The Atlanta Hawks are projected to select Brayden Burries at No. 8 in a 2026 NBA mock draft from former Grizzlies VP John Hollinger of The Athletic.
The Atlanta Hawks are projected to select Brayden Burries with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, according to a mock draft published Monday by The Athletic.
The Arizona guard was tabbed for the Hawks by The Athletic's John Hollinger as the highest-quality prospect available when Atlanta picks. The publication's mock has Keaton Wagler (Illinois) at No. 5 to the LA Clippers, Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) at No. 6 to the Brooklyn Nets, and Kingston Flemings (Houston) at No. 7 to the Sacramento Kings, leaving Burries as the top remaining guard when the Hawks are on the clock.
Hollinger described Burries as a high-level shooter and off-ball playmaker with the upside of becoming a Bradley Beal-type weapon.
The Hawks landed the No. 8 pick after Sunday's NBA Draft lottery. The Washington Wizards (No. 1), Utah Jazz (No. 2), and Memphis Grizzlies (No. 3) hold the top three picks. AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), and Cameron Boozer (Duke) are the projected top three selections in The Athletic's mock.
Caleb Wilson (North Carolina) is The Athletic's projection for the Chicago Bulls at No. 4. The Dallas Mavericks, picking right after Atlanta at No. 9, are projected to take Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville).
Hollinger acknowledged that 7-foot-3 Aday Mara would address Atlanta's size shortage but said Burries remained "the highest-quality prospect left for a franchise that insists it's still building."
The Athletic projects Labaron Philon Jr. (Alabama) to the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 10, with the Bucks awaiting clarity on Giannis Antetokounmpo's future. Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), who averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds last season, is projected to the Golden State Warriors at No. 11. The Oklahoma City Thunder are tabbed for Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky) at No. 12, despite Quaintance's college season being limited by recovery from an ACL injury. Cameron Carr (Baylor) is the publication's projection for the Miami Heat at No. 13, and Hannes Steinbach (Washington) is projected to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 14.
The 2026 draft class has been described as a strong one. The Athletic's mock includes projections from multiple staff members across the top 14 picks. Sam Vecenie, the publication's lead NBA Draft expert, published his own separate projection ahead of the lottery.
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft will be held on June 23, with the second round taking place the following night.
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