2026 NBA draft thread

[Scott41theMavs]

I haven't looked at anything from The Ringer in a while, but happened to look at their mock from 3/18 and like some things about it.  After the "Big Four", they have it:

5.  Wagler
6.  Acuff
7.  Burries
8.  Flemings
9.  Brown 

I'm not sure what I'd do at 9 if that happened.  Let's hope it isn't an issue.  I also hope Acuff is not a consideration whenever Dallas drafts.  As I've said before, I don't want to have to compensate for his lack of D for the next decade.  As good as he is offensively, I just don't like his archetype in terms of championship upside.  If I'm Sacramento and need someone to fill seats, great.  But, I have higher hopes for the Flagg Era.  If we don't move up, I hope we have some choice between Wagler, Burries and Flemings...possibly in that order.

I only watched the second half of the Illinois game and I've avoided commenting on Wagler since I'd only seen highlights.  I thought he did a masterful job of running the team.  His shot looks like money and he was a very good rebounder.  I thought he defended well, but I think he'll have trouble fighting through picks at the next level.  He isn't particularly explosive, but neither is Austin Reeves.  He makes the right play and can draw a lot of defensive attention.  I think the next decade of Flagg and Wagler would be some really smart/fun basketball to watch.

I have seen full games of Burries before.  I really like this kid as he's good at just about everything.  High motor Swiss army knife who can defend the POA.  I don't know about this "less responsibility" argument.  He completely shut Acuff down on the possessions where he was the primary defender on him.  Also, I think there is more there that we don't get to see BECAUSE Arizona has so many mouths to feed.  BTW, he looks to be 3" taller than Acuff.  He is another one I can see being a real complement to Flagg for years to come.  I also think he's less risky of a pick than some of the others in this range.

I've been underwhelmed regarding Flemings when I've watched him...at least compared to his typical draft rank of about 5th.  I'd have a hard time taking him over Acuff, but I'd rather have him than Acuff (if that makes sense).  He floats too much, which makes me wonder if he's deferring to the older players on the team.  Toward the end of each half last night he turned it on and you wonder where that was the entire game.  He'll benefit from the greater spacing of the NBA.  His shooting when he self creates isn't nearly as good as his catch and shoot.  I think his ability to attack the rim and hit off ball shots from outside...will be quite valuable in the NBA.  But, he'll have to get more efficient on his self created mid/long range shots to be a star.

Sadly, I don't see a star among this group...or anyone after 4th.  Good starters who won't make an All-Star game is about it.  Unfortunately, we need a second star next to Flagg and don't have many paths to get one.  I actually think if one of them becomes more than that it is probably Burries.  I think The Ringer was right to rate him this highly before the tournament started and he has done nothing to disappoint since then.  Booker was a bit hidden on a good Kentucky team that saw six players get drafted (three ahead of Booker).  You have to squint to see that much offensive upside, but I think Burries will be a better defender.  Maybe a Bains or the Atlanta version of NAW (but earlier than age 27) are more realistic comps.

You don't see a star after four because you devalue Acuff too much on the basis of defense. A guy who can take over a game on offense while serving as floor general is still a multi-year all-star in this league. Remember that the pre-apocalyptic Mavs were formed around two guys who were major liabilities on defense, and were still an NBA finals team with great hopes for the future. Flagg, in spite of the hand-wringing over his defensive metrics this year, is very much a two-way player. If they put the right guys around them, Flagg-Acuff would be a winning combo.