2026 NBA draft thread

[JamesConway816]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7382887...hollinger/

Grades for all 30 picks by the Athletic. 


Dallas 9th pick Morez Johnson.  I’m a big fan of the versatility Johnson brings defensively, and it’s hard for me to see how he doesn’t end up being a useful player on a winning NBA team. He allows a team to play multiple coverages on defense and can help a team have flexibility to go big or small, depending on the roster around him. If you want to kill the glass, you should play him at the four. If you want to go smaller and more mobile, he should be able to deal with most centers at the five.

Johnson could expand his value if the 3-point jumper comes along. If the Mavs could go five-out with Johnson at center, he would have a shot to close games in playoff situations. But the question is simply what kind of value Johnson will provide on offense, and if that will allow him to be more of a starting big or a third big. Even as a third big, I like the value proposition in the middle of the first round because I am willing to bet on Johnson’s character and toughness.

Hollinger’s analysis: Surprise! I’m a fan of Johnson, but not quite at this level. I think his offensive limitations are a bit much to select him in the top 10 in such a strong draft. He also has some positional questions on this roster since the frontcourt is so loaded already. Shockingly, he goes ahead of his two Michigan teammates (Aday Mara and Lendeborg), both of whom most had rated higher throughout the draft cycle. Obviously, you wonder how much influence the newly hired coach (and former Michigan head coach) Dusty May had on all this. Grade: C+



  25th pick Sergio De Larrea    De Larrea is a skilled player with a high basketball IQ, and those are the kind of players I tend to value highly. I understand why a team would want to take a flier late in the first round on him.

He can shoot, and I love the way he sees the game as a passer or playmaker. But because I don’t love the suddenness or tightness of his handle, I’m not sure he can be anything more than a secondary playmaker in the NBA. That’s OK, but I haven’t seen much that makes me think he’ll separate effectively. To play in the NBA in that role, he’ll have to max out his shooting ability and get considerably stronger to be effective on defense. Ultimately, I believe De Larrea will play in the NBA, but he has some work to do to stick.

Hollinger’s analysis: I love this pick for Dallas. I had De Larrea in my top 15 and think teams slept on him while he was hugely productive in Spain the past two years. The Mavs gave up two seconds to move up from No. 30 and make sure they got him, which I see as a justifiable investment given the talent cliff that hit basically right after this pick. He’s a Bogdan Bogdanović-type guard with good size who can shoot and pass and should help Cooper Flagg whether he’s on or off the ball. Grade: A

Great analysis Imo. A lot more consistent Imo compared to other reactions. I find it hard to understand the extremely positive post draft reactions to Morez when he was consistently mocked later.

Theory: I think he might be such a great presence in person that that may have overshadowed some of the oncourt limitations. Going on a podcast here & there certainly helps the public image. OTOH I find Hollinger‘s take a lot more nuanced tbqh.

That said I still hope they go to war with him and start him immediatedly. He has a clear role in our halfcourt offense from day one as a rim runner and the rest of his game is NBA ready anyway.

I really hope he figures out the NBA three point shot then you got a high level rotation combo big who can make tons of lineups work. Like a more in your face physical Maxi Kleber one day. That is a player who can close NBA playoff games for you with absurd positive impact stats.