2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/jeff_on_sports/status/2035...62515?s=61

Fun player

[cow]

https://x.com/jeff_on_sports/status/2035...62515?s=61

Fun player

Kind of reminds me of the youngest Ball brother.

[Smitty]

21 Wins and 10 Games to go for the Jazz. They have 3 winnable games left on their schedule IMO. (WAS, NOP, MEM)
23 Wins and 10 Games to go for the Mavs. They have 4 winnable games left on their schedule IMO. (POR, MIL, LAC, CHI)
24 Wins and 11 Games to go for the Grizzles. They have 3 winnable games left on their schedule IMO. (CHI, MIL, UTAH)
25 Wins and 10 Games to go for the Pelicans. They have 4 winnable games left on their schedule IMO. (POR, SAC, ORL, UTAH)


I feel comfortable saying it's unlikely the Mavs tie or jump the Jazz for the 5th spot. As well as it being unlikely that the Pels tie or jump the Mavs, in this disgraceful tank-off. As my kids would say, six--seven... It likely comes down to the final game of the season against CHI, with the Mavs needing to lose to stay in a tie with MEM or stay ahead of them in the Win column.

[Chicagojk]

21 Wins and 10 Games to go for the Jazz. They have 3 winnable games left on their schedule IMO. (WAS, NOP, MEM)
23 Wins and 10 Games to go for the Mavs. They have 4 winnable games left on their schedule IMO. (POR, MIL, LAC, CHI)
24 Wins and 11 Games to go for the Grizzles. They have 3 winnable games left on their schedule IMO. (CHI, MIL, UTAH)
25 Wins and 10 Games to go for the Pelicans. They have 4 winnable games left on their schedule IMO. (POR, SAC, ORL, UTAH)


I feel comfortable saying it's unlikely the Mavs tie or jump the Jazz for the 5th spot. As well as it being unlikely that the Pels tie or jump the Mavs, in this disgraceful tank-off. As my kids would say, six--seven... It likely comes down to the final game of the season against CHI, with the Mavs needing to lose to stay in a tie with MEM or stay ahead of them in the Win column.

Yeah I think they land 6 or 7.  I am leaning towards 7.  Tough to truly define winnable game though.   A lot of crazy things happen the last week of the season.

[Smitty]

I just found out that fanspo has a draft board creator...


   

[Smitty]

@ArtTakesNotes
Here are the shooting stats for the top guard prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft



Names in order:
Peterson
Flemings
Acuff
Wagler
Burries
Brown Jr.
Philon
Stirtz
Okorie

[vfromlmf]

Burries is quietly becoming my guy

[Winter]

Burries is quietly becoming my guy

Among several between 4-12, he feels like one of the safest bets.

[Smitty]

Burries is quietly becoming my guy

His size is the only real knock I can think of. A 6'3 SG, but maybe more of a combo-guard in the way that we think of Kyrie? He's the best defender in the group, so maybe he's your future POA guy either way. He's grown on me also. If they make it to the championship game, we'll get 4 more games to see if he can have a signature moment in the tournament.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2036445490045145537



Darius Acuff Jr has landed a signature shoe with Reebok.

[Winter]

His size is the only real knock I can think of. A 6'3 SG, but maybe more of a combo-guard in the way that we think of Kyrie? He's the best defender in the group, so maybe he's your future POA guy either way. He's grown on me also. If they make it to the championship game, we'll get 4 more games to see if he can have a signature moment in the tournament.

I've never seen Burries listed at 6'3". Where did you see that?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4829...tournament



NBA draft stock watch

[Smitty]

I've never seen Burries listed at 6'3". Where did you see that?

Doesn't everyone on the board take at least an inch off of these listed college heights for the Guards?

[Chicagojk]

I am not sure it is a slam dunk that Acuff is in the Fleming range. If so the brown, Burries, Philon debates will hit like crack if Mavs are outside the top 6

Question, Brooklyn Nets get pick 5. What do they do? They just drafted three point guards.

[Smitty]

I am not sure it is a slam dunk that Acuff is in the Fleming range.

Why do you think that? I think it's far more likely that Acuff is drafted ahead of Flemings at this point. I get the defensive concerns with Acuff, but maybe an even bigger concern is Flemings and his insanely low 3PTr and FTr. If you're a guard and don't shoot the 3 ball AND you don't get to the FT line in this NBA....

[vfromlmf]

I'd like to see Burries stand next to Christie and Podziemski.

Max is listed at 6' 5" 190 and Podziemski is 6' 4" 205. Watching the game last night their height was pretty indistinguishable but Podziemski looked and played like the bigger (and far better) player.

Burries' height, as long as it's not way off, doesn't bother me. He has broad shoulders and a strong frame and he's been noted as a guy who "plays bigger" than his frame. He's a little older for a freshman but I don't view that as a bad thing. He has plenty of upside and Flagg is mature for a rookie himself. A guy who needs a couple of extra years to build strength will just delay the turnaround.

[Chicagojk]

Why do you think that? I think it's far more likely that Acuff is drafted ahead of Flemings at this point. I get the defensive concerns with Acuff, but maybe an even bigger concern is Flemings and his insanely low 3PTr and FTr. If you're a guard and don't shoot the 3 ball AND you don't get to the FT line in this NBA....

You may be right.  He has certainly played like a rockstar.  Until proven otherwise I think he comes in at 6’1 with or without shoes.  So until I see his measurements, I am going assume he is small.  Shouldn’t matter?   Not sure but I think teams will prefer some of the bigger guards

[Mavs2021]

@ArtTakesNotes
Here are the shooting stats for the top guard prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft



Names in order:
Peterson
Flemings
Acuff
Wagler
Burries
Brown Jr.
Philon
Stirtz
Okorie

My basic analysis would be rim + floater + 3pt percentage. If you are good at all three that means you know how to protect the ball around the rim and finish through contract and creatively. Floater is also an exit strategy that requires quick thinking and touch. Add a good 3pt percentage and I´d say you have a strong baseline.

Based on that it´s Burries, Philon and Acuff, while staying clear of Flemings, Wagler, Stirtz and Brown. Then those are also the oldest guys and Philon was nowhere near this polished 12 months ago.

[F Gump]

Burries is quietly becoming my guy

I also like Burries. But I wish he was a full-sized PG rather than an undersized SG. That's likely why he's usually at 10 or so -- he's not a PG, and not that much of a creator for others.

[Dahlsim]

You may be right.  He has certainly played like a rockstar.  Until proven otherwise I think he comes in at 6’1 with or without shoes.  So until I see his measurements, I am going assume he is small.  Shouldn’t matter?   Not sure but I think teams will prefer some of the bigger guards

The Darius Acuff / Kyrie Irving comparision is out there and interesting given that Dallas could be faced with potentially having both on roster.   Make no mistake if Kyrie comes back mostly the same off his injury (big IF) his impact on winning won't be replaceable anytime soon by an NBA rookie but 
DA is thought thought with his wingspan and style to likely play a little 'bigger' in the NBA. 

Physical Measurements Comparison
Measurement

1. Darius Acuff Jr. (2026 Prospect)
   
2. Kyrie Irving (NBA Official)Listed Height
   

6'3" (1.91 m)
6'2" (1.88 m)

Height (Barefoot)
Not yet officially measured
6'1.75"

Wingspan
6'5.5"
6'4"

Standing Reach
TBD (Est. 8'4" - 8'5")
8'3"

Weight
190 lbs
195 lb

Also, measurements at the same age favor Acuff ending up a little bigger.