2026 NBA draft thread

[Smitty]

https://x.com/marcjspears/status/2053975...41715?s=46

He’s going to make some GM look like a genius in a few years isn’t he…

[Scott41theMavs]

He’s going to make some GM look like a genius in a few years isn’t he…

They're tellin' y'all, he fits the Masai blueprint.

[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

This was my immediate reaction mock, post-lottery, without seeing others and without seeing measurements. 
Since then, I feel even more confident that Ament and Mara will be picked in the top 10. 
I’m less confident that Flemings will be in the top 5 though. 

Still, there’s Yaxel, who will definitely be talked about plenty in the top 10 the next 6 weeks… Not to mention Burries, Philon and Steinbach … 
There will be good options at 9!

[hakeemfaan]

For those talking about Bane or FVV , one was a lower first round pick and the other was undrafted. Excellent value for where they were picked. Too high if you picked them in the top 10 of a relatively deep draft.

Based on his history, I can’t see Masai going for an average wingspan guy this high in the draft unless he is totally blown away by some other aspect of their games.

[KillerLeft]

For those talking about Bane or FVV , one was a lower first round pick and the other was undrafted. Excellent value for where they were picked.  Too high if you picked them in the top 10 of a relatively deep draft.

Based on his history, I can’t see Masai going for an average wingspan guy this high in the draft unless he is totally blown away by some other aspect of their games.

Only, it WOULDN'T have been too high to pick them higher in hindsight. Obviously.

[hakeemfaan]

This was my immediate reaction mock, post-lottery, without seeing others and without seeing measurements. 
Since then, I feel even more confident that Ament and Mara will be picked in the top 10. 
I’m less confident that Flemings will be in the top 5 though. 

Still, there’s Yaxel, who will definitely be talked about plenty in the top 10 the next 6 weeks… Not to mention Burries, Philon and Steinbach … 
There will be good options at 9!

From someone who has been high on Ament’s potential from when I started doing a deep dive on the top prospects, I am now much more in the Steinbach camp if both he and Ament are available.  

Steinbach has strength and rebounding that will translate. Plus I watch Ament’s games and Steinbach’s and there is no doubt obout which one’ motor runs nonstop. 

Also the measurements today should boost his stock just as it would have done for Ament.

[Scott41theMavs]

From someone who has been high on Ament’s potential from when I started doing a deep dive on the top prospects, I am now much more in the Steinbach camp if both he and Ament are available.  

Steinbach has strength and rebounding that will translate. Plus I watch Ament’s games and Steinbach’s and there is no doubt obout which one’ motor runs nonstop. 

Also the measurements today should boost his stock just as it would have done for Ament.

I'm liking what I'm hearing re: Steinbach.

[hakeemfaan]

Only, it WOULDN'T have been too high to pick them higher in hindsight. Obviously.

True but Steph goes even higher if folks knew how he would turn out. There is always a bias against average wingspan guards and for the most part that bias bears out.  

That’s why I said I can see Masai take one of them but something about their game has to really stand out. 

I don’t see Flemming or Burries as having that one intangible thing that will blow Masai away to pick them over a higher risk but more tantalizing prospect. All speculation though. I don’t know anything about Masai than trying to figure his thought process from his past picks.

[hakeemfaan]

I'm liking what I'm hearing re: Steinbach.

Fun fact for Mavs fans. Steinbach’s dad and Dirk were teammates on the Wurzburg team. 
Not just teammates they are apparently very close friends.

[Smitty]

Three names in each group that are most intriguing to me in that OKC pick range…

Guards:
C. Anderson (PG)
E. Okorie (PG)
M. Thomas (SG/PG)

Wings:
I. Evans (SG/SF)
T. Yessoufou (SG/SF)
Z. Ejiofor (SF/PF)

Bigs:
H. Veesaar ©
L. Suigo ©
R. Chinyelu ©

[dirkfansince1998]

Three names in each group that are most intriguing to me in that OKC pick range…

Guards:
C. Anderson (PG)
E. Okorie (PG)
M. Thomas (SG/PG)

Wings:
I. Evans (SG/SF)
T. Yessoufou (SG/SF)
Z. Ejiofor (SF/PF)

Bigs:
H. Veesaar ©
L. Suigo ©
R. Chinyelu ©

Ejiofor is a big. And more of a C than a PF.

[Smitty]

Ejiofor is a big. And more of a C than a PF.

Not in my opinion.

[F Gump]

Fun fact for Mavs fans. Steinbach’s dad and Dirk were teammates on the Wurzburg team. 
Not just teammates they are apparently very close friends.

Unlike previous big men from Wurzburg, HS does not stretch the floor.

[Chicagojk]

I did not expect Acuff to make it to 9. Didn’t expect Flemings or Wagler to either. Although if either do due to questionable measurements, either would be the top of my wishlist as the guys I hope fell.

[dirkfansince1998]

Not in my opinion.

It's not really an opinion thing unless you expect him to play a completly different role in the NBA. He has been St. John's small ball five. Never played a different role.

[Smitty]

It's not really an opinion thing unless you expect him to play a completly different role in the NBA. He has been St. John's small ball five. Never played a different role.

I think he can guard 1-5 in the NBA. A lot like PJW. He’s a big Wing that can and will play some small-ball 5.

[dirkfansince1998]

I think he can guard 1-5 in the NBA. A lot like PJW. He’s a big Wing that can and will play some small-ball 5.

Washington was a full time SF in college. My comp would be Isaiah Stewart. Undersized. Strong and physical defender. Can switch onto the perimeter. And with some luck his midrange percentages eventually translate to a more reliable 3-ball.
As it is he lacks the perimeter skills (handles, ability to attack close outs, shooting) on offense. Turning him into a wing would be a longterm project.

[Smitty]

Not in my opinion.

Washington was a full time SF in college. My comp would be Isaiah Stewart. Undersized. Strong and physical defender. Can switch onto the perimeter. And with some luck his midrange percentages eventually translate to a more reliable 3-ball.
As it is he lacks the perimeter skills (handles, ability to attack close outs, shooting) on offense. Turning him into a wing would be a longterm project.

[DallasMaverick]

I’m starting to look into him and I’m liking what I’m finding. He is an athletic freak for sure, strong too.

OMax?

[ballsrchr]

I'll reserve judgment until we find out the hand measurements. Anyone with below-average hand size for their position will be a red flag for me!

Big hands (and long enough arms) can be the great equalizer. Allows a guard to play much bigger (ex: Josh Hart and Gary Payton II)

Very astute...and I agree completely.  Back in the stone ages I was pretty good in all sports--regional, if not state class.  Body size and stature held me back in several sports.  I had very strong, wide hands--with short fingers.  This left me lacking in tools for some sports, specifically football (quarterback) and basketball (point guard).  So...it is what it is.  You need those big hands for basketball.  I recognized that early in college--and chose other avenues of competition.