2026 NBA draft thread

[hakeemfaan]

Regarding the finals in relation to the draft.

For me, this final makes me feel more comfortable about the draft, it is an opportunity, an important one, but not as consequential as folks said.

But the traditional model of a "Batman and Robin doesn't seem to be the current one. Well coached and deep teams are essential.

A year ago, or less, KAT was a loser you can't build a winner around, Brunson was a undersized ball hog that doesn't win chips. Now they are champions. None on this team is a traditional franchise player. Not a single starter was drafted by them.

Last year, OKC had clear superstar , but I don't see a clear "side kick" but rather a strong deep team. Same with 2023  Denver. 2022 GSW was kind off the same too. Boston 2024 is the closest thing to that, though I feel it was 2 robins  with a very deep team around them.

Get a good talent, don't focus too much on his limitation, and see how it works as a fit and then we work from there.

One thing the playoffs always brings out is shotmaking.  Elite shot makers stand out when the talent level rises as teams go deeper into the playoffs and every team is bringing their best effort.  

Wrt the draft to me that means players like Wagler, Flemings, Burries will stand out because they have that jump shot be it even a middy like Flemings 

Brown, Ament are more risky though Brown most likely will be gone before our turn comes up. Same for Wagler. 

My realistic dream is for Flemings to fall   I will be happy with Burries as well. Lead guard or not because his shot is good. I love Philon more from a pure talent level but I understand the concerns about his size and getting beaten up which is also a reality as you go through a long playoffs. 

I see a huge drop off after that and am not in favor of moving down. Sure just like any draft there will be one or more players who will be picked lower who might turn out to be very good but you are not playing the percentages at that point. 

At least as of now there are tiers to this draft and the dropoff after 10 seems too risky to move down.