Unlike the 2024 lottery, the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery was not kind to the Atlanta Hawks. They had just over a 40% chance to jump into the top four on Sunday after making a heavily discussed trade with the New Orleans Pelicans last summer. However, the Hawks landed the No. 8 pick — their most likely outcome heading into the lottery.
Even though Atlanta likely misses out on Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, it still has a massive opportunity to find a building block for the future. There are many talented guards projected 5-10 in this loaded 2026 NBA Draft. Here are three players who could be available at No. 8.
2026 NBA Draft Gives Atlanta Hawks Plenty Of Guard Options
Both ESPN and Bleacher Report‘s post-lottery mock drafts feature guards with picks 5-9. From high-flying athletes to dead-eye shooters, tenacious defenders and elite playmakers, Atlanta can bolster its backcourt for years to come with any of these three talented prospects. Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh’s decision likely shapes what the team explores in the trade and free agent markets later this summer.
Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas)
Darius Acuff Jr. burst onto the scene in his freshman season with the Arkansas Razorbacks. He averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 36 games. Acuff shot 48.4% from the field on 16.5 attempts and 44.0% on 5.8 three-pointers per game. He carried a gigantic 29.5% usage rate, impressively blending his electric scoring with high efficiency. The guard displayed great tools in the pick-and-roll and creation for himself.
Arkansas Darius Acuff Jr. pic.twitter.com/prqXfg19nk
— Pitless (@pitlessball) March 27, 2026
However, questions arise on the defensive end regarding his size and motor. Given his 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, Acuff will be a defensive target for opposing offenses, especially early in his career. The Hawks just went away from a smaller guard with defensive problems in Trae Young, potentially making Acuff’s fit in Atlanta murky. He has all the tools to have offensive success in the league but will need to improve a lot defensively to become a two-way threat.
Keaton Wagler (Illinois)
Many mock drafts feature this talented freshman just behind the consensus top-four.
Keaton Wagler entered this season as a four-star prospect but quickly became one of the best players in college basketball at Illinois. He averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, shooting 44.5% from the field and 39.7% from deep. At 6-foot-5, Wagler has great height and length at the guard spot, which helps him knock down shots and make advanced reads over smaller defenders. His shot off the catch and dribble will give an NBA team great spacing, and he moves well without the ball.
Illinois Keaton Wagler pic.twitter.com/NK8EEwAYup
— Pitless (@pitlessball) April 5, 2026
Wagler will need to gain more muscle at the next level to finish through contact and match up against bigger NBA guards. While his shot creation in college popped, he lacks the speed or shiftiness that other lead ball handlers may possess. This raises questions about his off-the-dribble offensive arsenal, though his off-ball game immediately boosts a team’s offense and spacing.
Kingston Flemings (Houston)
Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson rarely trusts a freshman to lead his offense, but Kingston Flemings accomplished this feat. He put up 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 37 games this season. The 6-foot-3, 183-pound guard shot 47.6% from the field and 38.7% from deep but took just 2.9 threes per game. Flemings’ ball handling in traffic, burst off the dribble, pick-and-roll playmaking, and defensive intensity pop immediately. He can also cut and relocate effectively without the ball. His lack of 3-point volume and heavy reliance on pull-up 2s does not translate to many modern NBA offenses, but he has the shooting touch to score at all three levels.
Houston Kingston Flemings pic.twitter.com/P2IiFTaRUD
— Pitless (@pitlessball) March 27, 2026
Flemings can be overly aggressive on defense, leading to foul trouble or unnecessary gambles. While there are no questions about his motor on that end, he will need to get stronger to hold his own against bigger NBA guards. However, he projects to be a strong point-of-attack defender against quicker, shiftier guards early in his professional career due to his athleticism, despite his small stature.
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