2026 NBA draft thread

[Winter]

Yes , he is a tricky one for me.   I think him and a few other guys in this range have a wide range of outcomes.

I have seen very little college basketball this year but with the Mavs getting a late first and a later second (in addition to a lottery pick) I am really interested in diving into the conference tournaments and NCAA tournament.

Even after that last game, he's still not shooting as he should. Still, almost every analyst thinks he'll figure this out in the NBA (he shoots FTs at 81%).

Lately, mock drafts have him pretty solidly in the 7-9 range (several have the Mavs picking him). so I'm not sure he'll move much until maybe the tournament if at all. I don't love him, and I think some of the wing players will have better NBA careers overall.

The PG Darius Acuff, while a bit smaller than Brown, shows up every game shooting about 20-25 ppg and 6 assists... but you probably don't take Acuff at #7. If the Mavs could move #7 and maybe some 2nd rounders to get two mid-round 1sts between 10-20, I'd probably like that better (assuming the typical top 6 were off the board - Peterson, Boozer, Dybantsa, Wilson, Flemings, Wagler). The middle of the first round will have players like Acuff, Lendborg, Mullins, and Burries. That #7 just doesn't look that inviting. Or if you could milk #7 and #30 into two mid-firsts, I might even like that.

[Chicagojk]

Anyone have any reservations about Wagler?   I have only seen highlights.  He has a beautiful shot.   He has good size.  He appears to get to where he wants to get to.

Although, he lacks explosion and doesn't create much space. Some players don't need this and can have all star level careers.    I am just trying to envision him trying to score on Dillon Brooks, Lu Dort and those thick, big defenders.   

it seems like a lot of scouts have bought him.  I want to see more.

[Winter]

Anyone have any reservations about Wagler?   I have only seen highlights.  He has a beautiful shot.   He has good size.  He appears to get to where he wants to get to.

Although, he lacks explosion and doesn't create much space. Some players don't need this and can have all star level careers.    I am just trying to envision him trying to score on Dillon Brooks, Lu Dort and those thick, big defenders.   

it seems like a lot of scouts have bought him.  I want to see more.

I think what makes him special is his ability as a playmaker and the possibility that he's a PG in the NBA. I think that's what the analysts drool over .... is his playmaking potential.

I just think he needs to get physically stronger.

Illinois lost last night in overtime. Wagler still had 34 points and 7 assists. He's up to 43% on 3-pointers (at a high volume). Plus, he's averaging 35-40 mpg. That's a lot for a college player. They can't get him off the court. He may be a light-weight, but you almost have to pick him at #6.

[JamesConway912]

This class is truly insane. I think Burries is the next guy for me right behind Wagler / Ament.

Burries is mocked in the mid teens but I am pretty confident in saying that he can be a starter on a championship team in a few years. Can drive, shoot, is athletic, good size for a SG/PG type, defends well. Gives me serious Derrick White or Andrew Nembhard vibes. Will never win the fan vote for the allstar game but if that’s your „other guard“ next to your flashy star you‘re probably winning a ton of games.

If he is still on the board by the time you can get a trade up done for one or Marshall / Gafford and other stuff then that is the guy for me. Easy to envision him being plugged in tons of lineups and have a steady positive impact.

[Chicagojk]

This class is truly insane. I think Burries is the next guy for me right behind Wagler / Ament.

Burries is mocked in the mid teens but I am pretty confident in saying that he can be a starter on a championship team in a few years. Can drive, shoot, is athletic, good size for a SG/PG type, defends well. Gives me serious Derrick White or Andrew Nembhard vibes. Will never win the fan vote for the allstar game but if that’s your „other guard“ next to your flashy star you‘re probably winning a ton of games.

If he is still on the board by the time you can get a trade up done for one or Marshall / Gafford and other stuff then that is the guy for me. Easy to envision him being plugged in tons of lineups and have a steady positive impact.

Big physical guard who has played well after a slow start for a deep Arizona team.  I think one of the major negatives with draft fans is he will be 21 to start his NBA career despite being a freshman.  He is an old freshman.

[JamesConway912]

Anyone have any reservations about Wagler?   I have only seen highlights.  He has a beautiful shot.   He has good size.  He appears to get to where he wants to get to.

Although, he lacks explosion and doesn't create much space. Some players don't need this and can have all star level careers.    I am just trying to envision him trying to score on Dillon Brooks, Lu Dort and those thick, big defenders.   

it seems like a lot of scouts have bought him.  I want to see more.

Wagler and also Ament both seem super talented but will have to put in a lot of work to get their bodies ready for the NBA. I think Wagler would be nearly ideal for us in our current range so I have him at the top of my list for our 1st.

Afterall he is still a kid. If he does fill out a bit the sky is the limit. Seems like one of those guys who just play at their own pace. That while being so tall is a great combination.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

Anyone have any reservations about Wagler?  

I know there's a need for PG and both Wagler and Mikel Brown are fine fits.
The only time I'd be disappointed with a Wagler pick is if Nate Ament is still available.

Can't pass up on a 6'9" forward with guard skills, it's like having 2 Flaggs in the front court, both capable of putting the ball on the floor, play make, both threats to score and both are disruptors on the perimeter. I'd take a lesser talented guard on the draft later on if it meant the Mavs can have two connectors/playmakers in Flagg and Ament already on both forward spots.

[myconsumerclub]

I´d love to snatch that #28 pick (Spurs)  from the Cavs with the TPE for Strus + Suns 2nd round pick. Anyway I wanted to point out a player that has gotten no attention yet.

This is a super guard heavy draft all throughout the first round and that means the overseas guards will hardly be valued properly. I absolutely love Spanish 6´6 guard Sergio de Larrea for the #30 pick. I´d go as far as making him a promise, so he does pull out to become a top 10 pick in 2027. He´s getting regular minutes for a top team in the ACB and EuroLeague. He was the youngest ever Super Cup MVP, when Valenica beat Real Madrid with former NBA players Hezonja, Lyles, Campazzo, Garuba, Tavares and Llull.

I know there's a need for PG and both Wagler and Mikel Brown are fine fits.
The only time I'd be disappointed with a Wagler pick is if Nate Ament is still available.

Can't pass up on a 6'9" forward with guard skills, it's like having 2 Flaggs in the front court, both capable of putting the ball on the floor, play make, both threats to score and both are disruptors on the perimeter. I'd take a lesser talented guard on the draft later on if it meant the Mavs can have two connectors/playmakers in Flagg and Ament already on both forward spots.

like them all this is the most talented draft in ages. I have been thinking about who we could steal from others in free agency and saw how great Egor Demin was shooting in Brooklyn and thought we might want to steal him since for some reason he is showing up listed as a free agent next year.

[myconsumerclub]

I like Mikel Brown Jr. a lot. I think he was ranked 4-5 before the season started and has hung around the top 7-8 in every ranking, despite struggling some. He might be getting healthy at the right time. He put up 45/9 against NC State 2 nights ago.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/milan-momcilovic

[KillerLeft]

Probably won't matter to the Mavs, because there seems to be a good chance he goes number 1, but...

...how concerned are we about Peterson, "the Kawhi of College," and his apparent willingness to sit out anytime he feels like it? Do we think this is likely to continue in the NBA? Is he good enough that, if you have the chance to get him, you take the risk?

[Winter]

Probably won't matter to the Mavs, because there seems to be a good chance he goes number 1, but...

...how concerned are we about Peterson, "the Kawhi of College," and his apparent willingness to sit out anytime he feels like it? Do we think this is likely to continue in the NBA? Is he good enough that, if you have the chance to get him, you take the risk?

Saw one report that some of this over-protective behavior by Peterson is by people behind the scenes (agents?) who either want to keep him from injury or simply trying to nurse his #1 ranking. 

It smells bad to me. I can't say I would want to take him unless I was pretty clear on both his health and behavior. Teams are just going to have to do their homework.

[Scott41theMavs]

Probably won't matter to the Mavs, because there seems to be a good chance he goes number 1, but...

...how concerned are we about Peterson, "the Kawhi of College," and his apparent willingness to sit out anytime he feels like it? Do we think this is likely to continue in the NBA? Is he good enough that, if you have the chance to get him, you take the risk?

1) Since we already have the steady CF as our Batman, it's less risky.
2) Because of the incessant flakiness, he may tumble a bit in the draft order.

[Mavs2021]

Probably won't matter to the Mavs, because there seems to be a good chance he goes number 1, but...

...how concerned are we about Peterson, "the Kawhi of College," and his apparent willingness to sit out anytime he feels like it? Do we think this is likely to continue in the NBA? Is he good enough that, if you have the chance to get him, you take the risk?

Don´t worry. This has all been handled.

We trade down from #1 to Utah (Dybantsa) at #2. TPE for Bailey, Sensabaugh and an unprotected future 1st round pick
Then we trade down from #2 to Sacramento (Peterson) at #3. Sabonis + Raynaud for Gafford, Thompson, Martin, Johnson and two future unprotected Kings 1st round picks.
Then we trade from #3 to Hawks (Boozer) at #4. Sabonis for Kuminga + Daniels + three unprotected 1st round picks.

Then we trade #4 to the Pelicans (Wilson) at #5. Kuminga for Murphy III.

We take Flemings.

Irving/Flemings
Murphy III/Christie
Flagg/ Daniels/Sensabaugh
Bailey/Washington
Lively/Raynaud

Next time I tell you about the future All-Star we drafted at #30, how we signed Luka back in 2028 and how we turned Ace Bailey and the five Kings/Hawks picks into Anthony Edwards.  

I really don´t see what´s so difficult about this GM job.

[KillerLeft]

Don´t worry. This has all been handled.

We trade down from #1 to Utah (Dybantsa) at #2. TPE for Bailey, Sensabaugh and an unprotected future 1st round pick
Then we trade down from #2 to Sacramento (Peterson) at #3. Sabonis + Raynaud for Gafford, Thompson, Martin, Johnson and two future unprotected Kings 1st round picks.
Then we trade from #3 to Hawks (Boozer) at #4. Sabonis for Kuminga + Daniels + three unprotected 1st round picks.

Then we trade #4 to the Pelicans (Wilson) at #5. Kuminga for Murphy III.

We take Flemings.

Irving/Flemings
Murphy III/Christie
Flagg/ Daniels/Sensabaugh
Bailey/Washington
Lively/Raynaud

Next time I tell you about the future All-Star we drafted at #30, how we signed Luka back in 2028 and how we turned Ace Bailey and the five Kings/Hawks picks into Anthony Edwards.  

I really don´t see what´s so difficult about this GM job.

In all seriousness, I think Flemings is the guy my inner fan is starting to hope is possible.

[Winter]

In all seriousness, I think Flemings is the guy my inner fan is starting to hope is possible.

In my opinion, he would be the player most likely to drop out of the top 6 players. It's hard to see any of the top 4 dropping, but if Wagler goes at #5 and Brooklyn at #6 really wants Nate Ament instead of Flemings, .... then Flemings is a great #7.

Brooklyn already has Demin, so maybe.

[KillerLeft]

In my opinion, he would be the player most likely to drop out of the top 6 players. It's hard to see any of the top 4 dropping, but if someone really wants Nate Ament instead of Flemings, and then Wagler goes at #5.... then Flemings is a great #7.

Brooklyn already has Demin, so maybe.

To be totally transparent, I've probably spent less time watching these guys than anyone here. I tend to "catch up" on that over the summer - I can't stand watching college basketball games. But, from what I've seen, I like his combo of size and quickness for the position.

[Smitty]

ESPN’s top ten big board released today:

1. Darryn Peterson
2. AJ Dybantsa
3. Cam Boozer
4. Caleb Wilson
5. Kingston Flemings
6. Keaton Wagler
7. Nate Ament
8. Darius Acuff
9. Mikel Brown
10. Karim Lopez

[Smitty]

...how concerned are we about Peterson, "the Kawhi of College," and his apparent willingness to sit out anytime he feels like it? Do we think this is likely to continue in the NBA? Is he good enough that, if you have the chance to get him, you take the risk?

Very! I've said it before, but I don't think he has the intangibles. I don't think he loves or even likes the game of basketball. When I watched Dybantsa play against Baylor, late in the game his teammate got an And-1 and the fire and passion he showed for his teammate, in the moment. It stood out! That's what it's all about. Coop has it also. I don't think Peterson does. He's the most talented player, but I'd put my money on Dybantsa, Boozer, and others having a better NBA career...

[Smitty]

@SethDavisHoops
The @UNC_Basketball star freshman Caleb Wilson has been diagnosed with a fracture in his left, non-shooting hand, the school just announced. There is no timetable yet for his return. Huge blow for the Tar Heels — and for college basketball.

@BrettSiegelNBA
Caleb Wilson, a projected top-5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, could miss the rest of the college season at UNC with a broken left hand.

[Chicagojk]

Anyone know what the deal is with the international prospects this year.   At the beginning of the year Dash Daniels and Karim Lopez were in many lottery picks.   Typically you have several international guys and even more in the second round.  It is really weird with this trend that this year there are hardly any international guys getting mentions.