2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

Brutal for the Pacers. Dropped to five. Lost the pick.

Yep, zubav is good.  Very good.  But sucks for fans stuck watching g that awful season with only lottery luck to hook onto.  Now they lose the pick completely.  Maybe nba can take the clippers pick now and Dallas could draft 8

[KillerLeft]

Tanking sucks. But, if you’re going to tank, you really should ACTUALLY tank.

As we sit here today, I’m not actually sure whether that was ever really what Kidd was doing at any point this season. I don’t know that it wasn’t, to be clear, and I understand the idea that some uncertainty in their goals from the outside POV might have been part of a nuanced plan, but if so…well, they should have done a little better carrying out the plan.

The good news, at least for me, is that while anyone in the top 4 could’ve been a fit with Flagg, the only one I’m SURE would’ve been an easy fit is Peterson (in a healthy version of his career). I suppose there’s still a chance some team between 5 and 9 galaxy brains themselves into a reach and one of the good PG’s falls to the Mavs. That’s what they actually need, after all. In my humble opinion, at least.

[Dahlsim]

2017 all over again. There was a clear top 4. Followed by 5-6 guys in a tier below them (not all guards). Mavs ended up with DSJ. 
Should think really hard about potential trade down scenarios before they just take whoever drops to #9.

Trading down is a scenario that works of course when the player(s) you really love are available lower than your #9 slot.   Any possibility of trading up?  

Generally trading up doesn't happen very often, especially in the very top of the lottery, but if the slots are pretty close and you love a guy at let's say below the top 4 range where teams probably feel like they may have a #1 quality star already.   Between the top 4 and 9 though, maybe there's some flexibility.

[Smitty]

Or you hold your nose and gamble on upside with ament and then try to trade up with 30 for one of the guards.  Don’t think this is likely though

I think people will need to open their mind to the possibility for sure. Yaxel and Ament are absolutely in play for teams in the Top-10, Mavs included.. The scouts have been watching these prospects for years. Ament in particular has been very high in this class, one so-so year in college won’t move everyone off of him.

[Winter]

I think people will need to open their mind to the possibility for sure. Yaxel and Ament are absolutely in play for teams in the Top-10, Mavs included.. The scouts have been watching these prospects for years. Ament in particular has been very high in this class, one so-so year in college won’t move everyone off of him.

Yep, I don't think we can disregard either of them.

[Deebo]

So depressing

[dirkfansince1998]

Trading down is a scenario that works of course when the player(s) you really love are available lower than your #9 slot.   Any possibility of trading up?  

Generally trading up doesn't happen very often, especially in the very top of the lottery, but if the slots are pretty close and you love a guy at let's say below the top 4 range where teams probably feel like they may have a #1 quality star already.   Between the top 4 and 9 though, maybe there's some flexibility.

Wouldn't be willing to give up one of the few remaining future picks to to move up when the available options are all over the place on most mocks. I have my personal preferences and would pick Wagler and Buries over the rest but that's not enough to trade up for them.
Would rather trade down and aim for two mid first round picks if my prefered guard isn't available at #9.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Trading down is a scenario that works of course when the player(s) you really love are available lower than your #9 slot.   Any possibility of trading up?  

Generally trading up doesn't happen very often, especially in the very top of the lottery, but if the slots are pretty close and you love a guy at let's say below the top 4 range where teams probably feel like they may have a #1 quality star already.   Between the top 4 and 9 though, maybe there's some flexibility.

I don’t believe Masai ever traded up in either Denver or Toronto.  Same with Schmitz in Portland.

I’d be in favor of trading to 12 + 17 with OKC.  We have draft experts in the building now, so why not go for two vs. one.

[ThisIStheYear]

Man, the Pacers moves should be a warning to others. What a disaster. I hate that it helps the Clippers, but I like that such a stupid trade backfired and now the Pacer’s window is closed.

[Winter]

I don’t believe Masai ever traded up in either Denver or Toronto.  Same with Schmitz in Portland.

I’d be in favor of trading to 12 + 17 with OKC.  We have draft experts in the building now, so why not go for two vs. one.

Who do we like slotted there? I'm looking.

[JamesConway816]

Wellp, not the outcome I had hoped for but picking at #9 is essentially exactly where I thought theyd land all year given their course of action with the roster. They didnt bother to tank for even a single game and that’s the deserved outcome.

- Marshall setting personal records in games and minutes played

- rushing back veterans after every injury

- barely trying out any external young guys

- not trading vets for assets

- holding onto AD for far too long

- not even buying out Middleton

I though every single of those decisions was horrendous all season but they have made it clear through local media that they essentially think that the draft is a crapshoot and that they dont care about lottery seedings. You could see it coming since December.

I really hope whoever made those decisions gets fired / let go.

They might still be able to find somebody worthwile at #9 but the outcome is seriously disappointing given that this season was by far their easiest way to a clear nr 2 guy given their pick situation and FA outlook.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

I'm sticking with my Kyrie and #30 to Atlanta for #8 and #23.

The Mavs take Burries and Brown to form the future backcourt.

I've been the Captain of the "Burries Hype Train" since the beginning. I've heard numerous scouts and basketball heads say they believe Burries will be a better pro than he showed in college.

[JamesConway816]

Also insane that both MEM and Utah jumped into the top 4.

And that Khris Middleton game actually REALLY hurt them badly. YIKES. 

I did not understand for one second why that guy was not bought out immediatedly.

[JamesConway816]

https://x.com/noahweber00/status/2053557809875239232?s=46&t=-bN4oD2OLU_Ue80HIM_CZQ

OUCH

[Mavs2021]

Also insane that both MEM and Utah jumped into the top 4.

And that Khris Middleton game actually REALLY hurt them badly. YIKES. 

I did not understand for one second why that guy was not bought out immediatedly.

If this was Mark Cuban, I´d know 1000% what would happen. He´d give Middleton a one year 20M overpay and tell him to recruit Giannis.  

I want Burries, but I´m really worried about the Clippers/Nets. If he makes it past #6, I think we got him. My feeling is that Wagler will fall to #9.

[Winter]

Regarding an OKC 2 for 1 swap....

Lots of players at 12 and 17.

Mara and Lendeborg might still be there. Allen Graves, Lopez, Evans, Swain, M. Johnson, Meleek Thomas...

[KillerLeft]

I think trade down scenarios should be considered, planned, vetted and loaded in the chamber, and I’m sure they will be.

BUT, we just don’t really know who’s gonna be there at 9. I’d be super happy with Brown, Flemings or Acuf and there’s an actual chance ANY of them could be there. To a lesser extent, I could get excited about Buries, Philion…heck, even Wagler MIGHT make it that far. Not likely, but possible.

[Smitty]

My way too early Mock:

Wizards: Dybantsa
Jazz: Peterson
Grizzlies: Boozer
Bulls: Wilson
Clippers: Flemings
Nets: Ament
Kings: Acuff
Hawks: Mara
Mavs: Brown
Bucks: Wagler

[cow]

I'm sticking with my Kyrie and #30 to Atlanta for #8 and #23.

The Mavs take Burries and Brown to form the future backcourt.

I've been the Captain of the "Burries Hype Train" since the beginning. I've heard numerous scouts and basketball heads say they believe Burries will be a better pro than he showed in college.

Feels like that Kyrie return is a little light.  *shrug*

How bad is Brown's back?  Shades of MPj?

[Chicagojk]

Ok now the fun starts. Need Acuff to be 6 feet. Need Walker to have a 22 inch vertical. Need flemings with short arms

And Tanner we just need you to tell teams you will only play for the Mavs

https://x.com/draftexpress/status/205347...48499?s=46