5. Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana) - Keaton Wagler
- 2025-26 stats (Illinois): 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 4.2 apg
The first four players taken feel like a sure bet, with the Clippers having several options. Since Darius Garland is the lead guard for the future, the top perimeter player that fits beside him is Wagler, a scoring guard with size who shoots the ball at a high clip. He’s a capable combo guard with as high a ceiling as any outside of the top tier.
6. Brooklyn Nets - Darius Acuff
- 2025-26 stats (Arkansas): 23.5 ppg and 6.4 apg
Acuff is the top-scoring guard in the draft, including a 49-point game in double overtime against Alabama. Brooklyn has little scoring on its roster outside of Michael Porter Jr., who could be a trade candidate this offseason. While he’s just 6’3, Acuff would be a good backcourt fit next to the 6’8 guard Egor Demin, last year’s top-10 pick for the Nets.
7. Sacramento Kings - Mikel Brown
- 2025-26 stats (Louisville): 18.2 ppg and 4.7 apg
Brown dealt with injuries in his only year at Louisville, but he did have some big outings, including a 45-point game against NC State. Sacramento is in a complete rebuild in its own right, and Brown is a lead guard a franchise can build around for the future, replacing the already gone DeAaron Fox.
8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans) - Kingston Flemings
- 2025-26 stats (Houston): 16.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and 5.2 apg
Flemings was one of the biggest surprise freshmen in college basketball, leading Houston to over 30 wins. He’s a quality shooter and strong defender who can have an immediate impact on Atlanta. With Jalen Johnson running the offense on the wings, Flemings can be brought along slowly for them.
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