There’s nothing better than chaos on NBA Draft night. Remember 2013, when we were trying to figure out if Nerlens Noel or Victor Oladipo would go first to the Cleveland Cavaliers? And then they surprised everybody with Anthony Bennett? That’s the kind of pandemonium we should be looking for on Tuesday.
I’m not going to come out here and give you a regular mock draft when we have Sam Vecenie and John Hollinger on staff. No, no, no. However, there are some scenarios in which a mock draft can be informed by chaos, and the unexpected becomes reality.
So I’m presenting you with a chaotic mock first round that has some truth to it but explores the possibilities of surprise picks. And, of course, at some point, we will trade Giannis Antetokounmpo somewhere. What could teams secretly want? Who are some prospects being overlooked or overvalued? Let the chaos begin:
1. Washington Wizards
Cameron Boozer | 6-8 forward | 18 years old | Duke
I know, right? What a loop this would throw everybody for! I was doing a radio hit with a local sports show in D.C. recently and was asked about the tough decision the Wizards had to make at No. 1. I figured I was being led toward talking about picking AJ Dybantsa versus Darryn Peterson. Nope! They were asking me if the Wizards should take Dybantsa or Boozer. No offense to Boozer, but this never even really crossed my mind, and I started doubting everything I’ve heard so far in the draft process. Maybe all of this smoke and mirrors is leading toward a surprise Boozer selection at the top. Put him next to Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis, and you don’t really have to worry much about his defense.
Why Cameron Boozer produces and wins at every level
Sam Vecenie
2. Utah Jazz
Darryn Peterson | 6-5 guard | 19 years old | Kansas
Wait, what? Why wouldn’t the Jazz go for Dybansta if he falls to No. 2? As Tony Jones let us know this past week, the Jazz are torn between all three of the top prospects. Dybantsa staying in Utah to begin his career would be an awesome story. But remember two things: 1) This is a chaos mock draft, and 2) Peterson solves a potential problem for the Jazz. Keyonte George became good at the wrong time for them. He was mediocre at best his first two seasons before becoming awesome for them in Year 3. That sets him up for a massive contract extension this October or a restricted free agency offer sheet next summer. With Peterson in tow, you can have him more in the George role, keep Walker Kessler in this restricted free agency and roll out your massive front line and move Ace Bailey into a starting wing position full-time. This is as much about Peterson’s talent as it is about preparing yourself for the eventual second-apron payroll threshold.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
AJ Dybantsa | 6-9 wing | 19 years old | BYU
What an incredible win for the Grizzlies in this chaos scenario. Dybantsa is the best player in the class. I understand people who believe in Peterson more, but the measurables with the athleticism and the game of Dybantsa put him over the top for me. The Grizzlies have so many good, young role players, but Dybantsa gives them a clear view of the timeline. They’d have a young star to build around. The question then becomes whether or not they want to keep Ja Morant for any of it. Or maybe they wait to see if he can increase his trade value?
4. Chicago Bulls
Darius Acuff Jr. | 6-2 guard | 19 years old | Arkansas
Almost everybody is certain that Caleb Wilson will be the pick at No. 4. He probably should be, too. But the idea of adding Acuff as their next star is far more enticing to me. He can score from everywhere, and he’s one of the best 3-point shooters in the draft. He’s a good playmaker but can also play off-ball when Josh Giddey is orchestrating the offense. He won’t be Derrick Rose, but he’d be another star point guard for the Bulls at some point.
5. LA Clippers
Brayden Burries | 6-4 guard | 20 years old | Arizona
Still no Wilson! Ridiculous, right? The Clippers reportedly had Burries in for a workout, and it went extremely well. They’ve been linked to taking someone like Keaton Wagler because of their trade deadline acquisition of Darius Garland, so this bevy of point guard options doesn’t make a ton of sense. But someone like Burries stretching the floor and giving them decent size next to Garland and another scoring option behind Garland and Kawhi Leonard makes a lot of sense. It would be tough to pass on Wilson and Wagler, but sometimes a workout can sway you.
6. Brooklyn Nets
Caleb Wilson | 6-9 wing | 19 years old | North Carolina
Finally, someone lands Wilson. I’m not sure this is the right spot for him. You like the fit a lot more for the Bulls or Clippers, as the Nets really don’t have a ton of definite building blocks on their roster. They had a rough 2025 draft with five first-round picks, and maybe you can see one of them as a long-term solution (Egor Demin). They have Michael Porter Jr., but he could be a pretty good trade option at some point. Wilson doesn’t give them a No. 1 guy just yet, but he’s going to be a super role player at worst. Maybe he’s more in that Pascal Siakam mold at his peak?
Caleb Wilson blends power, explosiveness and coordination in a way other players can’t
Sam Vecenie
7. Sacramento Kings
Keaton Wagler | 6-5 wing | 19 years old | Illinois
Tough decision between Wagler, Kingston Flemings and Mikel Brown Jr. here, but taking good size at the lead guard position is a good idea for Scott Perry. I’m not totally convinced Wagler is a guy who can run an offense, but even as the secondary attacker/initiator, he seems like a great option. He can shoot, and he can score all over the floor. I want to see that first step and handle get a little quicker and tighter so he’s deadlier in isolation or pick-and-roll situations, but the Kings need to reshape this roster completely.
8. Atlanta Hawks
Aday Mara | 7-3 big | 21 years old | Michigan
This is chaos to me. It’s where Mara is being mocked just about everywhere as the bow tied around the Derik Queen trade from a year ago with New Orleans. The Hawks have two positions of need right now. They need a big man to slot Onyeka Okongwu into a more natural power forward position, and they need a lead guard. Dyson Daniels isn’t that guy, and re-signing CJ McCollum is a short-term solution. I just don’t really see it with Mara at the NBA level. I’m a big believer in taking the best player available, and I don’t believe it’s him. This would be drafting for a need but not the need.
9. Dallas Mavericks
Kingston Flemings | 6-3 guard | 19 years old | Houston
Yes, they have Kyrie Irving, but bringing in Flemings allows the Mavericks to comfortably explore trade options that put things more on Cooper Flagg’s timeline. They had a great find in Ryan Nembhard, but he’s more of a backup point guard in the NBA. Flemings would provide even more athleticism and firepower to this young core. He and Flagg as a combination for the future is a lot of fun. Some of Flemings’ shooting might be questioned, but he’s electric on the court.
Kingston Flemings and Cooper Flagg? Could that be pairing in Dallas? (William Purnell / Imagn Images)
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Mikel Brown Jr. | 6-4 guard | 20 years old | Louisville
This is a big win for the Bucks, with or without Giannis on the team. Brown is kind of a sneaky prospect in this draft. He could go a lot higher than this, and teams seem to be very impressed with his workouts and game. His shooting needs to improve, and some of that is just shot selection. Brown needs better pace to his game, but he is absolutely a guy who could make an All-Star team or two someday.
11. Golden State Warriors
Yaxel Lendeborg | 6-9 big | 23 years old | Michigan
We could go for chaos here, but let’s keep it simple for the Warriors. They’re going to look for guys who can play right away. Lendeborg fits that perfectly. The Warriors will tout his championship experience. He can do a little bit of everything. He’ll be able to defend right away. I’m not sure how high the upside is with him, but the floor is very high. This is about maximizing the immediate future in this final push with Stephen Curry and company.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Nate Ament | 6-10 wing/forward | 19 years old | Tennessee
There were times early in the college season in which Ament might have been projected closer to the top five than the bottom part of the lottery. He had a pretty disappointing season, but scouts and executives are hoping that was just a bad college experience. Here, the Thunder get to add a 6-foot-10, springy forward they can mold into one of their prototypical role players. He’s a perfect project.
13. Miami Heat
Koa Peat | 6-7 wing | 19 years old | Arizona
Yes, a surprise! Peat was a monster among high school and college players when he was on his way to the NBA. There are reasonable questions about whether he can play this way against grown men. He can defend multiple positions, he can handle the ball and he’s a solid passer. He’s a good scorer in the midrange and around the basket. The question will be whether he can shoot. He’s worth the project here for Miami because … wait a second … I’m getting word…
We have a trade to announce! This is a three-team deal between the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers.
- Miami receives: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Milwaukee receives: Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, Kris Murray and Shaedon Sharpe, draft rights to Koa Peat, a 2030 first-rounder from Miami, a 2032 first-rounder from Miami and the first-round swap with Portland that the Bucks owed in 2028
- Portland receives: Tyler Herro
OK, is this a great trade? Debatable! But it works under the Spotrac Trade Machine. The Bucks get a little bit of their trade debt back by sending Herro to Portland. A young core of Ware, Jaquez, Peat, Brown, Jakucionis and Sharpe is a really good start toward an interesting rebuild. And the Heat receive the whale they’ve been hunting for years and can start figuring out how to put a roster around Bam Adebayo and Giannis. Remember, this is a chaos mock draft.
14. Charlotte Hornets
Hannes Steinbach | 6-10 big | 20 years old | Washington
Despite the Moussa Diabate ascension last season, the Hornets still need some good big men in that rotation. Ryan Kalkbrenner was a nice second-round pick and provided some good minutes, but the Hornets need a long-term solution, especially if they’re going to have proper depth. Steinbach gives them a good chance to do that. He’s an excellent rebounder and would work great with LaMelo Ball in the pick-and-roll, and he might even become a 3-point shooter.
15. Chicago Bulls
Morez Johnson Jr. | 6-9 big | 20 years old | Michigan
After surprising everybody earlier with Acuff, the Bulls opt for some size here. Johnson might actually end up being the best big man in this draft, though I’m not sure what that means for the crop of big men. Getting him just outside the lottery is big, but we’re not sure if he can actually play center at the NBA level. He’ll be an excellent defender, regardless, and the Bulls need big men.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
Christian Anderson Jr. | 6-1 guard | 20 years old | Texas Tech
My colleague Sam Vecenie calls Anderson the best shooter in the draft, and I am inclined to agree. Is he a point guard in the NBA? Great question. Is he going to be someone who can attack the paint and make a defense pay around the rim? Another great question. Is he good enough to make the Grizzlies feel good about trading away Morant? You are on fire today with these questions. I don’t know the answer to any of these. But the kid can shoot.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder
Cameron Carr | 6-5 guard | 21 years old | Baylor
If Carr ends up on the Thunder, a lot of people around the NBA are going to be upset. He’s a really good shooter, and even though he’s slight of build, the Thunder can absolutely get him in their program and brainwashed into being the defensive player they need him to be. Now they can trade backup wings for cap relief and acquire more draft assets down the road.
Cameron Carr in OKC’s developmental program is intriguing. (Chris Jones / Imagn Images)
18. Charlotte Hornets
Dailyn Swain | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Texas
Who doesn’t need more wings? The Hornets have some great options with Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel in the starting lineup. Swain could be a guy they develop to come off the bench and provide a great punch. He has a great wingspan (6-10) for the position, he can get to the hoop and he can finish. The Hornets will need him to develop a consistent jumper, but this is good depth.
19. Toronto Raptors
Chris Cenac Jr. | 6-10 big | 19 years old | Houston
As fun as it was watching the Raptors play Collin Murray-Boyles at center when Jakob Poeltl wasn’t in the game, they should move him back to a more natural position. Cenac is a project, but one who could end up being a starter-quality big man in a few years. Get the depth for Poeltl, and start developing!
20. San Antonio Spurs
Jayden Quaintance | 6-9 big | 18 years old | Kentucky
If Quaintance can fully recover from his ACL injury, then the Spurs would have some much-needed big man depth behind Victor Wembanyama. Luke Kornet provided some solid minutes, but that was mostly in the regular season. The Spurs need a big man who can defend all over the floor. Quaintance has the potential to do just that if he’s healthy.
21. Detroit Pistons
Labaron Philon Jr. | 6-3 guard | 20 years old | Alabama
Even with the emergence of Daniss Jenkins, the Pistons still need some help for Cade Cunningham in the backcourt. Getting another guy who can initiate some offense would be big. His wingspan (6-6 1/4) makes him a little bit more playable on defense, in theory, but you can also have him next to the much bigger Cunningham in the backcourt. If his shot has truly improved like we saw this past season, the Pistons would love him.
22. Philadelphia 76ers
Joshua Jefferson | 6-8 forward | 22 years old | Iowa State
You’re going to read a lot of Kyle Anderson comparisons when it comes to Jefferson, as he reminds a lot of scouts and executives of the 12-year veteran. Jefferson is going to have to learn how to shoot from the outside to be truly effective, but he can really sling the ball around the court. You can play him next to Joel Embiid and get some fun high-low action going.
23. Atlanta Hawks
Ebuka Okorie | 6-1 guard | 19 years old | Stanford
The Hawks grabbed Mara earlier, and they still need some lead guard depth. He’s going to have to expand his playmaking abilities, but Okorie can really get to the basket. He’s not very tall, but he has long arms and great quickness to counter against defenders. He’s more of a backup guard, but the Hawks need that.
24. New York Knicks
Bennett Stirtz | 6-3 guard | 22 years old | Iowa
What do you get the champions who have everything? More shooting. There are questions about Stirtz’s ability to get open at the NBA level. A good way to help that is to put him on the floor with a lot of offensive options who need the attention of the defense.
Is Bennett Stirtz an option for the NBA champions? (Troy Taormina / Imagn Images)
25. Los Angeles Lakers
Karim Lopez | 6-8 wing | 19 years old | New Zealand Breakers
Lopez has good size for a forward. He’s really good in transition, and JJ Redick will love how much he rebounds. He can’t shoot, and he’ll need to learn that. He needs to get a little quicker and more explosive to defend at the NBA level, but he’s a project worth investing in.
26. Denver Nuggets
Richie Saunders | 6-5 wing | 24 years old | BYU
Saunders is not a great athlete and is recovering from a big knee injury. But he can flat-out shoot the ball. If he’s on the floor with Nikola Jokić, the big man will find him. As soon as it hits his fingertips, you can cash that in. He’s a smart player, too, and at 25 years old by the time the season starts, he’s ready to play right now.
27. Boston Celtics
Tarris Reed Jr. | 6-10 big | 22 years old | Connecticut
The Celtics could use some good depth for the interior. They’ll love that Reed is ready to play right away, and he’s going to be excellent around the rim on offense. The Celtics want more guys who can score and put pressure on the rim. He’ll also help them a lot on the boards. The question is whether they can turn him into a 3-point shooter at some point.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
Sergio De Larrea | 6-6 wing | 20 years old | Valencia
This might be too low for de Larrea, as he seems to be climbing up boards as we approach Tuesday night. He’s more of a point guard than he is a wing, especially when it comes to defense. The Wolves need more playmakers to help Anthony Edwards not have to do everything. At some point, de Larrea can help with exactly that.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
Meleek Thomas | 6-3 wing | 19 years old | Arkansas
Assuming the Cavs are going to lose Keon Ellis and maybe some other depth to get under the second apron, and maybe even under the first apron at some point, Thomas could be an excellent, cost-effective option. He probably needs to be reined in quite a bit with decision-making, but he can really shoot and score.
30. Dallas Mavericks
Isaiah Evans | 6-6 wing | 20 years old | Duke
They brought in Flemings with the ninth pick. Now, let’s bring a familiar face to make Flagg happy. Evans is one of the better shooters in this draft, and we saw a lot of growth in his game from his freshman to sophomore year. This is probably a bit of a reach, but those Duke guys love to group together.