2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

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.

Flagg is a great asset.  Him being a chess piece add to the value.  You can move him around and attacks team weaknesses.   Sort of play big, but be small.  Or play small, but be big. 

I think Acuff is awesome.  My one drawback for him besides defense is he is locked in as a point guard.  He doesn’t offer the positionally flexibility that can truly unleash Flagg.  Enough to pass on him?  Probably not.

[loki]

I think Acuff is awesome.  My one drawback for him besides defense is he is locked in as a point guard.  He doesn’t offer the positionally flexibility that can truly unleash Flagg.  Enough to pass on him?  Probably not.

The Mavs need an Expert PG. Someone who is PROVEN in all PG-related skills. Acuff please. Identify the best and then go get him. Don't settle for anything less.

Ok, a little overboard there. But I would thrilled with Acuff if they can't get Peterson. The Mavs have proven you can build an elite defense while covering for a few poor perimeter defenders. If Acuff is the one weak spot I don't think it's a deal breaker. He was also a good off-ball player this year so you can still put it in Coop's hands as much as you want.

[mvossman]

Flagg is a great asset.  Him being a chess piece add to the value.  You can move him around and attacks team weaknesses.   Sort of play big, but be small.  Or play small, but be big. 

I think Acuff is awesome.  My one drawback for him besides defense is he is locked in as a point guard.  He doesn’t offer the positionally flexibility that can truly unleash Flagg.  Enough to pass on him?  Probably not.

I have read this a couple times, and I am a little confused as to what this means?  Are you suggesting Acuff has to be on ball?  I don't think that is the case.  His catch and shoot numbers were insane.  I think he could provide spacing and elite secondary playmaking when Flagg is on ball.  He is obviously undersized for a SG, but there would be no reason to have a small PG on the court with both Flagg and Acuff.

[DanSchwartzgan]

The Mavs need an Expert PG. Someone who is PROVEN in all PG-related skills. Acuff please. Identify the best and then go get him. Don't settle for anything less.

Ok, a little overboard there. But I would thrilled with Acuff if they can't get Peterson. The Mavs have proven you can build an elite defense while covering for a few poor perimeter defenders. If Acuff is the one weak spot I don't think it's a deal breaker. He was also a good off-ball player this year so you can still put it in Coop's hands as much as you want.

Curious, if it works out that way, do you trade Kyrie at the draft or summer?   Or, do you let him establish value again and trade him at the TDL or do you let him play out his contract?

[loki]

Curious, if it works out that way, do you trade Kyrie at the draft or summer?   Or, do you let him establish value again and trade him at the TDL or do you let him play out his contract?

I don't think you're getting much in return right now. I'd wait until the TDL and then give Kyrie the choice. Keeping him around for a season could be great for Acuff's development. And no team wants a disgruntled Kyrie anyway, so he's going to have to be on board with it.

[F Gump]

Yikes, I would NOT trade Kyrie! No way!

I think his value to the Mavs is considerably greater than what you can find in trade, and I expect that he will be part of the solution after they add a much-needed very high lottery pick to the mix.

It's obvious the Mavs do have some overlapping pieces where they might do well to revise the mix. But in the areas of shot creation, offense, and shooting?? They have actually been very lacking this year. And those are the very skills that Kyrie offers, at a very high level. If you trade him, it would be to get someone just like him!

What the Mavs need most is to ADD alongside Kyrie a 2-way PG with some size who can both create offense, score at all 3 levels, and defend. Another All-Star caliber guy, to go with Flagg and Kyrie. Find/identify that guy and draft him, and they would have enough other talent to become a really elite team. If they get an elite medical team again to keep them all playing, of course. (Nico was such a dolt. So so dumb.)

[Winter]

Yikes, I would NOT trade Kyrie! No way!

I think his value to the Mavs is considerably greater than what you can find in trade, and I expect that he will be part of the solution after they add a much-needed very high lottery pick to the mix.

The Mavs do have some overlapping pieces where they might do well to revise the mix, but in the areas of shot creation, offense, and shooting, they have actually been very lacking this year. And those are the very skills that Kyrie offers, at a very high level. If you trade him, it would be to get someone just like him!

What the Mavs need most is to ADD alongside Kyrie a 2-way PG with some size who can both create offense, score at all 3 levels, and defend. Another All-Star caliber guy, to go with Flagg and Kyrie. Find/identify that guy and draft him, and they would have enough other talent to be really elite team. If they get an elite medical team again to keep them all playing, of course.

This is what I've concluded too I think, but it's largely determined by where we are in the draft. And it's probably why I might favor somewhat like Wagler rather than a straight-up PG. And although Wagler is likely a bit of a defensive liabilty, it's certainly no more than Acuff. Even Flemmings seems locked into the PG position.

I also agree that Kyrie's value may be best suited here in a Mavs uniform than in a trade. A veteran PG in the trade market using Gaff or PJ might be more useful in the rotation when Kyrie returns. Again, some of this is determined by how Kidd wants to play. It does feel like Kidd wants Flagg to have the ball a lot, and I'm not sure Acuff is the right PG to have with the Flagg considering Acuffs ball usage. There's a lot of variables, but without understanding what the FO\GM sees as a position need, it's hard to pinpoint the right person.

[Chicagojk]

Full season as an 18 year old. Will be 19 for all of his rookie year too

https://x.com/tyler_rucker/status/204193...85521?s=61

[cow]

My buddy is a UNC and GSW homer. We were trading texts about our games last night when I told him to check out the Mavs/Clippers score at 17-0. He responded with "one game closer to Caleb". He's not objective at all, but he was convinced we'd get the #1 pick last year so I'm going to trust his dumb luck.

[F Gump]

My buddy is a UNC and GSW homer.  We were trading texts about our games last night when I told him to check out the Mavs/Clippers score at 17-0.  He responded with "one game closer to Caleb".  He's not objective at all, but he was convinced we'd get the #1 pick last year so I'm going to trust his dumb luck.

I like Wilson a lot - way more than the mock drafts seem to value him. I would eagerly embrace getting him, if possible. On my board he's no worse than 2. My ideal draft has him available at 4 where the Mavs somehow land him.

[loki]

What the Mavs need most is to ADD alongside Kyrie a 2-way PG with some size who can both create offense, score at all 3 levels, and defend. Another All-Star caliber guy, to go with Flagg and Kyrie. Find/identify that guy and draft him, and they would have enough other talent to become a really elite team. If they get an elite medical team again to keep them all playing, of course. (Nico was such a dolt. So so dumb.)

That would be ideal, but if I think the best player to pair with Flagg is a poor fit with Kyrie, I'm still drafting that guy. They shouldn't let 34 year old Kyrie sway their decision.

[Dirknows]

I like Wilson a lot - way more than the mock drafts seem to value him. I would eagerly embrace getting him, if possible. On my board he's no worse than 2. My ideal draft has him available at 4 where the Mavs somehow land him.

If you get pick 2, do you pass on any of the top 3 to trade down to 4 and snag Wilson?

[Scott41theMavs]

If you get pick 2, do you pass on any of the top 3 to trade down to 4 and snag Wilson?

Um... if he's second on your board and are convinced he'd still be there at 4, then your question is already answered.

[Winter]

If you get pick 2, do you pass on any of the top 3 to trade down to 4 and snag Wilson?

Honestly, I would not be surprised if a lot of GMs had him #2 already on their boards.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Yikes, I would NOT trade Kyrie! No way!

I think his value to the Mavs is considerably greater than what you can find in trade, and I expect that he will be part of the solution after they add a much-needed very high lottery pick to the mix.

It's obvious the Mavs do have some overlapping pieces where they might do well to revise the mix. But in the areas of shot creation, offense, and shooting?? They have actually been very lacking this year. And those are the very skills that Kyrie offers, at a very high level. If you trade him, it would be to get someone just like him!

What the Mavs need most is to ADD alongside Kyrie a 2-way PG with some size who can both create offense, score at all 3 levels, and defend. Another All-Star caliber guy, to go with Flagg and Kyrie. Find/identify that guy and draft him, and they would have enough other talent to become a really elite team. If they get an elite medical team again to keep them all playing, of course. (Nico was such a dolt. So so dumb.)

I really like Kyrie, but I wouldn't put a "no trade" stamp on him. I do think there's something to be said about timelines. And while I know that his value isn't at peak level, I do think that he's a player generally loved around the league. I'm not looking to give him away, but if someone offers a KD like return (a pick and younger pieces), I'd go for it because I don't see the Mavs winning in the next few years and, considering the vacuum of assets, the team needs to get something that will be around Cooper, potentially, five seasons from now.

[Dirknows]

Um... if he's second on your board and are convinced he'd still be there at 4, then your question is already answered.

That’s the thing, I could see a team talking themselves into taking him at 2 or 3. So there is a risk. I mean for me if Petersen is there when we pick I’m taking him and not looking back.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

If you get pick 2, do you pass on any of the top 3 to trade down to 4 and snag Wilson?

I'm finding myself looking at the Lottery and Draft as AJ, Wilson or Bust. I really want a forward wingman for Cooper. If the Mavs moved up in the Lottery, but could move down to pick Wilson while getting other assets, I'd be psyched. 

I've grown on Wilson because two of the traits that translate best from college to the NBA is defense and rebounding. I agree that a front line of Cooper, Wilson and Lively would be game over for opposing offenses inside.

[michaeltex]

I really like Kyrie, but I wouldn't put a "no trade" stamp on him. I do think there's something to be said about timelines. And while I know that his value at peak level, I don't think that he's a player generally loved around the league. I'm not looking to give him away, but if someone offers a KD like return (a pick and younger pieces), I'd go for it because I don't see the Mavs winning in the next few years and, considering the vacuum of assets, the team needs to get something that will be around Cooper, potentially, five seasons from now.

I saw a click bait scenario online where it was proposed that MIL could work a trade for Kyrie to play with Giannis. I don't remember the details, but it was proposed by someone from MIL and involved getting DAL the MIL pick, currently #10. My personal reaction was "Hell, yeah!". 

I share this to say that I would be up for moving Kyrie for the right draft pick in this year's draft. Post-draft trades are chancy and rarely win-win, while FA doesn't seem to offer much excitement this summer. If the league adds a couple more teams, then the talent pool gets diluted with picks and FA becoming even poorer roads to improvement.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4688...ts-players


Latest NBA draft board top 100.

[Scott41theMavs]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4688...ts-players


Latest NBA draft board top 100.

Ament way too high, Philon way too low. I'd swap Brown and Burries.