Around this time of year you see many media outlets and sports websites post their “way too early” mock drafts. Not here!
At NBA Draft Room it’s never too early to look ahead at future draft prospects, and, this time of year just after the previous draft is finished, is the perfect time to look ahead at next year’s crop of talent.
As has been noted ad nauseam, the 2027 NBA draft is expected to be significantly weaker than this year’s class. The main culprit of this is a weak incoming freshmen class. The group of international talents is pretty strong and the upperclassmen depth is fantastic. There’s just not elite talent at the top.
One way to think about how weak next year’s class is is this: If Hannes Steinbach had returned to school I might have him mocked no.1 overall next year, or at least in the top 3 or 4. He was just drafted no.14 in this draft.
Suffice it to say there are many players drafted in 2026 that would have been the top overall pick if they had opted to enter the 2027 draft instead.
But with all that trash talking out of the way, I will say this. There is a ton of depth in next year’s class. The top of the draft looks really weak but the depth of talent extends well into the second round (depending of course on which players declare next year).
I really think the only thing missing from next year’s class is a few star players at the top. Could a few emerge over the next year? Sure. But I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for a Cooper Flagg level player, let alone a Wemby or a LeBron.
As of this writing here’s how I would mock the 2027 lottery:
| 1-2 | Player | Updated 6/25/26 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kings | Jordan Smith Jr. | SG – Arkansas – HT: 6-2 – WT: 200 – WING: NA – C’26 – A strong, compact guard who is a great defender and a natural scorer. Will have to develop his lead guard skills but has a great first step and can explode into the lane where he uses his power and athleticism to get to the rim. Has become a complete guard and taken his game to a new level. I think he has some hidden superstar potential. PLAYER COMP: Eric Bledsoe+, Donovan Mitchell |
| 2 Rockets (Nets) | Tyran Stokes | SF – Kansas – HT: 6-7 – WT: 245 – WING: NA – C’26 – Stokes is a powerhouse of a wing athlete who can really get off the floor for a player his size and has good ball skills. He’s an aggressive driver, a nightmare to stop in transition and is developing his perimeter game. He’s got an alpha dog mentality and is a fierce competitor on the court. |
| 3 Wizards | Stefan Joksimovic | SF – Slovenia – HT: 6-7 – WT: NA – WING: NA – Int.08 – A highly skilled wing who is one of the top prospects in the 2008 generation. Can run the show on the offensive end and score in bunches. Is really making a name for himself and looking like an elite talent. |
| 4 Grizzlies | Bruce Branch | SF – BYU – HT: 6-7 – WT: 190 – WING: NA – C’26 – A big time talent who can score from inside and out. Has a silky-smooth jumper and a great release. The sky is the limit. Re-classed to join the 2026 recruiting class. |
| 5 Grizzlies (Jazz) | Braylon Mullins | SG – UConn – HT: 6-6 – WT: 196 – WING: NA – Fr – One of the best outside shooters in the class with a clear NBA level jumper Mullins can warp the defense, even when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. Is a great mover off the ball and is always hunting his shot. Draft Decision: Stay Or Go? PLAYER COMP: Buddy Hield+, Kevin Huerter, Klay |
| 6 Pelicans | Caleb Holt | SG – Arizona – HT: 6-5 – WT: NA – WING: NA – C’26 – An impressive athlete and great above the rim player who brings it on both ends. Has a developing perimeter game and plenty of upside to grow into. A true competitor on the floor. |
| 7 Bucks | Thomas Haugh | PF – Florida – HT: 6-9 – WT: 210 – WING: NA – Jr – A versatile combo-forward who can hit the open shot and brings a ton of energy on both ends. Isn’t a first option offensive player but does all of the dirty work well and is a force on the court with his size, athleticism and hustle. PLAYER COMP: Keegan Murray |
| 8 Bulls | Luigi Suigo | C – Villanova (Italy) – HT: 7-4 – WT: 289 – WING: NA – Fr – A possible first rounder in 2026, Suigo chose to join the Villanova Wildcats and should be an instant impact player. He’s an awesome talent with rare size and big time upside. |
| 9 Hornets (Mavs) | Motiejus Krivas | C – Arizona (Lithuania) – HT: 7-2 – WT: 260 – WING: NA – Jr – A rock solid center who rebounds the ball and defends in the lane at a very high level. Skilled with the ball but lacking top end athleticism. PLAYER COMP: Mason Plumlee+ |
| 10 Spurs (Hawks) | Cameron Williams | PF – Duke – HT: 6-11 – WT: 200 – WING: NA – C-26 – A lean and mobile big man with really solid ball skills and a lot of athletic pop. Loves to face-up and get to the rim. Is just starting to show how good he can be and has elite upside to grow into. |
| 11 Hornets | Alijah Arenas | SG – USC – HT: 6-6 – WT: 200 – WING: NA – Fr – A natural born scorer, the son of Gilbert is a high upside guard with lottery potential. He’s a long and wiry athlete who plays above the rim and has all the tools to be a big time NBA guard. After missing time with an injury he’s coming on strong and showing why he was ranked as one of the top recruits in his class. |
| 12 Blazers | Sayon Keita | C – North Carolina (Mali) – HT: 7-0 – WT: 215 – WING: NA – Int.08 – An impressive athlete with great natural tools and upside. Does everything you want from a center including rebounding the heck out of the ball and defending in the paint. |
| 13 Magic | Hugo Yimga Moukouri | SF – France – HT: 6-8 – WT: NA – WING: NA – Int.08 – A big time athlete with impressive strength and agility. Can score inside and out. Is probably more of a high-end role player than a first option type of player. |
| 14 Raptors | Cameron Houindo | PF – France – HT: 6-10 – WT: 243 – WING: NA – Int.08 – A wildly athletic forward who is a constant threat to put defenders on a poster. Has great strength and elite bounce and is a force going to the rim. PLAYER COMP: Brandon Clarke+ |
Check Out The Full Mock Draft Here
Stay tuned throughout the summer and this coming season for lots of updates on the 2027 draft class and plenty of looks farther ahead to 2028 and beyond.
Thanks for reading!