Basketball experts are pinning down their mock selections over a month away from the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23-24.
This draft class anticipates having among the best crop of talent to enter the league with players such as AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson and Darryn Peterson.
TheGolden State Warriorshave to decide whether to will draft a prospect or trade their No. 11 pick.
Despite being heavy buyers in the trade market, the consensus is that Golden State will retain their pick and lean into scouting for the right piece. Head coach Steve Kerr looks forward to that selection and believes developing that pick will be a "huge factor" in their 2026-27 season.
"I think we're in a different place now. Right, there's no question. And I've talked to Mike (Dunleavy, the Warriors GM), I mean, I don't know the draft, but he feels really strongly that we're going to get a good player. It could be a 19 year old, it could be someone older,"Kerr told reporters.
The Warriors have been linked to a number of players, such as Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg, Arizona guard Brayden Burries and Michigan center Aday Mara.
USA TODAY Sports' Bryan Kalbroskypredicts Karim López going to the Warriors as the first-ever Mexican-born NBA draft selection. Kalbrosky described Lopez as "physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas."
"He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and 38-inch max vertical," Kalbrosky wrote.
Whoever is brought in, Kerr emphasized the Warriors' commitment to that players' development.
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"It's obvious where we are with the injuries toMoses (Moody) andJimmy (Butler), you look at our depth on the wings, that guy has to play, and he's got to earn it, you know, but we're committed to absolutely, you know, the development of our young players," Kerr said. "(We're) trying to do this thing in a way that allows for success down the road. Down the road meaning the end of next season and beyond, and we're excited about that."
Here are mock draft predictions from sports experts, specifically for theGolden State Warriors:
Experts' share Golden State Warriors mock draft selection
USA TODAY Sports: Karim López, New Zealand Breakers, forward
CBS Sports:Aday Mara, Michigan, center
ESPN: Karim López, New Zealand Breakers, forward
Bleacher Report: Brayden Burries, Arizona, shooting guard
NBAdraft.net: Brayden Burries, Arizona, shooting guard
Yahoo Sports: Karim López, New Zealand Breakers, forward
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Golden State Warriors mock draft 2026 first-round predictions
Basketball experts are pinning down their mock selections over a month away from the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23-24. This draft clas...
