2026 NBA draft thread

[Mavs2021]

This is unquestionably a generational draft in terms of quality and quantity. Good GM would try to get as many picks as possible even 2nd rounders.

[Chicagojk]

The Greek Luka?

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

[Mavs2021]

The Greek Luka?

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

I googled him, cause I thought this was the best deep fake video I have ever seen. If you just did this in a silhouette, everybody would believe it´s Luka. Also says in the comments he wanted a 1st round guarantee for last years draft to which all I can say is: How do you not give it to him as a team picking in the late 20s? I swear if OKC gets him with one of their three picks, I stop following the NBA.

[Chicagojk]

I googled him, cause I thought this was the best deep fake video I have ever seen. If you just did this in a silhouette, everybody would believe it´s Luka. Also says in the comments he wanted a 1st round guarantee for last years draft to which all I can say is: How do you not give it to him as a team picking in the late 20s? I swear if OKC gets him with one of their three picks, I stop following the NBA.

This draft is so good you have a guy who moves like Luka and a guy who looks this Anthony Edwards (Baylor kid) who people dont even mention

[Chicagojk]

I haven’t watched one game yet for college basketball. Most have Peterson as the number guy entering the season. He seemed smaller than I was expecting. Although he may be an elite shooter. I did not expect that.

While AJ looks bigger. Sort of have the same feeling seeing him like I did with Flagg. Just seems like a man playing with kids.

https://youtu.be/bXlHcya1784?si=hMP7Xzxi36MXNCxg

[JamesConway912]

Don’t know much about the upcoming draft class but finding a running mate for Flagg needs to be priority nr 1 now. Peterson and Boozer look pretty darn good, I will wait until the TDL but if their record stays as bad as it is we actually might be in the mix for one of those guys.

Also I just mentioned it in another thread. There is another talented, young, tall, blonde PF / C from Würzburg who might enter the NBA next season. Hannes Steinbach.

That’s the guy we need to bring in in addition to the guy we‘ll add with our own first.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

I know most here wants a PG, but what about another Cooper Flagg type? Nate Ament is another 6'9" ball handling, sweet shooting. highly mobile combo-forward with passing skills. Great perimeter D but unlike CF, isn't an interior presence. Having two forwards with that skill set is a nightmare on both ends for opposing teams.

[Mavs2021]

Don’t know much about the upcoming draft class but finding a running mate for Flagg needs to be priority nr 1 now. Peterson and Boozer look pretty darn good, I will wait until the TDL but if their record stays as bad as it is we actually might be in the mix for one of those guys.

Also I just mentioned it in another thread. There is another talented, young, tall, blonde PF / C from Würzburg who might enter the NBA next season. Hannes Steinbach.

That’s the guy we need to bring in in addition to the guy we‘ll add with our own first.

Agreed. That´s the guy they need to get with the additional AD pick to make up with Dirk. Everything I have seen about his skills, his upbringing and his path to basketball, he´ll be a stud. Get Brown and Steinbach and you have literally build the 2011 Mavs Kids Club.

[Mavs2021]

I know most here wants a PG, but what about another Cooper Flagg type? Nate Ament is another 6'9" ball handling, sweet shooting. highly mobile combo-forward with passing skills. Great perimeter D but unlike CF, isn't an interior presence. Having two forwards with that skill set is a nightmare on both ends for opposing teams.

Yeah I liked him, too. That´s what I am saying. You watch any of these guys, and they all look really good. I have secretly been wondering whether Flagg reclassified, cause he figured he was a #1 lock in 2025, while in 2026 he might have gone 4th.

[F Gump]

I know most here wants a PG, but what about another Cooper Flagg type? Nate Ament is another 6'9" ball handling, sweet shooting. highly mobile combo-forward with passing skills. Great perimeter D but unlike CF, isn't an interior presence. Having two forwards with that skill set is a nightmare on both ends for opposing teams.

I think the specifics of which player makes the most sense will be largely defined by which draft pick (1st or 21st) and which players will be available in range of that pick. 

It's also possible we might have one or more trades between now and then that change the needs. 

There are a LOT of good players in this draft to pick from. That will help a lot.

[khaled1987]

You don't draft based on need, unless maybe they are two picks within same draft like Minny had in 09, even then Mavs got 2 PG in 2018 and it was absolutely the right decision.

Best player available all the way. Get someone who is good and deal with fit later.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comme...5_assists/

[F Gump]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comme...5_assists/

I'm glad you posted this about Brown.

He started the season with an early rating as a player putting him in the low lottery. But other than Peterson, no PG was ranked higher.

From reading about his size and talent, he may be the best fit for the Mavs. I think his draft stock will soar between now and June.

[GermanMav]

I like everyone of the top 7 to an extend. The only one i am not sure about fit wise is Boozer, but IF he could be a small Ball 5, he'd be a nightmare.
I am intrigued bei Tounde, he plays so hard, is athletic. If he can shoot the Ball well enough, i feel like he has an ANT starter kit.

[Chicagojk]

I like everyone of the top 7 to an extend. The only one i am not sure about fit wise is Boozer, but IF he could be a small Ball 5, he'd be a nightmare.
I am intrigued bei Tounde, he plays so hard, is athletic. If he can shoot the Ball well enough, i feel like he has an ANT starter kit.

Boozer scares me.   Those bully type players who just overpower you always give me concern.  He is suppose to be a real smart player though.  I am hoping to watch him.   

In a perfect world, if we are outside the top 2 I would want a guard who can space the floor and also fill in as a creator.   I want to take the best player, but if you had draft pick X, Kyrie, Max and potentially another guard if not already on the roster that would really open things up.

The Tennessee kid is interesting.  Really long.  Looks like he is still getting used to his body.   

https://x.com/brhoops/status/1988790158137942486

[SleepingHero]

The Greek Luka?

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

Yeah uh... how can we get him on the Mavs?

That dude looks the part so far.

[khaled1987]

Boozer scares me.   Those bully type players who just overpower you always give me concern.  He is suppose to be a real smart player though.  I am hoping to watch him.   

In a perfect world, if we are outside the top 2 I would want a guard who can space the floor and also fill in as a creator.   I want to take the best player, but if you had draft pick X, Kyrie, Max and potentially another guard if not already on the roster that would really open things up.

The Tennessee kid is interesting.  Really long.  Looks like he is still getting used to his body.   

https://x.com/brhoops/status/1988790158137942486

Ament looks like he hast MPJ starter kit, in a good way tbh

Boozer has a lot of KLove , fundamentally strong, good rebounder, good size. He will need an improvement in 3pt but that is usually the case for most prospects anyway.
Ceiling isn't very high, but he will make it

Yeah uh... how can we get him on the Mavs?

That dude looks the part so far.

He has the same issues thar scouts thought Luka would have tbh. He is a bit slow and he doesn't make the separation and deceleration nearly as good. Watching the clip for a few times, I get why he is ranked so low. I think once outside top 10 he is worth the gamble though

[JamesConway912]

Ever since Marvin Bagley flopped so so badly I‘m cautious with guys like that. Boozer reminds me a bit of him from the few highlights I have seen. A lot of sneaky inside scoring but could be a bit longer / more athletic and he really needs the three for him to be consistently there at the NBA level to open up his game. But obviously very talented. I have him quite clearly below Peterson though. 

Peterson looks like a sure bet. Could easily see him turn into the next Devin Booker or Bradley Beal.

I just watched the Avdalas clip. Madness. He moves so much like Luka and looks extremely talented BUT he is a bit older and the level of competition makes it easier to outsmart a bunch of college lids. Very intrigued by him though. He will rise to the lottery quickly Imo but I could see him stay outside the top 10. The insane part about Luka was that he played like that while he was facing pros and being 16/17/18 himself. But yeah still super impressed by Avdalas.

Trading AD to the Bulls for the CHI 1st and POR 1st would be nuts. Both potential lottery picks.

Super early pipedream:

Trade AD for CHI & POR 2026 1sts

DAL 1st Peterson 
CHI 1st Avdalas
POR 1st Steinbach

Irving | Avdalas
Peterson | Christie 
Flagg | Marshall
PJWash | Steinbach
Lively | Gafford

Steinbach will probably be more of a C than a Pf in the NBA but I think hes playable there.

I REALLY hope they decide to trade AD for draft capital and tank hard. By next season you don’t have a different choice than trying to compete but for this year they need to win the race to the bottom or at least try it. 

With Flagg already being here, that one xxxxx gone and the poor start they hold all the cards now for a quick turnaround. Maybe not in terms of immediate succes but in terms of picking up pieces that help you in the future. Flagg might be able to turn this franchise around by himself but adding 2-3 more young studs sure would make his life easier. 

Also with that type of core you can open up plenty of caproom over the years to keep maneuvring.

[myconsumerclub]

Our pick and 2 others for AD would be ideal who cares what they send back to match salary with as long as they expire. 2 picks in this draft might be worth 3 or 4 in a crappy draft year.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/neoklis-avdalas from watching the videos available here he reminds me of Luka only he is a little taller and more in shape seems to have more defensive ability and athleticism too.

These 2 7' brothers I recall being mentioned in the draft last off season. They may be good options with a 3 pointer as well.
https://www.tankathon.com/players/tomislav-ivisic
https://www.tankathon.com/players/zvonimir-ivisic

Hopefully Cooper adds an inch or 2 like Lively did in the offseason.

If we can get a first round pick for Gafford and load up on young bigs that can hit 3's I would be happy.

[Dirknows]

So Caleb Wilson is gonna make a push to be a top-3 pick.