2026 NBA draft thread

[Scott41theMavs]

The real question will be if Mavs get 3 and AJ and Boozer are off the board.  Are you going to pass over Peterson?  Are you going Wilson?  Are you going with one the PGs (Acuff/Flemings)?

I 1,000% take Wilson over both Boozer and Peterson. Acuff/Flemings over Wilson... I'd probably still go Wilson, even though those two fit a bit better with CF.

[Scott41theMavs]

I suspect the entire NBA would select Peterson in that scenario. It seems they all REALLLLLLLY value him. (I'm not convinced he even drops to 2, frankly).

But in that scenario, personally I'd pick Wilson. I think he's the best shot at a future superstar in this draft, with Dybantsa a close second.

I don't give a rat's where Peterson goes in the draft, as long as it's not in a million years to the Mavs (maybe not even at seven).

One does not simply draft The New Beard But With 2 Assists Per Game Max when Cooper Flagg is the guy from whom the ball is being kept away.

[Scott41theMavs]

It is too early for me to make a decision on rankings.  I will say though that I think any of the top 3 would fit really well with Cooper.   Each one would provide some benefits and negaitives, but I think all three would make it an exciting future (injuries aside).  The way Cooper attacks the rim would fit great with Peterson's shooting.  Add smart, solid pieces around them and we would be cooking if we are lucky to get a top 3 pick.

This is not a concern now, but I think only Boozer would be perfectly fine sharing the spotlight with Cooper.  I think potentially AJ and Peterson may not like playing second fiddle over time.   That is a concern for a much later date.

I believe that, from the footage we have from this year, Wilson is clearly a better future NBA player than Boozer. Not sure why so many keep talking as if Boozer is an obvious pick over him. Crazy, from where I'm sitting.

[mvossman]

I believe that, from the footage we have from this year, Wilson is clearly a better future NBA player than Boozer. Not sure why so many keep talking as if Boozer is an obvious pick over him. Crazy, from where I'm sitting.

I mean Boozer had literally one of the best college basketball seasons ever statistically.  Better than Flagg.  Much better than Wilson.  He was better than Wilson at just about everything other than blocks.  Better scorer, more efficient, better passer, better rebounder (barely).  He has a very high BBIQ and a great attitude.  I realize he is not the elite athlete that Wilson is and there are questions regarding his NBA defensive fit, but I would argue Wilson shooting is at least as much of a concern.

[Winter]

I mean Boozer had literally one of the best college basketball seasons ever statistically.  Better than Flagg.  Much better than Wilson.  He was better than Wilson at just about everything other than blocks.  Better scorer, more efficient, better passer, better rebounder (barely).  He has a very high BBIQ and a great attitude.  I realize he is not the elite athlete that Wilson is and there are questions regarding his NBA defensive fit, but I would argue Wilson shooting is at least as much of a concern.

All that's true. Statistically speaking. I certainly can't make the argument from the stats.

Somehow, the eyes see a more NBA-like player in Wilson. Boozer, on the other hand, feels a little like a good college center. In the end, I'm sure both will be good players, but I just see more upside in Wilson.

[DallasMaverick]

It's really starting to sink in how much of a missed opportunity ending in the 6th-7th spot might end up being.

If one is prone to being regretful, the NBA supplies ample opportunities.

[Chicagojk]

I think my Acuff may be my favorite passer in the draft.   Mara to me is the most fun.   The most effective...it may be Boozer.

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comme...ight_reel/

[DallasMaverick]

I don't give a rat's where Peterson goes in the draft, as long as it's not in a million years to the Mavs (maybe not even at seven).

One does not simply draft The New Beard But With 2 Assists Per Game Max when Cooper Flagg is the guy from whom the ball is being kept away.

So, if Peterson is available when Dallas picks in the second round, you still wouldn’t take him?

[Scott41theMavs]

So, if Peterson is available when Dallas picks in the second round, you still wouldn’t take him?

Ha! If the Mavs could obtain another pick in the 11-15 range and he was still on the board, sure. At that point, you could bring him off the bench.

I really believe that he could be this year's MPJ for reasons other than injury.

[Smitty]

@TheDunkCentral

An anonymous GM has AJ Dybantsa ranked No. 1, Caleb Wilson No. 2, and Darius Acuff Jr. No. 3 on his draft board, per @MarcJSpears

“Real quick on Acuff: I had one GM tell me today he’s moved into the top three. Peterson might be going back down a little bit. He saw AJ as number one, Wilson two."

(h/t @OmerOsman200 / @TheNBABase)

[Chicagojk]

Didn’t watch a lot of Peterson but seems like Teams tried to get the ball out of his hands

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/s/7TKck17Enx

[vfromlmf]

Looks like Kevin O'Connor has some of the same concerns I have with Peterson. Number 1 is he doesn't make his teammates better.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/doe...40021.html

[Winter]

@TheDunkCentral

An anonymous GM has AJ Dybantsa ranked No. 1, Caleb Wilson No. 2, and Darius Acuff Jr. No. 3 on his draft board, per @MarcJSpears

“Real quick on Acuff: I had one GM tell me today he’s moved into the top three. Peterson might be going back down a little bit. He saw AJ as number one, Wilson two."

(h/t @OmerOsman200 / @TheNBABase)

This almost feels right to me based on what I've seen. It would be hard to imagine Boozer falling to 4th or lower, so I don't think Acuff will overtake him on most other boards. But I understand this ranking better than other mock drafts that are posted. It's felt for awhile that Acuff has overtaken Flemings, so that's reflected here for the first I've seen. And I agree with it.

Since I went to Arkansas and I've watch the highlights of most games, I'll say something else about Acuff. Arkansas has gotten better as a team as the season went on, and I think he's a big reason. He's gotten better with stiffer competition too. The SEC has 10 teams in the NCAA Tournament and Arkansas just took home the SEC tournament trophy. They are playing some of the best ball of the season against good teams. I doubt it's enough against Arizona, but Acuff has had a great run.

The Calapari connection hasn't hurt either, and I'm glad the media has picked up some of that.

[DL2RimRocker]

Jayhawks fan here and I'd take Acuff over Peterson all day. Peterson is not a winner and would do nothing but frustrate fans.

Acuff and Coop would be a tremendous dynamic duo and incredibly fun to watch.

[mvossman]

This almost feels right to me based on what I've seen. It would be hard to imagine Boozer falling to 4th or lower, so I don't think Acuff will overtake him on most other boards. But I understand this ranking better than other mock drafts that are posted. It's felt for awhile that Acuff has overtaken Flemings, so that's reflected here for the first I've seen. And I agree with it.

Since I went to Arkansas and I've watch the highlights of most games, I'll say something else about Acuff. Arkansas has gotten better as a team as the season went on, and I think he's a big reason. He's gotten better with stiffer competition too. The SEC has 10 teams in the NCAA Tournament and Arkansas just took home the SEC tournament trophy. They are playing some of the best ball of the season against good teams. I doubt it's enough against Arizona, but Acuff has had a great run.

The Calapari connection hasn't hurt either, and I'm glad the media has picked up some of that.

He has gone completely apeshit, especially since the tournaments started (he is averaging 30 points and 7 assists in SEC and NCAA tourneys).  A month ago he was getting mocked at 8 or 9 and now folks are talking about top 5.

[F Gump]

@TheDunkCentral

An anonymous GM has AJ Dybantsa ranked No. 1, Caleb Wilson No. 2, and Darius Acuff Jr. No. 3 on his draft board, per @MarcJSpears

“Real quick on Acuff: I had one GM tell me today he’s moved into the top three. Peterson might be going back down a little bit. He saw AJ as number one, Wilson two."

(h/t @OmerOsman200 / @TheNBABase)

Scott either has a secret GM job he hasn't mentioned, or some GM is stealing his ideas.

[cow]

For a second I was scratching my head about this comment, then the lightbulb went on that you were concerned he was a headcase/malingerer and therefore talk of legit health problems assuaged whatever worries you had about that.

My "I'm out" with regard to Peterson is not the offcourt prima donna worries, health, or alleged lack of love for the game. It's that when he played, it was like someone was holding his family hostage and was going to kill them all if he passed the ball. I don't care how good of a scorer you are, if you can't successfully pass consistently - especially from a guard spot - you are profoundly useless garbage as a basketball player. And it's not a matter of, "well, my teammates suck, so I have to do it all" - hell, no, his team was better when he didn't play. You put that together with the other concerns, and I wouldn't pick him in the top ten if I were an NBA GM. He might have some future in the league as a sixth man microwave (perhaps the best of all-time, best case scenario), but you need a starter in the top ten.

Time to rewatch The Last Boy Scout.  

[Scott41theMavs]

@TheDunkCentral

An anonymous GM has AJ Dybantsa ranked No. 1, Caleb Wilson No. 2, and Darius Acuff Jr. No. 3 on his draft board, per @MarcJSpears

“Real quick on Acuff: I had one GM tell me today he’s moved into the top three. Peterson might be going back down a little bit. He saw AJ as number one, Wilson two."

(h/t @OmerOsman200 / @TheNBABase)

That's a damned smart GM, because 1) it's the correct players in the correct order, and 2) no one else is saying that yet.

I wish it had been our GM, but that's right, we don't have one.

[Scott41theMavs]

Didn’t watch a lot of Peterson but seems like Teams tried to get the ball out of his hands

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/s/7TKck17Enx

LOLOLOL his own team couldn't get the ball out of his hands either.

[Scott41theMavs]

Looks like Kevin O'Connor has some of the same concerns I have with Peterson. Number 1 is he doesn't make his teammates better.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/doe...40021.html

...which is more or less what I've been saying all day.