{"id":153331,"date":"2025-08-04T20:53:06","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T00:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=153331"},"modified":"2025-08-04T20:53:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T00:53:06","slug":"albertie-2026-nba-lottery-mock-draft-v1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/04\/albertie-2026-nba-lottery-mock-draft-v1\/","title":{"rendered":"Albertie\u2019s 2026 NBA Lottery Mock Draft (V.1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 NBA Draft feels like it was just yesterday. Even still, the 2026 NBA Draft is less than a year away. With that in mind, you can bet your bottom dollar that there are multiple teams who have already started to do their homework on the next crop of potential rookies.<\/p>\n

Albertie\u2019s 2026 NBA Lottery Mock Draft (V.1)<\/h2>\n

In this mock draft, Last Word on Hoops<\/em> will predict which teams and players will be in the next draft lottery.<\/p>\n

(1) Brooklyn Nets<\/h3>\n

SF AJ Dybantsa, BYU<\/h4>\n

There\u2019s seemingly at least one All-Star-caliber draft prospect in most draft classes. BYU forward AJ Dybantsa is one of the few that has superstar potential. An elite iso scorer with playmaking upside at 6-foot-9 and 210 pounds, Dybantsa could lead the Brooklyn Nets into a new era.<\/p>\n

(2) Portland Trail Blazers<\/h3>\n

CG Darryn Peterson, Kansas<\/h4>\n

The Portland Trail Blazers have Scoot Henderson<\/a>, Jrue Holiday<\/a> and even the star who left<\/a> because they drafted Henderson \u2014 Damian Lillard<\/a>. There\u2019s a pretty decent chance that none of them are in town long-term. Enter Kansas commit Darryn Peterson, their offensive engine and new<\/em> franchise point guard.<\/p>\n

(3) Utah Jazz<\/h3>\n

CF Cameron Boozer, Duke<\/h4>\n

It could just be a coincidence that former NBA star Carlos Boozer has joined the Utah Jazz\u2019s front office in a scouting role<\/a>. Yet, his son Cameron is a consensus top-three pick<\/a> and the Jazz are projected to be drafting in that range. With his skillset, the Duke commit can play alongside Lauri Markkanen<\/a> and 2025 No. 5 pick Ace Bailey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(4) Washington Wizards<\/h3>\n

FC Chris Cenac Jr., Houston<\/h4>\n

The Washington Wizards are approaching a point in their rebuild where they could look to accelerate it by moving this pick. If they keep it, Chris Cenac Jr. and 2024 No. 2 pick Alex Sarr<\/a> could be a dynamic big man duo. Remember, Sarr doesn\u2019t even want to play center<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(5) Chicago Bulls<\/h3>\n

GF Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor<\/h4>\n

If the Chicago Bulls extend Josh Giddey<\/a>, he\u2019ll join 2024 No. 11 pick Matas Buzelis<\/a> and 2025 No. 12 pick Noa Essengue<\/a> as building blocks. Everything else is up in the air, including Coby White<\/a>\u2019s future, as he\u2019s on an expiring contract. If the Bulls decide to replace him<\/a> with a cheaper alternative, Baylor sensation Tounde Yessefou is worth a close look<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Baylor
Mar 31, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; McDonald\u2019s All American West forward Tounde Yessoufou (24) dunks the ball during the Sprite Jam Fest at Barclay’s Center. Mandatory Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

(6) Washington Wizards (via Phoenix Suns)<\/h3>\n

CF Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers<\/h4>\n

In this mock draft, Washington adds Cenac Jr. with their first lottery pick. However, while their frontcourt is full of promise, they can afford to fortify it with another piece. New Zealand Breakers combo forward Karim Lopez, a Nic Batum<\/a>-like prospect that fits the Wizards mold, has long been highly regarded in draft circles.<\/p>\n

(7) Indiana Pacers<\/h3>\n

SG Braylon Mullins, UConn<\/h4>\n

The Indiana Pacers could wind up perusing for point guards after Tyrese Haliburton<\/a>‘s injury. Nonetheless, they still have Andrew Nembhard<\/a> and TJ McConnell<\/a>. Thus, their focus should be on adding a deep threat like UConn sharpshooter Braylon Mullins, who can balance their weaknesses and further minimize the impact of their franchise star’s absence<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(8) Milwaukee Bucks<\/h3>\n

PG Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas<\/h4>\n

Even before\u00a0Lillard’s injury and his subsequent buyout<\/a>, it was clear that the All-Star guard wasn’t the point guard the Milwaukee Bucks were looking for. At the end of the day, they needed a more effective point-of-attack defender. Enter Arkansas commit Darius Acuff Jr., a two-end player who addresses that very problem.<\/p>\n

(9) Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans)<\/h3>\n

GF Dash Daniels, Melbourne (NBL)<\/h4>\n

The New Orleans Pelicans probably thought they whiffed on 2022 No. 8 pick Dyson Daniels<\/a>. Then, months after they traded him, he was a finalist for<\/a> the Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards. With his brother Dash Daniels displaying similar traits, the Atlanta Hawks can double-down on two-way playmakers.<\/p>\n

(10) Memphis Grizzlies<\/h3>\n

GF Isaiah Evans, Duke<\/h4>\n

When the Memphis Grizzlies opted to move on from Desmond Bane<\/a>, they took a big risk. He’s not only in his theoretical prime but he’s a high-end starter and exceptional 3-point shooter. Hopefully, 2025 No. 11 pick Cedric Coward<\/a> makes Bane an afterthought but if not, Duke wing Isaiah Evans should help close the gap.<\/p>\n

\n

Every Isaiah Evans make off a catch and shoot pic.twitter.com\/zjvh2CJumt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 JMann_ (@JMannsTakes) April 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n