According to Brett Siegel’s latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft 3.5 on ClutchPoints, six hypothetical blockbuster trades could dramatically reshape a historic first round. While the top four selections, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, are projected to remain unchanged, a significant domino effect is expected further down the board.
Siegel outlines a major trade that would send superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in exchange for a package that includes Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and the No. 13 overall pick. The Milwaukee Bucks would then use the pick they acquired from Miami to select Washington freshman Hannes Steinbach, bolstering their depleted frontcourt.
In addition to the ongoing speculation surrounding South Beach, league insider Jake Fischer reports that the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are increasingly interested in exploring their own draft trades. Although the reigning champion Celtics are frequently mentioned as wild-card contenders in various Antetokounmpo trade scenarios, sources within the front office indicate that both Boston and Denver are focused on moving up the draft board.
With the No. 27 and No. 26 picks, respectively, both teams are aggressively searching for opportunities to draft premium young talent rather than remaining at the end of the first round.
This widespread maneuvering across the league coincides with Milwaukee’s aggressive strategy, suggesting that an Antetokounmpo trade is imminent. Fischer notes that the Bucks are communicating to rival teams and agents that they aim to secure as many as three first-round picks in this draft class, two more than their current single-pick asset pool.
To accomplish this goal, Milwaukee expects to acquire Miami’s No. 13 pick through the Giannis trade while actively pursuing an additional first-round pick to accelerate its impending roster rebuild.
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