(01-06-2026, 05:05 PM)michaeltex Wrote: It may be a little early, but I have two questions:
How deep does the quality go in the upcoming draft? I know there are still unknowns like who declares and who stays. How does NIL money affect the decisions? etc. etc.
We talk a lot about getting draft picks in the "Trade and FA" discussion thread, but how valuable are any picks outside of the top 10? The last draft was originally thought to be a deep draft, but NIL money let a lot of lower 1st and 2nd round players to un-declare and go back to earn $$ playing college ball. So I'm struggling with how you can take a pick in trade during late January and have any sense of the real value before May or June. Unless it's a high lottery pick, that is.
For fans, all we have is the eye test. The only other thing is what basketball people say and have been saying for awhile - that this draft is deep.
If you look at video of the draftees between 10 and 30, some of them look very good - Lindenborg, Haugh, Acuff, Wagler, Evans, Stirtz, etc. But you never know. Draft analysts are a dime a dozen. Podcasters pump up certain players. It does feel like a crapshoot.
However, these days I think players are measured and evaluated far earlier. Many players are funneled into programs specifically to hone NBA skills. There's more known by the time the draft rolls around, and my personal feeling is most of the first round is better prepared for the NBA now than just 5-10 years ago. The system has changed dramatically in that time. Good college players are getting advice, money, and advanced training.
Analytics have also advanced. A good case in point last year was Cedric Coward. He was injured early in his major college program, but there were a lot of analytics in his favor. He was very good in the combine, and went quickly in the first round even though very little was known about him. He's starting now for the Memphis Grizzlies, despite the lack of video and any historical track record.