NBA mock draft: Will Indiana Pacers pick Cameron Boozer, A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson in 2026 NBA Draft?
The injury-ravaged Indiana Pacers are off to a rough start. Their 1-9 record through Nov. 9 (tied for the worst in franchise history) is tied for the NBA’s worst with the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards.
It’s far too early to give up on the season (they were 10-15 in 2024-25 and wound up in the last possible game of the season), but it’s never too early to look at who might be available in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The consensus top three NBA prosects — remember, we’re one week into the college basketball season — are (in alphabetical order):
Another caveat: The NBA team with the worst regular-season record has wound up with the No. 1 draft pick just five times since the draft lottery was created in 1985. The last time the team with the worst record picked first was in 2019.
NBA mock draft 2026: Who will Pacers pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports: Pacers pick 4th, select Nate Ament from Tennessee
“Ament isn’t nearly as polished as the top three, but if everything goes right, his long-term ceiling could be comparable. In other words, he’s not as far along in his development and thus has a wider range of potential outcomes, but he’s an incredibly gifted prospect. He has size, skill, dexterity, fluidity and solid athleticism, and he’s already notably stronger than he was last spring. A huge year could catapult him into the top three, but even without it, he’s a likely lottery candidate.”
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report: Pacers pick 4th, select Koa Peat from Arizona
“Koa Peat will stand out for his 235-pound frame, creation flashes and shot-making from the post and mid-range.
“He could divide scouts, with some likely to buy the tools and polish, and others who may question the translatability of a 6-8 power forward with limited range and a reliance on hitting contested two-point jumpers.
“Peat’s potential to guard wings could be a needle-mover, as he delivered some promising sequences of lateral movement during preseason.”
Ben Pfeifer, Sportscasting: Pacers pick 2nd, selecting Cameron Boozer from Duke
“A season lost to injuries could produce a significant silver lining, as the Pacers add another elite player to a mostly intact NBA Finals core. Boozer’s elite feel for the game, versatile scoring upside and rebounding all fit Indiana’s style. He’s a good enough player today to impact winning at the NBA level and should help a Pacer team contend immediately once Tyrese Haliburton returns to the court in 2026-27.”
No Ceilings: Pacers pick 4th, select Caleb Wilson from North Carolina
“The backslide of the Pacers this season due to Tyrese Haliburton’s injury might end up as a blessing in disguise. Fresh off a Finals run, Indiana lands one of the draft’s biggest upside swings in Caleb Wilson — a 6-10 swing forward who moves like a guard and thrives in controlled chaos. Wilson’s unique blend of length, bounce, and fluidity gives him real mismatch potential. He’s comfortable facing up and hitting faders in the mid-post, using his functional handle to create space and rising up into a jumper that’s tough to contest due to his size and release point. The handle can get loose when he is overtaxed as a creator, but the creation flashes are worth betting on. In transition, Wilson runs the floor like a gazelle, he finishes through contact at the rim, and lives on the glass on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Wilson is a havoc-wreaking event creator. His 7-foot-plus wingspan fuels blocks, strips, and deflections all over the floor, and he covers ground with the kind of ease coaches dream about. Add in sharp, creative connective passing flashes and legitimate rebounding instincts, and you’ve got a Jonathan Isaac meets Tari Eason meets Lamar Odom archetype tailor-made for Indy’s frenetic style. For a team already built to contend, Wilson could be the move that not only keeps the Pacers in the championship conversation for years but ultimately puts them over the top.”
Christopher Kline, FanSided: Pacers pick 8th, selecting Peat
“As the Pacers rebuild their frontcourt, Peat brings another high-IQ scoring and playmaking hub to ease the burden on Tyrese Haliburton and learn first-hand from Pascal Siakam. Feel and NBA-ready strength should give Peat a high floor. The evolution of his 3-point shot will be a huge sticking point for scouts, but Peat should figure it out.”
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
