AJ Dybantsa To Nets? Mock Draft Bombshell

Merlin sees the NBA draft scramble reshaping itself after a Tankathon lottery simulation produced a surprising order, stirring fits-and-misses talk around the top prospects. The mock pins Victor Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer as a clear top tier, with team-by-team fits driving choices — Utah coveting Peterson’s two-way guard play, Brooklyn desperate enough to snap up Dybantsa, and Dallas dreaming of a Duke pipeline reunion. The draft’s middle slots brim with intriguing gambles, from ACL-recovery risks to safe floor generals. Merlin notes the storylines that will bend draft night: Dybantsa’s lofty comparisons — "He sees himself as something of a Tracy McGrady clone" — and the comfort of players labeled "the safest" for needy rosters. Expect workouts and team meetings to flip mock boards again as clubs balance upside, fit, and health.