2026 NBA draft thread

[dirkfansince1998]

If Dallas really does want Ament, they might have to trade UP to 8 to get him...I don't think many around here would be happy about that, lol.

I just wanted to post about Schmitz/Ujiri and how they deserve the benefit of the doubt even if they pick someone we don't like. But this is a scenario that would really test my patience. If the Mavs move up it better not be for Antoine Walker 2.0

[mvossman]

But everyone agrees he made significant progress with his body this year, and as a defender. 

He just didn't shoot well, that's it. 

And when you watch him move with the ball, at that size...it's just sooooo natural and smooth. He looks better with the ball in his hands right now than Flagg did at the end of last season, imo. That's not meant as a criticism of Flagg, but as a strong point for Ament. 

There's a legit chance he's the steal of the draft, imo, as in "why wasn't he on that top tier of guys?"

I get it, on a micro and macro level, the ball didn't go in. The results weren't there, and that's how teams trick themselves. But, I feel like the measurables are less deceiving with him than they are with other players. I'd be more excited for Ament than I would be for Carr, for example. I think he might be fool's gold. 

I can get behind the idea that it's a bad idea north of a certain number to take a risk like Ament, but if our new talent evaluators (and May) are SURE he's the real deal...I can see it. 

I'm still hoping for Brown Jr, but I'd give this an open mind. 

Ironically, if those same talent evaluators and May were sure Mara was the real deal, my reaction would be never to trust anything they think again, so what the hell do I know?

It would be one thing if his shot didn't fall from 3.  That has a lot of variance to it.  But his shot didn't fall from everywhere.  He was bad from midrange bad from long range and terrible at the rim.  He really struggles to get off good shots, and that struggle really increased against better competition.  He is also not much of a playmaker and I have not read anything particularly positive on his defense.  

I agree on Carr being fools gold.  He bailed on Tennessee because he didn't want to play defense.

[KillerLeft]

It would be one thing if his shot didn't fall from 3.  That has a lot of variance to it.  But his shot didn't fall from everywhere.  He was bad from midrange bad from long range and terrible at the rim.  He really struggles to get off good shots, and that struggle really increased against better competition.  He is also not much of a playmaker and I have not read anything particularly positive on his defense.  

I agree on Carr being fools gold.  He bailed on Tennessee because he didn't want to play defense.

Well, let's hold off on the Ament argument until we're sure it's necessary. 

Is it a bad time to mention I like Karim Lopez, too?

[Moviemavguy]

Just saw a rumor that Clips are getting cold feet about Brown’s back and are leaning Burries. This is gonna be one of the craziest drafts ever.

If the Clippers select Burries, then this is gonna be a good night.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

What's everyone watching/listening to right now?

Everyone watching the draft on ESPN?  I can't wait for Kendrick Perkins hot takes on each pick.  And Shams Mr Zero personality with the breaking news.

[KillerLeft]

Everyone watching the draft on ESPN?  I can't wait for Kendrick Perkins hot takes on each pick.  And Shams Mr Zero personality with the breaking news.

I might stick with this No Ceilings feed Smitty slid, unless I find something better. Kendrick Perkins is not better, lol.

[cow]

What's everyone watching/listening to right now?

Customer meeting via Teams.

[mvossman]

I might stick with this No Ceilings feed Smitty slid, unless I find something better. Kendrick Perkins is not better, lol.

Yeah, this board they have makes a lot of sense.  They think somebody (NO) will trade for 8 and draft Ament.  They didn't mention Mavs doing it.  Have Burries going to Mavs.

[Winter]

Watching this board may be the best idea.

Certainly the most entertaining.

[hakeemfaan]

But everyone agrees he made significant progress with his body this year, and as a defender. 

He just didn't shoot well, that's it. 

And when you watch him move with the ball, at that size...it's just sooooo natural and smooth. He looks better with the ball in his hands right now than Flagg did at the end of last season, imo. That's not meant as a criticism of Flagg, but as a strong point for Ament. 

There's a legit chance he's the steal of the draft, imo, as in "why wasn't he on that top tier of guys?"

I get it, on a micro and macro level, the ball didn't go in. The results weren't there, and that's how teams trick themselves. But, I feel like the measurables are less deceiving with him than they are with other players. I'd be more excited for Ament than I would be for Carr, for example. I think he might be fool's gold. 

I can get behind the idea that it's a bad idea north of a certain number to take a risk like Ament, but if our new talent evaluators (and May) are SURE he's the real deal...I can see it. 

I'm still hoping for Brown Jr, but I'd give this an open mind. 

Ironically, if those same talent evaluators and May were sure Mara was the real deal, my reaction would be never to trust anything they think again, so what the hell do I know?

He didn’t shoot well from the 2, 3 or up close. Not sure what else is there. 

The FT % is good. The form is is good. I hear he shot well in HS and had a late growth spurt.  So I see the hope.

I just feel he has a much longer road to becoming a solid contributor let alone a star than his FT numbers and form indicate. His bread and butter move was jumping softly into folks and getting a friendly whistle. 

However if the Mavs draft him, as mentioned, I can see the allure.

[SleepingHero]

What's everyone watching/listening to right now?

live look currently:

[Moviemavguy]

People panicking over Ament is so Mavs fans. Has the new FO done anything predictable yet? This is no longer the Cuban era. (thank god)

[SleepingHero]

People panicking over Ament is so Mavs fans.  Has the new FO done anything predictable yet?  This is no longer the Cuban era.  (thank god)

Monkey paw closes

Mavs select Cam Carr at 9 and then trade him to OKC for air.

[mvossman]

Yeah, this board they have makes a lot of sense.  They think somebody (NO) will trade for 8 and draft Ament.  They didn't mention Mavs doing it.  Have Burries going to Mavs.

They (No Ceilings) spent a long time on Burries.  Like him a lot.  Have at 6 and 8 on their boards.

[KillerLeft]

They (No Ceilings) spent a long time on Burries.  Like him a lot.  Have at 6 and 8 on their boards.

They have a guest on right now who does GS Warriors stuff for a living. He says Burries is #1 on GS's board (makes sense) and that there's zero chance he makes it past them if by some miracle he makes it TO them. So, in a Dallas trade down scenario, I wouldn't expect them to get Burries.

[SleepingHero]

nate ament glazer (@rayyknowsball)
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are very interested in drafting Nate Ament and would even trade up to draft him per @SharmsCharania

[SleepingHero]

nate ament glazer (@rayyknowsball)
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are very interested in drafting Nate Ament and would even trade up to draft him per @SharmsCharania

This is another troll

Last one of the night I promise.

[mvossman]

They have a guest on right now who does GS Warriors stuff for a living. He says Burries is #1 on GS's board (makes sense) and that there's zero chance he makes it past them if by some miracle he makes it TO them. So, in a Dallas trade down scenario, I wouldn't expect them to get Burries.

Not surprising.  I'm still back in the 12 range.  They think Morez is the obvious pick for OKC at 12 (which I completely agree with).  I like these guys a lot.  I will say I think they both have Brown at 5 on their big board.

[SleepingHero]

https://x.com/nba/status/2069526260074852432?s=46&t=xNHF873rjt7IFVxyn62T2g

NBA prospects have arrived

[JamesConway816]

Arent there quite a few similarities between Ament and Mikel? Both intrigueing physical profils, both regarded highly during their HS days, both struggled majorly during their freshman seasons yet sprinkled in a few games here & there where the potential really stood out.

So if Brown is legitimately in the conversation despite horrible shooting %s and impact stats (he was a big negative for his team on both ends of the floor) I kinda get it that Ament is too despite having a lot of the same issues production wise.

The one big question mark I have is the Masai factor. I have no idea if he is the type of GM who leaks a lot of stuff to the media to get his narrative out there or if he is keeping things as quiet as he possibly can.

Looking back at the Lively draft the Mavs‘ interest in him was widely reported before he ultimately ended up being their selection and Stein also had the May hiring reported (to an extent)

At this point I think Im buying into the rumors to an extent. Certainly enough to spend the next hour or so on yt watching his highlights again lol