2026 NBA draft thread

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

THOUGHT EXERCISE. Let's say the Mavs end up with pick 7. As the draft plays out, the team drafting at 4 wants a PG rather than a PF and is left with either Boozer or Wilson. So they are willing to trade back, and take one of the PGs at 7, if you will send them both 7 and 30. Would you?

Of course i would, as there's a talent upgrade. And in every sport I believe in BPA.  However, I think it would cost more. 

The Mavs should view the Draft as pure talent acquisition, and trades to work the margins on fit.   In this case I jump on Wilson at 4.

[Winter]

I appreciate the info. But let me add a caveat.

From EVERYTHING that I have seen regarding scouting and the NBA draft, all this movement is likely to be way "wrong" (if we're trying to get a prediction of the draft itself). The common theme is that while the scouts and execs do give some consideration to the NCAA Tourney games - and it's a somewhat bigger data point than most of the others - it's not nearly the be-all end-all that the mock draftsters make it out to be. 

The point made over and over is that these are just games. And there have been MANY games this year to look at, in which these players did things. Super important results for the team and the college, but just a few games vs literally dozens before. In addition, draft position transcends game performances - other things are also super important like height, length, wingspan, speed, vertical, age, injuries, work within a team, etc etc, and these are things which in most cases didn't change at all in the NCAA Tourney. 

I suspect some of these players did indeed move to some degree, but maybe not nearly as much as the gurus doing some knee-jerking. For me and you, these games are informative because we may be seeing some of these guys for the 1st time, whereas for the scout and exec, these were just the last game of many views. 

The point being, when we have a mock draft that has shifted considerably in the wake of the NCAA's, we should probably give that mock (and the guy who did it) a major side eye. My 2c.

To your point, all the Michigan players moving up was almost certainly in regard to tournament exposure and nothing else. So yes, people writing these mock drafts aren't really drawing on anything substantially new. Metrics and workouts will change all this again eventually.

They are probably significantly more accurate than they were mid-season, but outside the top four players, there's nothing reliable. Just chit-chat on a message board (and a few more games to add).

[mvossman]

THOUGHT EXERCISE. Let's say the Mavs end up with pick 7. As the draft plays out, the team drafting at 4 wants a PG rather than a PF and is left with either Boozer or Wilson. So they are willing to trade back, and take one of the PGs at 7, if you will send them both 7 and 30. Would you?

Absolutely, but they could get more than that.

[mvossman]

I think this is good news. I can't really even explain why, but I have this feeling Flemings is the right guy for the Mavs.

If he can shoot, I agree.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket...-nba-draft


Mikel Brown declares for the NBA draft.

[Scott41theMavs]

One realization I am coming to is that, even if we move up to #1, whoever we draft 1) will not be as good as Cooper Flagg, and 2) won't be as ready-for-prime-time as Cooper Flagg. Got to be patient and hope he's a good Robin within a couple of years.

[Winter]

One realization I am coming to is that, even if we move up to #1, whoever we draft 1) will not be as good as Cooper Flagg, and 2) won't be as ready-for-prime-time as Cooper Flagg. Got to be patient and hope he's a good Robin within a couple of years.

I think ideally, I'm just asking for a player that allows Cooper Flagg to be better, and the ability to make the Mavericks better. We have to be lucky enough in the draft to acquire a starter with needed skills. 

I can't imagine any player being Flagg's equal on the court. In my dream world, I'm just looking for the Jordan-Pippin thing.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I think ideally, I'm just asking for a player that allows Cooper Flagg to be better, and the ability to make the Mavericks better. We have to be lucky enough in the draft to acquire a starter with needed skills. 

I can't imagine any player being Flagg's equal on the court. In my dream world, I'm just looking for the Jordan-Pippin thing.

Pippen was drafted 5th and was a 22 year old rookie.  He didn't start a single game and averaged 7.9 points in 21 minutes per game.  His calling card was D.  It was his fourth season before his O-Rating was better than his D-Rating or his OWS was better than his DWS.  He didn't hit 1/3 of his 3's until he was 29.

Given health among our current players, I'm not sure anyone outside of the top 3 picks starts for the Mav's next season.  If Pippen is the ideal, then Caleb Wilson is probably who we should be hoping for.

[vfromlmf]

Pippen was drafted 5th and was a 22 year old rookie.  He didn't start a single game and averaged 7.9 points in 21 minutes per game.  His calling card was D.  It was his fourth season before his O-Rating was better than his D-Rating or his OWS was better than his DWS.  He didn't hit 1/3 of his 3's until he was 29.

Given health among our current players, I'm not sure anyone outside of the top 3 picks starts for the Mav's next season.  If Pippen is the ideal, then Caleb Wilson is probably who we should be hoping for.

I thought you were going to make a case for Lendeborg. He doesn't have Pippen upside but he's only been playing organized basketball for 5 years. Think about that. He was Flagg's age before he took up the sport. There could be some real upside there despite his age; and what he can do now is impressive. He would be a massive point of attack defender who can handle, pass, and shoot -- and play right away. OG Anunoby?

[mvossman]

Pippen was drafted 5th and was a 22 year old rookie.  He didn't start a single game and averaged 7.9 points in 21 minutes per game.  His calling card was D.  It was his fourth season before his O-Rating was better than his D-Rating or his OWS was better than his DWS.  He didn't hit 1/3 of his 3's until he was 29.

Given health among our current players, I'm not sure anyone outside of the top 3 picks starts for the Mav's next season.  If Pippen is the ideal, then Caleb Wilson is probably who we should be hoping for.

I assumed Pippen was an example of a perfect Robin in general, not specific to Flagg.  If you are looking purely at fit I would argue Peterson probably makes most sense next to Flagg.

[Winter]

Pippen was drafted 5th and was a 22 year old rookie.  He didn't start a single game and averaged 7.9 points in 21 minutes per game.  His calling card was D.  It was his fourth season before his O-Rating was better than his D-Rating or his OWS was better than his DWS.  He didn't hit 1/3 of his 3's until he was 29.

Given health among our current players, I'm not sure anyone outside of the top 3 picks starts for the Mav's next season.  If Pippen is the ideal, then Caleb Wilson is probably who we should be hoping for.

Well I meant a "Jordan-Pippin thing" .... not actually Pippin stats. That was just an expression of compatibility. Someone who is compatible with Flagg to open the floor with shooting would be more to the point.

I did use the words "ideally" and "lucky" in regards to a starter. Having said all that, Caleb Wilson might not provide perimeter shooting, but if you filled the vacancy with some other shooters, Wilson may very well be the best player I could hope for. The perfect player from a stats standpoint - as Mvossman points out - is probably Peterson.... but it's hard to wish for that guy.

[Chicagojk]

I assumed Pippen was an example of a perfect Robin in general, not specific to Flagg.  If you are looking purely at fit I would argue Peterson probably makes most sense next to Flagg.

Talent only, Peterson would be an awesome fit.  It would also be the easiest fit and Dallas could pretty much. Ring back the same roster if a move did t present itself.  If Mavs don’t think they had a backup point guard on roster, than that would be a need.

The other top three in this class would make another moves) needed. If it is Boozer, Dallas would need to move one-two wings and would need probably two backcourt additions.  Not a bad thing but Peterson is a seamless fit…injuries aside

[michaeltex]

Informationally, as I write this, DAL is currently tied for 6th pick with MEM. NOP are a half game back in 8th.

DAL has PHX, SAN, CHI
MEM has DEN, UTA, HOU
NOP has BOS, MIN

TBH, I almost don't want the #1 pick because then it becomes a question of who is the real face of the team going forward. I sorta think there will be a lot of trade activity which means a lot of new faces, but the idea of who is the alpha dog should be firmly supported by coaches and management going into the summer and starting next season.

Personally, I really like everything that Coop brings in terms of his current game, but once you realize this is only at 19 1/3 years old and there is so much he can do to be even better, it's mind boggling. I think we can find a partner that will elevate the team anywhere in the top 8. Obviously, a higher pick allows for more options but whoever is making the pick decision shouldn't get blinded by the spotlights around some of these guys.

Also, do we send Findley for the lottery rep again this year? It worked last year, but did he use up all his mojo?

[michaeltex]

Other than Karim Lopez, who is playing in NZ now, I don't see much about international players in the mock drafts.

Are there any flying below the radar that could be draft surprises?

[Chicagojk]

Other than Karim Lopez, who is playing in NZ now, I don't see much about international players in the mock drafts.

Are there any flying below the radar that could be draft surprises?

I have been wondering the same thing.  I think th NiL has changed things as a lot of top international prospects are coming over for some $ and playing in collge against similar aged kids.

I assume a few years ago, Mara would never have played in college for a few years and would have need this 7’3 mystery guy getting top 10 buzz.

[Dirknows]

Talent only, Peterson would be an awesome fit.  It would also be the easiest fit and Dallas could pretty much. Ring back the same roster if a move did t present itself.  If Mavs don’t think they had a backup point guard on roster, than that would be a need.

The other top three in this class would make another moves) needed. If it is Boozer, Dallas would need to move one-two wings and would need probably two backcourt additions.  Not a bad thing but Peterson is a seamless fit…injuries aside

Petersen is the most seamless fit by far. We need a 2 guard who can create his own shot and defend. I’m coming around to Wilson playing with Flagg, our spacing would probably suck but the kid plays with such an insane motor. Could allow for Flagg to focus more on shouldering the offense while Wilson holds it down on D.

[mvossman]

Petersen is the most seamless fit by far. We need a 2 guard who can create his own shot and defend. I’m coming around to Wilson playing with Flagg, our spacing would probably suck but the kid plays with such an insane motor. Could allow for Flagg to focus more on shouldering the offense while Wilson holds it down on D.

I'm probably on an island on this one, but I think you can play Wilson at the 5, at least some of the time.

[Winter]

I'm probably on an island on this one, but I think you can play Wilson at the 5, at least some of the time.

Actually, I think it's hard to say because we don't know how Kidd will use year 2 Flagg with new players. Wilson could probably play at the 5 with his rim protetction and rebounding, but if Flagg is playing some kind of point forward, everything is a coaches decision.

I can imagine Wilson as a frontline component on the wing if enough shooting was available elsewhere.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I thought you were going to make a case for Lendeborg. He doesn't have Pippen upside but he's only been playing organized basketball for 5 years. Think about that. He was Flagg's age before he took up the sport. There could be some real upside there despite his age; and what he can do now is impressive. He would be a massive point of attack defender who can handle, pass, and shoot -- and play right away. OG Anunoby?

I think we have Yaxel on the roster already in the form of PJ Washington.  I like Lendeborg, but he’s not that much younger than PJ (though the money would be quite different).  Still, you’d have to tell me what the return was in the PJ trade before I’d be willing to draft Lendeborg.

As to the Pippen thing, I would LOVE the actual Pippen next to Flagg.  I don’t think we understand what Flagg is going to become and what kind of 3 point shooter he will eventually be.  That’s why I’d be all over Wilson as I think he’s a pretty good Pippen comp in some ways.  The defense of a Flagg, Lively and Wilson starting front court would be devastating.  I thing you can get enough floor spacing between Flagg and the guards…maybe not in 26/27, but I wouldn’t be building this team for 26/27.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Also, do we send Findley for the lottery rep again this year? It worked last year, but did he use up all his mojo?

It wasn't Finley, it was Ro Blackman. And as much as I think you don't mess with the joo-joo and send Blackman again, I just can't see a world where Cooper isn't the one sitting on the stage.  That said, I always think it’s funny when teams send young players as Lottery representatives considering how transactional the league is. If you watch old Lottery drawings and you see players, you'll notice how few of the players are still on the teams. For example, Jared McCain was Philly's rep recently.