2026 NBA draft thread

[DallasMaverick]

I finally went to Utah last year and everyone was nice.

I assumed everyone would be walking around looking like Amish people.  I dunno why I thought Mormons would be dressed like the Amish.

It’s been pretty great for us. We moved here a few years ago. Great weather, lots of great skiing less than an hour away, clean, manageable traffic. 
Lots of accessible public land for recreational use. Lots of national parks within a few hours’ drive.
High growth, tons of new construction, lots of tech companies.
State income tax, but pretty low property taxes. Housing is expensive- think Austin, but even higher.
Two very distinct cultures: LDS and former- or non-LDS.

[Torielp10]

Been watching some guys that may be available at 30, but one guy that stands out so much is swain! He won’t be there at 30 but if we can trade up he’s my guy in the late rounds. Especially if we get a coach like Ivey who likes to turn defense into easy transition offense. I think I’ve finally settled on

Coach Ivey

1st pick Burries
2nd swain

Flagg, Kyrie, Burries, swain are all killers in transition and putting pressure on the rim. Then you have lively rim running!!

[hakeemfaan]

https://x.com/nbanerdd/status/2066503068...deo/1?s=46

[Scott41theMavs]

https://x.com/nbanerdd/status/2066503068...deo/1?s=46

Intriguing.

[Chicagojk]

Mavs had Philon in for a workout yesterday. Back to back to back with Burries, Flemings and Philon.

They also had Nick Marinelli in- pick 48 or undrafted guy. May not be an nba player but was really good last year.

[Luka77]

Does Kingston Flemmings remind anyone of Devin Harris?

[Chicagojk]

I could not fully get there with Philon, but it will be Iinterstinf how it plays out. Burries played for a team that may have 7-8 pros, while Philon played for a coach and a pace that really helps maximize stats imo. Philon is younger than Burries. Similar wingspan. Philon is probably the better point guard. The 35-40 pounds is big between them. Last game of Philon’s college career he dropped 35 against eventual champion Michigan. He is not a great vertical athlete but he is very slithery and gets to his spots.

I would have Burries over him but I can see Philon being the better pro.

[hakeemfaan]

Intriguing.

This one clip more than anything else I have seen not only makes me extremely comfortable with Burries but also would now upset me if they trade down when he or Flemings are available. 

He is playing at his own pace here, patient, making difficult pocket and over the top passes. We all know his shot is good. The Mavs better not overthink it.

[Smitty]

My top 10 has been unchanged for quite a while. I still have my doubts that Peterson will be the best Guard in this draft when it's all said and done. I think Acuff and Brown Jr. belong in that same tier.

My top 14 (lottery):

Tier 1
1a. AJ Dybantsa
1b. Cameron Boozer

Tier 2
3. Caleb Wilson 
4. Darius Acuff Jr.
5. Darryn Peterson
6. Mikel Brown Jr.

Tier 3
7. Brayden Burries
8. Kingston Flemings
9. Keaton Wagler
10. Nate Ament
11. Aday Mara
12. Morez Johnson
13. Yaxel Lendeborg
14a. Cameron Carr
14b. Hannes Steinbach


One thing I'm very confident about, maybe the only thing... Is that picks 5-9 will not all be Guards.

[Winter]

My top 10 has been unchanged for quite a while. I still have my doubts that Peterson will be the best Guard in this draft when it's all said and done. I think Acuff and Brown Jr. belong in that same tier.

My top 14 (lottery):

Tier 1
1a. AJ Dybantsa
1b. Cameron Boozer

Tier 2
3. Caleb Wilson 
4. Darius Acuff Jr.
5. Darryn Peterson
6. Mikel Brown Jr.

Tier 3
7. Brayden Burries
8. Kingston Flemings
9. Keaton Wagler
10. Nate Ament
11. Aday Mara
12. Morez Johnson
13. Yaxel Lendeborg
14a. Cameron Carr
14b. Hannes Steinbach


One thing I'm very confident about, maybe the only thing... Is that picks 5-9 will not all be Guards.

Overall, this mock of yours is about as close as I can get to my own thinking. I'm not sure where I would put Aday Mara though. I just don't know what team is going to want a player who simply may not be able to play 25 mpg yet (or ever). He is the one player that almost has to go to a team based on a very specific need at center.

[SleepingHero]

Does Kingston Flemmings remind anyone of Devin Harris?

His interviews give me that vibe.


The way he's answered questions alone has made him jump for me on my own personal list.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

For Peterson's camp, though, sources say there's as much motivation to avoid a positional overlap with incumbent ballhandler Keyonte George on the team that holds the No. 2 overall pick as there is a desire to go No. 1 ahead of Dybantsa and Boozer. George is already in line for a major payday in rookie-scale contract extension talks this offseason after a breakout third season, and sources say that the Jazz prize him as an absolute cornerstone now. Bailey, meanwhile, is situated as a scoring guard in Utah's system for coach Will Hardy, who will, of course, also trot out a supersized frontcourt starring recent All-Stars Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen.

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

There's a clear distinction, mind you, in how those two have gone about their pre-draft processes. Sources say Wagler and Flemings competed head-to-head in a workout at the Clippers' facility last week … with word circulating that Wagler emerged as the more impressive prospect in that setting.

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Elliot Clough: Bennett Stirtz tells me he will be attending the NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York next Tuesday. Coach Ben McCollum will join Stirtz and his family in the green room. So far, Stirtz has worked out with the following teams: Charlotte Hornets Chicago Bulls Dallas Mavericks Memphis Grizzlies Oklahoma City Thunder Toronto Raptors He'll also workout for the Golden State Warriors prior to the draft.

x.com

[SleepingHero]

My top 10 has been unchanged for quite a while. I still have my doubts that Peterson will be the best Guard in this draft when it's all said and done. I think Acuff and Brown Jr. belong in that same tier.

My top 14 (lottery):

Tier 1
1a. AJ Dybantsa
1b. Cameron Boozer

Tier 2
3. Caleb Wilson 
4. Darius Acuff Jr.
5. Darryn Peterson
6. Mikel Brown Jr.

Tier 3
7. Brayden Burries
8. Kingston Flemings
9. Keaton Wagler
10. Nate Ament
11. Aday Mara
12. Morez Johnson
13. Yaxel Lendeborg
14a. Cameron Carr
14b. Hannes Steinbach


One thing I'm very confident about, maybe the only thing... Is that picks 5-9 will not all be Guards.

I still think you're underrating Burries and Wagler a bit, and definitely underrating Peterson.

But everyone else makes sense. 

If I were to make a list it'd be:
Tier 1
1a. AJ Dybantsa
1b. Cameron Boozer
1c. Darryn Peterson 

Tier 2
3. Caleb Wilson 
4. Keaton Wagler 
5. Brayden Burries
6. Darius Acuff Jr. 
7. Mikel Brown Jr.

Tier 3
8. Aday Mara 
9. Kingston Flemings
10. Nate Ament
11. Hannes Steinbach 
12. Morez Johnson
13. Yaxel Lendeborg
14. Cameron Carr


Wagler, Burries and MBJ are all potentially good 2 way guards that can do a bit of everything. Acuff just has the it factor. Reminds me a lot of Marbury/Baron Davis. 

Despite my praise earlier this morning I still have Flemings a bit below his peers. He just looks tiny out there.

[Smitty]

I still think you're underrating Burries and Wagler a bit, and definitely underrating Peterson.

But everyone else makes sense. 

If I were to make a list it'd be:
Tier 1
1a. AJ Dybantsa
1b. Cameron Boozer
1c. Darryn Peterson 

Tier 2
3. Caleb Wilson 
4. Keaton Wagler 
5. Brayden Burries
6. Darius Acuff Jr. 
7. Mikel Brown Jr.

Tier 3
8. Aday Mara 
9. Kingston Flemings
10. Nate Ament
11. Hannes Steinbach 
12. Morez Johnson
13. Yaxel Lendeborg
14. Cameron Carr


Wagler, Burries and MBJ are all potentially good 2 way guards that can do a bit of everything. Acuff just has the it factor. Reminds me a lot of Marbury/Baron Davis. 

Despite my praise earlier this morning I still have Flemings a bit below his peers. He just looks tiny out there.

You have Burries at 6 overall. I have him at 7. We're close there. I think the biggest difference between us is Wagler. I've been lower than most on him all year. Not because I don't think he's good. I just have the most questions about him at the next level is all. Any of THE5 would be welcomed additions to the Mavericks.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Utah Jazz are “genuinely torn” between selecting AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson one week away from the NBA Draft, league sources told The Athletic.

New York Times

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

For Peterson's camp, though, sources say there's as much motivation to avoid a positional overlap with incumbent ballhandler Keyonte George on the team that holds the No. 2 overall pick as there is a desire to go No. 1 ahead of Dybantsa and Boozer.  George is already in line for a major payday in rookie-scale contract extension talks this offseason after a breakout third season, and sources say that the Jazz prize him as an absolute cornerstone now. Bailey, meanwhile, is situated as a scoring guard in Utah's system for coach Will Hardy, who will, of course, also trot out a supersized frontcourt starring recent All-Stars Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen.

marcstein.substack.com

Peterson already scared of competing with Keyonte George?

[Scott41theMavs]

6 days till the first round.

Can we has a coach before then? Huh? Huh?

[numnuts23]

6 days till the first round.

Can we has a coach before then? Huh? Huh?

Keep thinking they are going to announce Nori as the hire at any moment.