Prospect Deep Dives
Dylan Harper is the consensus #1 prospect in the 2026 class. The 6'6" point guard combines elite size at the position with exceptional passing vision, scoring ability, and defensive versatility. The son of former NBA player Ron Harper, Dylan grew up in gyms and it shows — his IQ and decision-making are elite for a teenager. His size allows him to play off the ball next to another guard, giving teams lineup flexibility that's rare to find in a top pick.
Exceptional court vision
High-level defensive upside
Competitive motor
Needs to improve off screens
Finishing through contact
Still developing body
Ace Bailey is the most gifted scorer in the class — a 6'10" wing who can get his shot from anywhere on the floor. His pull-up mid-range jumper and shot creation ability off the dribble are NBA-ready. Bailey's length and athleticism make him a potential lockdown wing defender in the league. His ceiling as a two-way wing scorer is immense, drawing comparisons to a young Paul George.
NBA-ready mid-range
Elite wingspan (7'2")
High defensive ceiling
Playmaking for others
Pick-and-roll defense
Assist-to-turnover ratio
The Lithuanian guard brings European basketball IQ to an explosive American skillset. Jakucionis reads pick-and-roll defense at an elite level, uses shot fakes expertly, and can hit contested pull-ups. His 6+ assists per game demonstrate genuine lead guard ability. There are questions about his quickness against true NBA point guards on defense, but his offensive package is nearly NBA-ready today.
3-level scoring
Consistent pull-up shooter
Playmaking instincts
PG vs SG question
Athleticism ceiling
Defensive engagement
2026 Mock Draft — First Round
| # | Player | Pos | School | Projected Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dylan Harper | PG | Rutgers | Washington Wizards |
| 2 | Ace Bailey | SF | Rutgers | Detroit Pistons |
| 3 | Kasparas Jakucionis | PG | Illinois | Charlotte Hornets |
| 4 | VJ Edgecombe | SG | Baylor | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 5 | Noa Essengue | PF | Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) | Toronto Raptors |
| 6 | Tre Johnson | SG | Texas | San Antonio Spurs |
| 7 | Khaman Maluach | C | Duke | Sacramento Kings |
| 8 | Egor Demin | PG | BYU | New Orleans Pelicans |
| 9 | Boogie Fland | PG | Arkansas | Utah Jazz |
| 10 | Jalil Bethea | SG | Miami (FL) | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 11 | Carter Bryant | SF | Arizona | Dallas Mavericks (via NYK) |
| 12 | Will Riley | SF | Illinois | Chicago Bulls |
| 13 | Liam McNeeley | SF | UConn | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 14 | Con Kolimatis | SF | Prometey (Greece) | Miami Heat |
| 15 | Dink Pate | C | Florida | Cleveland Cavaliers (via CHA) |
| 16 | Eric Reibe | PF | Duke | Oklahoma City Thunder |
2026 NBA Draft Lottery
| Team | Record | Odds (#1 Pick) |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Wizards | 20–62 | 14.0% |
| Detroit Pistons | 22–60 | 14.0% |
| Charlotte Hornets | 23–59 | 14.0% |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 25–57 | 12.5% |
| Toronto Raptors | 27–55 | 10.5% |
| San Antonio Spurs | 29–53 | 9.0% |
| Sacramento Kings | 34–48 | 7.5% |
| Utah Jazz | 34–48 | 6.0% |
NBA Rookie Salary Scale 2026
| Pick | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 (Option) | Year 4 (Option) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.2M | $11.7M | $12.2M | $12.8M |
| 2 | $10.1M | $10.6M | $11.0M | $11.6M |
| 3 | $9.2M | $9.6M | $10.0M | $10.5M |
| 5 | $7.8M | $8.2M | $8.5M | $8.9M |
| 10 | $5.6M | $5.9M | $6.2M | $6.5M |
| 14 | $4.4M | $4.7M | $4.9M | $5.1M |
| 20 | $3.2M | $3.4M | $3.6M | $3.7M |
| 30 | $2.1M | $2.2M | $2.3M | $2.5M |