The 2026 NBA Draft's late first round could see considerable activity on draft night, with scouts viewing picks outside the top 10 as far less attractive and several teams expected to consolidate or move out of those selections, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
"I do think you will see some significant trading within the draft and draft night itself," said Windhorst. "I believe picks in the teens and twenties will see maneuvering. I don't think you'll see much maneuvering in the top-10. You may hear about maneuvering in the top-10, but I don't think you'll see much maneuvering."
The New York Knicks, who hold both the No. 24 and No. 31 picks, are among the teams Windhorst identified as likely candidates to trade out of their late first-round slot.
The Washington Wizards own the first overall selection and have not yet indicated whether they intend to draft AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson. The top-four of Dybantsa, Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson has been well established even if the exact order remains undecided.








