2026 NBA draft thread

[Smitty]

I just think we have a fundamental difference on who Flagg will be. I think we agree a lot on who he is right now.

[KillerLeft]

I just think we have a fundamental difference on who Flagg will be. I think we agree a lot on who he is right now.

That's part of it, but not all of it. 

Really try to hear this, agree or disagree:

Let's say I agree with your vision of what "Flagg will be." Let's say I even assume that's what he'll be, and require zero convincing. Let's go a step further and say I think he'll be even more offensively versatile than you think. I still play him at the 4, so I can force the issue with who defends him. So I can OWN the other coach and deny him options. So I can dictate terms to the opponent, not react to their strategies. 

...because he CAN. Not only do you not lose anything defensively playing him at the 4, I'd say it maximizes his gifts on that end...AND on the offensive end, no matter HOW good he gets with the ball.

We fundamentally see the GAME differently, not the player.

[KillerLeft]

I guess the last thing I'd add is that while Giannis is often pointed to as a future pathway for Flagg, that idea makes me SICK. I think he (Giannis) has been wasted, and should NOT have had the ball in his hands so much these past several years.

That championship was nice for Milwaukee, so technically it worked, as least once. I actually think his career would've played out better if they had not gone that way with their offense.

It's only my opinion, however, and I'm not a pro. I just follow the sport for fun.

[Smitty]

That's part of it, but not all of it. 

Really try to hear this, agree or disagree:

Let's say I agree with your vision of what "Flagg will be." Let's say I even assume that's what he'll be, and require zero convincing. Let's go a step further and say I think he'll be even more offensively versatile than you think. I still play him at the 4, so I can force the issue with who defends him. So I can OWN the other coach and deny him options. So I can dictate terms to the opponent, not react to their strategies. 

...because he CAN. Not only do you not lose anything defensively playing him at the 4, I'd say it maximizes his gifts on that end...AND on the offensive end, no matter HOW good he gets with the ball.

We fundamentally see the GAME differently, not the player.

Because there’s not really a 4 and a 3 in today’s basketball. The other PF doesn’t just magically guard the PF because that’s the position label on the game card. The best offensive players hunt matchups and dictate terms nearly every time down the floor, at least in the playoffs when it matters.. I think play styles not position labels. Just like I don’t call Tatum a Power Forward. Because it’s silly.

[KillerLeft]

Because there’s not really a 4 and a 3 in today’s basketball. The other PF doesn’t just magically guard the PF because that’s the position label on the game card. The best offensive players hunt matchups and dictate terms nearly every time down the floor, at least in the playoffs when it matters.. I think play styles not position labels. Just like I don’t call Tatum a Power Forward. Because it’s silly.

You keep pointing to "labels," but from my POV, that's a hangup on YOUR part, not mine. 

When you draw up a play, you have to "label" the players - that's the beginning and end of that for me. I'm simply trying to be specific. It's not about pigeonholing anyone. It's about skillsets. Play style synergy. Frankly, I'm getting tired of typing that, and I think some people are willfully feigning misunderstanding. It's frustrating. 

I want a SMALLER, QUICKER SHOOTER at the other forward spot next to Flagg. You can label them any way you want. Hell, you can play three guards, Flagg and a center. Cool. Call the other guys "wings," whatever. 

I want to FORCE the biggest non-center on the court (or even the center, if I'm lucky and the the other coach is an idiot) to guard Flagg. That's the goal. Because he can guard them better than they can guard him, and my team FEASTS in the aggregate. The most important thing Flagg's complementary players can do is be quick enough and dangerous enough shooting off of off-ball screens so that the other team can't "hide" their scoring forwards on them.

[KillerLeft]

Flagg's defense is what makes this possible. Players Donnie Nelson routinely put around Dirk and Luka...you know, the Tim Hardaway, Duncan Robinson types...it didn't work because Dirk and Luka weren't two-way players. Flagg IS. And, not for nothing, but are we SURE Dirk would've been Dirk and Luka would've been Luka without all the space? Luka seemed way less Luka to me the longer he played here under Kidd. Just saying.

It would work so much better now, because the team's LEADER is a DEFENDER. I seriously don't think folks have wrapped their heads around that. The problem, currently, is OFFENSE.

I would KILL to see Tim Hardaway JR at the 2 or 3 next to Flagg. He's very obviously not the all around player PJW is, but I think that would make the team so, so, so much better. Who's the cheap, up and coming version of that guy, hopefully with a better team defense IQ?

A younger Klay Thompson and a PG as good as Jamal Murray or better, and this thing works. I'd bet my life on it. OH...and a healthy Lively (that's a whole different conversation).

[cow]

I would KILL to see Tim Hardaway JR at the 2 or 3 next to Flagg. 

Thanks for the PT(H)SD.

[Smitty]

https://x.com/LouisvilleMBB/status/2023554984433033318

@All_Things_Mavs 
Matt Riccardi is watching Mikel Brown Jr. on the sidelines at SMU tonight


@ArtTakeNotes
Mikel Brown Jr’s last 3 games: 
- 34.3 PPG 
- 5.7 RPG 
- 4.0 APG 
- 12 Stocks 
- 33/55 FG (60%) 
- 18/29 from 3 (62.1%)

#StarRun

[Smitty]

I was listening to the Locked On podcast and Isaac mentioned some Centers he liked around the Mavs late FRP. It got me to look into those guys and add them to my list of names that I already had there. Here's kind of a 'Top-8' for the second first rounder the Mavs have. Some will rise and fall, of course.

Christian Anderson | PG | Texas Tech
Morez Johnson Jr. | F/C | Michigan
Dailyn Swain | G/F | Texas
Isaiah Evans | G/F | Duke
Flory Bidunga | F/C | Kansas
Henri Veesaar | C | North Carolina
Meleek Thomas | PG | Arkansas
JT Toppin | PF | Texas Tech

All of these guys are ranked 25-40 on Tankathon. The No Ceilings guys are higher on Johnson Jr. and Swain as of now. They did a mock draft a couple days ago and have a write up for a few of these guys.

Not only does Dallas need more shooting, they need the threat of shooting to surround Cooper.   No one is going to care about leaving PJ, Marshall, Martin open.    

Evans from Duke would be a real nice selection at the end of the first.  I don't think he projects as a starter.  Probably a heavy minute rotation player.  He could be grouped with 3-4 other players who can rotate in and out and spread the floor.   Evans has good size but really skinny.  He doesn't turn down many shots but has fit into two different teams.  Last year it was mostly off the bench as a Freshman.  This year as a starter.   

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comme..._as_a_top/

Evans is high on my list for the Mavs pick at 29/30. I don't know who I like more between him and Swain...

Swain is a Junior (20) but a 6'8 G/F (Wing) type that can be a 2-way guy. His outside shot is coming around also. In his last 5 games he's 8/18 from deep. If he were even a good 3PT shooter, he'd be talked about in the Top-10.

Evans is a Sophomore (20) but a 6'6 SG type that is a shot maker (taker). Future 6th man role? His shot profile is something the Mavs don't currently have and would be a welcomed addition. He's 15/31 from 3PT in his last 5 games. If he can keep it up and get close to that 40% number like last year, on more attempts, I could see him in going in the low 20's this draft.

[Winter]

Evans is high on my list for the Mavs pick at 29/30. I don't know who I like more between him and Swain...

Swain is a Junior (20) but a 6'8 G/F (Wing) type that can be a 2-way guy. His outside shot is coming around also. In his last 5 games he's 8/18 from deep. If he were even a good 3PT shooter, he'd be talked about in the Top-10.

Evans is a Sophomore (20) but a 6'6 SG type that is a shot maker (taker). Future 6th man role? His shot profile is something the Mavs don't currently have and would be a welcomed addition. He's 15/31 from 3PT in his last 5 games. If he can keep it up and get close to that 40% number like last year, on more attempts, I could see him in going in the low 20's this draft.

I was thinking almost the same. I decided I'd probably go with Evans.

He seems confident with that shot. Duke guy. He has a big-time high school history too (North Carolina Mr. Basketball, Mcdonald's All-American).

[Winter]

Five guys in the first round who don't get their flowers

NoCeilings looks at 5 guys who might fall, even as far as a Mavs late first, but are very good players.

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2026-nba...tes-volume

The last one the list - Joshua Jefferson - might very well be there at #29. There's video there, and his passing ability is a fun watch. This is your Naji replacement, but perhaps as a PF coming off the bench averaging 5.2 assists per game. He defends well too. This year, he's also shooting well.

[Smitty]

Five guys in the first round who don't get their flowers

NoCeilings looks at 5 guys who might fall, even as far as a Mavs late first, but are very good players.

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2026-nba...tes-volume

The last one the list - Joshua Jefferson - might very well be there at #29. There's video there, and his passing ability is a fun watch. This is your Naji replacement, but perhaps as a PF coming off the bench averaging 5.2 assists per game. He defends well too. This year, he's also shooting well.

I've tried to like Jefferson because so many talk about him but in the 4 or 5 games I've watched he's never stood out or popped off the screen. I get that we're probably talking about future role players at pick 29/30 and not NBA stars, but in the games I've watched he's JAG.

[Smitty]

BREAKING: Texas Tech forward JT Toppin has suffered a season-ending torn ACL, the school announced.


Bummer… he was on my list of targets for the OKC first round pick or PHX second rounder.

[Chicagojk]

BREAKING: Texas Tech forward JT Toppin has suffered a season-ending torn ACL, the school announced.


Bummer… he was on my list of targets for the OKC first round pick or PHX second rounder.

Terrible news for him and Texas techs hopes.  He really didn’t interest me much but I haven’t really done a deep dive yet.  

The byu kid Saunders also tore his acl.  He is 25 already and looked to be a second round pick.  

Tough blows for both.  I would still have Interst in either late in the second though at first glance.

[Chicagojk]

Alabama vs Arkansas.  Philon vs Acuff.  Acuff has 22 at half.  I just turned it on.

I really think with Peterson, Flemings, Acuff, Wagler, and Brown that there will be some point guards who drop.    Peterson and Wagler can play off ball.   I don't think Philon drops but he could go in the high teens.    I think players like Stirtz (old) and Anderson (small) as point guard only types could slip to near the end of the first round.  

I have another late draft favorite too at point.  Braden Smith at Purdue fits the prototype of a guy who will be undervalued, will grind for a few years, and then you will look up and see him playing backup minutes for a good team.

[ThisIStheYear]

I’m going to be just fine if the Mavs draft 8th and end up with Acuff. He’s really good.

[Dirknows]

B/R mock had us going Mikel Brown. Bidunga, JT Toppin. I like the first two picks, but Toppin lacks perimeter shooting, isn't a good FT shooter and just tore his ACL.

[Smitty]

Nate Ament in the win over Oklahoma

— 29 PTS
— 6 REBS
— 3 ASTS
— 1 BLK
— 1 STL
— 9/17 FG
— 3/7 3P
— 8/8 FT

[Smitty]

Braylon Mullins vs. Creighton

— 25 PTS
— 6 REBS
— 2 STLS
— 1 BLK
— 8/20 FG
— 5/9 3P
— 1/1 FT

[Smitty]

Darius Acuff Jr. vs. #25 Alabama

— 49 PTS
— 5 ASTS
— 5 REBS
— 1 BLK
— 1 STL
— 16/27 FG
— 6/10 3P
— 11/12 FT