2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

some good Mikel Brown highlights

https://x.com/mcfNBA/status/2026343736389599667

Still though, I watch and think man he makes some really difficult

[Winter]

some good Mikel Brown highlights

https://x.com/mcfNBA/status/2026343736389599667

Still though, I watch and think man he makes some really difficult

My guess is that he'll get better at shot selection in the NBA. He might be trying to compensate for a poor early season struggle by firing away at those distances.

He had 14 3-pt attempts in his last game!

[KillerLeft]

You would have to play them together some.  I would want Acuff getting at least 20 minutes a game as a rookie, and probably a lot more than that.  As someone who has expressed fit concerns with Flagg, you can't worry about that at all for a 34 year old PG.  Acuff lack of size is a concern in general, but I am not going to let fit with Kyrie have any impact on whether to draft him or not.

Here's my thing with this (and Kyrie in general): IF the Mavs love a guy in their range, I'd hope "can he work on court with Kyrie" isn't a deal breaker. I have no problem with keeping Kyrie around another year, but I don't think "fit" with him should be that important. He's 34, and I'm almost as disinterested in giving him another contract as most of us were about AD. No reason to move him just to move him, but IF they have their eyes on a guard they really want and he can't exist on the court WITH Kyrie, well...I'd just as soon draft the kid and get something for Kyrie afterwards, myself.

[Scott41theMavs]

All this talk of Brown vs. Acuff etc. is going to be moot if the Mavs can't find ways to win-lose at least two of the next three games. If the Grizz "catch" them in the tank, it's going to be very difficult to catch them back, even with the brutal schedule after the Grizz game. Remember that lottery-chances-seed-minus-one-or-more is the likely landing spot if they don't move up.

[mvossman]

Here's my thing with this (and Kyrie in general): IF the Mavs love a guy in their range, I'd hope "can he work on court with Kyrie" isn't a deal breaker. I have no problem with keeping Kyrie around another year, but I don't think "fit" with him should be that important. He's 34, and I'm almost as disinterested in giving him another contract as most of us were about AD. No reason to move him just to move him, but IF they have their eyes on a guard they really want and he can't exist on the court WITH Kyrie, well...I'd just as soon draft the kid and get something for Kyrie afterwards, myself.

Agreed.  But honestly, Acuff is the kind of on ball player that works well with Kyrie offensively.  They won't be ideal defensively but surround them with three defensive players (say Lively/Flagg/Naji for example) and it shouldn't be a disaster.  Worst case you can stagger those guys and they won't have to be on the court together for more than 10 or 15 minutes a game.

[Smitty]

Christian Anderson in the win over Cincinnati #NBADraft

— 31 PTS
— 11 REBS
— 7 ASTS
— 11/19 FG
— 3/8 3P
— 6/6 FT

[ThisIStheYear]

Beginning around 9, the evaluation process in this draft will start to get difficult. I’m starting to think the Mavs should plan on drafting around 10. A good player will be available, but it will take good scouting and conviction to find him.

[F Gump]

BYU and Dybantsa at home tonight, against Central Florida. Absolutely got destroyed. D put up good numbers, but it was an ugly game for BYU.

[Chicagojk]

I have pretty much discounted Philon and Anderson.  I have seen more of Philon than Anderson.  Anderson is having quite the season.  He is still only 19 too.

https://x.com/NBADraftWass/status/2026523607740911734

[Smitty]

I have pretty much discounted Philon and Anderson.  I have seen more of Philon than Anderson.  Anderson is having quite the season.  He is still only 19 too.

https://x.com/NBADraftWass/status/2026523607740911734

I'm the opposite. I've seen 3 games of Anderson and only one of Philon. I like Anderson more, as of right now.

[vfromlmf]

Ok changed my mind on Acuff. He was having a miserable game against Texas A&M. 1 of 11 and 5 points when he checked out in the second half. Aggies were mounting a big comeback.

Acuff checked back in with around 10 minutes left and DOMINATED. Steals, lobs dunks, 17 pts on 6 out of 7 shots. All on a bum ankle. Finished 22pts 7 ast 5 reb. Hogs won going away.

Toughness, leadership, unselfish, great body. I’m no scout but that guy is going to be a starting point guard in the NBA someday.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Everybody talks about his stature as a small PG. But don't take into consideration his poise, IQ, and maturity for a freshman. He has a great feel for the game. He'll be a top 5 pick I'll predict.

[Chicagojk]

Everybody talks about his stature as a small PG. But don't take into consideration his poise, IQ, and maturity for a freshman. He has a great feel for the game. He'll be a top 5 pick I'll predict.

I think he is the best passer of the bunch.   It is really exciting you can ask 4 people who is the best between Acuff, Brown, Flemings and Wagner and get 4 different answers.  Those answers may change between games too.   It will be interesting to see if those 4 go in the 5-10 range (maybe throw in Ament too, who is also polarizing).  Some of the point guards offer position flexibility but it is very rare to see 4 go in 5 picks.   Is there another wing or big who jumps into this range to break up the point guard run?  To me it would be surprising to see 4 go in a row.  

https://x.com/RichStayman/status/2026901657397645794

[Chicagojk]

I personally don’t see the Kevin Love comparison. Love was a better rebounder (just elite) and maybe a tad better shooter. Boozer is a much better prospect for me.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVOUPCIlC...dWgzNXZhcw==

[vfromlmf]

Everybody talks about his stature as a small PG. But don't take into consideration his poise, IQ, and maturity for a freshman. He has a great feel for the game. He'll be a top 5 pick I'll predict.

His mental toughness is elite. He was clearly having an off night. One of those games where he was getting good looks but they didn't go down. 1 of 11.

When he checked out Calipari said a few words and a couple of guys dapped him up but his team was winning big so it was more like, "hey, tough night, hang in there." Acuff didn't have a bad attitude at all, his frustration was contained, but palpable. 

Things totally changed when he went back in the game but it felt like it had more to do with his team losing a big lead than him trying to get his numbers. Felt like he put it in another gear when his team needed him. Literally like 7-8 possessions in a row, impacted the game on both ends. Super impressive. 

Obviously scouts see Flemings and others as more toolsy, but Acuff is just different. I don't know if it will translate to the NBA, but if it does he could be the best PG of the bunch. 

Also, Calipari can coach.

[mvossman]

His mental toughness is elite. He was clearly having an off night. One of those games where he was getting good looks but they didn't go down. 1 of 11.

When he checked out Calipari said a few words and a couple of guys dapped him up but his team was winning big so it was more like, "hey, tough night, hang in there." Acuff didn't have a bad attitude at all, his frustration was contained, but palpable. 

Things totally changed when he went back in the game but it felt like it had more to do with his team losing a big lead than him trying to get his numbers. Felt like he put it in another gear when his team needed him. Literally like 7-8 possessions in a row, impacted the game on both ends. Super impressive. 

Obviously scouts see Flemings and others as more toolsy, but Acuff is just different. I don't know if it will translate to the NBA, but if it does he could be the best PG of the bunch. 

Also, Calipari can coach.

Acuff could easily be the best PG of the draft.  Flemmings draw is that he is more of a two way player.  I would be happy with either one.

[Winter]

Acuff could easily be the best PG of the draft.  Flemmings draw is that he is more of a two way player.  I would be happy with either one.

Acuff as you've neer see him! As a fifth grader!

I heard him in a interview once saying he can't remember ever playing against his age group. His father always made him play older boys.

Fun video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzb-9I6PSeM

[Chicagojk]

Wagler article

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket...s-freshman

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Acuff as you've neer see him! As a fifth grader!

I heard him in a interview once saying he can't remember ever playing against his age group. His father always made him play older boys.

Fun video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzb-9I6PSeM

 I'm very familiar with him. He's a Detroit kid. Went to Cass Technical High School.

[myconsumerclub]

Kings are up 21 to 15 so far