Kevin O'Connor Projects AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 in 2026 NBA Mock Draft 9.0

Q: With top picks in trade talks, could a surprise team trade up to steal a falling star like Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson?

Yes — but only if one of them slips a spot or two, not out of the top tier entirely. The reporting around this draft says Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson are still viewed as elite prospects, with Boozer projected at No. 2 to Utah and Peterson at No. 3 to Memphis in Kevin O’Connor’s mock. That means neither is really a “falling star” in the usual sense. Still, uncertainty at the top — especially around Washington at No. 1 and the possibility of teams reshuffling within the top six — creates a narrow opening for an aggressive trade-up. Brooklyn is the clearest surprise-team candidate. The Nets hold No. 6, are believed to be open to moving around the board, and outside reporting has floated a package of No. 6 plus future firsts to move into the top three, specifically to chase Boozer. That is the strongest evidence that a team below the top three could try to jump the line if Utah or Memphis becomes flexible. The Clippers at No. 5 are another team to watch, though most league intel points to them trading down rather than up. Oklahoma City has the draft capital to make a move from Nos. 12 and 17, but the more realistic target appears to be a mid-lottery player such as Aday Mara, not Boozer or Peterson. So the surprise scenario is plausible, but the bar is high. Boozer and Peterson are unlikely to fall far, and any team trying to steal one would probably need to strike a deal with Memphis or Utah before draft night or in the moment.

Q: Is AJ Dybantsa's 'MVP ceiling' worth the risk over Cameron Boozer, the statistically proven Naismith Player of the Year?

Yes — if a team is drafting for star equity at No. 1, Dybantsa’s upside is worth the gamble, though Boozer is the safer bet. The case for Dybantsa is simple: elite wings who can create their own shot at 6-foot-9 are the hardest players in the league to find. O’Connor’s reporting and a scout survey both point to that logic. Dybantsa got the most executive votes for No. 1, and evaluators see a realistic path to him becoming a dominant two-way wing if his shooting and defense improve. His floor is also not viewed as low; one scout compared his worst-case outcome to Andrew Wiggins. The case against him is also clear. Advanced models like Translation Score like his age and offensive production, but are notably cooler on his defensive profile. His 3-point shooting and defensive impact remain the swing skills separating “high-level starter” from “MVP candidate.” Boozer, by contrast, has the strongest statistical résumé in the class. He won the Naismith award after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists, shot 40% from three, and posted one of the best Translation Scores on record. He looks like the more bankable NBA player and the more likely immediate contributor to winning. The real question is team philosophy. If a franchise wants the highest probability of getting a very good player, Boozer is the pick. If it wants the rare chance at a franchise-defining superstar, Dybantsa is the bet most teams will make at No. 1.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 17

One week before the 2026 NBA Draft, O'Connor's updated two-round mock keeps BYU forward AJ Dybantsa atop the board, ahead of Duke's Cameron Boozer and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.
Dybantsa gets the edge over Peterson despite both believing they could go No. 1; O'Connor cites Dybantsa's 6-9 shot-creation upside and MVP ceiling, while Peterson's health questions after missing 11 of 35 games weigh on his stock.
Trade intrigue shapes much of the lottery projection: O'Connor links Darius Acuff to No. 5 amid rumors teams could draft him to force a move-up, and says Brooklyn, the Clippers and Oklahoma City are all viewed as trade candidates.
The mock also ties team needs to prospects across the board, including Milwaukee's uncertainty around Giannis Antetokounmpo, Golden State's search for a true center, and Toronto's need for a point guard after its Game 7 exit.