2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

My Thursday prediction is while a lot of Clippers fans want Acuff as the best player available, I think it is a really tough it with Garland.    So I predict the Kings and Clippers make a trade and the Kings take Acuff.    The Nets take Brown Jr.   Not sure if the Clippers pick Wagler or go another direction at 7.

[Mavs2021]

If Chinyelu makes it to #48 I guarantee you Mavs pick him. I´d say he makes it to #40, they´ll trade up. Might even be in play for #30.

[Mavs2021]

For some reason, I have a sneaky interest in Meleek Thomas. I don't mean as a lottery pick, but maybe if we end up trading with OKC for a low FRP or high SRP.

Don't ask me to explain it. Watching some of his play, he just seemed like a good running partner for Acuff last season and I was thinking he might be good to have with Coop without having to deal with another alpha dog.

Him and Burries might be underrated due to the roles they played. You know they are proven as reliable sidekicks, but there might be hidden upside.

[KillerLeft]

I wonder how much GMs feel pressure based on hype.

Case in point: Wilson, Caleb

For the better part of 4 months Wilson has been hyped to be, at the very least, a top 4 pick.  Now let's say we all "Men In Black" flashy thinged, wiping out a year's worth of Tankathon mocks and viewed each player at face value. Is Caleb Wilson THAT MUCH BETTER than Morez Johnson?

I mean, at the combine, Wilson appeared to have little shot or offensive game. Meanwhile, Johnson shooting stood out.

I bet hype does play a part in things, but to me it seems more likely to work in the opposite way from what you're suggesting. I think the season-long projections are probably closer to reality, and that the thing to guard against is getting swept up in the hype of a hot tournament performance or - even worse - a surprising combine result. I think it makes some sense that if guys like Johnson or Carr ready to put their physical gifts to use at an elite level on the basketball court, they'd have not been so far down the list until now. I'm sure it's possible to outsmart yourself thinking in either direction, but THAT's the "pressure based on hype" I'd guard against if I were on the spot in one of these jobs.

[Mavs2021]

I bet hype does play a part in things, but to me it seems more likely to work in the opposite way from what you're suggesting. I think the season-long projections are probably closer to reality, and that the thing to guard against is getting swept up in the hype of a hot tournament performance or - even worse - a surprising combine result. I think it makes some sense that if guys like Johnson or Carr ready to put their physical gifts to use at an elite level on the basketball court, they'd have not been so far down the list until now. I'm sure it's possible to outsmart yourself thinking in either direction, but THAT's the "pressure based on hype" I'd guard against if I were on the spot in one of these jobs.

One thing that we also have to consider is that guys could possibly tank games or interviews at the combine. Would you rather be the physical specimen from North Carolina going to MJ´s town that has been waiting for a savior for 30 years or live in Los Angeles playing for the richest guy in the league. 

On the bright side, we are probably the 2nd most desirable landing spot in that top 10 between the guaranteed minutes, the Flagg, Dallas as a city, new competent front office and deep pocket owners.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/emil_harb/status/205501721...deo/1?s=46

[Winter]

Day 3 Combine from the NoCeilings guys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3EdvQPLRcI

Cameron Carr - He had 30 points and they were suprised he played in the scrimmage. He didn't have to. They love this guy. They think he goes between 10-12 in the draft
Tyler Tanner - just too small, and hasn't got the seasoning to play bigger. He should go back to school
Matt Abel (6'6" Guard), looked entirely different than everyone around him... in a good way. They think he goes late 1st or early 2nd round
Jaden Bradley (Arizona PG) looked good. Nice 2nd round pick
Dailyn Swain - Was underwhelming. Swain is now firmly in the draft, but was pretty invisible here.
Baba Miller - skinny 6'11' forward with passing skills. Plays both sides of the ball, and can play on the perimeter. They love this guy. They think he's a solid 2nd round pick.

[dirkfansince1998]

Last scrimmage

https://x.com/DraftExpress/status/2055046484660551894

Tanner even worse than yesterday. Direct matchup with another undersized guard and Smith was everything Tanner should have been. Running the offense and playing bigger than expected on defense. Smith in control. Tanner forcing things.
Miller just looks smooth. Combination of handles and size is everything Ujiri used to look for in the past.
Bidunga is a freak athlet. If he isn't returning to college he joins the list of switchable bigs that I would love to see in Dallas.

[Winter]

I can't believe this Baba Miller is slated for the mid-2nd in mock drafts. I'd take this guy in a heartbeat.

He's playing forward, but he's 6'10 barefoot. He played two years ago at Florida Atlantic and I guess had the green light on 3-pointers and shot 34% on 114 attempt (3.4 a game). He transferred to Cincinnati and they apparently wanted him to rebound rather than shoot on the perimeter. He rarely shot a 3 last year (just over 1.7 a game) and his percentage dropped horribly. But he rebounded like MF'er and averaged over 10 rebounds a game. He runs the floor like a SF. Originally from Spain. Played really well at the combine. Passes well (almost 4 assts a game), defends well.

He's still inconsistent with his perimeter shooting and he needs to gain weight. But what an athlete. There's been a lot of buzz about him before, but he just never could package all of it. But he looks great at the combine and people are impressed. Lots of video out there.

Impressions from the NoCeilings guys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJpN6yJ_g-M&t=1075s

[KillerLeft]

I can't believe this Baba Miller is slated for the mid-2nd in mock drafts. I'd take this guy in a heartbeat.

He's playing forward, but he's 6'10 barefoot. He played two years ago at Florida Atlantic and I guess had the green light on 3-pointers and shot 34% on 114 attempt (3.4 a game). He transferred to Cincinnati and they apparently wanted him to rebound rather than shoot on the perimeter. He rarely shot a 3 last year (just over 1.7 a game) and his percentage dropped horribly. But he rebounded like MF'er and averaged over 10 rebounds a game. He runs the floor like a SF. Originally from Spain. Played really well at the combine. Passes well (almost 4 assts a game), defends well.

He's still inconsistent with his perimeter shooting and he needs to gain weight. But what an athlete. There's been a lot of buzz about him before, but he just never could package all of it. But he looks great at the combine and people are impressed. Lots of video out there.

Impressions from the NoCeilings guys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJpN6yJ_g-M&t=1075s

Interesting...maybe a possibility at #30?

[Scott41theMavs]

Last scrimmage

https://x.com/DraftExpress/status/2055046484660551894

Tanner even worse than yesterday. Direct matchup with another undersized guard and Smith was everything Tanner should have been. Running the offense and playing bigger than expected on defense. Smith in control. Tanner forcing things.
Miller just looks smooth. Combination of handles and size is everything Ujiri used to look for in the past.
Bidunga is a freak athlet. If he isn't returning to college he joins the list of switchable bigs that I would love to see in Dallas.

Tanner might be this year's Tyrell Terry.

[cow]

Nate ament report.  He also has some good ones of the guards


https://youtu.be/c1a-T3jLhUQ?si=e1sF6CEK5_CeF35h

He and Carr seem like the type of builds Massi prefers.

[Smitty]

If it played out like this would you stay and pick Flemings, or trade back with OKC for 12/17. If you trade back who are you picking instead?

   

[Smitty]

I bet hype does play a part in things, but to me it seems more likely to work in the opposite way from what you're suggesting. I think the season-long projections are probably closer to reality, and that the thing to guard against is getting swept up in the hype of a hot tournament performance or - even worse - a surprising combine result. I think it makes some sense that if guys like Johnson or Carr ready to put their physical gifts to use at an elite level on the basketball court, they'd have not been so far down the list until now. I'm sure it's possible to outsmart yourself thinking in either direction, but THAT's the "pressure based on hype" I'd guard against if I were on the spot in one of these jobs.

So far down what list? The media/tankathon boards? There’s no way to know how all 30 teams have these guys stacked. It’s just as likely that these “late risers”, as labeled by the media, have been in consideration ahead of the talking heads for months now, no?

[dirkfansince1998]

If it played out like this would you stay and pick Flemings, or trade back with OKC for 12/17. If you trade back who are you picking instead?

Trade down. Burries and Okorie. I think Burries is the safest pick among the guards. Worst case is probably 3&D role player. Low bust potential. And as you already know I am the resident Okorie fanboy. I have Flemings ahead of him because he is a better playmaker but no one in this draft class attacks the rim like Okorie and looking at some of the metrics rim pressure is one of the best indicators for NBA success.
Hope that you can get one of the switchable bigs at #30. Your scenario with Ejiofor still on the board would make it a 10/10 draft for me.

[Winter]

If it played out like this would you stay and pick Flemings, or trade back with OKC for 12/17. If you trade back who are you picking instead?

I'd probably take Carr and Johnson. Or maybe Burries and Johnson.

But I wouldn't hate it if you stuck with Flemmings.

[Smitty]

I'd probably take Carr and Johnson. Or maybe Burries and Johnson.

But I wouldn't hate it if you stuck with Flemmings.

Johnson went at 10 though.

[Smitty]

If it played out like this would you stay and pick Flemings, or trade back with OKC for 12/17. If you trade back who are you picking instead?

I would pick the trade back option. I personally have Burries over Flemings anyway and he’d be my pick at 12. At 17 I would take the chance on Ament and his upside.

[Winter]

Johnson went at 10 though.

Oh sorry. Couldn't read the dark numbers.

The two best players might be Burries and Carr, but that feels redundant. Probably Ament then, but I'm not entirely happy with that.

[Smitty]

Trade down. Burries and Okorie. I think Burries is the safest pick among the guards. Worst case is probably 3&D role player. Low bust potential. And as you already know I am the resident Okorie fanboy. I have Flemings ahead of him because he is a better playmaker but no one in this draft class attacks the rim like Okorie and looking at some of the metrics rim pressure is one of the best indicators for NBA success.
Hope that you can get one of the switchable bigs at #30. Your scenario with Ejiofor still on the board would make it a 10/10 draft for me.

Absolutely fine with a backcourt overhaul in Burries/Okorie. I know you’ve been on the Okorie train, and I’m getting closer and closer to jumping on the train with you. I dismissed him earlier on the account that he was 5’11. 

Some say the combine doesn’t matter… Well, it did for me when it comes to him. Kid is a baller!