2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

UNC vs Duke will be important watching. Wilson vs Boozer.  

Wilson keeps producing like he should be in the grouping with the consensus top 3.  


https://x.com/espn/status/2006185466765140200

[Dirknows]

Give me Braylon Mullins.

[windjc]

UNC vs Duke will be important watching. Wilson vs Boozer.  

Wilson keeps producing like he should be in the grouping with the consensus top 3.  


https://x.com/espn/status/2006185466765140200

I am a Tarheel fan and Wilson isn't a top 3 pick. He probably isn't a game changer in the future either. 

I'd take him a decent high motor roster guy around Flagg if I had to.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I am a Tarheel fan and Wilson isn't a top 3 pick. He probably isn't a game changer in the future either. 

I'd take him a decent high motor roster guy around Flagg if I had to.

That's your opinion. Others may think differently.

[khaled1987]

https://x.com/bjpf_/status/1997093616821711231

[Mavs2021]

https://x.com/bjpf_/status/1997093616821711231

You want to apologize to Dirk and the fans, draft the next one and let Dirk mentor him. Though I feel at this point you probably need another lotto pick to do it. Then I thought Sengun was a surefire top 5 pick in a sh*t draft and OKC/Houston got him at #16.

[Winter]

Loved this guy's video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j9tevspX9k

Yaxel stats at Michigan

15 ppg
7 rebounds
3.4 assists
37.3% 3-point shooter (good volume)
84% FT%

[michaeltex]

It may be a little early, but I have two questions:

How deep does the quality go in the upcoming draft? I know there are still unknowns like who declares and who stays. How does NIL money affect the decisions? etc. etc.

We talk a lot about getting draft picks in the "Trade and FA" discussion thread, but how valuable are any picks outside of the top 10? The last draft was originally thought to be a deep draft, but NIL money let a lot of lower 1st and 2nd round players to un-declare and go back to earn $$ playing college ball. So I'm struggling with how you can take a pick in trade during late January and have any sense of the real value before May or June. Unless it's a high lottery pick, that is.

[Winter]

It may be a little early, but I have two questions:

How deep does the quality go in the upcoming draft? I know there are still unknowns like who declares and who stays. How does NIL money affect the decisions? etc. etc.

We talk a lot about getting draft picks in the "Trade and FA" discussion thread, but how valuable are any picks outside of the top 10? The last draft was originally thought to be a deep draft, but NIL money let a lot of lower 1st and 2nd round players to un-declare and go back to earn $$ playing college ball. So I'm struggling with how you can take a pick in trade during late January and have any sense of the real value before May or June. Unless it's a high lottery pick, that is.

For fans, all we have is the eye test. The only other thing is what basketball people say and have been saying for awhile - that this draft is deep.

If you look at video of the draftees between 10 and 30, some of them look very good - Lindenborg, Haugh, Acuff, Wagler, Evans, Stirtz, etc. But you never know. Draft analysts are a dime a dozen. Podcasters pump up certain players. It does feel like a crapshoot.

However, these days I think players are measured and evaluated far earlier. Many players are funneled into programs specifically to hone NBA skills. There's more known by the time the draft rolls around, and my personal feeling is most of the first round is better prepared for the NBA now than just 5-10 years ago. The system has changed dramatically in that time. Good college players are getting advice, money, and advanced training.

Analytics have also advanced. A good case in point last year was Cedric Coward. He was injured early in his major college program, but there were a lot of analytics in his favor. He was very good in the combine, and went quickly in the first round even though very little was known about him. He's starting now for the Memphis Grizzlies, despite the lack of video and any historical track record.

[Chicagojk]

I have not seen him play yet but I really like what I have seen from this kid

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTLwtuOke...loOWk2cTF6

[Winter]

I have not seen him play yet but I really like what I have seen from this kid

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTLwtuOke...loOWk2cTF6

Yoi know I can't find good draft videos on Mullin. He's going to make it in the NBA because of his shooting - which is crazy good.

But right now, I can't tell if he's Seth Curry or Devin Booker.

[Chicagojk]

It may be a little early, but I have two questions:

How deep does the quality go in the upcoming draft? I know there are still unknowns like who declares and who stays. How does NIL money affect the decisions? etc. etc.

We talk a lot about getting draft picks in the "Trade and FA" discussion thread, but how valuable are any picks outside of the top 10? The last draft was originally thought to be a deep draft, but NIL money let a lot of lower 1st and 2nd round players to un-declare and go back to earn $$ playing college ball. So I'm struggling with how you can take a pick in trade during late January and have any sense of the real value before May or June. Unless it's a high lottery pick, that is.

Here is Vecenie's rankings about a month ago.  Things will change but just a noob's take is there is a tier for the top 3.  Then maybe Wilson is by himself in tier 2.  Tier 3 is maybe 5-10/11....players who will need more time, but could be really good.  Will probably be some disappointments in this grouping though.  Tier 4 is 11-18.  I like some of these guys in this range.  So if they got a pick outside the lottery this could be a solid player.  Some of the guys Vecenie has ranked in the teens I am a little lower on though.  I expect the 20-40 range to change quite a bit as we go through the season.   


1) Darryn Peterson

1. Cameron Boozer
   
2. AJ Dybantsa
   
3. Caleb Wilson
   
4. Mikel Brown
   
5. Nate Ament
   
6. Kingston Flemings
   
7. Koa Peat
   
8. Jayden Quaintance
   
9. Cameron Carr
   
10. Braylon Mullins
    
11. Thomas Haugh
    
12. Labaron Philon
    
13. Hannes Steinbach
    
14. Yaxel Lendeborg
    
15. Darius Acuff
    
16. Dash Daniels
    
17. Chris Cenac
    
18. Patrick Ngongba
    
19. Bennett Stritz
    
20. Tounde Yessoufou
    
21. Karim Lopez
    
22. Maleek Thomas
    
23. Neoklis Avdalas
    
24. Isaiah Evans
    
25. Dame Sarr
    
26. Amari Allen
    
27. Henri Veesar
    
28. Christian Anderson
    
29. Matt Able
    

[Chicagojk]

Yoi know I can't find good draft videos on Mullin. He's going to make it in the NBA because of his shooting - which is crazy good.

But right now, I can't tell if he's Seth Curry or Devin Booker.

I want to see him play more.   It looks like his last game was a little rough.   What I like is he looks like more than a shooter.   He has some nice highlights of elevating on a jumper and getting great height.   He also has good size too.   I think he is a much better prospect than Seth, but not as good as Devin.   Between those seems accurate.

[Dirknows]

Why has Mikel Brown been out?

[windjc]

I'd take AJ Dybantsa #1. Athleticism matters in the NBA and Boozer is not elite in this area.

[Winter]

Here is Vecenie's rankings about a month ago.  Things will change but just a noob's take is there is a tier for the top 3.  Then maybe Wilson is by himself in tier 2.  Tier 3 is maybe 5-10/11....players who will need more time, but could be really good.  Will probably be some disappointments in this grouping though.  Tier 4 is 11-18.  I like some of these guys in this range.  So if they got a pick outside the lottery this could be a solid player.  Some of the guys Vecenie has ranked in the teens I am a little lower on though.  I expect the 20-40 range to change quite a bit as we go through the season.   


1) Darryn Peterson

1. Cameron Boozer
   
2. AJ Dybantsa
   
3. Caleb Wilson
   
4. Mikel Brown
   
5. Nate Ament
   
6. Kingston Flemings
   
7. Koa Peat
   
8. Jayden Quaintance
   
9. Cameron Carr
   
10. Braylon Mullins
    
11. Thomas Haugh
    
12. Labaron Philon
    
13. Hannes Steinbach
    
14. Yaxel Lendeborg
    
15. Darius Acuff
    
16. Dash Daniels
    
17. Chris Cenac
    
18. Patrick Ngongba
    
19. Bennett Stritz
    
20. Tounde Yessoufou
    
21. Karim Lopez
    
22. Maleek Thomas
    
23. Neoklis Avdalas
    
24. Isaiah Evans
    
25. Dame Sarr
    
26. Amari Allen
    
27. Henri Veesar
    
28. Christian Anderson
    
29. Matt Able
    

Both Lindenborg and Acuff continue to move up. Both intrigue me and may fall pretty close to the Mavs pick.

Lindenborg has a motor, and he's helped bring Michigan into fighting for the #1 spot in college baskeball. He's 23, and that's been his handicap. But he keeps playing so well, that pretty soon no one is going to care much. 

Darius Acuff consistently outplays better PGs when he sees them. He's outplayed both Kingston and Mikail Brown this season. He's gotten so confident, that every mock draft he moves up. He scored 27 points against Tennessee last week, and his shooting stats and assists are really good. He's 6'3" so that's been his handicap... but it doesn't seem to matter in a game. The typical comp for him is a young Stephon Marbury - and that's exactly what he looks like when he plays.

[Dirknows]

Both Lindenborg and Acuff continue to move up. Both intrigue me and may fall pretty close to the Mavs pick.

Lindenborg has a motor, and he's helped bring Michigan into fighting for the #1 spot in college baskeball. He's 23, and that's been his handicap. But he keeps playing so well, that pretty soon no one is going to care much. 

Darius Acuff consistently outplays better PGs when he sees them. He's outplayed both Kingston and Mikail Brown this season. He's gotten so confident, that every mock draft he moves up. He scored 27 points against Tennessee last week, and his shooting stats and assists are really good. He's 6'3" so that's been his handicap... but it doesn't seem to matter in a game. The typical comp for him is a young Stephon Marbury - and that's exactly what he looks like when he plays.

Speaking of Tennessee...I just don't see it with Ament. Plays very upright and has not looked like a good shooter.

[Chicagojk]

Boozer is so damn good. Nothing flashy but just doesn’t make mistakes and at the end of the game has 20 and 10 on great efficiency. Winning player!

[windjc]

Boozer is so damn good.  Nothing flashy but just doesn’t make mistakes and at the end of the game has 20 and 10 on great efficiency.  Winning player!

Won’t translate 100% to pro ball though.

[DallasMaverick]

Boozer is so damn good.  Nothing flashy but just doesn’t make mistakes and at the end of the game has 20 and 10 on great efficiency.  Winning player!

Marvin Bagley