New 2026 NBA Mock Draft Sends Trio of Houston Cougars Stars To Atlanta

The Atlanta Hawks have won 17 of their last 19 games and are playing as well as any team in the NBA, including teams like Oklahoma City and San Antonio. They have surged to No. 5 in the Eastern Conference and have a 1.5 game lead over Toronto and Philadelphia. There are still five games to go, but Atlanta is inching towards a top six seed and a spot in the NBA playoffs.

Atlanta also has the luxury of being able to possibly land a premium draft pick in a deep 2026 NBA draft class. Atlanta made a savy draft night trade last summer with New Orleans and landed their unprotected 2026 first round pick that is the most favorable of the Pelicans and Milwaukee's first rounder. Currently, New Orleans sits at 7th in the odds and the Bucks are 10th.

The Hawks are in the enviable position of being a playoff team while possibly adding an elite talent through the draft. The draft lottery is going to be a huge night for this franchise.

Atlanta also has the Cleveland Cavaliers first round selection courtesy of the De'Andre Hunter trade and a second rounder courtesy of the Boston Celtics.

In the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, he has the Hawks selecting not one, not two, but three players who starred on the Houston Cougars this past season:

7. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Kingston Flemings (Houston)
Position: PG | Size: 6'4", 190 lbs | Age: 19
Pro Comp: De'Aaron Fox

24. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston)
Position: PF | Size: 6'11", 240 lbs | Age: 18
Pro Comp: Bobby Portis

57. Atlanta Hawks (via Celtics): Joseph Tugler (Houston)
Position: PF | Size: 6'8", 230 lbs | Age: 20
Pro Comp: Andre Roberson

Would this be a good haul?

Kingston Flemings Houston Cougar — Mar 21, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) drives to the hoop past Texas A&M Aggies guard Ali Dibba (6) during the second half of a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

While it would be odd to see a franchise select three players from the same school, all three of these players do fit on the Hawks.

Let's start with Flemings. He is a dynamic point guard who is going to be a very good player on both ends of the floor. Atlanta does have Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels, but CJ McCollum is a free agent (who could be brought back) and other guards on the Hawks such as Gabe Vincent and Keaton Wallace are on expiring contracts. Even if McCollum is brought back, Atlanta needs to add to its guard room and Flemings would be a very good future point guard for Atlanta.

Cenac Jr is not the type of big the Hawks need on the defensive end, but his offensive game and ability to stretch the floor could make him a useful backup center down the line, but I think Atlanta is going to look for more of a shot blocker than a player like Cenac Jr, but he is a talented player and would be a solid pick. The Hawks will still have Onyeka Okongwu, but Jock Landale is a free agent and Mouhamed Gueye is viewed as more of a four than a five.

Tugler could be useful from day one due to his defensive abilities. You can never have enough defensive wings, and if he can find any semblance of an offensive game, that could be a steal in the draft.