2026 NBA draft thread

[mvossman]

I am curious at why so many mock drafts generally have Wagler 4-5 slots higher in the draft than Burries. It really feels like his Illinois team features him a little more that AZ features Burries... and maybe that's it. It's hard to imagine though that "USG" alone could separate players that much. Wagler's playmaking skills get high marks, but Illinois needs playmaking from him. AZ, on the other hand, doesn't need Burries as a playmaker as much. They need his scoring. At the end of the day, it just doesn't feel those two should be separated that much.

Nate Ament has drifted downward a bit. But I'm not sure he helped himself this season in any particular way. Flemings too although I'm not sure that's because of any new weakness in his play. It just feels more like Acuff and Wagler got more buzz.

I think its a couple of things.  Wagler's size makes it easier to fit him into a roster at either the 1 or the 2 (and he has played both positions at a high level in college).  Burries is undersized for a shooting guard and he has much less sample to suggest he can be a PG at the next level.  My guess is Burries is also taking a hit because he is nearly a year and half older than Wagler.