The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft takes place this Tuesday, and one of the major questions is where Mexican player Karim López—the standout international prospect of this generation—will be selected and where he will play.
NBA Draft experts, such as Jeremy Woo, predict that López will be a lottery pick—meaning he will be among the top 14 selections.
The forward, born in Hermosillo, Sonora, would be the first Mexican player in history to reach the NBA as a first-round pick; consequently, the prospect of seeing him join a title contender or a team with a winning project has Mexican basketball fans excited.
López, a member of the Mexican national team who shined with the New Zealand Breakers (playing in the professional league spanning Australia and New Zealand), worked out for six different teams and revealed that he felt most comfortable with the Dallas Mavericks.
TEAMS KARIM LÓPEZ COULD JOIN
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are another team López has worked out for, and his arrival could fill a need at the small forward or power forward position. Furthermore, the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo opens the door for the Mexican player.
Golden State Warriors
López possesses a strong three-point and mid-range shot—skills essential to the philosophy of the team led by Steve Kerr. Additionally, many experts project him landing with this franchise.
Miami Heat
Following the departure of Jaime Jáquez Jr., the Heat could fill that void with a fellow Mexican like Karim. Miami needs a forward, and López fits that role perfectly.
