2026 NBA draft thread

[Winter]

Yeah, for me unless elite if a prospect is primarily point guard and cannot also play with a point guard than I am not really interested.

The interesting player here for me is the SG Keaton Wagler. From some podcasts I heard that he has actually taken over some PG duties even though he is not playing that position. He has gotten so good at playmaking that I would seriously consider him as a Mav (playing next to another PG). His stats everywhere are very good. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQPlLIaHobM

[Chicagojk]

The interesting player here for me is the SG Keaton Wagler. From some podcasts I heard that he has actually taken over some PG duties even though he is not playing that position. He has gotten so good at playmaking that I would seriously consider him as a Mav (playing next to another PG). His stats everywhere are very good. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQPlLIaHobM

Yeah, I have read some on him but haven't seen him play yet.   

Christian Anderson was mentioned the other day.  I haven't seen him either.

https://x.com/DraftDeeper/status/2013809102506393610

[Smitty]

Seriously underrated:

Christian Anderson Jr from Texas Tech

Played with Steinbach VERY successfully over the years at Fiba youth tournaments for Germany and really stood out there. If he lands where he is currently projected (late 1st / early 2nd round) Id feel a lot better about picking him there instead of most of the projected lottery PGs.

Locked On just did a Pod with Nathan Grubel and he had Christian Anderson just behind Kingston Flemings and ahead of guys like Mikel Brown, Philon, Acuff.

[Winter]

Locked On just did a Pod with Nathan Grubel and he had Christian Anderson just behind Kingston Flemings and ahead of guys like Mikel Brown, Philon, Acuff.

Anderson has great stats everywhere, but he's only 6'2". Darius Acuff has a similar problem at 6'3."

I'm not sure how different teams will penalize some players for their size. Kyrie is 6'2" so at some point the player's overall skill simply overpowers other handicaps.

[Chicagojk]

Anderson has great stats everywhere, but he's only 6'2". Darius Acuff has a similar problem at 6'3."

I'm not sure how different teams will penalize some players for their size. Kyrie is 6'2" so at some point the player's overall skill simply overpowers other handicaps.

Measurement will be important for him.  I watched some highlights and thought he was 6'3 to 6'4ish.   He has a beautiful shot but looks to lack that top end quickness.

i read someone said he measured at 5'11 at an international competition in 24/25.   Then someone said he grew and is now 6'2.   I also read he is about the same age as Brown Jr despite being a soph.  

If he is 6'2 or lower in shoes I think it is going to hurt him in the draft evaluation.

[khaled1987]

This might be a foolish take, but due to the inescapable fact that Flagg is the one variable already set, I have very little interest in Boozer, Wilson or even Dybansta.

I know, I know...best player available. I just REALLY think a ball-handling guard is the 2nd domino that will get this thing moving along.

I think you should start making peace with the idea that long term PG might not be solved with this year's pick.

[khaled1987]

I'm just now starting to look at the guys in the top 10 or so.  If Dallas were to snag #4, is it automatically Wilson, or is there an argument for taking someone else?  If Dallas somehow got #3 and Wilson and Boozer are both there, is it automatically Boozer?

He is the one player I worry too much about both his 1-bust potential  2-That he won't be able to develop with Flagg.

I can't see us just passing on him unless someone take a convincing leap, like Mullens or Flemings. Trade diwn could be an option though but it needs the right deal.

[Chicagojk]

Alijah Arenas played his first game last night.    A lot of concerning things:  1) his dad is Gilbert and Gilbert is sort of a nut.   2) Arenas had a car accident and then meniscus surgery 

He is 6'7 and was one of the top prospects entering college.    Ideally he would stick around in college for another year.    Even in todays NIL, it is to get kids to stick around if they view themselves as one and done entering college.  So, he is at least someone to monitor because he does have a lot of talent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WexwW3AL6G8

[Dirknows]

The interesting player here for me is the SG Keaton Wagler. From some podcasts I heard that he has actually taken over some PG duties even though he is not playing that position. He has gotten so good at playmaking that I would seriously consider him as a Mav (playing next to another PG). His stats everywhere are very good. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQPlLIaHobM

Turned on the Illinois game for a bit last night, there starting PG was out so Wagler was the lead ball handler. I gotta say the kid looks the part, he’s every bit of 6-6, did a great job of running the offense both in transition and a half court set. Set up some nice 3 pointers. Had a rough shooting night from 3, but his season numbers are pretty solid. I feel like he is a possible top-10 pick, and could definitely play next to Kyrie and develop into a future starting PG.

[myconsumerclub]

Turned on the Illinois game for a bit last night, there starting PG was out so Wagler was the lead ball handler. I gotta say the kid looks the part, he’s every bit of 6-6, did a great job of running the offense both in transition and a half court set. Set up some nice 3 pointers. Had a rough shooting night from 3, but his season numbers are pretty solid. I feel like he is a possible top-10 pick, and could definitely play next to Kyrie and develop into a future starting PG.

I wonder how the 2 centers who are brothers did since they could be there in the 2nd round if we can do a trade to manufacture some 2nd round picks.

[Winter]

https://www.bleachernation.com/nba/2026/...k-draft-1/

Not sure how they have Nate Ament at #6

[Chicagojk]

https://www.bleachernation.com/nba/2026/...k-draft-1/

Not sure how they have Nate Ament at #6

I think it is a projection.  Vecenie I believe still have him in the top 8.   He was a top 5 recruit in most sites, I believe.  He is 6'10 and skilled.   He is really weak and that is going to be an issue.  Still his stats are solid for the "normal" freshman.   I don't know where I rate him, but I could see him having a wide range of rankings with teams.   I believe he also played at a regular high school and not one of those academy teams.   Maybe it doesn't matter but I could see those type of players having a longer learning curve when they enter college.   

BTW, the Tennessee rims are awful...or maybe it is the mics.  Watching his hightlights the mic on the rim just makes the highlights worse.  Ha ha.

[Chicagojk]

My favorite late lottery guys are Haugh and Mullins. Haugh has concerns about his age and he may be a tweener. He is just so fun to watch. I have not seen as much of Mullins but I am a fan. Not ready to give my guard ratings at this time.

https://youtu.be/vpfbjVtl2_g?si=Xflj4ri4Ea-mj8Bk

[Winter]

My favorite late lottery guys are Haugh and Mullins.  Haugh has concerns about his age and he may be a tweener.  He is just so fun to watch.  I have not seen as much of Mullins but I am a fan.  Not ready to give my guard ratings at this time.

https://youtu.be/vpfbjVtl2_g?si=Xflj4ri4Ea-mj8Bk

I think Yaxel Lendborg is 23 and is usually projected higher than Haugh (22) so my guess is that age probably matters, but may matter a lot less if you look skilled enough to play right away.

[Chicagojk]

I think Yaxel Lendborg is 23 and is usually projected higher than Haugh (22) so my guess is that age probably matters, but may matter a lot less if you look skilled enough to play right away.

He has had a good year playing for one of the better teams in the country.  I have not seen a game.  When watching the highlights, i see PJ Washington.

I would like to watch them more. They have a guy Morez Johnson, who I never heard of, who some people look as a sleeper first round pick. They also have big who is intriguing.

[Winter]

Locked ON podcast gives their top 6 draft players with a breakdown of each. Wagler at #6 is probably the biggest surprise. The others are more less a shuffled deck from other mock drafts. Good breakdown on each player though.

1. Boozer
2. Peterson
3. Dybsanta
4. Flemings
5. Caleb Wilson
6. Keaton Wagler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QryyskKcrS0

[ThisIStheYear]

He is the one player I worry too much about both his 1-bust potential  2-That he won't be able to develop with Flagg.

I can't see us just passing on him unless someone take a convincing leap, like Mullens or Flemings. Trade diwn could be an option though but it needs the right deal.

To the original question, if you draw the #3 pick, it’s definitely one of the big 3.  Those guys are amazing franchise cornerstones, I think close to Flagg level though maybe just a tad below. Anything else would be irresponsible. At #4, I don’t know that it’s necessarily Wilson, though he’d be a good pick.

[Smitty]

Kingston Flemings vs Christian Anderson on ESPN at 1:00

[Dirknows]

Kingston Flemings vs Christian Anderson on ESPN at 1:00

Flemings just dropped 42, could see him leap frogging Wilson as I don’t know how well he fits in the modern NBA since he’s a 4 without much of a 3 point shot.

[Dirknows]

And Keaton Wagler drops 46 going 9-11 from 3 on number 4 ranked Purdue. I’m not sure how high he rises due to him being a relatively low level recruit but the kid looks like he could be really good. Seems like a lock for top-10 at this point for sure.