2026 NBA draft thread

[KillerLeft]

Is it safe to assume that OKC would be trading up to land Mara? So, the Hawks would need to pick Flemings at 8 for there to be a trade back option for the Mavs. If the rumors are also to be believed, that Rich Paul will steer Burries to Dallas, then he will need to make sure MIL and GS play ball. Which means the top 12 should go just like this:

Dybantsa
Peterson
Boozer
Wilson
Wagler
Brown Jr.
Acuff Jr.
Flemings
Mara (OKC)
Ament
Lendeborg
Burries (DAL)


Lot of assumptions there of course but I imagine this is what teams talk about before the draft. If player X is available, then X. Same for the Mavs when it’s about moving up. I can only see them doing so for 5/6. Acuff seems destined for SAC. Not sure they like Flemings. Especially not enough to trade up one with ATL. So, of the guards it feels like we should all be comparing Wagler, Brown Jr., and Burries. 2 of which would require assets to move up for. One you can possibly get in a trade down scenario (if you believe the Klutch smoke).

If Burries is still there at 12, fine, but...we seem to be accepting the idea that trading down with OKC will automatically net 17 as the prize. I know OKC wants to consolidate for a dozen different reasons, but it occurs to me that they might want to use 17 in a different deal. I feel like it's maybe not the safest assumption that 9 for 12 and 17 is available to the Mavs.