Curveballs Could be Thrown in 2026 NBA Draft’s Top

The 2026 NBA Draft was supposed to be simple. AJ Dybantsa to Washington, Darryn Peterson to Utah, Cameron Boozer to Memphis, Caleb Wilson to Chicago. The lottery confirmed the order; the mock drafts followed. Everything looked set.

But as draft night approaches, the consensus is starting to crack — and that could reshape the future of multiple franchises, including one in Florida.

## The Locked-In Four — For Now

Let's start with what we know. The top four prospects in this class have been identified for over a year:

- **AJ Dybantsa** — The 1A-type scorer who's been the projected No. 1 pick since high school. A dynamic wing who can create his own shot and carry an offense. - **Darryn Peterson** — A two-way guard out of Kansas whose season was derailed by injury but whose ceiling remains as high as anyone in the class. Before the injury, many evaluators considered him the best player available. - **Cameron Boozer** — Statistically the most dominant 18-year-old in college basketball history. 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals per game. Led his team to the Elite Eight. The complete package. - **Caleb Wilson** — The North Carolina forward who solidified his top-four status through a strong college season. Long, versatile, and improving rapidly.

The lottery confirmed the order: Washington No. 1, Utah No. 2, Memphis No. 3, Chicago No. 4. The pairings seemed natural. But "seemed" is the operative word.

## Why Washington Might Not Take Dybantsa

The Wizards hold the top pick, and Dybantsa remains the favorite. But two factors could push them in a different direction.

First, the Wizards already have a scoring-oriented young core. Adding another high-usage wing might not address their biggest needs. Second, both Peterson and Boozer offer compelling alternatives. Peterson, when healthy, is arguably the best two-way player in the draft. And Boozer's statistical profile is so dominant that analytically-minded front offices — and Washington's front office has leaned analytical — would have him at the top of their boards.

The difference between taking Dybantsa and Boozer isn't just about preference. It's about team construction. Dybantsa and Alex Sarr (the Wizards' 2025 pick) could form an exciting duo, but Boozer alongside Sarr would give Washington the most versatile frontcourt in the league almost overnight.

## The Utah Complication

If Washington goes with Dybantsa as expected, Utah picks second. And here's where things get interesting: Cameron Boozer's father, Carlos Boozer, has deep connections to the Jazz organization. That family link creates both opportunity and awkwardness.

Utah has frontcourt options already in Walker Kessler and newly-acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. Drafting Boozer would mean committing to a frontcourt-heavy rebuild, but his production might simply be too good to pass up. On the other hand, Peterson fits a more traditional backcourt need and gives Utah the two-way guard every contender needs.

The Jazz could go either way — and that's before you factor in the possibility of a trade.

## Memphis and Chicago: The Safest Picks

At No. 3 and No. 4, Memphis and Chicago likely get whichever two of the top four fall to them. Boozer to Memphis makes too much sense to overthink — he'd complement Ja Morant's scoring with interior dominance and rebounding. Wilson to Chicago gives the Bulls a long, athletic forward who can grow alongside their young core.

These two picks feel the most stable, but they depend entirely on what Washington and Utah do with the first two selections.

## What This Means For You

**If you're a Magic fan in Orlando:** Florida's NBA team picks later in the first round, but the top-four dominoes will reshape the entire Eastern Conference landscape. Keep an eye on whether Chicago takes Wilson — that's a division rival getting significantly better.

**If you're a bettor:** Draft position prop bets are already live. The value might be in the "not Dybantsa at No. 1" market. If Washington's front office leans analytical, Boozer could be the pick.

**If you're a casual fan:** This is one of the deepest top-four groups in recent draft history. Every player has legitimate All-Star potential. The team that gets the No. 2 or No. 3 pick might end up with the best player in the draft — that's how close the gap is between Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer.

Draft night is June 25. Expect the unexpected.