2026 NBA draft thread

[dirkfansince1998]

@DaveBorges
Alex Karaban begins NBA workouts next week.

Lakers, Kings, Thunder, Spurs, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Celtics, so far.




Has a range of 26-44 on Grubel’s prospect board.

Combine probably helped his stock. Best overall shooter (all drills combined). Better than expected when it comes to lateral movement/quickness.

[Winter]

@DaveBorges
Alex Karaban begins NBA workouts next week.

Lakers, Kings, Thunder, Spurs, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Celtics, so far.

I like Karaban and Reed both at the bottom of the 1st.

[Smitty]

@DraftDeeper
Watching the NBA Playoffs and thinking more on the guards in the 2026 NBA Draft, we should be discussing Brayden Burries out of Arizona more for a much higher pick than currently projected.

- 6'5" in shoes, 215 pounds
- PHYSICAL playing style on both ends of the floor
- WANTS to play defense, should be able to survive switching on different positions
- 92nd percentile Total Offense Per Synergy
- 299 PnR Including Passes POSS, 1.05 PPP, 10% TOV rate all good for 84th Percentile "Excellent" rating
- 56% on 2P, 39% on 3P
- 39% C&S 3's, 44% Pull-Up 2's, 40.3% Pull-Up 3's, 63.4% At the Rim

This is a complete guard profile for a player that has an immediate role to impact winning. I like the ceilings of Darryn Peterson, Darius Acuff, and Keaton Wagler, but Burries might be more of a sure thing than at least one of those players, and could end up being the best guard in this draft class when it's all said and done.

[mvossman]

@DraftDeeper
Watching the NBA Playoffs and thinking more on the guards in the 2026 NBA Draft, we should be discussing Brayden Burries out of Arizona more for a much higher pick than currently projected.

- 6'5" in shoes, 215 pounds
- PHYSICAL playing style on both ends of the floor
- WANTS to play defense, should be able to survive switching on different positions
- 92nd percentile Total Offense Per Synergy
- 299 PnR Including Passes POSS, 1.05 PPP, 10% TOV rate all good for 84th Percentile "Excellent" rating
- 56% on 2P, 39% on 3P
- 39% C&S 3's, 44% Pull-Up 2's, 40.3% Pull-Up 3's, 63.4% At the Rim

This is a complete guard profile for a player that has an immediate role to impact winning. I like the ceilings of Darryn Peterson, Darius Acuff, and Keaton Wagler, but Burries might be more of a sure thing than at least one of those players, and could end up being the best guard in this draft class when it's all said and done.

Its getting to the point where I think I like him over some of the PGs.  He has the highest floor of the group, but a lot of scouts think he can eventually develop into a 1.  If that is the case he has a high ceiling as well as floor.

[Winter]

Its getting to the point where I think I like him over some of the PGs.  He has the highest floor of the group, but a lot of scouts think he can eventually develop into a 1.  If that is the case he has a high ceiling as well as floor.

I've been on board for awhile. I think he does more for Flagg and the team spacing than any of the PGs - at least in theory. He just feels like the most natural fit, and the player least likely to struggle too much as a rookie.

[Smitty]

Its getting to the point where I think I like him over some of the PGs.  He has the highest floor of the group, but a lot of scouts think he can eventually develop into a 1.  If that is the case he has a high ceiling as well as floor.

I've struggled with trying to define or explain the traditional position labels and why I don't see NBA basketball that way anymore. I think it just comes down to being able to play on-ball and/or off-ball. The "PG" is probably better in PnR, ISO, and higher AST/TOV than a "SG", whereas the SG is probably better at off-ball movement, CnS, assisted 3PT, attacking closeouts, etc.

The league has been going away from the true traditional PG, where they run every half court set and really "run the team's offense". The biggest thing is having the size to be effective next to others. If you're 6'5 you can play next to a small guard or be the smallest one on the floor and truly be multiple. I guess that's why the 'combo-guard' term was coined.

[Winter]

I've struggled with trying to define or explain the traditional position labels and why I don't see NBA basketball that way anymore. I think it just comes down to being able to play on-ball and/or off-ball. The "PG" is probably better in PnR, ISO, and higher AST/TOV than a "SG", whereas the SG is probably better at off-ball movement, CnS, assisted 3PT, attacking closeouts, etc.

The league has been going away from the true traditional PG, where they run every half court set and really "run the team's offense". The biggest thing is having the size to be effective next to others. If you're 6'5 you can play next to a small guard or be the smallest one on the floor and truly be multiple. I guess that's why the 'combo-guard' term was coined.

My only uncertain feeling about Burries is that he may not have enough playmaking in his arsenal. I'm sort of counting on that being offset by having Flagg, Kyrie, and possibly another player in the rotation to compensate.

[mvossman]

My only uncertain feeling about Burries is that he may not have enough playmaking in his arsenal. I'm sort of counting on that being offset by having Flagg, Kyrie, and possibly another player in the rotation to compensate.

Yeah, when I say he can play the 1, this is mostly what I am talking about.  The thought is that he has a lot of playmaking potential that we did not see a lot of in college.  If he can develop into a quality playmaker in addition to everything else he does, that is a strong upside.  I agree that in the short term there should be plenty of playmaking on the court (assuming Kyrie is still on the roster).

[mvossman]

If the Mavs draft a guard at 9, it will be interesting how that impacts Kyrie long term future. If they draft Wagler or Burries, then they have a player that can coexist on the court with Kyrie. But if they draft Flemings or Acuff (unlikely) then it would seem Kyrie's days would be numbered.

[Chicagojk]

Utah is already thinking about tanking in 2030. So this guys is 14-15?

https://x.com/draftexpress/status/205738...89874?s=46

[Smitty]

@JonRothstein
Rueben Chinyelu tells me that he will withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft and return to Florida next season.

HUGE news for the Gators.

[Smitty]

@JonRothstein
Rueben Chinyelu tells me that he will withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft and return to Florida next season.

HUGE news for the Gators.



Maybe one of the 2nd round targets for the Mavs? He’s going back. Makes sense. Likely 1st round guy next year.

[Chicagojk]

@JonRothstein
Rueben Chinyelu tells me that he will withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft and return to Florida next season.

HUGE news for the Gators.

Not a surprise.  I think a lot of the guys showing up in second round mocks are going to pull out (if they have eligibility).   Most can go back and make good money.   I have been doubtful the G-league is really any good for development.  Stay in college and get those reps while getting paid.

[Scott41theMavs]

@JonRothstein
Rueben Chinyelu tells me that he will withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft and return to Florida next season.

HUGE news for the Gators.



Maybe one of the 2nd round targets for the Mavs? He’s going back. Makes sense. Likely 1st round guy next year.

Sad for the Mavs - a thinning out of their late pick prospects.

[Chicagojk]

@DraftDeeper
Watching the NBA Playoffs and thinking more on the guards in the 2026 NBA Draft, we should be discussing Brayden Burries out of Arizona more for a much higher pick than currently projected.

- 6'5" in shoes, 215 pounds
- PHYSICAL playing style on both ends of the floor
- WANTS to play defense, should be able to survive switching on different positions
- 92nd percentile Total Offense Per Synergy
- 299 PnR Including Passes POSS, 1.05 PPP, 10% TOV rate all good for 84th Percentile "Excellent" rating
- 56% on 2P, 39% on 3P
- 39% C&S 3's, 44% Pull-Up 2's, 40.3% Pull-Up 3's, 63.4% At the Rim

This is a complete guard profile for a player that has an immediate role to impact winning. I like the ceilings of Darryn Peterson, Darius Acuff, and Keaton Wagler, but Burries might be more of a sure thing than at least one of those players, and could end up being the best guard in this draft class when it's all said and done.

That is one way to look at it.  I won't disagree or argue.   I mean the league is filled with big and physical players.   I just feel there is something off for me with him at 9.  I see his shot and it looks smooth.  He has good size and solid athleticism.  Seems to be a team player.   Something is just pushing me away from him at 9 for me.   Could be because I didn't watch him much.    I mean I have him in a group of three who I think will probably be there at 9, but he is probably 3 of 3 for me at the moment.

[Chicagojk]

Feels like another Cisse.   Only averaged around 6 points but checks some boxes.    Bounced around at three different colleges and never really had a jump in scoring.  Like Cisse though he is elite at blocking shots.   If Cisse makes the roster, he could be a nice second round pick for a two way.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38DWHKl8bOs

[hakeemfaan]

I know these clips only mostly show the makes but Ament looks good.

https://x.com/swishcultures_/status/2057...deo/1?s=46

[Smitty]

I know these clips only mostly show the makes but Ament looks good.

https://x.com/swishcultures_/status/2057...deo/1?s=46

His highlights are great. It’s the lowlights that are worrisome. He would’ve done well to go back to school IMO. I think he goes #1 next year if so…. We’ll never know.

[hakeemfaan]

That is one way to look at it.  I won't disagree or argue.   I mean the league is filled with big and physical players.   I just feel there is something off for me with him at 9.  I see his shot and it looks smooth.  He has good size and solid athleticism.  Seems to be a team player.   Something is just pushing me away from him at 9 for me.   Could be because I didn't watch him much.    I mean I have him in a group of three who I think will probably be there at 9, but he is probably 3 of 3 for me at the moment.

I would prefer Ament over him. I do think that I am underestimating him because nothing about him screams ‘wow’ or gives you the hope that you would have a future beast on your team and I want to take some chances with this pick. 

However , I didn’t think Flagg would be a great scorer. Shows what I know. I did say though the first time I saw Flagg hitting a left handed floater in the clutch , that I had not seen many veterans ever doing that. 

Similarly Burries can shoot and finish very creatively in transition.  Those two things combined are rare. You usually get one or the other.

[Chicagojk]

His highlights are great. It’s the lowlights that are worrisome. He would’ve done well to go back to school IMO. I think he goes #1 next year if so…. We’ll never know.

People are sleeping on him.   There ae a lot of concerns and he may have a higher bust rate than some of the other top 10 guys.   2-3 years from now we all may be wondering how a skilled 6'11 guy didn't go top 5.   That what makes the draft so fun.  Some of these guys will probably need to really hope to get some kind of a second contract.  While others will get the most that can be offered.