2026 NBA draft thread

[mvossman]

First, let me highly recommend the link below as a fantastic interview between Stein and Sam Vecenie strictly on what might be available to Dallas and how they might (or should) think about things.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy4yNLv44O0

There is probably more cocksuredness about our evaluations as message board experts than is warranted.  None of us know who will and won't be a plus-starter and who will and won't be able to shoot.  The experts don't nail this and certainly media mock drafts and message board guru's aren't any better than the experts.  There is also an inherent flaw in the logic many of us use in terms of when these skills need to arrive by.  Much too much emphasis seems to be placed on what contribution might be made this next season.  Plus starter by when is an important question.  

If you don't think Christie is part of the starting core going forward, then it probably argues for more bites at the apple, not less.  All we have to do is look at the Dennis Smith Draft to see this.  The top 10 has one superstar, two plus-starters and arguably seven busts.  13-23 has MUCH more talent.  If we actually have expert talent evaluators now, I'd rather they figure out who the next Mitchell, Bam, Jarrett Allen and OG might be than be stuck with the next DSJ.

First of all, thanks for the link.  

Second, I didn't think my post came across as cocksure.  I used phrases like "I think", "projected" and "percentage chance".

Third, I realize we actually have a competent FO now that knows more than what we do about these players and what makes sense.  Does this mean we are not supposed to voice our opinions?  Are we not even supposed to have them because Masai knows best?  As I said in an earlier post, I will stick to my opinions and hope to be wrong if he goes a different direction.

As for when these guys need to be plus starters, I agree that we don't need it right away, but the more projecting there is for a guy, the less chance that it actually happens.  For me its all about best odds to get plus starter.

As far as what Vecenie said on the interview, I agree with just about all of it.  There was no mention of Wagler, presumably like Acuff he assumes he won't be there at 9.  He clearly really likes Flemings and he really likes Brown's upside.  He also agrees Philon's lack of size/bulk puts him in a tier below.  He finished with worse case Mavs get Burries (which suggests Burries is 9 on his board) who he really likes and thinks will be a quality starter.  I probably have Burries ahead of Brown due to risk, but we are mostly on the same page.