2026 NBA draft thread

[OBX Maverick]

I will be really bummed if they pass on Flemmings.  Long term he might be the best fit with Flagg.  I'm much less concerned about his short term fit with Kyrie, but even then I don't think it will be that bad, especially if you stagger them.

I agree with you, but if they want to play “positionless” basketball, he’s not going to fit the mold. However, Masai has already said (for what it’s worth at this point) that he wants to see Kyrie play with Flagg. So maybe that philosophy is not set in stone.

[Winter]

I agree with you, but if they want to play “positionless” basketball, he’s not going to fit the mold. However, Masai has already said (for what it’s worth at this point) that he wants to see Kyrie play with Flagg. So maybe that philosophy is not set in stone.

If Flemings is the pick, I will suspect that they simply couldn't do another deal.

[hakeemfaan]

To me that's selling way low on Kyrie, where he's used to get you (only) a few rungs up the draft, to still be drafting in the very same value-tier of players.

Who knows whether it's smoke or not, but I'm seeing a lot of sports media people say that they are seeing clues the Mavs might be positioning to work to be really good this year. No 5-6 year runway in view. If so, I think the upcoming roster has to have Flagg as Batman and Kyrie as Robin (which avoids the need and cost to find those players), with pick 9 and perhaps a targeted player via trade also being put in position to play key roles. And except for the PG hole (which presumably gets more-than-filled with Kyrie and Pick 9 and/or a trade target), they already really have so many many many talented role players to fill the other roster needs as well as provide a lot of depth. 

Getting the right coach who can make that work would be vital.

I would do that deal that Killer is proposing because of one guy, Acuff.  I am against trading veterans just to get players on Flagg's timeline. I was against the AD deal to Atlanta.  This one, I'll do it right now if the Clips agree.

I feel Acuff is the one in that 2nd tier who is closer to the first tier.  

Of course, his defensive motor is a huge concern and any team drafting him better have vetted him thoroughly.

[khaled1987]

Sure sounds like Givony is making a sh*tload of excuses for Peterson, while holding Dybantsa to a complete different standard. 

The first thing about building a championship roster around somebody is that he HAS to be the leader of the team, not just the best player. So that´s where from everything I have read and seen from Peterson he already falls short. He is in the mold of a KD, Harden or Embiid.  I can´t think of a single team where the best player was a poor leader and they won the title. KD always had a better leader around him, when he was successful in OKC (Westbrook) and Golden State (Curry+). Everywhere else the locker room eventually turned into a disaster, because KD is such a poor leader.  Also Peterson virtually had no assists, but I´m supposed to believe he´s the next Lillard. Lillard still averaged 3.5 APG on a team with nobody to pass to. Also Dybantsa is crap on defense, but Peterson is the new Lillard. Eh.  

Basically what Givony is doing is mostly a character analysis of Peterson, whether he´ll behave differently at the next level.

I agree with you that he isn't holding Peterson accountable for his Kansas year. But he is on point about Dybantsa, he has this Mbappe syndrome, a guy who thinks that defense is beneath him. Peterson is on different defensive level. He pointed that Peterson used to average around 6 and 7 assists in high school. 

But again, I agree there is leadership question marks (though, Kawhi was never a leader and he won a chip in Canada) and that he is ignoring his college career.

Anyway, I listened to the rest of podcast and here is some takes:

Ament: He believes he should be the 5th pick, he likes his physical tools and more importantly how he developed as a player, especially in defense. He pointed that he played in a team that crowded the frontcourt with 2 bigs and it hurt Ament, but he says when he look at where he was 2 years ago and where he is now, he is a guy you believe he will reach his potential. However he admits he isn't a good player now. Part of the reason is Clippers having Garland too.

Brown: He believes he is the best PG, and that he is really good passer, I think he pointed out that he plays small, but he feels he is going to be the best PG out there.

Acuff: Clearly not a fan, he hates his body language and how he didn't care when he was playing in bad teams in high school, said that in Arizona game he was targeted all game and he didn't put effort, dismissed the Brunson comparison and also said he is the best scorer and improved passer, but not a leader and he might end up as a guy who puts big numbers in a bad team. 

Wagler: He says he is a good player, but he plays smaller than his size, he isn't sure about his position and feels he is a bit if tweener. 

Mara: Nate compared him to Clingan, but Givony has pointed about despite his talent, but he avoids contact and doesn't shoot 3's. He doesn't see him as good as him. 

Flemings: There is an added context to the clip we have seen. Nate Duncan was the one hating on him, he said he seems him as a 25-35 top PG, compared him to Tyus Jones, Givony was really nice to Nate, rather than Flemings. He said that yeah, he might end up as backup, but he is still top 10 pick with his mid-range and possibility to add 3 PT. 

Last thing, he said he doesn't have intel atm, because it is something he didn't enjoy doing (one thing that made me think that Schmitz moved higher in basketball world is his communication/social skills, Givony seems like the introvert who just want to do his work and be left alone). He added that teams usually very secretive at this point and if there is a rumour there is a reason it was allowed to be leaked.

[KillerLeft]

I would do that deal that Killer is proposing because of one guy, Acuff. 

Not proposing. Simply asking the board for opinions on whether the Clippers would consider it. I've yet to receive an answer, btw.

[cow]

I'd want future assets in addition to #5 if we are trading Kyrie.

[loki]

Question (not a suggestion, just curious): Would a package built around Kyrie be enticement enough for LAC to do a #5/#9 Swap? I assume Garland would be in the deal, probably. There would have to be some other things that break in the Mavs' favor to make it fair, but Kyrie for Garland and #5 for #9 would be the nucleus of it.

IF Kyrie wants out, and IF the Mavs like either Wagler or Brown enough, I can see it. Caleb Wilson even, for those of you who think that would be a good pick.

If Peterson is there I do it in a second, but he won't be. I think that's as high as the Mavs could possibly get, sadly.

I'm not the biggest fan of Garland, but I imagine LAC views swapping him for Kyrie as a negative. They would be getting 8 years older and probably not contending anyway.

[SkenfromLMF]

To answer KL:
I think it depends on what the LAC want from the draft. I cannot imagine they would consider trading down if one of the top 3 slid that far. Then the next question they would answer is who they target and how far down they can go and still get their piece?

In a vacuum absolutely they would go for it, thus my proposal for Dallas to do 3 trades and swapping 12 for 6… BUT this draft is a bit different among the tier 2 types.

BTW, would OKC be willing to go 17 & 37 in exchange for 30 & 48 IF Dallas helped them with a salary absorption?

[KillerLeft]

I will be really bummed if they pass on Flemmings.  Long term he might be the best fit with Flagg.  I'm much less concerned about his short term fit with Kyrie, but even then I don't think it will be that bad, especially if you stagger them.

I love Flemings, as I’ve said often. Despite zero credible reporting about it, I can’t shake the feeling that Dallas doesn’t. Not sure why I feel that way, honestly, but I do.

[KillerLeft]

Ament: He believes he should be the 5th pick, he likes his physical tools and more importantly how he developed as a player, especially in defense. He pointed that he played in a team that crowded the frontcourt with 2 bigs and it hurt Ament, but he says when he look at where he was 2 years ago and where he is now, he is a guy you believe he will reach his potential. However he admits he isn't a good player now. Part of the reason is Clippers having Garland too.

Also, and this will be greeted with much disgust, possibly, I can’t shake the feeling that this guy will be the pick everyone’s jealous over in 3 years.

Sidenote: given that this comes from Schmitz’s former partner and that they worked closely together on all this stuff for years, I wonder if it’s fair to assume they still bounce ideas off of one another. Could this guy’s ranking possibly be close to Schitz’s?

[mvossman]

I love Flemings, as I’ve said often. Despite zero credible reporting about it, I can’t shake the feeling that Dallas doesn’t. Not sure why I feel that way, honestly, but I do.

I know you don't like this answer, but if there is one thing in common with Masai draft history and what Schmitz has mentioned in every interview (recently and for the last couple of yours) its positional size/versatility.  I'm still holding out hope that Wagler falls to 9.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: Sources: The Brooklyn Nets brought in Morez Johnson for a workout today as they figure out what they’ll do with the 6th pick. He helped Michigan win the NCAA title, averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. He was an All-Big Ten Team and Big Ten All-Defensive selection. I don't know where Morez Johnson ultimately gets selected, but he's arguably been the biggest riser during the draft process. Started in the latter part of the first round and now could be a lottery pick. The kind of athletic big that teams want at the 4 in today's game.


x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Jake Fischer: After picks Nos. 5-9, as the NBA Draft order currently stands, are projected to feature a slew of guards, the next dozen picks have executives around the league preparing for a run on big men.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

According to people not authorized to speak publicly, the Lakers were impressed by their workout with Purdue point guard Braden Smith. But he’s on the smaller side (6 feet) and played four years in college, leading scouts to believe his upside is not that high and that he’ll be drafted in the second round.

Los Angeles Times

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Dallas, though, has been very open, sources say, to moving down the board. We've been told the Mavericks and Brayden Burries have mutual interest at No. 9. But if Burries is not there — and we've already reported he's under legitimate consideration by the Clippers at No. 5 — that could ultimately lead to even more reason for Dallas to slide back. One potential target if Dallas were to trade down: Washington big man Hannes Steinbach. Sources say that Steinbach, whose father Burkhard played alongside Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki on the German League team in their shared hometown of Wurzburg some 30 years ago, is among the prospects to have worked out for the Mavericks under consideration for the No. 9 pick.



marcstein.substack.com

[Scott41theMavs]

Dallas, though, has been very open, sources say, to moving down the board. We've been told the Mavericks and Brayden Burries have mutual interest at No. 9. But if Burries is not there — and we've already reported he's under legitimate consideration by the Clippers at No. 5 — that could ultimately lead to even more reason for Dallas to slide back.  One potential target if Dallas were to trade down: Washington big man Hannes Steinbach. Sources say that Steinbach, whose father Burkhard played alongside Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki on the German League team in their shared hometown of Wurzburg some 30 years ago, is among the prospects to have worked out for the Mavericks under consideration for the No. 9 pick.



marcstein.substack.com

If we get a second pick, sure. It's like having a Stark in Winterfell.

[Smitty]

I know you don't like this answer, but if there is one thing in common with Masai draft history and what Schmitz has mentioned in every interview (recently and for the last couple of yours) its positional size/versatility.  I'm still holding out hope that Wagler falls to 9.

He’s dead last for me. Of THE5... I kinda hope he goes 5 to the Clips. But I can see a world where MBJ goes 5 and Ament goes 6. Then Acuff 7 obviously. My hope would be that Wagler goes to the Hawks and Mavs get Burries/Flemings. I know I’m on an island with this opinion but I just don’t see Wagler as anything special. A 2/3 off-ball player with no way to beat an NBA player off the dribble. I can’t get there with the Luka/Hali comparisons. I just think he’s too reliant on the step back because he can’t get by anybody, even at the college level.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

The joke about Masai is he likes to draft wings that can't shoot.

[hakeemfaan]

Also, and this will be greeted with much disgust, possibly, I can’t shake the feeling that this guy will be the pick everyone’s jealous over in 3 years.

I just don't see it with him. I hope I'm wrong if the Mavs end up drafting him.

He doesn't have the skillset right now to get separation. Look at Dirk on the hard stop and pull up in his younger years.  He is not blowing by anyone athletically.   Plus his shooting percentages are very poor.  

Sure he can end up surprising a lot of people but it only means he has somehow improved a lot from what he is today. This is not Jokic or SGA  where you look at him and say even with the known negatives he was pretty solid pre draft as well but somehow we overlooked him.

[Smitty]

I just don't see it with him. I hope I'm wrong if the Mavs end up drafting him.

He doesn't have the skillset right now to get separation. Look at Dirk on the hard stop and pull up in his younger years.  He is not blowing by anyone athletically.   Plus his shooting percentages are very poor.  

Sure he can end up surprising a lot of people but it only means he has somehow improved a lot from what he is today. This is not Jokic or SGA  where you look at him and say even with the known negatives he was pretty solid pre draft as well but somehow we overlooked him.

Dirk was terrible his rookie year. That’s why I continue to say I don’t want the best rookie in the class. I want the best PLAYER. It’s up to M&M to select that guy.