As anticipation builds for the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, ESPN's Jeremy Woo has made noteworthy adjustments in his latest mock draft, showcasing potential shifts that could reshape the future of several franchises. The draft, scheduled for May 10, is crucial for teams looking to secure top-tier talent and Hoping to change their fortunes, particularly for the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets.

Projected Top 10 Picks

In this new projection, Woo has AJ Dybantsa emerging as the consensus No. 1 overall pick, destined for the Washington Wizards. Following closely behind is Darryn Peterson, tipped to land with the Indiana Pacers, and Cameron Boozer, who is projected to join the Brooklyn Nets. Here are the complete top 10 picks as outlined in Woo's latest mock:

1. AJ Dybantsa - Washington Wizards
2. Darryn Peterson - Indiana Pacers
3. Cameron Boozer - Brooklyn Nets
4. Caleb Wilson - (team not specified)
5. Darius Acuff Jr. - Sacramento Kings
6. Kingston Flemings - Atlanta Hawks
7. Braylon Mullins - (team not specified)
8. Yaxel Lendeborg - Oklahoma City Thunder
9. (Other picks)

Woo’s previous mock draft, released on March 11, featured a slightly altered order for the top three picks, with Peterson leading Dybantsa at that time. The consistency of Caleb Wilson remaining at No. 4 indicates the strong confidence in his skill set and projected fit with prospective teams.

Darius Acuff Jr.'s Rise

Notable among the changes is the rapid ascent of Darius Acuff Jr., who has jumped two spots to land at No. 5 with the Sacramento Kings. Acuff has made headlines recently after an impressive March, in which his performance at Arkansas captivated scouts and decision-makers alike. Averaging 29.8 points per game, with a 45.0% shooting rate from beyond the arc, along with 6.5 assists and 1.2 steals, Acuff has proven to be a dynamic presence on the court. His performance through the SEC tournament and into the Sweet 16 illuminated his ability to create scoring opportunities and manage games effectively.

Analyst Jonathan Wasserman has noted a distinct shift in perception regarding Acuff as the season progressed, attributing it to his diverse offensive skill set and impressive playmaking ability, which have mitigated concerns over his physical size and potential defensive deficiencies.

Adjustments for Kingston Flemings

On the other hand, Kingston Flemings, a guard out of Houston, has seen a slight decrease in his draft positioning, dropping two spots to No. 7, where he is now expected to go to the Atlanta Hawks. Despite being a promising prospect, Flemings had a more inconsistent performance during tournament play, where he was unable to reach double digits in three of six appearances, raising questions about his readiness for the professional level. He struggled with an average of 11 points and was shooting at or below 40% in those games, leading to a reassessment of his current standing among draft prospects.

Braylon Mullins' Return

A surprising twist in the lead-up to the draft was Braylon Mullins' announcement that he will return to Connecticut for his sophomore season. Initially projected as a potential late-lottery pick at No. 13, Mullins' withdrawal from the draft opens the door for other players, notably Yaxel Lendeborg. After a strong performance in March, Lendeborg is projected to break into the lottery for the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 12, showcasing his rising stock among NBA scouts.

Looking Ahead to the Draft Lottery

The draft lottery on May 10 is set to play a pivotal role in determining the future direction of several franchises. The Wizards, Pacers, and Nets currently hold the best odds at 14% for the coveted No. 1 overall selection, a position that could significantly impact their long-term prospects. The Wizards ended the season with the league's worst record at 17-65, and history reminds us that the last time a team with the worst record won the lottery was in 2018 when the Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton.

The stakes are high as teams prepare to make critical choices that could redefine their franchises for years to come. With changes across various mock drafts, the pressure mounts on executives and scouts to evaluate talent accurately ahead of the big night in May.