2026 NBA Draft: First Round Preview and How to Stream with Sling TV
One of the most promising draft classes of the decade will find their new homes at the 2026 NBA Draft. Here’s a first round preview and how to stream live with Sling.
It takes years, if not a decade, to assess an NBA Draft class and place it in historical context. That said, you can often spot a special class ahead of the draft; it didn’t take a savant to predict the 2003 class with LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony would be in the top tier.
The 2026 class has a chance to be an all-timer. Loaded with talented players and four players who would all be No. 1 picks in other years, this is an NBA-ready class that could make a big impact as early as next season. With so much franchise-altering talent throughout the first round, this is a draft you won’t want to miss. Here’s a preview of names you should know in the first round, plus how to watch the full 2026 NBA Draft with Sling.
How to Watch the 2026 NBA Draft with Sling
https://youtu.be/hfDH_4-BbmI?si=H7GPOejQarSN4uYX
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft gets underway at 6pm ET on Tuesday, June 23, with the second round scheduled for the same time the next day, Wednesday, June 24. Both rounds will be broadcast live on ESPN, which is available on Sling with a monthly subscription to Sling Essentials or Sling Orange, or a Day Pass subscription. To watch the 2026 NBA Draft for the best price on Sling, use the link below to subscribe to Sling Essentials with ESPN and more.
Complete First Round Preview and Predictions
UPDATE: With the Bucks trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat and the Timberwolves trading Julius Randle to the Nets, the first round order changed the morning of the draft. This post has been updated to reflect the new draft order.
If your team has one of the top four picks in the draft, congratulations, you’re likely getting a future superstar. The question is which superstar? To answer that question, we put a series of mock drafts into our sophisticated computer modeling system (read: AI), crunched the numbers, and came up with a predicted confidence for each pick in the first round. While it appears that the top pick is a lock, things get very interesting beginning with the second selection. As with all mock drafts, one wrong prediction creates a cascading series of incorrect picks, so, like our NFL Draft predictions, take all of this with several grains of salt.
The Top Tier: The Lottery Headliners
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa (SF) Confidence: 100%
A dynamic 6-foot-9 wing who absolutely torched Division I defenses to lead the nation in scoring, AJ Dybantsa possesses a ferocious, Tracy McGrady-style offensive package. He is the definitive alpha dog the Wizards need to slash downhill, impose his will, and draw vital defensive pressure away from Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson (SG/PG) Confidence: 80%
Darryn Peterson is an elite 6-foot-6 combo guard who operates as a lethal three-level scorer with advanced playmaking vision. Despite battling some cramping issues during his time at Kansas, his shot-making and pure athleticism keep him firmly at the top of the board. He’s the perfect dynamic backcourt engine to ease the creation burden for Keyonte George. That said, if his father's deep franchise connections pull the strings, don’t be shocked if Utah pivots to Cameron Boozer.
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer (PF/C) Confidence: 95%
Speaking of Cameron Boozer, the highly skilled 6-foot-9 power forward is an analytical darling with elite rebounding instincts and superb passing vision. He functioned as a dominant offensive hub while knocking down nearly 39% of his triples as a true freshman at Duke. He perfectly matches the Grizzlies' appetite for highly productive, proven winners, forming a complementary frontcourt pairing next to Zach Edey.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson (PF/C) Confidence: 95%
Caleb Wilson brings game-changing athleticism, elite rim-finishing, and tremendous defensive upside to the Windy City. At 6-foot-10, his explosive quickness off the floor makes him an instant lob threat and a total transition nightmare. He fulfills Chicago's desire for raw size and physicality, seamlessly slotting in next to Josh Giddey to become the definitive face of the Bulls' rebuild.
5. LA Clippers: Keaton Wagler (PG/SG) Confidence: 75%
A versatile 6-foot-6 big guard with textbook shooting mechanics, Keaton Wagler possesses the rare ability to dominate both on and off the ball. He plays with a high basketball IQ and makes quick, unselfish choices on the perimeter. He gives the Clippers the exact backcourt size and secondary offensive creation they need to play alongside Darius Garland.
https://youtu.be/Imz6qJIkCb4?si=knH4J60FIbY9na5s
6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr. (PG) Confidence: 65%
Darius Acuff Jr. is a fearless 6-foot-3 point guard who functions as a nuclear scorer and elite shot creator. While front offices might question his defensive consistency, his massive offensive upside and scoring efficiency are impossible to ignore. He gives the Nets a badly needed franchise lead guard to engineer their entire offense.
7. Sacramento Kings: Mikel Brown Jr. (PG) Confidence: 65%
A skilled 6-foot-5 guard with deep shooting range, Mikel Brown Jr. excels in the pick-and-roll thanks to elite footwork and strong fundamentals. His stellar free-throw percentage points to a beautifully sustainable shot stroke. He fits Sacramento's timeline perfectly as a youth-movement building block and the potential long-term successor to De'Aaron Fox.
8. Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings (PG) Confidence: 75%
Kingston Flemings is a lightning-fast 6-foot-4 floor general who breaks down defenses at will and competes like a rented mule on the defensive end. Armed with an elite motor and mature decision-making skills, he provides Atlanta with a natural backcourt replacement for the potentially departing CJ McCollum.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries (SG) Confidence: 85%
A strong, versatile 6-foot-4 guard with a pro-ready frame, Brayden Burries thrives as a catch-and-shoot threat and a physical perimeter defender, favorite traits of rumored new head coach Dusty May. Because he is entirely unselfish, he fits the Mavericks' need for a reliable floor spacer who can complement the high-usage dominance of Cooper Flagg.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament (SF/PF) Confidence: 80%
Nate Ament is a fluid, 6-foot-10 skill-reliant forward who offers enticing size and deep perimeter shooting potential. While he still needs to add functional strength, his smooth handles and upside are undeniable. He is the perfect high-upside swing for a Milwaukee franchise looking to kickstart a youth movement in the wake of a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
The Mid-First Round: Role Players and Value Fits
11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara (C) Confidence: 75%
Aday Mara is a massive 7-foot-3 Spanish center with outlier passing coordination and strong rim-protection abilities. His sheer size and unique court vision allow him to manipulate opposing defenses from the high post. He matches Steve Kerr's offensive system beautifully, providing immediate interior size and savvy passing during the final stretch of Stephen Curry's legendary career.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Yaxel Lendeborg (PF) Confidence: 65%
An experienced 23-year-old forward out of Michigan, Yaxel Lendeborg brings multipositional defensive skills and a relentless, winning motor to the league. He doesn't require high usage to impact the game, thriving instead as a connective passer and dominant rebounder. He is an NBA-ready contributor on a rookie contract who can instantly bolster OKC’s championship rotation.
13. Milwaukee Bucks: Karim Lopez (SF/PF) Confidence: 60%
Karim Lopez is a 6-foot-8 forward from Mexico who already boasts three years of professional experience in the highly physical NBL. He possesses great hands, excellent positional size, and an incredibly high developmental ceiling. He offers the Bucks a high-upside teenage swing to add versatile depth to a roster now fully in rebuild mode.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Cameron Carr (SG) Confidence: 65%
A lanky 6-foot-5 shooting guard with fluid athleticism, Cameron Carr possesses one of the absolute best pure shooting strokes in the entire draft class. Projecting as a lethal movement shooter and an asset in transition, he perfectly addresses Charlotte's need for backcourt spacing alongside LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel.
15. Chicago Bulls: Hannes Steinbach (PF/C) Confidence: 75%
Hannes Steinbach is a physical 6-foot-11 German big man known for his elite rebounding instincts and highly productive interior scoring. He brings a massive presence and soft hands around the basket, giving Chicago immediate frontcourt depth behind Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson.
https://youtu.be/cSszGKgJGME?si=HGKsSXsoyPodiZrG
16. Memphis Grizzlies: Labaron Philon Jr. (PG) Confidence: 55%
A crafty 6-foot-4 combo guard with a highly polished offensive game, Labaron Philon Jr. is adept at generating his own shot and initiating the pick-and-roll. He gives the Grizzlies a dynamic playmaker who can serve as an invaluable insurance policy amid Ja Morant's uncertain future.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder: Morez Johnson Jr. (PF/C) Confidence: 65%
Morez Johnson Jr. is a burly 6-foot-10 big man with exceptional rebounding rates, defensive mobility, and great hands in the paint. He finishes well around the rim and plays with fantastic energy on the glass, giving OKC the interior bruiser they desperately need to handle physical matchups next to the slimmer Chet Holmgren.
18. Charlotte Hornets: Bennett Stirtz (PG) Confidence: 60%
An incredibly poised 6-foot-4 guard, Bennett Stirtz excels as a smart, low-turnover playmaker and a highly disruptive perimeter defender. He is a crafty offensive talent who shoots efficiently and maintains game flow, offering Charlotte a versatile depth piece capable of spelling LaMelo Ball or Coby White.
19. Toronto Raptors: Christian Anderson (PG) Confidence: 65%
Christian Anderson is an elite 6-foot-3 point guard who knocks down a blistering 40% of his looks from deep. He is incredibly unselfish and highly effective operating out of ball screens, providing the Raptors with vital perimeter spacing to complement non-shooters like Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett.
20. San Antonio Spurs: Allen Graves (PF) Confidence: 70%
A 6-foot-9 forward whose game absolutely pops in advanced analytical models, Allen Graves fills up the stat sheet with well-rounded passing, rebounding, and defensive steal rates. He is a high-IQ player who takes care of the ball and knocks down outside shots, making him a perfect floor-spacing partner next to Victor Wembanyama
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Late-Round Steals: Championship Chasers
21. Detroit Pistons: Ebuka Okorie (PG) Confidence: 60%
Ebuka Okorie is a quick, elusive 6-foot-2 guard who led his conference in scoring as a freshman through twitchy ball-handling and pull-up shooting. He excels at getting downhill and finding his spots, fulfilling Detroit's desperate need for a secondary perimeter scorer to lighten the offensive burden on Cade Cunningham.
22. Philadelphia 76ers: Chris Cenac Jr. (PF/C) Confidence: 55%
A 6-foot-11 big man with great open-court athleticism and a high motor on the glass, Chris Cenac Jr. possesses the raw physical tools to defend in space and finish as a devastating rim-runner. He provides the 76ers with necessary frontcourt size to reliably back up the frequently unavailable Joel Embiid.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Dailyn Swain (PG/SF) Confidence: 50%
Dailyn Swain is a 6-foot-8 multipositional forward with elite defensive versatility and strong slashing abilities. Armed with a mature frame and a knack for getting downhill to the rim, he adds length and defensive disruption to the Hawks' forward rotation.
24. New York Knicks: Jayden Quaintance (PF/C) Confidence: 60%
An athletic 6-foot-10 center with massive defensive upside, Jayden Quaintance pairs quick hands with an incredible motor on the glass. Despite dealing with an ACL injury history, his physical tools remain elite, giving the Knicks essential rim-protecting insurance in the event they lose Mitchell Robinson in free agency.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Henri Veesaar (C) Confidence: 60%
Henri Veesaar is a 7-foot center from Estonia who beautifully combines glue-guy defense with a lethal 42.6% three-point stroke. Highly mobile and willing to do all the dirty work required of a modern big, he is a perfect pick-and-pop floor spacer and lob threat to pair with Luka Doncic.
https://youtu.be/OId24uUyb2I?si=SEuWOQtWE7QKRK4c
26. Denver Nuggets: Meleek Thomas (PG/SG) Confidence: 50%
A silky-smooth, quick-twitch 6-foot-3 guard who shot 41.6% from deep, Meleek Thomas operates as a pure microwave scorer. He relies on unpredictable ball handling and a fast-paced approach to generate quick points, giving the Nuggets a much-needed injection of athleticism off the bench to relieve Jamal Murray.
27. Boston Celtics: Koa Peat (PF) Confidence: 65%
Koa Peat is a 6-foot-7 powerhouse forward with a pro-ready frame, elite strength, and a tremendous feel for the game. While he lacks an outside shot, his tough interior finishing and rebounding are highly impactful, making him a smart role player who would seamlessly integrate into Joe Mazzulla's quick-decision offensive scheme.
28. Brooklyn Nets: Joshua Jefferson (SF/PF) Confidence: 70%
With excellent passing vision and NBA-ready physique, Jefferson is the type of versatile “point-froward” that teams increasingly covet. The Iowa State standout is also exceptional on the defensive end of the floor, finishing his senior season on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List. Following the Julius Randle trade, the Nets are looking for a safe pick who can contribute right away and NBA.com describes him as having one of the “safest floors in this class.”
29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Sergio de Larrea (SG/PG) Confidence: 60%
Sergio de Larrea is a 6-foot-5 Spanish guard with great positional size, elite passing vision, and professional experience. He shot nearly 39% from three and excels at manipulating defenses with his pace, offering Cleveland a high-IQ playmaker who can potentially be stashed overseas to save vital cap space.
30. Dallas Mavericks: Tarris Reed Jr. (C) Confidence: 65%
A burly 6-foot-11 center with excellent footwork and dominant rebounding, Tarris Reed Jr. uses his wide frame to set crushing screens and anchor the paint. He fits the Mavericks' need for an interior bruiser, potentially allowing them to flip older centers for assets while reloading their frontcourt.
To watch rounds 1 and 2 of the 2026 NBA Draft on ESPN with Sling, use the link below to subscribe to Sling Essentials.