2026 NBA draft thread

[KillerLeft]

Sure, but those 10 executives may not be GM’s and I’m pretty confident that that the new MBT wasn’t polled, as tight lipped as they’ve been…

Right...but what the new MBT thinks has no bearing on whether Brown Jr makes it to 9, which is what I wrote. What am I missing?

[Smitty]

Right...but what the new MBT thinks has no bearing on whether Brown Jr makes it to 9, which is what I wrote. What am I missing?

Brown Jr. was never making it to 9?!?

[SleepingHero]

Brown Jr. was never making it to 9?!?

After the most recent rumors we have to assume he's going to get picked before then right?

[Smitty]

After the most recent rumors we have to assume he's going to get picked before then right?

He will go in the top 6. I’d prefer the Mavs trading up to make him a Maverick, but that’s just me.

He’s in a tier above Burries, Flemings, Wagler IMO.

[Luka77]

Bro..You're asking me to stop comparing to Brunson and then comparing Flemings to Harris when Flemings is closer to Brunson than Harris? Harris was a very inconsistent shooter.  Even towards the end of his career when Harris was much better, his jump shot never evoked much confidence at all.

I can go through each of the counters on differences between Nash, Brunson, Flemings, but the truth is I don't think it's going to sway you and none of us, including I, know if Flemings can be even remotely as successful as the other two. Heck, Devin for all his negatives, had a long career in the NBA, and many prospects who have fallen by the wayside would do anything to have his career.  I don't know for sure if Flemings will even have Devin's career.

At this point all of us are just speculating and projecting based on what we've seen. I feel confident his mid range will translate. I am also not putting him above other guards. All I have said consistently is that if it's between Burries and Flemings, and the other guards are gone, I hope the Mavs get one of them.

Devin had a similar physical profile to Fleming's coming into the NBA.  Also, Devin was a good shooter in college, who used his quickness to threaten defenders and shoot the mid-range with little to no pull up three in their game.  They both also had funky-looking shots/shooting forms coming into the league.

And yes Devin did have a long career in the NBA so its not a knock. But would be happy with this prototype if this is how Flemming's career turns out to be at the 9th pick in a deep draft?

Regardless, imo, the Mavs need to draft for the best player available, regardless of position, and fill their needs through free agency and trade.  When you reach for need in the draft is when an organization makes the most mistakes.

[F Gump]

The other thing I don't get is this: IF Mara is the target, why would OKC even be worried about trading up? I reeeeeaaaaaalllly don't think he's in danger of getting picked before 12, especially if he gets by ATL (he will, I bet). My guess is that their target is someone else...like Burries.

"What if we trade down and OKC picks the player we want" is not an issue at all. Draft day swaps of picks happen on the clock, and the original team submits the pick for the team trading up. So DAL would control whether OKC could come up and pick Burries (or whoever else). OKC would have to tell DAL who they are trading for, to have drafted. If DAL wants Burries and OKC wants DAL to pick Burries for them, the Mavs just say no.

[hakeemfaan]

Devin had a similar physical profile to Fleming's coming into the NBA.  Also, Devin was a good shooter in college, who used his quickness to threaten defenders and shoot the mid-range with little to no pull up three in their game.  They both also had funky-looking shots/shooting forms coming into the league.

And yes Devin did have a long career in the NBA so its not a knock.  But would be happy with this prototype if this is how Flemming's career turns out to be at the 9th pick in a deep draft?

Regardless, imo, the Mavs need to draft for the best player available, regardless of position, and fill their needs through free agency and trade.  When you reach for need in the draft is when an organization makes the most mistakes.

Devin is not the prototype for Flemings regardless of how many times you say that. If Devin's jump shot was consistent here, we'd have won in 2006 and 2007.  Devin had blazing end to end speed, but he was out of control, and his jump shot was not to be trusted.

Flemings bread and butter is the mid range which is why I'm comparing him to Brunson, Nash and others of that ilk, especially Brunson, because folks mention how you can't base your game on a mid range diet in this day and age. I am just countering that aspect that as long as Flemings ups his volume a little bit on the 3, I think that's all he needs.  Folks get too caught up in 3s these days. It doesn't mean that I'm 100% sure that Flemings can get his shot off like Brunson can. I feel it will translate but none of us know for sure. 

I would not reach for need. I feel this draft has tiers and Flemings and Burries if they are on the board when it's our turn, are players in that 2nd tier.  If I felt they were 3rd tier players, I wouldn't want the Mavs to draft them.

[KillerLeft]

Brown Jr. was never making it to 9?!?

Maybe, but I HOPED he would! 

I didn't know I needed permission to hope for things, my dude.

[mvossman]

He will go in the top 6. I’d prefer the Mavs trading up to make him a Maverick, but that’s just me.

He’s in a tier above Burries, Flemings, Wagler IMO.

If his back is actually fine and he learns to be a much better decision maker on the court, then probably.

[Chicagojk]

The thing about OKCcl is they are never desperate. If I would consider moving from 9, I would want a desperate team. That is not them. They don’t overpay with draft equity.

[Chicagojk]

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

Interesting. Similar to Minny bringing in Philon.  Could this be the nets considering a trade down?

[Chicagojk]

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

If Dallas does not go with a guard at 9, this could be good for Dallas as at least a guard or two will fall.  Could be a trade up candidate from 30

[Chicagojk]

I have to say the Russian kid Ishchenko was not on my radar. Props to whoever dug up that Schmitz/Portland connection. I assume not even scouts travel to Krasnodar these days to watch a Russian 2nd round prospect let alone GMs. Probably saw him play in Moscow or Saint Petersburg anyway.  I might just predict that he´ll be the Mavs pick in the 2nd round at #48 for the simple reason that they´ll struggle for available roster spots next season and they can stash him overseas for another year. Highlights also look really nice. Smooth, athletic, nice shooting motion.

I don’t think it means they draft him but it is good to now our new GM puts the work in to see a fringe draftable prospect in Russia.

Also I don’t think Portland had second round hits while he was there but I have no doubt he is putting in work for 48.  Maybe geeking more about that pick for him.  After years of Mavs leadership not taking the second round seriously and trading picks, it feels nice.  That is with making a pick that turned into a top 10 player too.

[Luka77]

Devin is not the prototype for Flemings regardless of how many times you say that. If Devin's jump shot was consistent here, we'd have won in 2006 and 2007.  Devin had blazing end to end speed, but he was out of control, and his jump shot was not to be trusted.

Flemings bread and butter is the mid range which is why I'm comparing him to Brunson, Nash and others of that ilk, especially Brunson, because folks mention how you can't base your game on a mid range diet in this day and age. I am just countering that aspect that as long as Flemings ups his volume a little bit on the 3, I think that's all he needs.  Folks get too caught up in 3s these days. It doesn't mean that I'm 100% sure that Flemings can get his shot off like Brunson can. I feel it will translate but none of us know for sure. 

I would not reach for need. I feel this draft has tiers and Flemings and Burries if they are on the board when it's our turn, are players in that 2nd tier.  If I felt they were 3rd tier players, I wouldn't want the Mavs to draft them.

When Flemmings feels the physicality of the NBA, he will look as equally out of control.  He lacks physical strength and avoids contact, which he won't be able to do in the NBA.  

Brunson and Nash are/were both three-level scores (three, midrange, at the rim), which is what is needed in the NBA (you take what the defense gives you).  Both of those players have strong pull-up three (something you don't see from Kingston) and get to the mid range when the three is taken away.  If a defender steps up on the mid-range, it's when they drive to the basket.  

The consensus is that this draft is strong in the top 10 and deep, with at least 25 players having first-round grades.  Those tiers that everyone is talking about will vary from team to team.  I doubt every team in the NBA has those guards in their own tier 5-9.   There will be many different players mixed in that top 10.

[SleepingHero]

@BrettSiegelNBA
It’s no longer Father’s Day ET, so I have a quick draft intel nugget for everyone, which shouldn’t come as a surprise based on what we’ve been reporting on
@ClutchPoints
through the weeks:

The Nets are hoping Mikel Brown Jr. is on the board at #6. If he’s taken by the Clippers, Nate Ament is also a strong candidate, but sources say the Nets have been taking trades this weekend — both to possibly move down from #6 and also possibly back into the top 15 for a second draft pick.

There has been a lot of skepticism whether the Nets value either Darius Acuff or Keaton Wagler, although it would be quite the decision to pass on both guards for Ament at #6.

Lots to come tomorrow in our intel and final Big Board 5.0 on @ClutchPoints, so stay tuned for t

[SleepingHero]

He will go in the top 6. I’d prefer the Mavs trading up to make him a Maverick, but that’s just me.

He’s in a tier above Burries, Flemings, Wagler IMO.

His back injury scares the hell out of me.

And you may find this dumb but someone on twitter did a side by side comparison of Brown Jr. and Jordan Poole and the comparison was scarily accurate. 

Obviously different players, but I am so anti-Jordan Poole that I am a little bit out on Brown Jr. just because of that remote possibility. 

Still have Wagler as #1 for me, then Acuff, then Burries, and Flemmings a distant 4th.

[Mavs2021]

I don’t think it means they draft him but it is good to now our new GM puts the work in to see a fringe draftable prospect in Russia.

Also I don’t think Portland had second round hits while he was there but I have no doubt he is putting in work for 48.  Maybe geeking more about that pick for him.  After years of Mavs leadership not taking the second round seriously and trading picks, it feels nice.  That is with making a pick that turned into a top 10 player too.

Oh I also think his highlights look real nice. To be honest better than Larrea or Kayil as far as Euro prospects go, who are projected between 30-40. I guess Russia within 75 miles off the actual active warzone is as close to a North Korean as you´ll get in terms of a hidden gem these days.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Stein] The Mavs and Thunder have discussed a trade that would send pick #9 to Oklahoma City for picks #12 and #17

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

Let me get my prediction out --- the Mavs would move back.

Despite the need for a PG, the Mavs' target would be Steinbach.
The other pick would be a guard - Stritz or Okorie in the teens.

De Larrea, Kayill, Bradley - on 30 or 48.

[khaled1987]

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?

This is why I am sharing Givony ideas, I like the guy and I think he is the best out there (even better than Schmitz when they were working together btw) but that's an opinion of mine and not everyone shares it. But his really close relationship with Mike makes it more interesting. They were a team for 16 years,that's not nothing.

I was out on Ament, but Givony makes good points about him. Trajectory is on his side, he is a guy who keeps improving every year, or even from month to month, and he has all the tools.

One additional, and relevant, note:  Givony said that many smart GM prefers to take a prospects whose coach hasn't used them well, over the ones who had a great coach. They say if we have similar comparable output from one with a coach that gets 70% of your potential, vs one who has a coach that gets 120% from his players, it is better to take the one with the worse coach.

This was a dig on Michigan prospects, as he sees them as a product of a great coach. But also relevant to the likes of Flemings and Ament who were in unfavourable teams. Possibly also a dig on Acuff, because we know Calipari knows how to use (and develop) a PG, and a praise for Peterson too.