2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

I have him in the same tier as the other lottery guards. Would pick Burries, Wagler and Flemings over him. Not sure about Brown. Would pick him over Acuff and Philon. Probably not enough for #9 because I really like the Michigan trio and Steinbach. But that brings me back to the trade down/trade for another mid 1st scenario.

Just read more about him.  He wasn't highly recruited.  Had committed to Harvard before switching to Stanford.  He played at a HS powerhouse in NH but was not recruited heavily.   He will be 19 years for most of his rookie year and is a full year younger than Mikel Brown.  He is a little short but has a great wingspan.

[Winter]

There are so many PGs available. I'm not sure Okorie brings something others don't.

[dirkfansince1998]

Just read more about him.  He wasn't highly recruited.  Had committed to Harvard before switching to Stanford.  He played at a HS powerhouse in NH but was not recruited heavily.   He will be 19 years for most of his rookie year and is a full year younger than Mikel Brown.  He is a little short but has a great wingspan.

People that like Flemings should also be really high on Okorie. His first step is incredible. Stanford had no real 2nd option and terrible spacing. Okorie still got to the rim at will. Hard to imagine that his first step won't translate to the next level. Plenty of guys that are supposed to be NBA level athletes/defenders tried and couldn't stay in front of him.

[Smitty]

People that like Flemings should also be really high on Okorie. His first step is incredible. Stanford had no real 2nd option and terrible spacing. Okorie still got to the rim at will. Hard to imagine that his first step won't translate to the next level. Plenty of guys that are supposed to be NBA level athletes/defenders tried and couldn't stay in front of him.

He’s really fun to watch. I know that. I can’t remember who was the first to post about him here a couple months ago, but when they did I went straight to YouTube and was impressed right away. He was thought to be 6’ or less and that’s probably why he was stacked in that early second round range at the time, but his measurements at the combine were big for him! Those talks back then, of being a possibility at 30, now look silly. He has a real chance to go in the teens IMO.

[Winter]

One of the reasons Cason Wallace was picked pretty high in the 2024 draft was his defense. Even though he was a slightly undersized PG (just like several in this draft) he was a very good defender in college.

I can't find many in the first round this year that have that pedigree. I think Flemings grades out fairly well (and playing for Houston helps), but not many of the other PGs that I see have much defensive presence on paper this year. Have I missed any?

[JamesConway816]

There are so many PGs available. I'm not sure Okorie brings something others don't.

Can opener type of speedy guard. I am pretty sure he will excel at the NBA level offensively and be able to run a really good second unit if you put the ball in his hands for relatively little cost a few years down the road.

I think one of Okorie / Anderson Jr would be great value late in the 1st round.

[Smitty]

One of the reasons Cason Wallace was picked pretty high in the 2024 draft was his defense. Even though he was a slightly undersized PG (just like several in this draft) he was a very good defender in college.

I can't find many in the first round this year that have that pedigree. I think Flemings grades out fairly well (and playing for Houston helps), but not many of the other PGs that I see have much defensive presence on paper this year. Have I missed any?

Flemings, Burries, and Philon are the only positive defenders at the PG position, based on college tape. Others have traits that translate. NBA defense usually comes down to effort on a nightly basis, if you have the traits.

[mvossman]

Flemings, Burries, and Philon are the only positive defenders at the PG position, based on college tape. Others have traits that translate. NBA defense usually comes down to effort on a nightly basis, if you have the traits.

I'm skeptical on Philon.  I can't think of an NBA player who is that short, slight of build and lacking in athleticism (not elite) who is a plus defender.  Flemings measurements worry me some as well, but at least he is an elite athlete.  Burries is the only one I think likely to be a plus defender in the NBA, but it is probably pushing it to call him a point guard at this point.

[Winter]

Flemings, Burries, and Philon are the only positive defenders at the PG position, based on college tape. Others have traits that translate. NBA defense usually comes down to effort on a nightly basis, if you have the traits.

Well I didn't include Burries in that PG thinking and Tankathon didn't think too highly of Philon's defense (but it's Tankathon so I don't know). But it seems to me most of those PGs are going to struggle on that side of the ball.

[Smitty]

Well I didn't include Burries in that PG thinking and Tankathon didn't think too highly of Philon's defense (but it's Tankathon so I don't know). But it seems to me most of those PGs are going to struggle on that side of the ball.

Philon is the guard I’ve watched the least this year but my understanding is that his freshman year was mostly defense and little offense. He went back to school and improved his weakness. 

With the increased usage on that end his defense fell off some, but nearly every scouting report says he’s still a plus defender.

Take it for what it’s worth, because I did not watch his ~5 games focused on what he did defensively each possession.

[dirkfansince1998]

I'm skeptical on Philon.  I can't think of an NBA player who is that short, slight of build and lacking in athleticism (not elite) who is a plus defender.  Flemings measurements worry me some as well, but at least he is an elite athlete.  Burries is the only one I think likely to be a plus defender in the NBA, but it is probably pushing it to call him a point guard at this point.

There a few but we are talking about players that have more of a situational role. Onball pressure off the bench. Think McConnell. Burries stands out because he has the frame that is needed to be an undersized plus defender. 200lbs plus with a low center of gravity.

[Winter]

NoCeilings guys just came out witha Winners and Losers video for Day 2 combine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJpN6yJ_g-M

Spoiler: winners were all the PGs in the top tier - Acuff, Brown, and Flemings. Also winners: Billy Richmond and Amari Allen

Losers - Malachi Moreno and Isaiah Evans (Evans shot pretty well but a lot of the agility stuff was "underwhelming" as Tyler Metcalf puts it)

[Smitty]

Losers - Malachi Moreno and Isaiah Evans (Evans shot pretty well but a lot of the agility stuff was "underwhelming" as Tyler Metcalf puts it)

There’s hope Evans is there at 30

[DL2RimRocker]

The more I look at some of these guys, the more I like Burries as a good fit for us. Should be a good solid all around player and could quickly become a #3 option for us.

[dirkfansince1998]

Second scrimmage boxscore

https://x.com/DraftExpress/status/2054681990151196763

[KillerLeft]

Alphas tend to have that trait. The arrogant part, not the dumb part.

Arrogance is fine. Good, even, to a point. 

Being intelligent enough to know you shouldn't call yourself "definitely a superstar" in an interview before you've played in a single pre-season NBA game is also good, imho.

[cow]

There are so many PGs available. I'm not sure Okorie brings something others don't.

He's incredibly smooth and that wingspan lets him get creative around the rim.

Arrogance is fine. Good, even, to a point. 

Being intelligent enough to know you shouldn't call yourself "definitely a superstar" in an interview before you've played in a single pre-season NBA game is also good, imho.

Just seems like he's more uncomfortable around the media and public speaking isn't a gift every is natural with. I wouldn't read too much into it when this is basically a long ass job interview and he's trying to sell himself.

[Winter]

Arrogance is fine. Good, even, to a point. 

Being intelligent enough to know you shouldn't call yourself "definitely a superstar" in an interview before you've played in a single pre-season NBA game is also good, imho.

I didn't put much stock in it. This is the season all those guys are supposed to sell themselves.

I've heard other interviews with him, and some analysts today had Acuff sit at the table with them on NBA TV during the combines. Outside of the standard issue verb-tense player-talk, he was actually pretty good.

[dirkfansince1998]

https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/2054704294188724616

Peat's draft stock took a real hit.

[Winter]

https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/2054704294188724616

Peat's draft stock took a real hit.

The NoCeilings guys talked about Peat in their podcast. They say he has tried to change his shot mechanics, but that it looks terrible. They feel sure he's going back to AZ.