2026 NBA draft thread

[KillerLeft]

This thought from Vecenie sounded good to me....

Paraphrased .... Mara is interesting because someone might really want him at #9 if Atlanta hasn't taken him. In other words, another team may be willing to give the Mavs another pick or two to get #9. Maybe it's not enough for the Mavs, or maybe the FO doesn't see as much upside value to the picks offered below them... but that's the kind of thing I enjoyed hearing.

Sure, but for ME, my takeaway was that after Flemings, Brown and Burries (whichever 1-2 of them fall to #9), the falloff to the next tier is more significant than what is being routinely thrown out around here.

I know you aren't zeroed in on guards as targets and in fact don't even particularly like the guards, and that's fine, but I am, and I do. The comparison to Schroeder helped clarify to me that Philon (routinely mentioned as the next PG down from the usual suspects) is not going to help much in the Mavs' situation. I'm with Mvossman on this one: guard or no guard (for me, preferably guard), they REALLY need to come out of this draft with a strong, quality starter at minimum. Depth, and particularly younger depth, will be important as we go forward, no doubt, but quality, cost controlled starters and potential all stars are the real challenge and this might be their last chance for a while to easily acquire one. 

I know it's a risk either way, but give me the best chance at a potential running mate for Flagg. I think that's the goal here, and I personally hope it's an on-ball guard.