2026 NBA draft thread

[Mavs2021]

I doubt Mavs are going to spend huge money on a 33 year old player.  The draft did not really suggest win now.  There was no hint of drafting for need/fit.  That doesn't give off the vibe of an org focusing on winning now.  It feels like this is going to be a process, and it will probably take a while.

I agree 100% with your draft take and I´m not that interested in Norman Powell either, BUT you could also interpret it slightly differently. They drafted BPA/Upside and so far have kept the roster together. They did not do a veteran firesale. It´s a two phased plan. Phase 1 is the Cooper development phase with a veteran squad around him, while we develop his teammates for Phase 2 three years from now.  

This might change in the next two weeks or two days with free agency, but right now, that´s how I´d look at it. Give Cooper some veteran stability, so he can grow into the man. Then when he´s ready to take over, you hopefully have a Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren ready.