NBA Mock Draft 2026, Post-Lottery Edition: Wizards, Jazz Snag Future Stars; Who Will Celtics Pick?

The ping-pong balls have spoken, and the 2026 NBA Draft landscape has been forever altered. Following a high-stakes lottery in Chicago on Sunday, the league’s bottom-feeders now know exactly where they stand. The Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz emerged as the biggest winners, securing the top two selections in a draft class that scouts are already calling “generational.” This isn’t just a normal draft; this is a franchise-altering event, with prospects like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson drawing comparisons to some of the game’s all-time greats.

But the chaos didn’t stop there. The Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls crashed the top four party, shaking up the projected order and sending shockwaves through front offices across the league. As we sift through the fallout, one question looms large for the defending champions: Who will the Boston Celtics pick with their late-first-round selection? Let’s dive into the complete first-round mock draft, post-lottery edition, with expert analysis on every pick that matters.

The Top of the Board: Wizards and Jazz Claim the Crown Jewels

The Washington Wizards won the lottery, and they have a clear path to stardom. With the No. 1 overall pick, the franchise is expected to select AJ Dybantsa, the 6-foot-9 wing from BYU who possesses a rare blend of athleticism, scoring instinct, and defensive versatility. Dybantsa is not just a scorer; he is a playmaker who can create his own shot off the dribble, finish through contact, and guard multiple positions. For a Wizards team that has been searching for a cornerstone since the John Wall era, Dybantsa is the answer.

Why it works for Washington:

• Immediate scoring punch: Dybantsa averaged over 20 points in his freshman season at BYU, showcasing a polished mid-range game and a developing three-point stroke.
• Franchise face: He has the charisma and marketability to become the face of the franchise in a major market that desperately needs a hero.
• Defensive upside: His length and lateral quickness make him a potential All-Defensive team candidate down the line.

Following closely behind, the Utah Jazz land the No. 2 pick, and they are in an equally enviable position. While many expected them to take a big man, the emergence of Darryn Peterson as a consensus top-two prospect has changed the narrative. Peterson, a 6-foot-5 combo guard from Kansas, is a walking bucket. He combines elite handle with a relentless attacking mentality, drawing comparisons to a young Dwyane Wade. The Jazz already have a solid core with Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George, but adding Peterson gives them a dynamic backcourt engine that can carry the offense in crunch time.

Expert analysis on the Jazz pick: Utah general manager Danny Ainge loves swing-for-the-fences talent. Peterson’s ability to get to the rim at will and draw fouls is a skill that translates immediately to the NBA. Pairing him with a floor-spacing big like Markkanen creates a pick-and-roll nightmare for defenses. This pick solidifies the Jazz as a playoff contender within two years.

Lottery Shakeups: Grizzlies and Bulls Crash the Party

The lottery wasn’t kind to everyone, but it was a dream scenario for the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls. The Grizzlies, who were projected to pick in the middle of the lottery, jumped all the way to No. 3. This is a massive win for a team that already has Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. With the third pick, Memphis can target the best available big man or a versatile wing. The frontrunner here is Cooper Flagg, the 6-foot-9 forward from Duke who is a defensive savant with a rapidly improving offensive game. Flagg would fit seamlessly into the Grizzlies’ gritty culture, providing elite rim protection and switchability on defense while spacing the floor on offense.

Why Flagg to Memphis makes sense:

• Defensive identity: Flagg is arguably the best defender in the draft, and the Grizzlies pride themselves on being a top-five defensive team.
• Versatility: He can play the 3 or the 4, allowing Memphis to experiment with lineups that feature Morant, Desmond Bane, and Flagg.
• Low-risk, high-reward: Flagg’s floor is a high-level role player, but his ceiling is a two-way star.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls landed at No. 4, a massive leap from their projected slot. This gives them a chance to select Dylan Harper, a 6-foot-6 guard from Rutgers who is a pure point guard with size. Harper has incredible court vision, a smooth handle, and a knack for getting his teammates involved. In Chicago, he would immediately become the primary ball-handler, allowing Coby White to slide off the ball. This pick signals a clear rebuild for the Bulls, who are finally embracing a youth movement after years of mediocrity.

Prediction for the Bulls: Expect Chicago to take Harper and build their offense around his playmaking. He is the type of player who makes everyone around him better, and in a weak Eastern Conference, this pick could accelerate their timeline significantly.

Mid-First Round Intrigue: Who Falls, Who Rises?

The middle of the first round is where the draft gets fascinating. Teams like the Detroit Pistons (No. 5), Portland Trail Blazers (No. 6), and San Antonio Spurs (No. 7) will have their choice of a deep pool of talent. Keep an eye on Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center from South Sudan who has been rising up boards. He is a raw but physically dominant big man who can protect the rim and run the floor. The Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama already in place, might look to add a guard like Tre Johnson from Texas, a sharpshooter who can play off the ball.

Key mid-first round prospects to watch:

• Tre Johnson (SG, Texas): The best pure shooter in the draft. He could go as high as No. 5 to Detroit.
• Khaman Maluach (C, South Sudan): A project with enormous upside. Perfect for a team like Portland that can afford to be patient.
• V.J. Edgecombe (SG, Baylor): An explosive athlete who is a terror in transition. Ideal for a fast-paced team like the Spurs.

One team to watch in this range is the Oklahoma City Thunder, who own multiple picks thanks to their treasure chest of assets. With picks in the late lottery and the teens, OKC could package them to move up, or they could simply draft for depth. Given their young core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they should target a big man who can rebound and protect the paint.

Where Will the Celtics Pick? Boston’s Late-Round Strategy

Now, the question on every Celtics fan’s mind: Who will the Boston Celtics pick? As the defending champions, the Celtics are picking near the end of the first round, likely somewhere between picks 28 and 30. This is a familiar position for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, who has consistently found value in the late first round. In this draft, Boston needs to address two specific areas: depth at center and shooting off the bench.

Top candidates for the Celtics at pick ~29:

• Zvonimir Ivisic (C, Kentucky): A 7-foot-2 stretch big who can shoot the three. He is raw but has the potential to be a modern-day backup center who spaces the floor for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. His ability to protect the rim is a bonus.
• Jared McCain (PG, Duke): If he falls, McCain is a sharpshooting guard who can run the second unit. He is a high-IQ player who fits the Celtics’ culture of hard work and unselfishness.
• Adem Bona (C, UCLA): A defensive specialist who is a human pogo stick. He would be an immediate upgrade over Luke Kornet as a rim-running, shot-blocking presence off the bench.

Expert prediction for Boston: Brad Stevens loves versatile, high-motor players. Expect him to target Zvonimir Ivisic if he is available. The Celtics need a young big man who can develop behind Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. Ivisic’s shooting touch is rare for a player his size, and in Boston’s system, he could become a valuable rotation piece within two years. If Ivisic is gone, look for them to grab a wing defender like Ryan Dunn from Virginia, who is an elite defender but a project on offense.

Strong Conclusion: The 2026 Draft is a Defining Moment

The 2026 NBA Draft is more than just a selection ceremony; it is a referendum on the future of several franchises. The Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz have a chance to accelerate their rebuilds with transcendent talents in Dybantsa and Peterson. The Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls capitalized on lottery luck to add elite pieces to already intriguing cores. And for the Boston Celtics, the draft represents an opportunity to extend their championship window by adding a young, cost-controlled talent who can contribute immediately or develop into a key role player.

As the summer approaches, expect trades, workouts, and endless debates over these prospects. But one thing is certain: the post-lottery mock draft has set the stage for one of the most exciting draft nights in recent memory. The stars are aligning, and the future of the NBA is about to be written. Stay tuned to NESN for continued coverage as we track these prospects through the pre-draft process.

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Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.