2026 NBA draft thread

[dirkfansince1998]

Gafford extension sucks big time but Mavs cannot change the past. The one thing that this years free agent class offers are rim running bigs in the MLE range. Probably reduces the market for Gafford.

[Chicagojk]

Wow. Don’t see this every day


https://x.com/pacerskev/status/2053574007224488041?s=46

[Mavs2021]

At first I thought it makes sense for the Clippers to take the PG/SG combos like Wagler or Burries to protect Garland defensively.

Then Garland is 27 years old. Mathurin is only 24 years old.

Outside of 35 year old Kawhi, who might still get suspended, there is really nothing left in terms of elite talent. The Clippers might tear it all down and just take the BPA.

Nets and Hawks are the real wildcards in all of this.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Gafford extension sucks big time but Mavs cannot change the past. The one thing that this years free agent class offers are rim running bigs in the MLE range. Probably reduces the market for Gafford.

Wonder what Schmitz thinks about Robert Williams?

The class gets much better if OKC moves on from IH.  But, I suspect they figure a way to keep him.  Duren and Kessler aren't going anywhere.  Suddenly the quality of the class is all about prying Robinson from NYK?

[Chicagojk]

I looked back at Vecenie mock and Givony top 10 prior to the season. Both had Ament at 4. Obviously things change but I do wonder if he has any rebound once the workouts start

[Mavs2021]

Wonder what Schmitz thinks about Robert Williams?

The class gets much better if OKC moves on from IH.  But, I suspect they figure a way to keep him.  Duren and Kessler aren't going anywhere.  Suddenly the quality of the class is all about prying Robinson from NYK?

That´s why I made the Gafford for #25 to Lakers deal, cause I saw the same thing you did. There is nothing out there in free agency for the Lakers, except Mitchell Robinson.

I´d offer that deal alone to see whether the Lakers are fully committed to Luka. Luka would clearly welcome the deal. If the Lakers shut it down quickly, it could signal that they are not 100% behind the idea of "Fat" Luka as their new franchise guy.

I think you can get #12 or #17 from the Thunder, IF they pick Hartenstein over Caruso. They can´t extend Dort/Hartenstein and keep Caruso. That´s impossible. So it comes down to Hartenstein or Caruso. I´m afraid, they´ll let Hartenstein walk and just take Mara or Steinbach. That puts them in a much better negotiation position regarding Caruso.

[dirkfansince1998]

Wonder what Schmitz thinks about Robert Williams?

The class gets much better if OKC moves on from IH.  But, I suspect they figure a way to keep him.  Duren and Kessler aren't going anywhere.  Suddenly the quality of the class is all about prying Robinson from NYK?

Mavs will at least have inside knowledge about his injury status. He missed a lot of games over the last 3-4 years.

Comparing Gafford to some free agents. Would teams rather have Ayton, Richards, Hayes or Sharpe on smaller deals or Gafford? Not to even mention bigs that are more in the PF/C hybrid range (Wagner, Collins) or vets like Nurkic, Vucevic, KP, Drummond.
All in all not a good market to sell an overpaid big that is more of bullpen option. Not a real starter.

[dirkfansince1998]

Back on prospect watch...

One for Kamm and others with a wingspan kink.

https://x.com/JonChep/status/2053508827077648581

Potential late 2nd round pick. Big and physical 3&D wing.

https://x.com/DraftExpress/status/2053489974071202271

[hakeemfaan]

The draft went as expected

With Ujiri in the fold I feel much more optimistic anyway. Let’s see how he reshapes this franchise.

While it’s a long shot, my dream is for Brown to slip to us. He is a top 5 pick without the injury concerns.

[Scott41theMavs]

We have Masai and Schmitz. I have a great deal of confidence going into this draft that whatever they decide to do will be the right thing, and that the Mavs will field a solid team next year.

Utah is better? (scoff) Utah is a bad city.

I wouldn't put it past JKidd to have found out he wasn't going to be the president and screwing the franchise with those two awful late wins. He's that kind of guy.

[CooPerFan]

Welp 9th pick it is

[Chicagojk]

I think it will be real hard to move up from 9th. Don’t think our existing players entice a move up either. I am also against trading back to get a second mid round pick. Just get the pick right at 9.

I do think moving up from 30 is a real option if they like 2-3 players who may not make it to 30. I think this is way more likely.

[Chicagojk]

You could be the same quality of player at 6 that you get at 9 (I think there is a slight drop off though). I just hate not having the choice of these guys and hoping 2 fall to you.

[Chicagojk]

Vecenie mock

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7258215...ntsa-jazz/

Has Burries going 9.  Acuff, flemings, brown go off board before dallas.

Has ament going after Burries. Interesting not about him getting off to a slow start before averaging 22 a game prior to late season ankle injury.

[Chicagojk]

Ouch…Memphis has 16th pick too. They have a chance to hit it out of the park.

[Mavs03]

If Burries is the pick at #9, does he start in the backcourt with Irving? Would you move Christie to SF and Cooper to PF?

Irving
Burries
Christie
Flagg
Lively

Or swap Christie for PJ? A little more defense. I'm ok with Burries. I think he'll be a good player in Dallas. The kid can shoot.

[JamesConway816]

https://x.com/mavsfilmroom/status/2053595177739063686?s=46&t=-bN4oD2OLU_Ue80HIM_CZQ

Plenty of mocks have Burries going to DAL at #9. That’s my guess as well. Ament, Mara, Yaxel etc are fun but I have them go a bit later as well personally.

Masai and Schmitz have both called the Kyrie + Flagg duo a „dream fit“. Burries would probably fit right between the two. I also think there is a great chance he is BPA IF Brown / Acuff / Wagler indeed all are off the board.

Irving | Nembhard
Burries | Christie | Klay
Flagg | Martin
Washington 
Lively | Gafford

+ #30 & #48

No idea how they will replace Kyrie one day without picks but that’s for Masai and Schmitz to figure out.

[JamesConway816]

If Burries is the pick at #9, does he start in the backcourt with Irving?  Would you move Christie to SF and Cooper to PF?

Irving
Burries
Christie
Flagg
Lively

Or swap Christie for PJ?  A little more defense.  I'm ok with Burries.  I think he'll be a good player in Dallas.  The kid can shoot.

If Burries is indeed the pick then I guess you have to start him as he is a much more dynamic player than Christie. Christie otoh isnt a 3 so my best guess is that he would move to the bench. 

Tbh I am pretty over him (Christie) already. Just not enough creation for his lack of size which too ofen results in these week long scoring droughts you cant afford from a starter nowadays.

I guess hes fine off the bench but I would look to move him for assets to give the new guys ammunition the next few years.

Marshall
Gafford
Klay
Christie
PJ

should all be on the block for the highest bid. The closer the end of their contracts the earlier they should be sold off.

Just REALLY sucks that they might not get their hands on a PG in the lottery. That would have allowed them to move on from Irving but that might not be in the cards anymore.

[Winter]

If Burries is the pick at #9, does he start in the backcourt with Irving?  Would you move Christie to SF and Cooper to PF?

Probably that, but I imagine another player at SF somehow. At any rate, I think Burries and Irving is fine.

[KillerLeft]

It’s just mostly dead. It’s not all the way dead.  The Mavs are going to have to score in free agency before the bill on Cooper comes due.

If it was all the way dead, the only thing you could really do is check its pockets for loose change.