Mock draft: Lopez, Daniels dash into 2026 Top 10

• ‍Karim Lopez and Dash Daniels among top talents for 2026 draft
• Four players in contention for No. 1 pick with elite potential
• Class features strong top talent but questions remain about overall depth

Two NBL Next Stars are now projected to go in the top 10 of the 2026 NBA Draft.

ESPN Draft expert Jonathon Givony has Karim Lopez, 17, going at No.6 to the Brooklyn Nets and Dash Daniels, 17, heading to the Portland Trail Blazers at No.9.

"Lopez had an outstanding season with the New Zealand Breakers as part of the NBL Next Stars program, filling up the stat sheet while showing significant improvement with his outside shooting,” Givony said.

"At 6-foot-9, he has guard skills, the physicality and intensity needed to put a body on big men, and an excellent motor and feel for the game.

"Scouts are excited to see what kind of progress he can make in his second season in the Australian league."

At No.9 in the Mock Draft is fellow Next Star Dash Daniels, the younger brother of NBA Steals Leader Dyson at the Atlanta Hawks.

The Melbourne United homegrown guard will likely be one of the youngest players in the ’26 Draft class, not turning 18 until December this year; as Givony highlights, it may be hard to project exactly how he will progress during his time in the NBL.

“The 17-year-old brings many of the same strengths and weaknesses as his brother Dyson, but is bigger, stronger and longer at the same age, which certainly won't hurt his NBA projection," he said.

"He's an outstanding defender who is somewhat of a work in progress as a ball handler, shooter and overall scorer, but has a strong feel for the game, pace and unselfishness, with significant long-term upside to tap into.” says Givony.

For now, Lopez and Daniels have separated themselves as early international favourites, but in a class as talented at the top, the race for for the first pick in the draft — still 16 months away — remains wide open.