Updated June 23, 2026, 7:44 PM EDT By Rohan Nadkarni What to know about the NBA draftThe Washington Wizards have the first pick in the 2026 NBA draft.Round 1 begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.The top four prospects expected to be taken at the start of the draft are AJ Dybantsa from BYU, Darryn Peterson from Kansas, Cameron Boozer from Duke and Caleb Wilson from North Carolina. Just nowPredicting 2026 NBA draft lottery picksKenny Beecham dives into this year's NBA draft lottery, where he runs through his predictions for the first 15 picks.8m ago / 7:36 PM EDTHow do they determine the NBA draft order? The first four picks are determined by a lottery involving the 14 teams that missed the NBA playoffs.The three teams with the worst regular-season records each have a 14% chance of getting the No. 1 pick. The odds decrease for the remaining teams (in propotion to their records).After the top four picks, the remaining 10 lottery teams are slotted in according to their records (meaning that the worst team is guaranteed at least the fifth pick). The remaining 15 picks of the first round are ordered in reverse of the teams’ regular-season records.The 30 picks in the second round are ordered entirely by regular-season records, with the worst team picking 31st and the best picking 60th.14m ago / 7:30 PM EDTCameron Boozer makes it clear he wants to go firstDuke forward Cameron Boozer isn’t seen as a likely option to go first overall to the Wizards. He thinks that’s a mistake.“For me, not being in that conversation, I don’t really understand it,” Boozer said on ESPN during the pre-draft broadcast. “And I think many years down the line, people are gonna look back and say that I should’ve been.” We will find out!22m ago / 7:22 PM EDTProjections for top 10 including Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa “Who does he remind you of?”It’s a common refrain when talking about NBA draft prospects. A player comparison is an easy way for someone unfamiliar with a player to get an idea of his style or potential. It’s also tricky because it’s hard to do accurately.When talking to scouts or front office personnel, they are hesitant to make player comparisons (at least publicly) for two reasons. First, every player is unique and there is no perfect match; it’s always a little flawed. Second, the established player brings baggage to the comparison. In this year’s mix below, Darius Acuff Jr. gets compared in style to Kyrie Irving, but Irving is a Hall of Fame player, which is an unfair burden to put on any player.26m ago / 7:18 PM EDTWhy Burries could fit perfectly with Mavs, FlaggKenny Beecham evaluates several prospect fits for the NBA draft beyond the top names, including Brayden Burries and his enticing potential if drafted by the Dallas Mavericks to join Cooper Flagg and more.29m ago / 7:15 PM EDTTrey Murphy’s name is heating up the rumor millPelicans forward Trey Murphy is a hot name on the trade market at the moment. According to multiple reports, several teams have considered moving a first-round pick for him, including the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers. 43m ago / 7:01 PM EDTJohn Fanta’s 2026 NBA mock draft: Predicting all 30 first-round picks Just one sleep remains before the first round of the 2026 NBA draft in Brooklyn. The 2026 class has been considered one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory, headlined by a quartet of generational one-and-dones as well as explosive guards and elite veteran forwards. With the draft almost here, here are John Fanta’s picks for all 30 first-round selections.49m ago / 6:56 PM EDTComplete list of every first overall pick since 1947 51m ago / 6:53 PM EDTNate Ament is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draftAment, 19, is a 6'10" forward who can handle the ball and is expected to go in the back half of the lottery tonight.He is also one of the more unique prospects in this year’s draft. Growing up, Ament was more of a soccer player until he took up basketball as a teenager, eventually becoming a five-star recruit before playing for Tennessee in college.Ament is also the son of a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. He spoke with NBC News last summer about his unique journey on and off the court. 56m ago / 6:49 PM EDTBest of Peterson’s high-impact season Relive the best moments from Darryn Peterson’s 2025-26 season, where he proved to be an elite scorer for the Kansas Jayhawks, averaging 20.2 points and becoming a highly desired prospect for NBA teams.2h ago / 6:37 PM EDTTrail Blazers hire Minnesota assistant Micah Nori as next head coach After a lengthy, wide-ranging search for their next coach, the Portland Trail Blazers have chosen one of the guys already at the front of the line.Portland has hired longtime Minnesota assistant coach Micah Nori, the Trail Blazers announced.“After an extensive search process, it became clear that Micah embodies the qualities we are looking for in the leader of this franchise,” Portland general manager Joe Cronin said in a statement. 2h ago / 6:35 PM EDTWill Jaylen Brown get moved tonight?The Celtics reportedly offered Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks during their failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is instead headed to the Miami Heat.If Boston has a disgruntled star on its hands, it’s possible Brown is traded as early as tonight, especially with how loaded this draft class is. Perhaps the Celtics use Brown to move into the lottery. 2h ago / 6:31 PM EDTFresh off his historic NBA championship, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson exclusively announces his children’s book “Jalen Plays it All” on "TODAY." The picture book explores the MVP’s journey to stardom and his drive to never give up.2h ago / 6:23 PM EDTNBA Commissioner Adam Silver says Giannis trade signals it was Bucks’ ‘time to rebuild’ From the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the New York Knicks’ first title in 53 years and ongoing conversations surrounding flopping and tanking, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explored several of the association’s top storylines on this morning’s episode of the "Dan Patrick Show."With Anteokounmpo on the move to Miami, Silver reflected on the important ripple effects of blockbuster trades involving superstars.“A certain amount of player movement is good. It creates renewed energy and hope in markets. Even in Milwaukee, there was a sense there it was time to rebuild, and a lot of excitement about Giannis going to Miami.”2h ago / 6:20 PM EDTIt was a weird freshman season for Darryn PetersonPeterson is widely considered one of the two best prospects in tonight’s draft, and many experts have him on the top of their draft board.He had a strange season at Kansas, however, missing significant time and playing limited minutes due to injuries, including a once-mysterious cramping issue. Peterson has since said an increase in his creatine intake was to blame for his cramping problems. But the availability issue may follow him into the league until Peterson can prove he’s found the answer to his problems. 2h ago / 6:02 PM EDTAcuff Jr. to Kings could be ideal NBA draft matchKenny Beecham lays out ideal fits for several top prospects in this year's NBA draft, including Cameron Boozer to the Jazz and Darius Acuff Jr., who may have the draft's most natural potential fit with the Kings.3h ago / 5:34 PM EDTThe 2020s have been good for No. 1 picksThis has been a relatively strong decade for No. 1 picks in the NBA Draft.In 2020, the Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards first, and he’s since led the team to multiple conference finals appearances.In 2021, the Pistons selected Cade Cunningham, who was an All-NBA First Team selection in 2026.In 2022, the Magic selected Paolo Banchero, who earned an All-Star bid in 2024.In 2023, the Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama, who just made the Finals in his third season.In 2025, the Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg, who won Rookie of the Year honors this past season.The only pick lacking in accomplishments so far is Zaccharie Risacher, whom the Hawks took first in 2024. 3h ago / 5:24 PM EDTCould the Heat be a title contender with Giannis?"The Dan Le Batard Show" discusses what realistic postseason expectations are for the Miami Heat now that Giannis Antetokounmpo has joined the team's ranks, and whether his age may make him more injury prone.3h ago / 5:04 PM EDTMavericks announce hiring of Dusty May as coach hours before the start of the NBA draft Dusty May in April. Abbie Parr / AP fileThe Dallas Mavericks officially announced Dusty May as their new coach just a few hours before entering the NBA draft with the ninth pick on Tuesday night.May is making the jump to the NBA less than three months after leading Michigan to its first NCAA championship since 1989. He had a 64-13 record in two years with the Wolverines, including a 34-3 season that ended with a 69-63 victory over UConn in the national title game.The Mavericks made their choice to replace Jason Kidd official on the same day they could select the next young player who would be part of building around 2025 No. 1 pick and reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, who turns 20 in December.Dallas also has the final pick of the first round at No. 30 and the 48th choice in the second round, which will be held Wednesday.“Dusty has won at every stage of his career because of his ability to build,” said new president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, who let Kidd go about two weeks after getting hired by the Mavericks. “He develops players, creates accountability and brings people together around a shared standard of excellence. His work ethic is extraordinary, and his teams consistently reflect his values.”3h ago / 4:59 PM EDTWinners, losers from Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Miami The Miami Heat got their man. Again.Miami was the frontrunner to land Giannis Antetokounmpo going back to the February trade deadline — it was the most persistent suitor then, and it was one of the two teams standing in the end.Milwaukee is trading Antetokounmpo to Miami for four players and three draft picks, but which team won this trade? And who were the losers?3h ago / 4:52 PM EDTBest from Dybantsa’s stellar year at BYU Check out the incredible highlights from AJ Dybantsa’s freshman season that have the BYU star poised to compete for the top pick in the 2026 NBA draft.4h ago / 4:31 PM EDTIs Acuff Jr. a lock at No. 6 overall in NBA draft?Vaughn Dalzell and Drew Dinsick discuss their best bets for Arkansas star Darius Acuff Jr.'s draft position at the 2026 NBA draft, and whether it's more likely he'll go at or after No. 6 overall to the Brooklyn Nets.4h ago / 4:06 PM EDTThe first round order1. Washington2. Utah3. Memphis4. Chicago5. LA Clippers (from Indiana)6. Brooklyn7. Sacramento8. Atlanta (from New Orleans)9. Dallas10. Milwaukee11. Golden State12. Oklahoma City (from the LA Clippers)13. Miami14. Charlotte15. Chicago (from Portland)16. Memphis (from Phoenix via Orlando)17. Oklahoma City (from Philadelphia)18. Charlotte (from Orlando via Phoenix)19. Toronto20. San Antonio (from Atlanta)21. Detroit (from Minnesota)22. Philadelphia (from Houston via Oklahoma City)23. Atlanta (from Cleveland)24. New York25. Los Angeles Lakers26. Denver27. Boston28. Minnesota (from Detroit)29. Cleveland (from San Antonio via Atlanta)30. Dallas (from Oklahoma City via Washington and Philadelphia)4h ago / 4:06 PM EDTTop three picks a toss-up for 2026 NBA draftDan Patrick and Jay Bilas dive into this year's buzzy NBA draft prospects, with Bilas highlighting the impressive depth of quality talent available before reminiscing on favorite draft night memories.4h ago / 4:06 PM EDTFlemings: I'm excited to hoop in the NBAKingston Flemings joins "Numbers on the Board" to share how he's preparing for being drafted into the NBA, watching this year's NBA Finals and more.