2026 NBA draft thread

[cow]

Man..we're all over the place.

Some speculating we're drafting Mara at 9. Some Morez. Others saying we're moving down and getting Morez. Then we're debating if Wilson will fit in with Flagg.

I hope the actual draft day doesn't turn out to be a downer after all these numerous speculations and possibilities that are thrown around.

It's just my stupid fantasy about drafting Wilson since my buddy is a NC fan and I watched a two minute highlight video of him.  Also remember that I famously loved Bagley, thought THT could be Pippen to Luka's Jordan, and probably eighty other spectacularly wrong things.

[KillerLeft]

Man..we're all over the place.

Some speculating we're drafting Mara at 9. Some Morez. Others saying we're moving down and getting Morez. Then we're debating if Wilson will fit in with Flagg.

I hope the actual draft day doesn't turn out to be a downer after all these numerous speculations and possibilities that are thrown around.

It's boredom, mostly. 

But I'm officially locked in on Mikel Brown, Jr at this point. I'm speaking it into existence.

[KillerLeft]

Also remember that I famously loved Bagley, thought THT could be Pippen to Luka's Jordan, and probably eighty other spectacularly wrong things.

Those takes were reasonable at the time. What you should list first when you're in a self deprecating sort of mood is that you were in favor of that awful JaVale McGee signing.

Oh, and you once stuck up for the city of Milwaukee on here for like two hours.

[OBX Maverick]

The Athletic just released an article spotlighting four players in the lottery with the top odds to be drafted at a given position. 

Wagler at #5, +200
Acuff at #6,  +240
Mara at #9,  +650
Johnson at #12, +215

Will the Mavs still be picking at #9 tomorrow night?

[hakeemfaan]

Their thought process seems to be about Schmitz's perceived role in Portland drafting Yang Hansen, along with the Dusty May element. 

I just can't imagine the Mavs would be so stupid, but I'm getting worried, I admit.

Most mocks have Mara going at least by 15.  So it's not a total stunner like the Hansen Yang move.

To me there are 3 major red flags with him: a) Defensive rebounding weakness b) He is never going to be a 35 min a game guy let alone longer.  So you will always have to pair him with another center. c) What is your style of play if you draft him with Flagg? 

However, I also don't agree with calling him just a giant who is getting irrational love due to the Wemby factor and teams desperate to get a Wemby counter:
a) His passing skills are exceptional for a big guy. b) I have seen enough clips where he rotates from the 3 pt line to back down to block shots. That is not a slow guy  c) He is jumping up and catching lobs on the pick and roll and finishing aggressively.  That is not a Boban.

It's valid to ask why he struggled in UCLA.  Maybe they didn't utilize him correctly. Maybe he is catching up to his height in terms of coordination.  

I'm not saying draft him at #9, but I've always viewed him as the true boom or bust in this draft as opposed to say an Ament.  Ament has a higher floor due to his ball handling skills and ability to get to the line but IMO Mara has a much higher ceiling if he can stay injury free and can prove that the clips where he defended in space were not a fluke. He can be a difference maker and his passing skills are sublime.

[DL2RimRocker]

I'm not seeing the logic of taking Mara unless the idea is to trade Lively. Lively's value is low now so doesn't make sense to sell low on him.

[cow]

Those takes were reasonable at the time. What you should list first when you're in a self deprecating sort of mood is that you were in favor of that awful JaVale McGee signing.

Eh, I was in favor of signing him on a 1-year vet minimum deal and I didn't expect Luka to treat him like a leper out of the gate.  Was it a bad call on my part?  Maybe, but even I wouldn't have done three years at whatever that number was. In this case, I'd say the Mavs FO made my wrongness spectacular so I can't claim complete credit for it.

[mvossman]

Those takes were reasonable at the time. What you should list first when you're in a self deprecating sort of mood is that you were in favor of that awful JaVale McGee signing.

Oh, and you once stuck up for the city of Milwaukee on here for like two hours.

Or not wanting to extend Brunson.  We have all had some rough calls.  It will be interesting to review this thread in a couple of years.  Ament and Brown will probably be stars.

[mvossman]

I'm not seeing the logic of taking Mara unless the idea is to trade Lively. Lively's value is low now so doesn't make sense to sell low on him.

Don't think that is a valid reason for taking Mara.

[cow]

Or not wanting to extend Brunson.  We have all had some rough calls.  It will be interesting to review this thread in a couple of years.  Ament and Brown will probably be stars.

That's a better example of my spectacular wrongness.  Still, F JB.

[ThisIStheYear]

I'm a Burries fan but Bane is not his floor.  Bane was a better 3 point shooter in college and he wildly outperformed expectations in NBA.  No guarantee Burries will do the same.

There’s never a guarantee. Bane was a better shooter later in his career than Burries as a freshman. But Burries projects similarly. He can knock it down. They have similar builds and athleticism, though Burries is an accelerated version.

[mvossman]

The Athletic just released an article spotlighting four players in the lottery with the top odds to be drafted at a given position. 

Wagler at #5, +200
Acuff at #6,  +240
Mara at #9,  +650
Johnson at #12, +215

Will the Mavs still be picking at #9 tomorrow night?

I refuse to believe Mavs pick Mara at 9.  I'm guessing that is just popular idea because of who they hired as head coach.

I will be really surprised if OKC moves up in the draft to pick Mara.  Much more likely they sit on 12 and get Johnson.

[KillerLeft]

Ament and Brown will probably be stars.

Mvossman's place on the right side of history confirmed!

[hakeemfaan]

It's just my stupid fantasy about drafting Wilson since my buddy is a NC fan and I watched a two minute highlight video of him.  Also remember that I famously loved Bagley, thought THT could be Pippen to Luka's Jordan, and probably eighty other spectacularly wrong things.

I am not going to blame you on Bagley.  I thought he was going to be awesome as well.

People point to Bagley saying that he wanted to be the best rapper in the NBA, as the beginning of his downfall. I know it's a joke but I often wonder with players like him if there is an element of truth to it. He should have done much more with his talent than what he has done.  With players like that you wonder if they are maximizing their god given abilities.

[cow]

I refuse to believe Mavs pick Mara at 9.  I'm guessing that is just popular idea because of who they hired as head coach.

I will be really surprised if OKC moves up in the draft to pick Mara.  Much more likely they sit on 12 and get Johnson.

What if we trade DLive and Landlord...and swap 9 for 12 and 7?

[cow]

I am not going to blame you on Bagley.  I thought he was going to be awesome as well.

People point to Bagley saying that he wanted to be the best rapper in the NBA, as the beginning of his downfall. I know it's a joke but I often wonder with players like him if there is an element of truth to it. He should have done much more with his talent than what he has done.  With players like that you wonder if they are maximizing their god given abilities.

Most don't maximize their ability, even great ones (Shaq).  I tend to fall in love with freak athletes, probably because of wanting something different from Dirk and Luka.

[KillerLeft]

I am not going to blame you on Bagley.  I thought he was going to be awesome as well.

People point to Bagley saying that he wanted to be the best rapper in the NBA, as the beginning of his downfall. I know it's a joke but I often wonder with players like him if there is an element of truth to it. He should have done much more with his talent than what he has done.  With players like that you wonder if they are maximizing their god given abilities.

If I wished to be as fair to Bagley as possible, I'd point out that Sacramento is the organization least equipped to guide a young man through his rookie contract in a way that provides maximum opportunity to flourish. It takes a special dude like Haliburton to succeed there, for the most part. Had Bagley gone some place like San Antonio there's no telling how differently things might've turned out.

[hakeemfaan]

I can't imagine KL's state of mind if we trade back to 12 and draft Mara

Tomorrow is going to be an interesting night.

[mvossman]

There’s never a guarantee. Bane was a better shooter later in his career than Burries as a freshman. But Burries projects similarly. He can knock it down. They have similar builds and athleticism, though Burries is an accelerated version.

Burries does not project to be a 40%+ three point shooter on high volume in the NBA.  Not many guys do.  He is an outlier and probably closer to Burries ceiling than floor.  I would be very happy if we land Burries and he turns into Bane.

[KillerLeft]

I can't imagine KL's state of mind if we trade back to 12 and draft Mara

Nor should you try. Would be dangerous for all of us, my dude.