2026 NBA draft thread

[Winter]

It's hard for me to see any of the above and think it's going to help the Mavs spacing problem or benefit Flagg much. So I'm a no on that trade if that means going into the season with that roster.

[Chicagojk]

The case against Mikel Brown Jr.


"He would be a top 5 pick if it wasn't for his back injury".   I have seen this pop up often lately.  It might be true and his talent is clear, but that statement has a lot there.   For the most important part of the season, the ACC Tournament and NCAA tournament, Brown couldn't play.   Maybe he was being cautious or really needed time.  Still it is not a great sign if he felt he could not be on the court.   During the biggest stage, he was on the sidelines.

I saw two games of his close to entirety and parts of others.  I have also watched the highlights.   As I mentioned before, he should be my favorite prospects with his height, traits and skills.   The two games I saw were against Duke and North Carolina.   The Duke game was one of his worst.  He was 1-13 and pretty much not a factor.  He had trouble finishing at the rim and did not look like a potential lottery pick.  The North Carolina game was one of his last before he was shut down.  He got off to an amazing start.    In a similar theme, he hot start consisted of some insane made attempts.   28 feet launches.    After his hot start, he went about 15 minutes without making a shot while UNC went on a run.   He then finished the game making a few shots as Louisville was trying to come back.    His stats look ok.  25 points on 9-24 shooting.   I just didn't feel like it though.  While some amazing shooting, I feel like his play was why UNC took a lead and never looked back.   Now I think it is important to  not to make a firm conclusion on such a small sample size and especially when these prospects are so young.   They will get better and some of the bad games will be offset by good games.

Brown is a good passer, but still I see there are issues.  One, he turns the ball over a lot.   You even see this on his good passes.  Sometimes they are lazy and I find trouble to think some work in the NBA.  Second, his passes rarely hit the shooters pocket.   This should improve over time but you see a lot of passes that are low, high or just off.   

Lastly, I keep going back to impulse control.  Watch his shots and passes and they are filled with questionable decisions.    Being able to make a 28 feet contested three is a great skill, but do you have to try so often.   In the video below, it shows some of these plays.  They just scare me.  He is going to require some hard coaching (something he says he welcomes).   Going to a professional team who tries to play the right way is going to be best for him.  

start at 10:20
https://youtu.be/CU3dD1XPq6A?si=4gQtrcyplktP2vAu&t=620

He deserves to be in the lottery range and could be one of the better players from this class.   I just see some glaring concerns.  Others have different concerns but I just get leary seeing so many  of the "he would be a top 5 pick if he didn't have his back injury" declarations.

[Smitty]

It's hard for me to see any of the above and think it's going to help the Mavs spacing problem or benefit Flagg much. So I'm a no on that trade if that means going into the season with that roster.

Same concept, different trading partner…

   

[Winter]

The case against Mikel Brown Jr.


"He would be a top 5 pick if it wasn't for his back injury".   I have seen this pop up often lately.  It might be true and his talent is clear, but that statement has a lot there.   For the most important part of the season, the ACC Tournament and NCAA tournament, Brown couldn't play.   Maybe he was being cautious or really needed time.  Still it is not a great sign if he felt he could not be on the court.   During the biggest stage, he was on the sidelines.

I saw two games of his close to entirety and parts of others.  I have also watched the highlights.   As I mentioned before, he should be my favorite prospects with his height, traits and skills.   The two games I saw were against Duke and North Carolina.   The Duke game was one of his worst.  He was 1-13 and pretty much not a factor.  He had trouble finishing at the rim and did not look like a potential lottery pick.  The North Carolina game was one of his last before he was shut down.  He got off to an amazing start.    In a similar theme, he hot start consisted of some insane made attempts.   28 feet launches.    After his hot start, he went about 15 minutes without making a shot while UNC went on a run.   He then finished the game making a few shots as Louisville was trying to come back.    His stats look ok.  25 points on 9-24 shooting.   I just didn't feel like it though.  While some amazing shooting, I feel like his play was why UNC took a lead and never looked back.   Now I think it is important to  not to make a firm conclusion on such a small sample size and especially when these prospects are so young.   They will get better and some of the bad games will be offset by good games.

Brown is a good passer, but still I see there are issues.  One, he turns the ball over a lot.   You even see this on his good passes.  Sometimes they are lazy and I find trouble to think some work in the NBA.  Second, his passes rarely hit the shooters pocket.   This should improve over time but you see a lot of passes that are low, high or just off.   

Lastly, I keep going back to impulse control.  Watch his shots and passes and they are filled with questionable decisions.    Being able to make a 28 feet contested three is a great skill, but do you have to try so often.   In the video below, it shows some of these plays.  They just scare me.  He is going to require some hard coaching (something he says he welcomes).   Going to a professional team who tries to play the right way is going to be best for him.  

start at 10:20
https://youtu.be/CU3dD1XPq6A?si=4gQtrcyplktP2vAu&t=620

He deserves to be in the lottery range and could be one of the better players from this class.   I just see some glaring concerns.  Others have different concerns but I just get leary seeing so many  of the "he would be a top 5 pick if he didn't have his back injury" declarations.

Honestly, I think draft analysts are not as serious about Brown's "game play" as they are his back .... and maybe that's how it should be. I get the feeling most analysts think his game problems and shot selection can be corrected. I'm not sure that's true, but I've heard that.

I also think some analysts have watched him prior to this season in some tournament play I think - and come away very impressed. But I have a really hard time figuring out what kind of PG Brown will be with the lack of assists and the number of forced shots. I'm really back and forth on this.

[Winter]

Same concept, different trading partner…

I'd do that one. I like the player and the pick is really too inviting.

Won't happen, but I'm a dreamer today.

[Smitty]

I'd do that one. I like the player and the pick is really too inviting.

Won't happen, but I'm a dreamer today.

Last two that make some sense to me…

   

   


These may require Mavs giving up #30. Basically a Gafford+30 trade up option that gets talked about.

[Winter]

I like this year's draft so much, I'm probably a sucker for either of those trades - Toronto feels better than Charlotte's by quite a bit.... but those draft picks mean I'm probably adding Moritz Johnson to the roster.

And of course I've given no thought at all to future contracts and cap space.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Last two that make some sense to me…

These may require Mavs giving up #30. Basically a Gafford+30 trade up option that gets talked about.

I doubt Toronto sees value in having Poeltl and Gafford.  If I deal with Charlotte, I want the Dallas 2027 back (or at least make it lottery protected).

I did like the Atlanta version.

[Chicagojk]

Last two that make some sense to me…






These may require Mavs giving up #30. Basically a Gafford+30 trade up option that gets talked about.

It will be real interesting to see what the new front office thinks about Gafford (and PJ).   I think I am in the camp of rehabbing them and then making a determination in the future.   Regardless, I think they are in a place where they can be opportunistic if something pops up.  

Regarding using Gafford to get a higher pick, I think I am in the thinking of taking on a salary to move up.   I just don't want it to be a bad, long salary.    I would only do this if I can move up to the mid 20's for a player I have ranked in my top 15.    These are the type of deals I think I would prefer at this time.   Denver, Clev, Lakers, etc.   Would either switch to 30 if Mavs took a salary?  I am not sure many will jump.  Maybe one will.   Again, it can't be a bad salary but just something where a team may find value getting off a contract a year early and still having a pick at 30.  

Also, I know we have the full MLE this summer but I am also thinking if it is smart to use it.   We have PJ, Gafford, potentially Lively/Max and maybe Marshall who may all be in the 15-20 million range.  Is it smart to sign another solid guy for 3-4 years at this range?   Could you get right back into the stage prior to the trade where you lack flexibility?   Especially with the roster in flux right now.  Might be best to get a clear vision, improve your players value and keep that flexibility.

[loki]

I'd take any of those Gafford deal although I'm not sure they would be willing to deal with the Lakers. The Atlanta trade is probably most realistic because we know the Hawks had interest in him at the deadline. I'd prefer they take Mara at 8 though to leave the Mavs someone like Flemings or Brown.

[loki]

Regarding using Gafford to get a higher pick, I think I am in the thinking of taking on a salary to move up.   I just don't want it to be a bad, long salary.    I would only do this if I can move up to the mid 20's for a player I have ranked in my top 15.    These are the type of deals I think I would prefer at this time.   Denver, Clev, Lakers, etc.   Would either switch to 30 if Mavs took a salary?  I am not sure many will jump.  Maybe one will.   Again, it can't be a bad salary but just something where a team may find value getting off a contract a year early and still having a pick at 30.  

Also, I know we have the full MLE this summer but I am also thinking if it is smart to use it.   We have PJ, Gafford, potentially Lively/Max and maybe Marshall who may all be in the 15-20 million range.  Is it smart to sign another solid guy for 3-4 years at this range?   Could you get right back into the stage prior to the trade where you lack flexibility?   Especially with the roster in flux right now.  Might be best to get a clear vision, improve your players value and keep that flexibility.

Vando+25 or Nnaji+26 could make sense. I wouldn't give 30 in return though.

As far as the full MLE the max would be 3 years. I think they could afford to do that as long as they don't extend Naji and are willing to move one of PJ/Gafford sometime between now and next offseason.

[hakeemfaan]

Vando+25 or Nnaji+26 could make sense. I wouldn't give 30 in return though.

As far as the full MLE the max would be 3 years. I think they could afford to do that as long as they don't extend Naji and are willing to move one of PJ/Gafford sometime between now and next offseason.

I am tired of the Mavs always sending the best player in the deal and not getting much.  Gafford absolutely helps the Lakers right now.  Vando is just another body here and the 25 pick will be a hit or a miss.  

Target teams like Charlotte or Orlando that need a center and see if there's something there.  I'd even be ok with changing the top 2 protection to just lottery protection with the Charlotte pick if they really like Mara at 9 and are ok with a swap at 14.  Heck, if forced, I'll even do a 18 + loosening the 2027 lottery pick restrictions with them for 9.  I think at 9 or 18 we'll get a similar type of player but getting our pick back next year, rather than banking it will be in the top 2, is huge.

[Scott41theMavs]

I find it funny how we are all lemmings. We have no idea what directive (if any) Dumont has given or what the intentions of Ujiri are, but the appointment of Schmitz combined with the combine we all assume now it´s the long-term view.

I find it pretty darn naive to think that Masai would have come here on any terms other than "My 'marching orders' are whatever the hell I believe is necessary to produce a consistently winning team, so sign the checks and stay outta my way."

[Chicagojk]

I am tired of the Mavs always sending the best player in the deal and not getting much.  Gafford absolutely helps the Lakers right now.  Vando is just another body here and the 25 pick will be a hit or a miss.  

Target teams like Charlotte or Orlando that need a center and see if there's something there.  I'd even be ok with changing the top 2 protection to just lottery protection with the Charlotte pick if they really like Mara at 9 and are ok with a swap at 14.  Heck, if forced, I'll even do a 18 + loosening the 2027 lottery pick restrictions with them for 9.  I think at 9 or 18 we'll get a similar type of player but getting our pick back next year, rather than banking it will be in the top 2, is huge.

I read his post of not including Gaffford.  Like trade 30 for one of those players and a pick higher up in the first.  At least that is what I thought.

[mvossman]

I am tired of the Mavs always sending the best player in the deal and not getting much.  Gafford absolutely helps the Lakers right now.  Vando is just another body here and the 25 pick will be a hit or a miss.  

I'm not worried about helping out LA.  If I could turn Gafford into salary relief, a flyer and the 25th pick in this draft, I do it.

[Mavs2021]

Does that make you the chief Lemming?  Correct me if I’m confusing you with someone else, but I can’t think of anyone more focused on adding picks for this draft than you.  I’m not sure that trading down for multiple picks from #9 or up from #30 or combining Gafford with #30 to move up or similar means we are “all looking at the draft and trying to add picks”.

Some of us have actually “considered” (and posted about) Giannis and other structures that might turn picks and/or exceptions and/or existing players into things other than 2026 draft picks.  Some of us knew months ago that some of these kids would go back to school for the NIL money and this “historically deep” draft would get less deep. 

Did I exclude myself? I just noticed a trend lately and pointed it out. You hardly want to measure dick size with the guy who was first to drafting Luka, telling you Porzingis trade and extension were idiotic, that all the details matter,  that told you AD was a lazy loser, told you for a decade straight that Cuban been a bottom five owner. And most of all that youth is the way the league is trending, while you all waxed about winning culture, veteran leadership and all that BS.  So how old are those Thunder, Spurs and Pistons teams again. Great year for the veterans from LA, Golden State and such. 

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/mavsfilmroom/status/205601...37261?s=61

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

 think at 9 or 18 we'll get a similar type of player but getting our pick back next year, rather than banking it will be in the top 2, is huge.

I hope people recognize that, talent-wise, a top 20 pick this year is better than one after the second pick next year. If given the choice between #18 this year or getting back next year's pick, I take #18 without hesitation.

[Smitty]

@DraftDeeper
2026 NBA DRAFT PROSPECT RANGES POST COMBINE

Thought it would be a great exercise to put together a 2026 NBA Draft prospect RANGE board, showing projected draft pick ceilings AND floors, as I see them now. Board comprised of MY current Top 60 prospects.

   

[hakeemfaan]

I hope people recognize that, talent-wise, a top 20 pick this year is better than one after the second pick next year. If given the choice between #18 this year or getting back next year's pick, I take #18 without hesitation.

Every draft has pretty good players.  People talk about how Harper wouldn't be in the top 3 or Flagg wouldn't be in the top 3 this year.   No one knows how any of these players pan out. I'd rather get a lottery pick next year (which is a strong possibility with where this team is at) than an extra lower first round pick this year.