Parrish predicts Wizards select Dybantsa first in final 2026 NBA Draft mock
With the draft set for Tuesday, Gary Parrish maintains his top four picks remain unchanged despite significant roster shifts across the league.
CBS Sports analyst Gary Parrish has released his final projections for the 2026 NBA Draft, predicting that AJ Dybantsa will be selected first overall by the Washington Wizards. The mock draft comes as the first round is scheduled to unfold on Tuesday, with Commissioner Adam Silver set to announce the selections.
Parrish’s projections follow a major trade in which the Milwaukee Bucks sent Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat. As part of the deal, the Heat acquired Milwaukee’s No. 13 pick, adding complexity to the mid-first round selections.
At the top of the board, Parrish remains unchanged in his assessment of the four primary candidates for the number one spot. He predicts the Utah Jazz will select Darryn Peterson second, the Memphis Grizzlies will take Cameron Boozer third, and the Chicago Bulls will choose Caleb Wilson fourth.
Parrish describes Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 forward from BYU who led college basketball in scoring last season, as offering the best combination of high ceiling and high floor among the prospects. He notes that while Peterson may have a higher ceiling, he is viewed as riskier due to his single season at Kansas. Boozer is seen as having a higher floor, though questions remain about his ceiling, while Wilson is considered the biggest gamble due to a lack of a perimeter shot.
The draft landscape has been further complicated by coaching changes and trade activity. Michigan head coach Dusty May has left for the Dallas Mavericks, raising questions about how the Mavericks, holding the No. 9 pick, will proceed given three of his National Championship Wolverines are still available. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers hold the No. 5 pick, with uncertainty regarding whether they will retain it.
Parrish suggests that up to four teams may believe they are adding a future franchise face from this draft class. He concludes that while the top order may seem predictable, the surrounding moves create an environment where the final outcomes could still generate surprise.
