2026 NBA draft thread

[Scott41theMavs]

Well, that's what I'm saying though. There's a growing suggestion out there that Burries is REALLY a lead guard who chose to play for a school that already had an established player in that role in order to play for a better team last year. If that's actually the case, I'd say his "ceiling" is much higher than we're assuming. It would mean his offensive potential is much greater and that his adequate positional size and physical tools become actual plusses.

I am warming up to Burries as the pick.

[Winter]

Well, that's what I'm saying though. There's a growing suggestion out there that Burries is REALLY a lead guard who chose to play for a school that already had an established player in that role in order to play for a better team last year. If that's actually the case, I'd say his "ceiling" is much higher than we're assuming. It would mean his offensive potential is much greater and that his adequate positional size and physical tools become actual plusses.

That's a little tricky, I think, to presume a player has lead guard skills when that's not usually the position he's played. I mean that's just something no one really knows at present. Guys are usually groomed as PGs much earlier. In his McDonald's All America appearance after high school, Darius Acuff was the eastern PG with Mikel Brown on the western side. Burries would play SG I assume. There's just not much history there that I can see.

You're right though. If you could play him as lead guard next to another SG that seems like a better outcome. Wagler did it when his Illinois PG went down with injury, so it can happen.

[KillerLeft]

That's a little tricky I think to presume a player has lead guard skills when that's not usually the position he's played. I mean that's just something no one really knows at present. Guys are usually groomed as PGs much earlier.

You're right though. If you could play him as lead guard next to another SG that seems like a better outcome.

Well, but that's my point. To be clear, this isn't an opinion of mine, really. I didn't know Burries was alive until about a month ago, but according to some people who've followed him for years, he has ALWAYS been a lead guard, had several offers to be a lead guard in college and would, in fact have even been a lead guard at the school he chose, had they not already had one in place. They say he maturely chose the PROGRAM he liked, rather than chasing a better role at a lesser school. 

Point being: according to THEM, lead guard IS "usually the position he's played." The tricky thing, I think, is that most of US, even those who are super into college basketball (certainly not me) have to base our opinions off of ONE SEASON, the way the system is set up. What if this year was the weird one for Burries, NOT the projection that he'll be an off-guard in the NBA?

[mvossman]

Well, but that's my point. To be clear, this isn't an opinion of mine, really. I didn't know Burries was alive until about a month ago, but according to some people who've followed him for years, he has ALWAYS been a lead guard, had several offers to be a lead guard in college and would, in fact have even been a lead guard at the school he chose, had they not already had one in place. They say he maturely chose the PROGRAM he liked, rather than chasing a better role at a lesser school. 

Point being: according to THEM, lead guard IS "usually the position he's played." The tricky thing, I think, is that most of US, even those who are super into college basketball (certainly not me) have to base our opinions off of ONE SEASON, the way the system is set up. What if this year was the weird one for Burries, NOT the projection that he'll be an off-guard in the NBA?

And I don't think you can make the argument that "if he was such a great lead guard why didn't he take over that role like some of these other guys did?".  Jaden Bradley was a senior, a very good college player, and not nearly as good off ball as he is on ball.  It was better for the team for Burries to play off ball.  I think somebody posted a stat a while ago with Burries numbers when Bradley was off the court, and they looked good.  I don't know if Burries will ever be a true point guard, but I do think he will be able to play more on ball (eventually) than he did in college.

[hakeemfaan]

SGA had concerns about being skinny, but he had elite positional size to make up for it.  Philon does not make up for his lack of bulk with size or athleticism.  He has already demonstrated that he can't put on weight when he desperately needed to (from freshman to sophomore).  As that article said, if he can't put on weight the margins are very thin.

Isn’t Flemings the exact same height without shoes and with a smaller wingspan?  

I understand weight, jump shot, athleticism Kingston is better but the height issues are a non factor if you are going to compare them. 

Philon is one of the most creative players in this draft. Mavs or not,  I am rooting for him to succeed.

[hakeemfaan]

And I don't think you can make the argument that "if he was such a great lead guard why didn't he take over that role like some of these other guys did?".  Jaden Bradley was a senior, a very good college player, and not nearly as good off ball as he is on ball.  It was better for the team for Burries to play off ball.  I think somebody posted a stat a while ago with Burries numbers when Bradley was off the court, and they looked good.  I don't know if Burries will ever be a true point guard, but I do think he will be able to play more on ball (eventually) than he did in college.

Burries was not a lead guard in college. He also created very few shots for himself. So the questions are valid. 

If we are talking about HS then Ament was a stud. 

If the Mavs take Burries, I also hope he can be a lead guard. However no one knows right now. 

BTW my bar for a lead guard is pretty low. If he can be strong with the ball and defend his position, I am happy. He seems selfless enough that he will involve his teammates.

[F Gump]

I guarantee you at least one future all-star will be available at 30. There’s no crying in baseball.

Not likely at all (even though the gurus would probably tease it like you say it is). But the NBA teams have gotten way better at grabbing the good players in round 1 rather than letting them fall though the cracks. 

In the last 10 years, if you were picking at 30, the one and only time (unless I missed someone) you had a shot at an all-star was 2018 (Brunson).

[hakeemfaan]

Not likely at all (even though the gurus would probably tease it like you say it is). But the NBA teams have gotten way better at grabbing the good players in round 1 rather than letting them fall though the cracks. 

In the last 10 years, if you were picking at 30, the one and only time (unless I missed someone) you had a shot at an all-star was 2018 (Brunson).

Also the draft is always a crapshoot even at the top let alone at 30. 

Even with Masai’ success with lower picks, the percentages of finding a solid player that low increases when you have more such players. The other problem is when the pool of better players is more you can convince a team to give up a late teens or early 20s pick in a trade. As the pool gets diluted , teams will be less reluctant to trade down.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Comps I'm settling into:

Burries - Josh Hart with a jumpshot
Brown - Lamelo with less clowning
Acuff - Lillard with a questionable motor
Okorie - Dennis Schroeder with less drama
Flemings - John Wall, but smaller

[Moviemavguy]

Here is the compelling case for Philon...https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/stop-ignoring-labaron-philon

[Chicagojk]

I have liked this guys videos. Here is Burries.

https://youtu.be/SPQw6e7zxVI?si=0GCRAHBgnwWYccu3

[HoosierDaddyKid]

NBA Communications: The NBA announced today that 38 players have notified the league that they wish to be removed from the list of “early entry” players eligible for selection in the NBA Draft 2026. Following the NBA’s early entry withdrawal deadline of 5 p.m. ET on June 13, 2026, the NBA will announce the list of any additional players who provide the NBA with timely notice that they wish to be removed from the list of “early entry” players eligible for selection in the NBA Draft 2026.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Pro: A live lottery! While ESPN's Brian Windhorst wrote about the "secret" room, sources expect the lottery itself -- not just airing of the results -- to become a live, televised event. No more conspiracy theories. All of it happening in real time. The potential for tremendous theater. How a new lottery would play out is yet to be determined. The NBA's current method -- the first ping-pong ball selected determines the first pick, and so on -- is certainly one possibility, although that would eliminate much of the drama. Picking the 16th team first and going backward to No. 1 makes more sense as a television product. (The league would accomplish this by using a team's final drawn ping-pong ball, rather than its first, to determine draft position.)

[windjc]

Not likely at all (even though the gurus would probably tease it like you say it is). But the NBA teams have gotten way better at grabbing the good players in round 1 rather than letting them fall though the cracks. 

In the last 10 years, if you were picking at 30, the one and only time (unless I missed someone) you had a shot at an all-star was 2018 (Brunson).

So the scouts have figured it out huh? Ok. lol. We are simply overdue for a mean reversion.

[hakeemfaan]

I have liked this guys videos. Here is Burries.

https://youtu.be/SPQw6e7zxVI?si=0GCRAHBgnwWYccu3

He's also saying the same things though that are held as a drawback against selection at #9:
Not sure if he can play lead guard, Not the greatest of athletes, Slots more as a combo guard

I put this guy's overall video link, but here is his evaluation of Burries. I like his evaluations a lot.  Skip to the 5:05 mark if you don't want to hear the whole thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCqnpxDD89Y

[myconsumerclub]

Say we assume that Gafford and Lively are back to being a top level 2 headed monster at the 5 with no further serious injuries we would be making a bad assumption IMHO but if it did happen I think many have contemplated an option this team could use Yaxel to strengthen the front court.

However the consequence is we would then need to count on the duo of Max and Klay to do well at the 2 while we can all agree Kyrie is a dominating point guard for sure but the weak point at that position with Ryan and maybe B Will not performing stronger than the other teams back ups is not a pleasant scenario to think about.

I think Bagley could end up being a better player next year than Yax but Yaxel will develop into something better over time in future years.

If next years win now efforts are to succeed then the option to grab Bagley and a point guard/ Shooting guard instead of Yax should help us a lot more because we would then have the opportunity to strengthen PG / SG with the 9th pick instead of going big at a position were we are already very deep. Center however is the one place I would want to use a pick like 30 to gain some insurance against the consequence of having 2 injury prone players to rely on at the 5.

If we can get any of the top 5 guards we need to do so.

Then we need to use 30 to add the insurance policy so we can comply with common sense.

A wing that hits 3s falling to us at 48 would be a nice blessing from God.

I would not offer any real talent to the Lakers so no to trading off Gafford to them. Any team taking aim at Gafford needs to give up a 1st round pick and no junk filler like I have seen mentioned in trades with LA. Again just say no to trading Gafford to LA.

PG Kyrie 9 Ryan
SG Max Klay John
SF Cooper Naji 48
PF Bagley PJ Tyler
C Lively Gafford 30 Cisse

Now with this roster we can trade off assets that teams want at the TDL if they are healthy and thus end up getting way more of a solid offer for that player since he will have improved his value by proving he recovered well enough to happen around the TDL. Lets be conservative and recognize the roster with Kyrie and Lively back and healthy would be a strong enough team to go far and get into the playoffs.


All this team needs is a developing star performance from our draft choices at 9 and 30. We achieve that goal and we make a solid jump up the ladder to take that team into contention talk.

[Chicagojk]

He's also saying the same things though that are held as a drawback against selection at #9:
Not sure if he can play lead guard, Not the greatest of athletes, Slots more as a combo guard

I put this guy's overall video link, but here is his evaluation of Burries. I like his evaluations a lot.  Skip to the 5:05 mark if you don't want to hear the whole thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCqnpxDD89Y

Yeah, I am just having trouble getting fully there with him.  I watch his highlights and I like what I see.  I think his shot looks smooth.  He went to a great team and really fit in well on  a team that potentially could have had 7-8 pros.

The age thing shouldn't be a huge concern, but it does bother me for some reason.    I think there is a pretty good chance he is there at 9 and should be in consideration.   I am just not there with him yet.

[F Gump]

Of the ones being mocked most commonly in the 5-10 range, I tend to see Burries as closest to what I think the Masai-Schmitz pair seeks.
1 Positional size ...as a PG, Burries qualifies
2 Untapped upside ....as a PG, Burries qualifies
3 Skills to work with .... he's a plus shooter

[HoosierDaddyKid]

To use the Memphis example, some asked why the restriction wouldn’t be that Utah couldn’t land in the top five in 2027 regardless of whose pick it owned. Surely the rule was never designed to stop the Grizzlies from picking there. As multiple general managers told The Athletic long before this rule was adopted, however, this created asymmetries in the market that likely would have resulted in teams of roughly equal talent just trading picks with each other. Teams could also sidestep trade restrictions by agreeing long beforehand to make trades immediately after the draft. “That was the system that we felt was most ripe for manipulations, because there are both timing elements and arbitrated elements,” Wasch said. “Teams could theoretically agree to trade right after the draft, skirting the restriction that way, or trade in advance to avoid the restriction and extract value some other way.”

[Chicagojk]

I have not listened to them but Kevin O'conner has had some prospect interviews on his podcasts.  In the last week he had Flemings and Brown.  Today he released one with Ament.   It looks like he just had a workout with OKC.

https://x.com/KevinOConnor/status/2060354487600968111