Woo projects top four as Wizards, Jazz, Grizzlies and Bulls navigate draft landscape
With the lottery set and pro days underway, the Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 pick, while trade dynamics among the top four teams remain a key storyline ahead of June 23.
ESPN analyst Jeremy Woo has released an updated mock draft projecting all 60 selections for the 2026 NBA Draft, following the 2026 NBA Combine in Chicago. AJ Dybantsa remains the projected number one pick for the Washington Wizards, followed by Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson as the consensus top four. The draft lottery results have positioned the Wizards, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls with the first four picks, creating potential trade dynamics among these teams.
The Wizards became the focus of the combine after securing the top selection for the first time since 2010. Dybantsa, who measured 6-foot-8½ barefoot with a 42-inch max vertical, is viewed as the presumptive favourite due to his size and projectable tools. However, NBA executives note there is no true consensus No. 1 among scouts, with Peterson, Boozer, and Wilson also receiving consideration. This lack of separation has led some to view the top of the draft as ripe for trades, although the team with the top pick may simply select the player they prefer most.
Utah’s position at No. 2 has generated speculation due to the Jazz’s connections to BYU, including owner Ryan Smith and executives Danny and Austin Ainge, who have ties to Dybantsa. Additionally, Carlos Boozer holds a role in Utah’s front office and has ties to prospect Cameron Boozer. Despite the intrigue, the Jazz appear to have the option to sit tight, with Peterson viewed as a clean fit at No. 2 if he remains available. Peterson, who measured 6-4½ barefoot with a plus-5¼ wingspan, is undergoing medical evaluation following concerns about serious cramping during the season.
Memphis and Chicago also hold significant leverage in the top four. Boozer is seen as a strong match for the Grizzlies, who value production and intangibles, while Wilson’s vertical testing and agility drills have drawn interest from the Bulls. Chicago moved up five spots in the lottery to secure the fourth pick, a move that coincides with the appointment of Stephen Mervis as executive vice president. The Bulls have cap space and two draft picks, positioning them to address roster needs in their first offseason under the new leadership structure.
Beyond the top four, the draft landscape includes a variety of prospects with specific team fits. The Los Angeles Clippers, holding a pick acquired from the Indiana Pacers, are linked to guards such as Wagler and Darius Acuff Jr. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets, who dropped three spots in the lottery, face questions regarding their roster construction and potential trades. The actual 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23, with the NCAA withdrawal deadline set for May 27.
