The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled to begin Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, broadcasting live on ESPN and ABC. The Washington Wizards control the board with the first overall selection and have narrowed their focus to BYU forward AJ Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson. Dybantsa is currently viewed as the overwhelming favorite to hear his name called first by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Dybantsa cemented his status at the top of draft boards after an outstanding collegiate campaign, finishing as the leading Division I scorer last season with an average of 25.5 points per game. The Utah Jazz sit right behind Washington at No. 2 and are reportedly comfortable selecting whichever top prospect remains available. Medical evaluations for Peterson have not raised any concerns, clearing his path as a surefire top-two pick. Utah is also evaluating Duke forward Cameron Boozer. The fit for Boozer in Salt Lake City is considered less natural given the team already features a frontcourt rotation of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler.
Further down the lottery, the Los Angeles Clippers are actively engaging in trade dialogue regarding the No. 5 overall pick, an asset they obtained from Indiana. Los Angeles is using the selection as a prime trade chip to either replenish future draft capital or acquire an immediate rotation piece. If the Clippers decide to make the pick, the front office is targeting prospects like Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., and Brayden Burries. The goal is to find a complementary backcourt piece to pair with guard Darius Garland, who arrived in Los Angeles as the central return in their James Harden trade deadline deal.