Predicting first Warriors, Kings picks – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The 2026 NBA Draft is lastly right here. The New York Knicks snapped a 53-year drought as champions, however the NBA by no means sleeps and it’s already time to begin wanting in direction of the longer term.

Can the Kings discover a franchise savior with the No. 7 decide? Will the Warriors add a rookie who may help Steph Curry immediately with the eleventh decide? How inventive can each groups get?

After greater than a month of debates and deliberation, our closing 2026 NBA mock draft at NBC Sports Bay Area is finished. Dalton Johnson and Tristi Rodriguez predict all 30 first-round picks in our mock draft 4.0.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU

Every a part of me leaned in direction of making a change and going with Darryn Peterson right here. But we stayed constant as an alternative. Dybantsa is stuffed with star qualities that the nation’s capital is begging to have in a Wizards jersey. –Dalton Johnson

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas

Utahns would definitely welcome Dybansta again residence to start his professional profession after ending highschool there after which competing at BYU. But we’re sticking with Peterson right here — the absolute best “second option.” Of course, if the Wizards do not snag him first. – Tristi Rodriguez

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cam Boozer, PF, Duke

In the top, Boozer may be probably the most ready-now prospect, and one of the best in the long term. The Grizzlies are nonetheless huge winners with the third decide. He does not go No. 1, he slips previous his personal dad at No. 2, however the Grizzlies come out nice getting Boozer at No. 3. –DJ

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina

Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green not too long ago acknowledged that Wilson might be the “most special” of the “Big Four,” including that he “may doubtlessly be one of the best participant on this draft.” He won’t be incorrect, and Bulls followers definitely hope that is the case. –TR

5. LA Clippers (by way of IND): Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville

After the Big Four go off the board, the draft will get spicy. The Clippers can go a handful of how and different groups may be making an attempt to get to this spot too. Brown is so gifted, the Clippers select him over the opposite remaining prime level guards. -DJ

6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas

As a lot because the Kings have been linked to Acuff Jr., I do not see him nonetheless being on the board by the seventh decide. The Nets, maybe greater than any crew within the NBA, desperately want a star. Acuff Jr. has already proclaimed he might be simply that for them. –TR

7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

The Kings have a number of containers to test this offseason, however this resolution got here right down to which participant checks probably the most. To me, that participant is Flemings. It was reported earlier this month that Flemings had a non-public pre-draft exercise with Sacramento, along with Acuff Jr.

I additionally spoke to Flemings’ faculty coach at Houston, Kelvin Sampson, who praised Flemings’ basketball IQ. It was fascinating that Sampson stated what Flemings does off the court docket is even higher than what he does on it, which, to me, speaks about Flemings’ character as a pacesetter — and that is all you need out of your start line guard and particularly what you need from a participant you are making an attempt to rebuild your franchise round.

Now what Flemings did on the court docket at Houston was spectacular, too. He averaged 16.1 factors, 5.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds final season, however to Sampson’s level, these numbers are simply surface-level contributions to his general recreation.

He’s a real level guard who research movie, not simply of himself but additionally of his teammates to higher set them up for fulfillment. And he is simply 19 years outdated. The final query I requested coach Sampson throughout our telephone name was a fill-in-the-blank query.

Coach, the crew that drafts Kingston Flemings is getting (clean).

“A child that has a excessive ceiling,” he said. “They’re getting him on the bottom flooring of a profession that is most likely going to be a high-rise constructing in a high-rent district.”

Let that sink in. Because as soon as it did for me, I could not agree extra. –TR

8. Atlanta Hawks (by way of NW): Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

The Hawks want some recent bones to again up CJ McCollum, they usually’ll get that with Keaton Wagler. The Clippers’ curiosity in Wagler seems to have modified in latest days, which is a welcome sight for Atlanta. –TR

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

Burries was an older 20-year-old freshman who did all of it for Arizona as a powerful 6-foot-4 combo guard at 215 kilos who can get downhill and may help on either side of the ball. The Mavs must nail this decide to construct round Cooper Flagg. Adding Burries brings much more two-way affect. -DJ

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, F, Tennessee

It was all the time protected to imagine the Bucks had been working beneath the expectation of getting a number of first-round picks. Now that is true after additionally buying the No. 13 decide from the Miami Heat in their Giannis Antentokounmpo blockbuster trade. First, they take a house run swing, and Ament is the most important boom-or-bust prospect within the draft. He wants time to develop, and the following part of the Bucks ought to permit him to take action. -DJ

11. Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

There are so many various instructions the Warriors can determine to take. All three first-rounders from Michigan are nonetheless on the board. So is Cameron Carr, my best choice, a strong-bodied ahead in Karim Lopez and in addition a shifty scorer like Labaron Philon Jr. So, why Lendeborg?

There is not one elite trait from Lendeborg’s recreation that stands out above the remaining. Instead, he is grown his recreation all through his distinctive faculty profession and does a number of issues effectively on the ground. After three years in junior faculty, Lendeborg was a defensive ace and rebounding machine at UAB who scored off measurement and energy. He then actually improved as a shooter in his one 12 months at Michigan for the nationwide champions.

Lendeborg had six whole video games of a number of threes in two years at UAB. He simply had 20 such video games at Michigan. He went from 37 whole threes in two seasons to doing 67 on 37.2 p.c taking pictures from deep. Between attacking the rim and stepping past the arc, and mixed together with his protection and rebounding, Lendeborg is the two-way participant successful groups will need and the Warriors aren’t scared off him being 24 years outdated earlier than his first recreation.

Again, this decide can go a number of methods, together with being concerned in some sort of commerce. -DJ

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara, C, Michigan

OKC’s offseason started barely sooner than anticipated after falling simply in need of defending its 2024-25 NBA title, which implies Isaiah Hartenstein may enter unrestricted free company. Mara could be the best choice to again up Chet Holmgren. –TR

13. Milwaukee Bucks: Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers

The Bucks simply misplaced Giannis after 13 years, two NBA MVPs and one championship. The Greek Freak’s departure may make method for Milwaukee’s latest worldwide star. Lopez will probably be Mexico’s highest drafted participant ever. He first went professional at 14 in Barcelona, ​​performed two seasons within the NBL for the New Zealand Breakers and is now some of the fascinating tales of the draft. -DJ

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan

The Hornets must strengthen their frontcourt depth with a giant floor-spacing, they usually can discover that within the versatile and bodily Johnson Jr. — TR

15. Chicago Bulls (by way of POR): Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor

Don’t be shocked if Carr goes greater. He has already been vouched for as an choice for the Warriors by yours actually, though his vary is in every single place. His vary as a 3-point shooter can be limitless, and mixed together with his size and athleticism, Carr has all of the makings of what groups need in a 3-And-D wing. -DJ

16. Memphis Grizzlies (by way of PHX): Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama

Ja Morant’s time in Memphis seems to be nearing an finish, so the main focus is on the longer term. Philon Jr. is a shifty combo guard who can each deal with the ball but additionally get a bucket when he must as a inventive three-level scorer. –TR

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (by way of PHI): Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston

Landing in Oklahoma City ought to be the dream situation for Cenac to develop and develop into the star he might be. He performs extra like a giant wing proper now. The Thunder doubtless will not use each of those first-round picks, however including both Mara or Cenac is a win. -DJ

18. Charlotte Hornets (by way of ENT): Hannes Steinbach, PF/C, Washington

You cannot ever bolster your frontcourt sufficient. Through the mix, Steinbach climbed the rankings and solidified his standing as a first-round draft prospect after averaging a nation-leading 11.8 rebounds per recreation at Washington. —TR

19. Toronto Raptors: Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech

Look previous Anderson’s peak at slightly below 6-foot-1 barefoot and placed on the tape. Anderson can put the ball on a string and be lights out from three. He’s one of the best shooter within the draft and may be referred to as sooner than anticipated. -DJ

20. San Antonio Spurs (by way of ATL): Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara

Graves might be an intriguing choice for among the best younger groups in your complete NBA. He shot 41.3 p.c from three at 6-foot-9 whereas additionally averaging 1.9 steals per recreation at Santa Clara. —TR

21. Detroit Pistons (by way of MIN): Bennett Stirt, PG, Iowa

The new-age Grit and Grind Pistons must get Cade Cunningham some extra assist in the backcourt. Stirtz checks the containers as a playmaker and deep menace who may help get Cunningham off the ball extra. He’s not an awesome athlete, however he’s a extremely expert participant. -DJ

22. Philadelphia 76ers (by way of HOU): Koa Peat, F, Arizona

Philly wants dependable frontcourt depth – emphasis on dependable. Peat is a well-rounded participant who’s able to doing a bit of little bit of every part on the ground. –TR

23. Atlanta Hawks (by way of CLE): Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas

As if the Hawks do not have already got sufficient wings. They’re not nervous about place, nearly bringing in as a lot expertise as attainable. A first spherical of Wagler and Swain would accomplish precisely that. -DJ

24. New York Knicks: Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

Veesaar averaged 17.0 factors (42.7 p.c from 3-point vary) and eight.7 rebounds at North Carolina — all standing 7-feet tall. He might be an intriguing choice for Mike Brown and the reigning NBA champs. — TR

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky

With Doncic main the Lakers, they want extra expertise at heart. Quintance was a shot-blocking machine as a freshman at Arizona State with 18 of the 24 video games he performed ending with a number of blocks. Then got here accidents, a foul switch to Kentucky and extra well being issues. The potential may simply be too arduous to go up. -DJ

26. Denver Nuggets: Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford

With a necessity for elevated offensive firepower and facilitation when Jamal Murray sits, Okorie is a lightning-quick level guard who emerged as a standout freshman at Stanford. –TR

27. Boston Celtics: Meleek Thomas, SG, Arkansas

Thomas shared a backcourt with Acuff and averaged 15.6 factors per recreation whereas taking pictures 41.6 p.c past the arc in his one season at Arkansas. He can deliver on the spot offense and match proper into the Celtics’ affinity for the lengthy ball. -DJ

28. Brooklyn Nets (by way of MIN): Isaiah Evans, Wing, Duke

At the mix, Evans in contrast his affect to that of Max Strus and Duncan Robinson, two impactful function gamers who had main impacts on their respective groups within the NBA playoffs, and that is extensively necessary. –TR

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (by way of SA) – Sergio De Larrea, G/Wing, Valencia (Spain)

The second worldwide participant on our record and a brand new identify to our mock drafts. De Larrea is understood to have an important really feel for the sport as a 6-foot-7 playmaker who can deal with the ball and play on the wings. If his EuroLeague function and success can translate to the NBA, the Cavs have an opportunity to steal a attainable gem. -DJ

30. Dallas Mavericks (by way of OKC): Tarris Reed Jr., C, UConn

Tarris Reed Jr. turned heads throughout the NCAA event en path to an look within the nationwide championship recreation, recording 4 double-doubles throughout March Madness. — TR