- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,169,878
- Reaction score
- 59
Koa Peat's decision to remain in the 2026 NBA Draft was criticized by some NBA analysts and writers.
Did the Arizona big man make the right choice to leave the Wildcats after his freshman season?
We could find out soon with the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, June 23.
Where could Peat, who averaged 14.1 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game in his freshman season with the Wildcats, go?
Check out the latest NBA draft projections for Peat in 2026 NBA mock drafts, projections that have him going as high as No. 20 overall.
Duane Rankin has the Arizona product going between Isaiah Evans and Jayden Quaintance.
Jordan Mendoza writes: "It's obvious Peat comes from a football family because his athleticism is among the best in the country. He can be physical and bully his way to any spot on the court, something Los Angeles needs with Luka Doncic back and an aging LeBron James. He definitely needs to work on his outside shot, but the physical traits give him a good starting point to succeed in the association.
Related: Koa Peat's NBA Draft 2026 decision questioned as 'huge mistake'
Cameron Salerno writes: "The biggest need for the Spurs heading into the offseason is finding a true 4 to play next to Victor Wembanyama. Peat would make sense in that regard. Although his jumper is a work in progress, he would be a great culture fit with the Spurs. Peat has been a winner at almost every stop in his basketball journey, which is exactly what San Antonio should be targeting."
Jeremy Woo writes: "Peat did not earn a green room invitation, but he still seems to have a good deal of interest in the 20s. Concerns around his shooting mechanics have been a primary issue since the combine. His physicality and defensive versatility might appeal to a team like Denver, which has been able to creatively fit different skill sets around Nikola Jokic and needs to get more athletic along the front line."
Read more: Koa Peat talks NBA draft, Arizona's historic season, Perry High legacy
Kevin O'Connor writes: "Congratulations to Knicks fans for winning the championship! Mitchell Robinson grabbed a clutch offensive rebound in the closing moments of the game, but he’s a free agent this offseason so the Knicks may need to replace him. Peat's bloodline is so loaded with offensive linemen that it's almost funny he ended up playing basketball. His father played nine NFL seasons. His uncle was a Pro Bowl tackle. Two brothers played college ball on the line. And you can absolutely see it in how he plays: powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona's best players all year on its way to the Final Four. Since Peat can’t shoot yet, it’ll be important that he’s paired with a floor-spacing center like Karl-Anthony Towns. Or he could serve as a small-ball center in switchable lineups. So even though Peat entered the year with top-10 hopes, it might be a blessing in disguise for him to fall to the end of the first round."
It writes: "The Sixers are in the unique situation of having a dominant center who likes to score near the rim sometimes and doesn’t have an appetite for the grittier work in the paint. So I get the sense that they are looking for a convergence of exceptional physicality, the ability to create offense in the paint and near the rim, and skill and versatility at the 4. Luckily, there are a number of candidates who can help them with that at this stage of the draft. Peat has an unusual cross section of lateral quickness and brute strength on the defensive end, and he’s also a pretty terrific passer once he’s caught the ball on the move inside the arc."
More NBA: Arizona Wildcats star plummets in mock drafts for 2026 NBA Draft
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Sign up for azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Koa Peat NBA mock draft projection puts ex-Arizona Wildcat in top 20
Continue reading...
Did the Arizona big man make the right choice to leave the Wildcats after his freshman season?
We could find out soon with the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, June 23.
Where could Peat, who averaged 14.1 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game in his freshman season with the Wildcats, go?
Check out the latest NBA draft projections for Peat in 2026 NBA mock drafts, projections that have him going as high as No. 20 overall.
The Arizona Republic: Koa Peat selected by New York Knicks at No. 24
Duane Rankin has the Arizona product going between Isaiah Evans and Jayden Quaintance.
USA TODAY Sports: Koa Peat picked No. 25 overall by Los Angeles Lakers
Jordan Mendoza writes: "It's obvious Peat comes from a football family because his athleticism is among the best in the country. He can be physical and bully his way to any spot on the court, something Los Angeles needs with Luka Doncic back and an aging LeBron James. He definitely needs to work on his outside shot, but the physical traits give him a good starting point to succeed in the association.
Related: Koa Peat's NBA Draft 2026 decision questioned as 'huge mistake'
CBS Sports: Koa Peat goes to San Antonio Spurs at No. 20
Cameron Salerno writes: "The biggest need for the Spurs heading into the offseason is finding a true 4 to play next to Victor Wembanyama. Peat would make sense in that regard. Although his jumper is a work in progress, he would be a great culture fit with the Spurs. Peat has been a winner at almost every stop in his basketball journey, which is exactly what San Antonio should be targeting."
ESPN: Koa Peat lands with Denver Nuggets with No. 26 pick
Jeremy Woo writes: "Peat did not earn a green room invitation, but he still seems to have a good deal of interest in the 20s. Concerns around his shooting mechanics have been a primary issue since the combine. His physicality and defensive versatility might appeal to a team like Denver, which has been able to creatively fit different skill sets around Nikola Jokic and needs to get more athletic along the front line."
Read more: Koa Peat talks NBA draft, Arizona's historic season, Perry High legacy
Yahoo Sports: Koa Peat drafted by New York Knicks with No. 24 overall pick
Kevin O'Connor writes: "Congratulations to Knicks fans for winning the championship! Mitchell Robinson grabbed a clutch offensive rebound in the closing moments of the game, but he’s a free agent this offseason so the Knicks may need to replace him. Peat's bloodline is so loaded with offensive linemen that it's almost funny he ended up playing basketball. His father played nine NFL seasons. His uncle was a Pro Bowl tackle. Two brothers played college ball on the line. And you can absolutely see it in how he plays: powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona's best players all year on its way to the Final Four. Since Peat can’t shoot yet, it’ll be important that he’s paired with a floor-spacing center like Karl-Anthony Towns. Or he could serve as a small-ball center in switchable lineups. So even though Peat entered the year with top-10 hopes, it might be a blessing in disguise for him to fall to the end of the first round."
The Ringer: Koa Peat projected to be picked by Philadelphia 76ers at No. 22 overall
It writes: "The Sixers are in the unique situation of having a dominant center who likes to score near the rim sometimes and doesn’t have an appetite for the grittier work in the paint. So I get the sense that they are looking for a convergence of exceptional physicality, the ability to create offense in the paint and near the rim, and skill and versatility at the 4. Luckily, there are a number of candidates who can help them with that at this stage of the draft. Peat has an unusual cross section of lateral quickness and brute strength on the defensive end, and he’s also a pretty terrific passer once he’s caught the ball on the move inside the arc."
More NBA: Arizona Wildcats star plummets in mock drafts for 2026 NBA Draft
You must be registered for see images
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Sign up for azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Koa Peat NBA mock draft projection puts ex-Arizona Wildcat in top 20
Continue reading...
