2026 NBA draft thread

[DanSchwartzgan]

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.

I tried to keep my comments broad and include myself.  Sorry if I didn't fully accomplish that.

We probably need some agreement on terms.  I rank a "plus starter" as higher than a "quality starter".  When Vecenie says Burries will probably be a "quality starter" does he meet your definition?  If not, then he really belongs in the tier with some of the trade-down guys (BTW, I like Burries and won't be upset if that is who we get).  

I worry about Flemings' length and are we sure he is a "shooter" any more than others in the trade down range?  BTW, I like Flemings and won't be upset if that is who we get, but I see his star upside as limited.  

Brown has a sweet stroke that didn't translate into efficiency.  Vecenie notes that he throws some wild passes.  In much the same way that I think Ament will be a 38% or better shooter from three, people on the Brown train assume he can curb some of his base instincts.  I think the evidence is good for Brown from some of his body of work prior to college, but we don't know.  Sometimes these guys are just who they are (BTW, I like Brown and won't be upset if that is who we end up with).

I do find comfort in having the decision makers we have in place, but I'm well aware that today's hero's can easily become tomorrow's goats.  So, we can't put too much into Masai and Schmitz (but, I really like Schmitz).  I think there is a really good chance this new braintrust goes for a little more length than some of these guards.  My interest in trading down goes way up if they believe they can get that length in someone they see making it to 12 or 14.