Keaton Wagler to Clippers at #5: Microsoft Copilot's First True Shock of the Draft

Alright, fam, listen up! We're still a solid month out from the 2026 NBA Draft, and you know every single media outlet is churning out mock drafts left and right. Everyone's got an opinion on who should go where, but USA Today just dropped something wild on us. They went and used Microsoft Copilot AI to generate their latest mock draft. Yeah, you heard that right, a computer's doing the picking. No bias, no hot takes, just what the AI says. And let me tell you, it threw out a top-five name that's got me scratching my head in the best way.

AI Takes Over the Draft Board

So, here's the deal: USA Today tapped into Microsoft Copilot AI to try and give us the cleanest, most unbiased look at the 2026 NBA Draft. The idea is awesome, right? No personal agendas, just pure data crunching. But even AI isn't perfect, apparently. USA Today actually noted that the system needed extra prompts, like, a bunch of them, just to get the picks in the right order. Imagine having to tell an AI, "No, put the actual top pick first!" Wild. Still, this AI-generated list is out there now, compared to ten other national website mocks, and it definitely has some… unique choices.

The Top Dogs and the Big Surprise

Let's dive into the top of this AI-powered draft. Kicking things off at number one, we've got AJ Dybantsa heading to the Washington Wizards. The BYU star is a scoring machine, leading the country with 25.5 points per game and pulling down 6.8 rebounds. Everyone's been calling him a generational talent for years, and Copilot agrees, saying the Wizards need his "primary offensive upside" as a "high-usage, shot-creating wing." Then at number two, the Utah Jazz grab Darryn Peterson out of Kansas. Another "generational talent," though he had some controversial moments in college, battling cramping issues that even benched him for games. But when he was healthy, Peterson averaged 20.2 points and totally took over. The AI says Utah needs a "perimeter creator" to go with their interior depth. Cameron Boozer, son of Carlos, lands at number three with the Memphis Grizzlies. This Duke standout dominated, putting up 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Copilot sees him as a "halfcourt offensive stabilizer" for Memphis. The Chicago Bulls get Caleb Wilson from North Carolina at number four. Despite a rough year for UNC, Wilson shone with 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds, even though a broken hand ended his season after February 10. The AI notes Chicago's need for "frontcourt athleticism and defensive versatility." But the real jaw-dropper? The Los Angeles Clippers grabbing Keaton Wagler at number five. This is the first *true shock* from the AI's mock, according to the article. Wagler, out of Illinois, was apparently overlooked in recruiting, but Brad Underwood clearly saw something. The dude put up 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He went from a virtual unknown to a top-10 pick in just one year. Copilot views him as a "developmental piece" who can grow into a bigger offensive role without needing to carry the load right away. Darius Acuff Jr. from Arkansas is slated for the Brooklyn Nets at number six, a guy who averaged 23.5 points and was the country's third-leading scorer. He was even in the Player of the Year conversation! And then Kingston Flemings from Houston comes in at number seven for the Sacramento Kings, with some mocks even seeing him go higher.

What's Next?

So, what does this all mean? The AI has spoken, and it's given us some clear favorites and one massive head-scratcher. It's wild to think a computer is predicting the future of these NBA teams. These picks, especially that Wagler one, show us that come draft night, anything can happen. We're still a month out, but this AI mock has definitely added some spice to the conversation. Who do you think these guys will be? Can Wagler really surprise everyone? Only time, and maybe more AI, will tell!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.