2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

I want them to pick #9 and then get another pick in the 10-20 range. Far more exciting options at 17-20 than at 24-26.

That would be awesome.  I just fear that is going to be very expensive. As in future firsts or taking on a contract like Poetl.  I think that will be too much for me to swallow.

[F Gump]

Scattershooting some current thoughts about the draft ...
1 Acuff's total apathy on the defensive end is something I don't think will be "fixed" in the NBA. He is who he is.
2 I don't trust the reliability of the NJ-based writer who tells us the Mavs have "trade-up interest in Acuff." I suspect there are lots of exploratory calls being made by many teams as to the possibility and price to move up or down, but  as they make those calls, no team is going to broadcast their actual preferences in such a potential move.
3 I can see a theoretical scenario I like in which Mavs would swap 9 for 12+17, but that scenario happening would be a real longshot. In it the teams ahead of them have picked a run of players they don't actually want, and there would still be at least 3 players still on the board they would love. On my board, that would have 5-8 used on players like Acuff, Mara, Yaxel, Flemings, Ament, Lopez, and OKC wanting to pick another.
4 But even if it fell like that, would OKC be sitting by the phone hoping for that deal? 
5 Yes I would love another shot at a GOOD player in addition to 9, but I think adding that takes getting a pick in the top 20 by trade. Unfortunately I don't see any teams picking in the 10-20 range who would be chasing a win-now addition like the Mavs could be providing in a trade. Teams chasing a win-now addition have picks in the mid 20s or so, and I think the choices there will be way too iffy. The Mavs can already pick long shots at 30 and 48. Save the talent for something better.
6 The name that most intrigues me at 30 is de Larrea, but what we know of him is limited. From those snippets, I see him as Wagler-like.

[F Gump]

I want them to pick #9 and then get another pick in the 10-20 range. Far more exciting options at 17-20 than at 24-26.

I agree with all of that 100%, but don't think the specific teams sitting 10-20 are going to be prioritizing win-now trades, sadly.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Although he's listed at only 6'2, Stanford's Ebuka Okorie is getting some buzz on a lot of teams' draft boards. Led the ACC in scoring at 23.2 ppg.
Is he another Darius Acuff Jr.? I could see him being a late 1st or early 2nd-round pick.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc3bahHzw68

[Smitty]

Although he's listed at only 6'2. Stanford's Ebuka Okorie is getting some buzz on a lot of teams' draft boards. Led the ACC in scoring at 23.2 ppg.
Is he another Darius Acuff Jr?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc3bahHzw68

He’s legit! The combine was big for him. At least for us fans/talking heads. I/We thought he was 5’11-6’0…. Being over 6’1 barefoot, with that +WS, it definitely got my attention, and have since moved him up the board.

Once talked about as a Mavs target at 30, I think he has a chance to go Top-20 when it’s all said and done.

[Chicagojk]

Like the other guards he has his weaknesses, but I think he has the same makeup as Castle.  Probably won’t be as good due to size but I think he will impact winning.

https://x.com/rayyknowsball/status/20631...62522?s=46

[mvossman]

Although he's listed at only 6'2, Stanford's Ebuka Okorie is getting some buzz on a lot of teams' draft boards. Led the ACC in scoring at 23.2 ppg.
Is he another Darius Acuff Jr.? I could see him being a late 1st or early 2nd-round pick.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc3bahHzw68

I don't think he is another Acuff.  He is more scorer than pure PG.  His defense is not as bad as Acuff but I think his likely outcome is 6th man.  I would love him at 30 but I don't think there is any chance he falls that far.

[Dirknows]

I'm starting to really like Mikel Brown. I feel he has the highest ceiling as an offensive player out of all the guards who may be there at our pick. I don't really love Burries if all the point guards are gone, but I'd understand the pick.

[cow]

Like the other guards he has his weaknesses, but I think he has the same makeup as Castle.  Probably won’t be as good due to size but I think he will impact winning.

https://x.com/rayyknowsball/status/20631...62522?s=46

Sold!

[mvossman]

I'm starting to really like Mikel Brown. I feel he has the highest ceiling as an offensive player out of all the guards who may be there at our pick. I don't really love Burries if all the point guards are gone, but I'd understand the pick.

I think its interesting how close the 5 guards are.  They span a spectrum of high offensive upside vs high defensive floor in the order below:

Acuff
Brown
Wagler
Flemings
Burries

I would be fine with any of them.

[OBX Maverick]

I'm starting to really like Mikel Brown. I feel he has the highest ceiling as an offensive player out of all the guards who may be there at our pick. I don't really love Burries if all the point guards are gone, but I'd understand the pick.

MB is legit. He’s got all the tools. He’ll be a little inconsistent to start out but will be a playmaker when he puts it all together. Unfortunately for us, the injury discount is fading, and the MB hype train is revving up. I’ve seen him going as high as 4 now in a couple mocks.

[Dirknows]

MB is legit. He’s got all the tools. He’ll be a little inconsistent to start out but will be a playmaker when he puts it all together. Unfortunately for us, the injury discount is fading, and the MB hype train is revving up. I’ve seen him going as high as 4 now in a couple mocks.

I don’t see him breaking into the top-4, but wouldn’t shock me if he’s pick 5. It’s going to be interesting to see Masai’s draft day strategy in probably the most consequential draft in franchise history.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michigan big men Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. are among the prospects who have had individual pre-draft workouts with the Thunder, according to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman

[Dirknows]

Michigan big men Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. are among the prospects who have had individual pre-draft workouts with the Thunder, according to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman

Gonna have to pick one of them at 12, both aren’t making it to 17

[mvossman]

Michigan big men Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. are among the prospects who have had individual pre-draft workouts with the Thunder, according to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman

Either makes more sense than Mara for them.

[Chicagojk]

I would love to see Dallas move up from 30, but even if they did that pick should not be position focused. Just find the player you think will end up being the best. If they take a point at 9, and one of the secondary point falls and you really like one, than I have no problem making that pick.

[KillerLeft]

I would love to see Dallas move up from 30, but even if they did that pick should not be position focused.  Just find the player you think will end up being the best.  If they take a point at 9, and one of the secondary point falls and you really like one, than I have no problem making that pick.

I'd be ok with them drafting 3 point guards and getting another in free agency, tbh. It's the most important position, by far, and nothing matters if you don't have one, so...you know, whatever it takes to ensure they find the right one to develop next to Flagg.

[mvossman]

I'd be ok with them drafting 3 point guards and getting another in free agency, tbh. It's the most important position, by far, and nothing matters if you don't have one, so...you know, whatever it takes to ensure they find the right one to develop next to Flagg.

I'm curious how broad your definition of point guard is.  Would you consider Shai, Jrue, Murray, Curry and James point guards?

[Dirknows]

I'd be ok with them drafting 3 point guards and getting another in free agency, tbh. It's the most important position, by far, and nothing matters if you don't have one, so...you know, whatever it takes to ensure they find the right one to develop next to Flagg.

Is this assuming Kyrie gets moved?

[Chicagojk]

I'm curious how broad your definition of point guard is.  Would you consider Shai, Jrue, Murray, Curry and James point guards?

It is tough to define a vision as we don't even have a head coach.   We also don't really know Masai and Schmitz vision as they rebuild this team.   We have some history with Masai but his vision could be different  with already having a top building block on the roster.

I think there is a good chance sooner or later that Flagg is going to have the ball more than anyone else.   I personally would like to get away from the pure point guard types.  I think/hope the vision is having 3 or 4 guys who can all create when they have the ball.  There is a room for a true point guard like Nembhard, but I wouldn't prioritize that position if he wasn't the best player.   This is coming from a guy who always liked the pure point guard types the most.  The league has gotten away from these type of players as must haves.