2026 NBA draft thread

[Winter]

I still think the top 4 are ridiculously strong and that the NBA scouting usually does not let the special talent slip anymore. I´m not that married to the 8th or 9th pick. The isolation scoring stats of Anderson and Swain only reinforced my interest in them. I´m really so confused by Anderson. Best assist numbers in the class, good 3pt shooter on high volume, excellent iso scorer, younger than Burries and Philon. What am I missing?

If we move up, find an extra pick for Anderson and Swain is there at #30, we have a special core imho.

Anderson
Swain
Flagg
Wilson
Lively

10 years of Dirk surrounded by prime JET, Howard, Marion and Tyson.

That might be a pretty big leap. He's slotted today on the CBS Mock draft as #18. Swain is at #24. I'd do it, but it sounds way out of reach.

[DanSchwartzgan]

So the draft where people were saying Cooper would have gone #6, is now not that strong. Funny how that works.

People?  I know there was one idiot commentator who said that.  I don’t remember “people”.

[Scott41theMavs]

I still think the top 4 are ridiculously strong and that the NBA scouting usually does not let the special talent slip anymore. I´m not that married to the 8th or 9th pick. The isolation scoring stats of Anderson and Swain only reinforced my interest in them. I´m really so confused by Anderson. Best assist numbers in the class, good 3pt shooter on high volume, excellent iso scorer, younger than Burries and Philon. What am I missing?

If we move up, find an extra pick for Anderson and Swain is there at #30, we have a special core imho.

Anderson
Swain
Flagg
Wilson
Lively

10 years of Dirk surrounded by prime JET, Howard, Marion and Tyson.

I suggested Swain and Anderson first, thanks so much - although it was by trading down for the two OKC picks.

[Smitty]

Give me Isaiah Evans at 30 please.

[Winter]

Give me Isaiah Evans at 30 please.

That would be my choice as well, but I have thought he (and Swain) would go earlier. 

Some GM is going to need to be creative to get the Mavs a third first round pick. Anderson is interesting, but if there's only the picks we currently own then I thinks it's very unlikely he falls to #30. Less likely even than the two wings mentioned. Your only shot at Anderson I think is if the Mavs can manufacture a mid first-round pick.

[F Gump]

That would be my choice as well, but I have thought he (and Swain) would go earlier. 

Some GM is going to need to be creative to get the Mavs a third first round pick. Anderson is interesting, but if there's only the picks we currently own then I thinks it's very unlikely he falls to #30. Less likely even than the two wings mentioned. Your only shot at Anderson I think is if the Mavs can manufacture a mid first-round pick.

I'm not really expecting the Mavs to get 3 quality players from this draft. They MUST get one, and with a top 10 pick they MUST nail the right guy, and find a top tier starter.

But whether they even get a 2nd useful player is something I think is quite iffy. We always get excited about guys after the lottery, and wish for this one rather than that one, but they never seem to end being of any value. Anderson, Larkin, Hardy, Green, Omax, the list is long and ugly.

[KillerLeft]

The worst grind of a Mavs regular season I have ever experienced as a fan has ended, AND dirkfansince1998 has re-emerged to contribute analysis. Pretty good day here at the ol' Mavsforum if you ask me.

[cow]

I don't think anyone was excited for Larkin. Green met with a bunch of backlash as well and that only got worse when we found out the chaos around decision "process".

[Winter]

I'm not really expecting the Mavs to get 3 quality players from this draft. They MUST get one, and with a top 10 pick they MUST nail the right guy, and find a top tier starter.

But whether they even get a 2nd useful player is something I think is quite iffy. We always get excited about guys after the lottery, and wish for this one rather than that one, but they never seem to end being of any value. Anderson, Larkin, Hardy, Green, Omax, the list is long and ugly.

It's always iffy. I don't take the first round as a gimme. We've swung and missed on a bunch. We could make a different list though, late first and second rounders. It's not all bad. Just scrolling through a few.... 

Brunson
Popeye Jones
Josh Howard
E. Najera
Greg Buckner
Jae Crowder

And of course, there's another list of players that weren't drafted - like Finney-Smith, Barea, Adrian Griffin, etc. 

It's a crapshoot for sure.

[myconsumerclub]

https://www.tankathon.com/players/joshua-jefferson

Joshua Jefferson is listed at Tankathon as our pick at 30 so thoughts?

Wonder if he is related to Kidds old teammate in New Jersey.

Note he leads all PF/SF options in assists. At 6'9 (always ? accuracy of size till the combine results are in ) I like him as an option to use as a big defensive minded SF / PF if we decide to go this way and certainly having as many guys who can create for others on the team is a good thing, especially with size. I like him enough to bet he improves at hitting 3 pointers over time.

Center would also be a position we could augment with pick #30.

I am tempted to snag someone at the 5 with this pick since there seem to be many teams who will take a big in this range. Some I would want to draft may be gone before 30 so if they fall to us at 30 then that is a sign we might be wise to snag them.

Our conundrum here is do we want to bet on Lively being able to play more than he has so far or should we add centers through the draft and even consider undrafted talents at the 5 like we did last year and hope we can find another keeper like Cisse appears to be, hopefully we can even carve out space for him by trading off older guys.

All of these moves to add a big should be factored in with what we plan to do with Gafford, PJ and others that may be traded off or not. Hopefully there is interest in our vets and we are not stuck with them. Trying to get younger and healthier at the 5 requires we trade Gafford off and PJ is also a bit on the older side now.

Obviously trades mean we will getting something back if we can trade them off at all and I have not even begun to consider what kind of interest exists in the league for them and what they might net us in return.

Gafford was probably getting interest before he was hurt but now he should be fully recovered and taking measures to protect his health more.

I guess it will be like most moves, it happens and then we discuss the trade after the fact.

[Smitty]

Without knowing the Mavs pick. This is what I’d have for my Mavs board.

1) Dybantsa
2) Boozer
3) Wilson
4) Acuff
5) Peterson
6) Brown Jr.
7) Burries
8) Flemings
9) Philon
10) Wagler

I’m aware that my rankings are different than the consensus. But I’ve watched all 10 of these guys in at least 5 full games each. Most of them in many more than that. So, it is what it is… This is a board for Mavs only. Not a mock, or what I think will happen.

Nothing has changed for me. This is where I'll end up after watching several games throughout the year. Peterson interviews and Brown Jr. medicals are the biggest ones to get updates on IMO.

My top targets at 30 & 47 are still:
I. Evans !!
D. Swain
A. Mara
C. Anderson
M. Thomas
H. Veesaar
M. Momcilovic

Some of these will most likely require a trade up, but they're the ones that stand out amongst "the rest" to me. So, get one or two please...

[Mavs2021]

I'm not really expecting the Mavs to get 3 quality players from this draft. They MUST get one, and with a top 10 pick they MUST nail the right guy, and find a top tier starter.

But whether they even get a 2nd useful player is something I think is quite iffy. We always get excited about guys after the lottery, and wish for this one rather than that one, but they never seem to end being of any value. Anderson, Larkin, Hardy, Green, Omax, the list is long and ugly.

The problem is they barely ever tried. There is Bernard James, Satnam Singh, the Giannis brother, and they allegedly took Larkin, cause Dirk liked him*. They took Tyrell Terry, cause Bill Simmons and KOCrap hyped him up as the next Trae Young, without apparently ever speaking to a kid with anxiety issues. Another 1st round pick they traded for a suicidal guy with a substance abuse problem.

I don´t even think in many cases it was that difficult to find more suitable options just using common sense. 90% of the board wanted Saddiq Bey in the Josh Green spot. 100% wanted to trade up for Bane in the Terry spot. A large number wanted Maxey, too. 



I think the ratio between effort to picks to results is actually pretty good, considering that Cuban hated the draft.
 
*To be fair to Dirk there is a small chance Shane Larkin will make the HOF one day for his international career.

[Winter]

This is the noceilings draft analysis specifically of picks 7-12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7QsJnFuGqI

He likes Philon at #8 for the Mavs and has a lengthy commentary.

[dirkfansince1998]

The problem is they barely ever tried. There is Bernard James, Satnam Singh, the Giannis brother, and they allegedly took Larkin, cause Dirk liked him*. They took Tyrell Terry, cause Bill Simmons and KOCrap hyped him up as the next Trae Young, without apparently ever speaking to a kid with anxiety issues. Another 1st round pick they traded for a suicidal guy with a substance abuse problem.

I don´t even think in many cases it was that difficult to find more suitable options just using common sense. 90% of the board wanted Saddiq Bey in the Josh Green spot. 100% wanted to trade up for Bane in the Terry spot. A large number wanted Maxey, too. 



I think the ratio between effort to picks to results is actually pretty good, considering that Cuban hated the draft.
 
*To be fair to Dirk there is a small chance Shane Larkin will make the HOF one day for his international career.

Mavs also have/had zero patience when it comes to rookies. One would hope that post Cuban the never ending win now cycle is over but I don't think that's the case. Considering that Presti seems to be the fan favorite as far as GM goes we should remember how he build the Thunder. Sell vets. Stockpile picks. Absorb bad vet salary. Recover their value. Sell vets and rookies dad didn't pan out. Stockpile more picks.
That's exactly what the Mavs need to do as long as Flagg is on his rookie deal. Cannot fall for the sunk cost fallacy of having to win as soon as possible because they don't have first round picks in the coming years.

Meaning that everyone not named Flagg is available (maybe not Lively). Especially vets with positive trade value. At least two out of Gafford, Marshall, PJ should be actively shopped. Klay's expiring is an asset that can be turned into picks.
There is no need for multiple vet leaders on a rebuilding team. If Kyrie stays for 1-2 more seasons that's enough. And if you can find someone that offers a lottery pick for him just resign Powell on a one year minimum (he can be the Mavs Haslem/Taj Gibson).

[Smitty]

This is the noceilings draft analysis specifically of picks 7-12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7QsJnFuGqI

He likes Philon at #8 for the Mavs and has a lengthy commentary.

Just listened. Here's a recap:

1. Dybantsa - Wizards
2. Peterson - Pacers
3. Boozer - Nets
4. Wilson - Jazz
5. Acuff - Kings
6. Brown Jr. - Grizzlies
7. Wagler - Hawks
8. Philon - Mavericks
9. Mara - Bulls
10. Flemings - Bucks
11. Lendeborg - Warriors
12. Burries - Thunder

[DallasMaverick]

The problem is they barely ever tried. There is Bernard James, Satnam Singh, the Giannis brother, and they allegedly took Larkin, cause Dirk liked him*. They took Tyrell Terry, cause Bill Simmons and KOCrap hyped him up as the next Trae Young, without apparently ever speaking to a kid with anxiety issues. Another 1st round pick they traded for a suicidal guy with a substance abuse problem.

I don´t even think in many cases it was that difficult to find more suitable options just using common sense. 90% of the board wanted Saddiq Bey in the Josh Green spot. 100% wanted to trade up for Bane in the Terry spot. A large number wanted Maxey, too. 



I think the ratio between effort to picks to results is actually pretty good, considering that Cuban hated the draft.
 
*To be fair to Dirk there is a small chance Shane Larkin will make the HOF one day for his international career.

Right. 

Why do we even need a GM? Just come to this board, ask for a consensus, and the Mavs will nail every pick!

[Mavs2021]

Right. 

Why do we even need a GM? Just come to this board, ask for a consensus, and the Mavs will nail every pick!

Why you ask me that question? You didn´t think you needed a GM for 25 years.  Don´t get your feelings hurt, cause you listened to Bill Simmons for draft advice.

[dirkfansince1998]

The problem is they barely ever tried. There is Bernard James, Satnam Singh, the Giannis brother, and they allegedly took Larkin, cause Dirk liked him*. They took Tyrell Terry, cause Bill Simmons and KOCrap hyped him up as the next Trae Young, without apparently ever speaking to a kid with anxiety issues. Another 1st round pick they traded for a suicidal guy with a substance abuse problem.

I don´t even think in many cases it was that difficult to find more suitable options just using common sense. 90% of the board wanted Saddiq Bey in the Josh Green spot. 100% wanted to trade up for Bane in the Terry spot. A large number wanted Maxey, too. 



I think the ratio between effort to picks to results is actually pretty good, considering that Cuban hated the draft.
 
*To be fair to Dirk there is a small chance Shane Larkin will make the HOF one day for his international career.

Terry/Green draft prep was probably on the same level as the stuff that we are doing on this board. Voulgaris supposingly as the only one left in the room. With little to no knowledge about the prospects. Just winging it. Peak Mavs scouting/management performance.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Just listened. Here's a recap:

1. Dybantsa - Wizards
2. Peterson - Pacers
3. Boozer - Nets
4. Wilson - Jazz
5. Acuff - Kings
6. Brown Jr. - Grizzlies
7. Wagler - Hawks
8. Philon - Mavericks
9. Mara - Bulls
10. Flemings - Bucks
11. Lendeborg - Warriors
12. Burries - Thunder

Doesn't Acuff feel like a done deal if he's there when the Kings draft.  Interesting that Philon went over Flemings.  

I can see Brown going anywhere from 5th to late lottery depending on the back situation.  He's the highest upside and highest downside of the bunch.  

I would hate OKC getting Burries.  He and Wallace (assuming the pay Wallace) would be really tough on-ball defenders to deal with.

I look forward to listening to this.

[Chicagojk]

Terry/Green draft prep was probably on the same level as the stuff that we are doing on this board. Voulgaris supposingly as the only one left in the room. With little to no knowledge about the prospects. Just winging it. Peak Mavs scouting/management performance.

Can you imagine how unorganized that draft prep was led by Cuban?  One of the major reasons I don't want him with any  say moving forward.   2020 was a weird draft, but this was a big opp for Dallas as they were just trying to build the talent base around Luka.   It was looking sort of bleak and this was an opp to add potentially two players to the core.   Now, they made a good evaluation with Haliburtan but even that had a catch.  They completely misidentified what they had in Jalen.  I believe it was Jalen plus the pick for the Haliburtan pick.  

To enter draft day with so many blurred lines is really a major knock to Cuban.   Clearly there was something going on with Nelson and Cuban behind the scenes, but it was just so bad to go into the draft without a clear plan.   How many times did Voulgaris see any of these prospects live?   Did he know anything about their High school careers?  Or did he just use his analytics to make such a big decision?   Typically, when I listen to draft experts, I only really pay attention to the guys who saw all these prospects play in high school.  I believe this gives them a leg up on the guys who just watch their college careers.