Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pickin the2025 NBA Draft, hasn't even played a summer league game, and we're turning our attention to the 2026 draft. Yes, it's way too early to look that far ahead. However, a year ago, USA TODAY Sports' way-too-early 2025 mock draft had Flagg going No. 1, Ace Bailey No. 2, Dylan Harper No. 3, VJ Edgecombe No. 4, Tre Johnson No. 6, Nolan Traore No. 7, Khaman Maluach No. 9, Egor Demin No. 10, Noa Essengue No. 12, Drake Powell No. 18, Collin Murray-Boyles No. 19 and Adou Thiero No. 28. Once again, there are talented projected picks in 2026, including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Petterson andCam Boozer, the son of ex-NBA player Carlos Boozer. That's a strong top-3. Here's USA TODAY Sports' way-too-early 2026 NBA mock draft, for the entire first round: Forward, 6-foot-9, 200 pounds Guard, 6-5, 195 Forward, 6-9, 235 Forward, 6-9, 190 Forward, 6-8, 210 Forward, 6-9, 205 Forward-center, 6-10, 230 Forward, 6-9, 230 Guard-forward, 6-5, 215 Guard, 6-2, 175 Guard, 6-6, 199 Guard-forward, 6-5, 199 Forward, 6-6, 175 Guard, 6-3, 172 Guard, 6-4, 190 Guard, 6-4, 180 Guard-forward, 6-8, 190 Forward, 6-8, 235 Forward-center, 6-11, 230 Forward, 6-9, 240 Guard, 6-3, 190 Guard, 6-6, 180 Forward, 6-10, 231 Guard, 6-2, 180 Guard, 6-0, 190 Forward, 6-10, 205 Guard-forward, 6-6, 203 Forward, 6-9, 225 Forward, 6-9, 215 Forward, 6-6, 220 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NBA mock draft: Way-too-early projections for next year's draft
