Updated

Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 23

Giannis Trade Reshapes 2026 NBA Mock Draft, Putting Bucks at Picks No. 10 and No. 13

Updated

Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 23

Giannis Trade Reshapes 2026 NBA Mock Draft, Putting Bucks at Picks No. 10 and No. 13

Q: Is AJ Dybantsa the undisputed #1 pick, or could a surprise prospect shake up the top of the draft?

AJ Dybantsa is the favorite for No. 1, but he is not an undisputed lock. Wasserman’s final mock has Dybantsa going first to Washington because most evaluators see him as the best blend of floor and ceiling in the class. His size, length and athletic testing have reinforced that view, and scouts remain drawn to his profile as a powerful two-way wing with star upside. That is why he still leads most projections. But the top of the draft is not settled. Darryn Peterson is the clearest threat to overtake him, and multiple reports describe the gap between them as extremely small. Peterson’s case is built on his shot creation, perimeter scoring and shooting efficiency, with some evaluators viewing him as the most gifted scorer in the class. The Wizards have reportedly spent serious time weighing Dybantsa against Peterson, and some league voices believe Peterson could still go first if Washington prioritizes guard creation over wing tools. Cameron Boozer is less likely to jump to No. 1, but he is not out of the broader debate. He is widely seen as the safest elite prospect, with strong analytics support, proven production and a high basketball IQ. Most mocks still place him third, yet he remains part of the top-tier conversation. So the likely answer is that Dybantsa remains the front-runner, not the unanimous choice. If there is a real shake-up at the top, Peterson is the most plausible player to cause it, with Boozer more of a dark-horse alternative than a true surprise.

Q: Will new coach Dusty May use the Mavericks' pick on one of his former Michigan championship players?

Yes, it is a real possibility, but the evidence points more to Dallas considering it than being committed to it. Wasserman’s mock draft flags the Mavericks at No. 9 as one of the draft’s swing spots specifically because of Dusty May’s arrival from Michigan. The added reporting around the pick says Dallas has been linked to several of May’s former national-title players, especially center Aday Mara, with Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg also mentioned as possible fits. Mara appears to be the most plausible at No. 9 because he is projected in that range and addresses a clear need for size and rim protection. That said, the Mavericks are not boxed into a Michigan reunion. The same reporting says Dallas is also exploring trade-down scenarios, and some evaluators view taking certain Michigan players at No. 9 as a reach unless the team moves back. The front office under Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz is expected to weigh broader roster needs such as perimeter defense, secondary creation and frontcourt depth around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, rather than simply defaulting to May’s college ties. So May could absolutely influence the pick, and one of his former Michigan players—most notably Mara—looks like a credible target. But based on the available reporting, it is better described as a strong possibility than the expected outcome.

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 23

Washington still projects to take AJ Dybantsa at No. 1, with Darryn Peterson to Utah at No. 2 and Cameron Boozer to Memphis at No. 3 in Wasserman’s final 60-pick mock draft.
Two late Tuesday trades drove the shakeup: Miami acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, sending Milwaukee the Heat’s 2026 lottery pick, while Brooklyn moved from No. 33 to No. 28 and added Julius Randle in a three-team deal.
Milwaukee now holds two lottery picks—No. 10 and No. 13—and is projected to target forwards Nate Ament and Karim Lopez as it pivots from fit to asset accumulation after moving Giannis.
Los Angeles at No. 5 is viewed as the first real uncertainty point, with Keaton Wagler and Mikel Brown Jr. in play, while Dallas at No. 9 is another swing spot after hiring national-title coach Dusty May.
Brooklyn’s move up to No. 28 also changes its late-first options, with Jayden Quaintance emerging as a buy-low frontcourt target after the Nets dealt Nicolas Claxton and created a new hole at center.

Sources

Bleacher Report5h ago

Jonathan Wasserman's Final 2026 NBA Mock Draft After Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade

The New York Times15h ago

NBA mock draft 2026: The real drama starts at No. 5 with the LA Clippers - The Athletic

New York Post 5h ago

Final NBA mock draft 2026: Darryn Peterson joins AJ Dybantsa in top-two selections

8 Sources

With Giannis gone, can the Bucks' two lottery picks build the foundation for their next championship team?

Is AJ Dybantsa the undisputed #1 pick, or could a surprise prospect shake up the top of the draft?

Will new coach Dusty May use the Mavericks' pick on one of his former Michigan championship players?

2026 NBA Blockbuster: Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami Heat, Bucks Begin Rebuild, and League Implications

Overview

On June 22, 2026, the NBA was shaken by the official announcement that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat, with the deal set for formal execution on July 6. This blockbuster move, currently structured as a direct exchange but open to expansion, fits Miami’s tradition of landing superstar talent, as seen with past acquisitions like Shaquille O’Neal. For the Heat, adding Giannis boosts their championship hopes, while the Bucks face a major rebuild after losing their franchise cornerstone, marking a dramatic shift in the league’s power balance.

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