade market is just heating up.
Expect Milwaukee to shop their picks aggressively, while Washington must decide whether to draft for need or swing for the ceiling. The first domino falls at the NBA Draft Lottery in May 2026, where the ping-pong balls could rewrite the board one last time. Read at NewsAPI.org
The 2026 NBA Draft is the first major reset after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, forcing teams to rethink roster construction overnight. Washington’s No. 1 pick is the most scrutinized since 2019, while Milwaukee’s newfound draft capital gives them leverage to accelerate their rebuild around Damian Lillard. For fans, this mock draft isn’t just speculation—it’s a blueprint for how the league’s next superstar might enter the NBA. The depth of this guard class and the Bucks’ draft haul underscore a league-wide pivot toward positionless basketball, where versatility and two-way impact outweigh traditional roles. The Bucks’ flexibility could redefine how teams approach rebuilds, while Washington’s choice between Dybantsa and Boozer will set the tone for the draft’s first night.
NewsAPI.orgsbnation.comBy Ricky O'DonnellJun 23, 12:00 PMen
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