2026 NBA draft thread

[Mavs2021]

I don't think its metrics.  He has been a big plus in the locker room and I think they want to hold onto that.  That being said, A top 10 in this upcoming draft is very likely the best asset you are ever going to get for Kyrie.  I get the argument that he will bring a stabilizing influence in Flagg's early years, but he will probably be in his late 30s by the time this team is contending and this is not exactly an asset rich franchise right now.

I don´t know. I´d usually be with you and a top 10 pick would be very tempting. 

I guess for me it would depend on what pick the Mavs get. Say we get top 4, I´m pretty confident I got my 2nd stud. I think I keep Kyrie at least until TDL to get some early proof of concept with the pick.

We get 8th, I´d probably consider trading him to Milwaukee. Then I get #8 and #10. I take Burries for example and then I roll the dice on Brown at #10.

[Dirknows]

I don´t know. I´d usually be with you and a top 10 pick would be very tempting. 

I guess for me it would depend on what pick the Mavs get. Say we get top 4, I´m pretty confident I got my 2nd stud. I think I keep Kyrie at least until TDL to get some early proof of concept with the pick.

We get 8th, I´d probably consider trading him to Milwaukee. Then I get #8 and #10. I take Burries for example and then I roll the dice on Brown at #10.

I’m on team keep Kyrie. He likely won’t be as explosive as he once was, but the handles, shot making and poise is still there. It’s gonna be a battle just to get to the play in next year, and I’d like to have Kyrie out there playing for us.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/kml7.bsky.socia...7ys542ls2o


Minnesota's win over Houston means the pick to Detroit conveys. They'll pick 21st in the draft.

[ThisIStheYear]

I wonder if that weird “future 1st” the Mavs got from Washington could fetch a high 2nd in this draft? There will be a few good players still on the board then.

[Scott41theMavs]

My latest top of the draft big board:
1) Dybantsa (Not necessarily the highest ceiling, but his floor is almost certainly as a multi-year all-star and sure-fire Robin. Yes, please.)
2) Wilson (not at all an obvious fit with Coop, but very obviously a two-way star player)
3) Peterson (I have completely warmed up to him as a backcourt Robin who is capable of some defense, but it should still be obvious that he has the talent to be #1 but most emphatically is not)
4) Acuff
5) Boozer (I don't think he has a conceivable defensive role in the modern NBA *****at all,***** but neither does Acuff. Boozer's offensive game is more special than Acuff's, but Acuff is the superior creator)

huge drop-off here...
6) Flemings
7) Wagler
8) Burries
9) Philon

Past that, I would just as soon the Mavs admit they just won too many games, trade down for the two OKC picks, and roll the dice by reaching on Anderson and Swain. No Ament (bleh!), no Brown (I deplore his Nerlens Noel snack game, and the injury concerns make him a definitive no in the lottery range. I would take Brown if we did that trade with OKC and he was still available at the second of those picks, a la MPJ/Cam Whitmore). But at least, even if they end up in a tie for 7th, there's a less than 10% chance of that happening.

[Chicagojk]

I wonder if that weird “future 1st” the Mavs got from Washington could fetch a high 2nd in this draft?  There will be a few good players still on the board then.

Are you talking about that Golden State pick that is top 20 protected?  There is a real good chance that is a second round pick that year.  That is the only first round pick I would trade at the moment.   Dallas also has a second round pick for the Bulls next year.   

One of the reasons hiring the GM is important is the Mavs have some opportunities to be creative this summer.   Some of it will be determined where their lottery pick winds up at.    With pick #30, could that pick, the GS pick and other second round picks move up a bit?  Or could they use 30 and take on a salary to move up to the mid 20's?   Personally i like this route is the best for me if you can find something and you really like a player.   The contract you take on, can't be a terrible contract but just one someone is looking to get off.   

in the second round, can they move up some by paying for a pick and giving back their second round pick?   Can they target someone in the second round with a real NBA contract over a two way that a lot of second rounders get?   Could Dallas target one player with their second round pick with a promise and either stay at 30 or move up via trade?

[mvossman]

My latest top of the draft big board:
1) Dybantsa (Not necessarily the highest ceiling, but his floor is almost certainly as a multi-year all-star and sure-fire Robin. Yes, please.)
2) Wilson (not at all an obvious fit with Coop, but very obviously a two-way star player)
3) Peterson (I have completely warmed up to him as a backcourt Robin who is capable of some defense, but it should still be obvious that he has the talent to be #1 but most emphatically is not)
4) Acuff
5) Boozer (I don't think he has a conceivable defensive role in the modern NBA *****at all,***** but neither does Acuff. Boozer's offensive game is more special than Acuff's, but Acuff is the superior creator)

huge drop-off here...
6) Flemings
7) Wagler
8) Burries
9) Philon

Past that, I would just as soon the Mavs admit they just won too many games, trade down for the two OKC picks, and roll the dice by reaching on Anderson and Swain. No Ament (bleh!), no Brown (I deplore his Nerlens Noel snack game, and the injury concerns make him a definitive no in the lottery range. I would take Brown if we did that trade with OKC and he was still available at the second of those picks). But at least, even if they end up in a tie for 7th, there's a less than 10% chance of that happening.

Given his BBIQ, drive, strength and elite rebounding, its not hard to see Boozer being an average defender.  No chance for Acuff.

If Brown medicals are ok I'm guessing he will go top 9.  I would seriously consider him at 8, but regardless Philon will very likely be there at 10.

[Scott41theMavs]

Given his BBIQ, drive, strength and elite rebounding, its not hard to see Boozer being an average defender.  No chance for Acuff.

If Brown medicals are ok I'm guessing he will go top 9.  I would seriously consider him at 8, but regardless Philon will very likely be there at 10.

IIRC, you're the big Boozer fan here. My concerns with his defensive game is that he cannot guard on the perimeter nor defend the rim. I would be content to put him on a big who was not a range threat, and he might do passably well, but I firmly believe a well-rounded modern team would be able to target him very effectively. Also concerned that his game overlaps too much with Coop on the offensive end.

[loki]

One of the reasons hiring the GM is important is the Mavs have some opportunities to be creative this summer.   Some of it will be determined where their lottery pick winds up at.    With pick #30, could that pick, the GS pick and other second round picks move up a bit?  Or could they use 30 and take on a salary to move up to the mid 20's?   Personally i like this route is the best for me if you can find something and you really like a player.   The contract you take on, can't be a terrible contract but just one someone is looking to get off.   

in the second round, can they move up some by paying for a pick and giving back their second round pick?   Can they target someone in the second round with a real NBA contract over a two way that a lot of second rounders get?   Could Dallas target one player with their second round pick with a promise and either stay at 30 or move up via trade?

I'd give #45 and take on Zeke Nnaji ($15m/2 remaining) for #26. Not sure it's worth giving up #30 to move up to the mid 20's in a draft this deep.

[mvossman]

IIRC, you're the big Boozer fan here. My concerns with his defensive game is that he cannot guard on the perimeter nor defend the rim. I would be content to put him on a big who was not a range threat, and he might do passably well, but I firmly believe a well-rounded modern team would be able to target him very effectively. Also concerned that his game overlaps too much with Coop on the offensive end.

I think Smitty is higher on Boozer than me.  A couple of years ago the Mavs played good defense in the second half of the season and WCF run with Powell and Maxi as the only playable bigs.  I think you could get at least as good of defense with a Boozer/Flagg frontcourt between Boozer strength, Flagg athleticism and their collective BBIQ.  They would be devastating offensively with Boozer at center.

[Winter]

I largely agree with Scott's grouping. That top five look like sure bets to be starting on opening day somewhere for a lottery team. The bottom four may not look as good, but I suspect all of them will be playing some minutes. There will be some good players in that 1st round. I expect Mara, Lendeborg, Moritz, and Mullins all will have NBA careers even if they start as rotation players.

I've started to focus on the bottom of the 1st round. My ideal here is to find a good rotation player that can stretch the floor. Because of need, I really think the Mavs would do well to find them a real sharpshooter. Sadly I think Swain, Evans, Lopez, Meleek Thomas, and of course Mullins are all gone by then (they are our best shots at a two-way player). The best sniper still available at #30 will likely be Milan Momcilovic - a starter at Iowa State. The guy is 6'8" and is a larger version of John Poulikidas. NBA draftnet says "His 48.7 percent from three and 87.8 percent from the free throw line reinforce his legitimacy as an elite-level shooter with clear NBA translation, capable of swinging momentum quickly when he finds rhythm." But he is generally a catch-and-shoot guy. His minutes may be dictated by how well he manages other parts of the game. Still, this guy's 3-pt shot is a thing of beauty.

The Mavs could go the other way and look for a good defensive wing. Maybe Dame Saar from Duke is still there. Or you could go for a Point Forward type like Iowa's State's Joshua Jefferson who averages more assists per game than most PGs and excels as a playmaker. But for my money, I think we look for the best shooting wing at the bottom of the 1st.

Milan Momcilovic - This guy averages 6 3-pointers a game and shot 48% this last season (he leads the NCAA in 3-pt percentage).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0j7kUN8-DE&t=424s

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler – ranked No. 5 in ESPN's Top 100 – has declared for the 2026 NBA draft, his agency ProMondo Sports tells me and @JeremyWoo. Wagler led the 28-9 Fighting Illini to the Final Four for the first time since 2005.

[Mavs2021]

Are you talking about that Golden State pick that is top 20 protected?  There is a real good chance that is a second round pick that year.  That is the only first round pick I would trade at the moment.   Dallas also has a second round pick for the Bulls next year.   

One of the reasons hiring the GM is important is the Mavs have some opportunities to be creative this summer.   Some of it will be determined where their lottery pick winds up at.    With pick #30, could that pick, the GS pick and other second round picks move up a bit?  Or could they use 30 and take on a salary to move up to the mid 20's?   Personally i like this route is the best for me if you can find something and you really like a player.   The contract you take on, can't be a terrible contract but just one someone is looking to get off.   

in the second round, can they move up some by paying for a pick and giving back their second round pick?   Can they target someone in the second round with a real NBA contract over a two way that a lot of second rounders get?   Could Dallas target one player with their second round pick with a promise and either stay at 30 or move up via trade?

Just be happy Nico is not here. He´d trade Flagg + Washington to GS for Draymond and then brag how he secured the top 20 protected pick from Golden State.

Using the large TPE to acquire an additional late 1st is my favorite must happen move.

#29 + Schroeder or Strus (both a year left guaranteed)
#34 + Monk (two years left)
#17 + Caruso (three years left)

Those are perfect targets to use the large TPE. They all address an actual player need and get us an additional pick.

[Winter]

Using the large TPE to acquire an additional late 1st is my favorite must happen move.

Anything that can help us acquire another late first or even a high second would be good in this draft. I could think of several players there that would be helpful stretching the floor.

[loki]

Using the large TPE to acquire an additional late 1st is my favorite must happen move.

#29 + Schroeder or Strus (both a year left guaranteed)
#34 + Monk (two years left)
#17 + Caruso (three years left)

Those are perfect targets to use the large TPE. They all address an actual player need and get us an additional pick.

Interesting ideas. I'd do #1 if it's Strus. Monk's contract is pretty ugly. I'd rather not bail the Kings out for only #34.

Caruso's deal could become bad quickly, but right now he's still one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and likely has positive value. They won't trade #17 to dump him. OKC has Dort and Hartenstein on team options so they can shed salary in other ways. Maybe they would consider something around PJ for that package.

I'd also be looking to deal with Detroit for #21 (PJ+#30 for Holland+#21 my favorite), Atlanta at #22 for Gafford, or Denver at #26 for taking on Nnaji.

[Dirknows]

Anything that can help us acquire another late first or even a high second would be good in this draft. I could think of several players there that would be helpful stretching the floor.

Yeah, but will they do it is the question? Fewer teams are using first round picks to send out bad salary with how the new CBA prioritizes players on rookie deals to build a team. At the same time, a team up on the 2nd apron is in a terrible position so maybe someone sends out a pick to move bad salary.

[Mavs2021]

Yeah, but will they do it is the question? Fewer teams are using first round picks to send out bad salary with how the new CBA prioritizes players on rookie deals to build a team. At the same time, a team up on the 2nd apron is in a terrible position so maybe someone sends out a pick to move bad salary.

That was behind my idea with teams like Cleveland, Sacramento or OKC. Denver is actually another. So you got four of the five teams with the worst cap situations with those picks. Kings I think you might try to get another 2nd rounder or maybe a player.

[Chicagojk]

Just be happy Nico is not here. He´d trade Flagg + Washington to GS for Draymond and then brag how he secured the top 20 protected pick from Golden State.

Using the large TPE to acquire an additional late 1st is my favorite must happen move.

#29 + Schroeder or Strus (both a year left guaranteed)
#34 + Monk (two years left)
#17 + Caruso (three years left)

Those are perfect targets to use the large TPE. They all address an actual player need and get us an additional pick.

I think Cleveland one is interesting.   Not really interested in the Monk optioin.  OKC typically don't do these deals.  They will probably find value if they decide to move Caruso or Dort and get get something back.  

Would you do Cam Johnson and Denver pick?  Cam Johnson could be a rehab candidate that you could move at the deadline.

[loki]

Would you do Cam Johnson and Denver pick?  Cam Johnson could be a rehab candidate that you could move at the deadline.

Cam doesn't fit in the TPE, but you could send him to a 3rd team and have a smaller salary + the Denver pick to Dallas. Maybe to Detroit for Levert for example. I think Denver tries to use the pick to offload Nnaji first though, and they will look for someone to take Cam without adding any incentive.

[Chicagojk]

Cam doesn't fit in the TPE, but you could send him to a 3rd team and have a smaller salary + the Denver pick to Dallas. Maybe to Detroit for Levert for example. I think Denver tries to use the pick to offload Nnaji first though, and they will look for someone to take Cam without adding any incentive.

I am not sure of what Denver's limitations are but I agree they would definitely like to move Nnaji.    Moving Cam Johnson would only be if that is needed to sign Watson.  Not sure what they need to do to clear enough space.  It appears he will be a clear Lakers target so they will need to be aggressive.