The 2026 NBA Draft Class is as deep and talented as any class in at least the last decade. Tonight at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York you will hear names called that will at least pepper if not outright own headlines across the league for years to come. But in what order will these future stars be called? That is the question bettors are asking themselves.
The first four names to be called are expected to be AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson in that order to Washington, Utah, Memphis, and Chicago, respectively. The odds at DraftKings reflect those names in that order.
Odds to be the No. 1 Pick in the NBA Draft
Dybantsa (-700), Peterson (+600), Boozer (+4000), Wilson (+10000)
Odds to be the No. 2 Pick in the NBA Draft
Peterson (-250), Boozer (+330), Dybantsa (+650), Wilson (+5000)
Odds to be the No. 3 Pick in the NBA Draft
Boozer (-260), Peterson (+340), Wilson (+900), Dybantsa (+2800)
Odds to be the No, 4 Pick in the NBA Draft
Wilson (-750), Boozer (+650), Peterson (+2500), Darius Acuff Jr. (+2500)
Peterson has been the lightning rod of the four as his refusal to work out for anyone other than the Wizards has raised more than a few eyebrows especially coming on the heels of the tumultuous season he had at Kansas: flashes of brilliance along with extended inactivity. However, as a point of reference, Ace Bailey refused to work out for the Jazz last Spring and Utah still drafted him. Danny Ainge and the Jazz will draft Peterson if he is available and at the top of their draftboard when their pick is on the clock. But assuming Dybantsa goes first overall, is Peterson next on Utah’s board? As noted above, the books believe he is by margin.
So where does the Draft intrigue really begin? Pick 5 appears to be Keaton Wagler (+155) to the Clippers with Mikel Brown Jr. (+240) and Darius Acuff Jr. (+450) listed next on the odds board.
Here is a trio of plays that might be worth a little pizza money to sweat.
Pick No. 6: Brooklyn Nets
News Flash! The Nets need talent. Five first round picks last year and none landed on an All-NBA Rookie team. Not good. Any or all of those players may yet develop into a key contributor so let’s be optimistic for them and call it a late-blooming draft. Regardless, do they continue to go all in on the highest ceiling in that next tier and draft a Nate Ament (+800)? Or do they take the diminutive Darius Acuff Jr. (+260) who may be more limited long-term, but who can get buckets now as he proved at Arkansas this past March? DraftKings believes they will look to get a little of both and take Mikel Brown Jr. (+170) out of Louisville.
The Nets are leaning into the Knicks’ playbook. Reset the culture with Julius Randle. Next, find a smallish guard with a chip on his shoulder. Sweat Darius Acuff Jr. (+260) as the pick going to Brooklyn.
Pick No. 9: Dallas Mavericks
The news of Dusty May leaving the Michigan Wolverines to join Cooper Flagg in Dallas plays into this selection. May saw firsthand many of the top talents in this year’s draft. He saw none more frequently than Aday Mara (+425) and Morez Johnson Jr. (+650). We will sweat the pick and bank on the fact that May believes the 7’3” Mara will be limited in terms of how many minutes he can offer each night and instead will pivot to his teammate Morez Johnson Jr. (+650). He is rising up draftboards due to the combination of his size and athleticism. No doubt he and Flagg could run the pick and roll for a decade in Dallas.
Pick No. 24: New York Knicks
Its always fun to prognosticate about the defending champs no matter the year. Are they all in on defending their title or do they have cap issues to contend with? Specific to this year’s champs, Jalen Brunson taking less money to help get the Big Apple its first chip since 1973 worked and it will help this offseason as well as the longest-tenured Knick, Mitchell Robinson, is a free agent. The oft-injured big is a favorite in the locker room but what is his actual value? Is he healthy enough often enough to afford giving him a bump in salary? At a minimum they need to groom someone who can fill in for Mitchell even if they resign him knowing the next injury is moments away. The fervor for the Knicks in Manhattan continues to build with the selection of Zuby Ejiofor (+425) at No. 24. The former St. John’s captain fits the makeup of the Knicks perfectly and fills a need.
Should news leak from front offices today, there may be other opportunities in the market. Regardless, enjoy the NBA Draft and enjoy the sweat.
