2026 NBA draft thread

[JamesConway816]

Trey Murphy III has reportedly signaled a desire to play elsewhere, per @sam_amick

“There is definitely a bunch of Trey Murphy noise. It seems pretty clear that he has also signaled a desire to play elsewhere. The market is going to be pretty robust…[The] Brooklyn [Nets] and the [Los Angeles] Clippers were mentioned as teams that were out front in that race, but I think the list is very long. I think that Detroit comes to mind. [With] Boston, actually, Trey is seen as a potential plan B for them if they miss out on Giannis, which they obviously did. So, Trey is going to have a lot of suitors, and I think that could be a draft-night deal.”

I try to follow the Pelicans as little as possible.

But one thing:

Why are their players valued so absurdly high? They never even sniff the playoffs yet you could think Murphy and also Herb Jones are franchise level of players with the stuff (asset wise) that gets thrown around in rumors about them.

I find that so irritating.

[KillerLeft]

I try to follow the Pelicans as little as possible.

But one thing:

Why are their players valued so absurdly high? They never even sniff the playoffs yet you could think Murphy and also Herb Jones are franchise level of players with the stuff (asset wise) that gets thrown around in rumors about them.

I find that so irritating.

The same reason late stage Ujiri's Raptors players were valued so highly. Their team sucked, too, but they had nothing but long, fast, big, physical forwards. That's the thing every team needs 1-2 of, and they're always hard to find. But, when you build a team with ONLY that type, your team sucks. 

This is why I know PJW and Naji Marshall are both very tradable.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

So if we draft Ament, then PJ and Naji become even more tradeable right?

[mvossman]

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

Brown is so much closer.  His college numbers project to elite three point shooter and he is an elite playmaker.  He needs to cleanup his decision making and stay healthy.  Much higher chance than Ament figuring how to be an elite efficient scorer.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

So if we draft Ament, then PJ and Naji become even more tradeable right?

Or we gonna start PJ and Flagg with Naji and Ament off the bench?

UGH I dont even want to think about it. No more rumors. See yall at 7pm

[KillerLeft]

So if we draft Ament, then PJ and Naji become even more tradeable right?

For SURE. 

Unless Ujiri really is trying to recreate his TOR model, I guess.

[Moviemavguy]

So if we draft Ament, then PJ and Naji become even more tradeable right?

SO quiet on those fronts that I almost forgot they were on the trade block.

[Scott41theMavs]

My last-minute final top 25 big board:
1. Dybantsa
2. Peterson
3. Boozer
4. Wilson
5. Acuff
6. Flemings
7. Burries
8. Wagler
9. Brown
10. Johnson
11. Philon
12. Lendeborg
13. Okorie
14. Swain
15. Carr
16. Steinbach
17. Mara
18. Ament
19. Evans
20. Cenac
21. de Larrea
22. Graves
23. Ejiofor
24. Anderson
25. Miller

HM: Bazile and Bradley

[Smitty]

My Top-10 prediction:

Dybantsa
Peterson
Boozer
Wilson
Wagler
Brown Jr.
Acuff Jr.
Ament
Burries
Flemings

I’m sold on Ament going at 8 after a trade. I’m officially inhaling the smoke.

[vfromlmf]

For the record, count me all in on Ament at 9.

[KillerLeft]

My Top-10 prediction:

Dybantsa
Peterson
Boozer
Wilson
Wagler
Brown Jr.
Acuff Jr.
Ament
Burries
Flemings

I’m sold on Ament going at 8 after a trade. I’m officially inhaling the smoke.

What do you predict Dallas will have to give to move up one spot and get their man?

[Scott41theMavs]

For the record, count me all in on Ament at 9.

Not me.

[Smitty]

What do you predict Dallas will have to give to move up one spot and get their man?

I think their man was Burries all along. Ament stuff this late was to make sure someone trades up for Ament because they have Burries much higher than Flemings and don’t want Flemings to be the lone survivor of THE5.

[SleepingHero]

@BiasedSlightly
Masai leaking the Nate Ament news so no one freaks out when they draft Bennett Stirtz



Slightly biased is actually hilarious

[SleepingHero]

My last-minute final top 25 big board:
1. Dybantsa
2. Boozer
3. Peterson
4. Wilson
5. Wagler
6. Acuff
7. Burries
8. Flemmings
9. Brown
10. Ament
11. Philon
12. Johnson
13. Steinbech
14. Swain
15. Mara
16. Yaxel
17. Carr
18. Graves
19. De Larrea
20. Cenac
21. Evans
22. Okorie
23. Ejiofor
24. Anderson
25. Miller

[KillerLeft]

My last-minute final top 25 big board:
1. Dybantsa
2. Boozer
3. Peterson
4. Wilson
5. Wagler
6. Acuff
7. Burries
8. Flemmings
9. Brown
10. Ament
11. Philon
12. Johnson
13. Steinbech
14. Swain
15. Mara
16. Yaxel
17. Carr
18. Graves
19. De Larrea
20. Cenac
21. Evans
22. Okorie
23. Ejiofor
24. Anderson
25. Miller

Dude if Brown makes it 9 this will be a happy night, indeed.

[cow]

Dude if Brown makes it 9 this will be a happy night, indeed.

Brown would be great for the Bulls at 9.

[khaled1987]

With all the rumors of Mavs taking Ament at 9, I have been diving deeper into him to see if my immediate take is too harsh.  I'm not finding a lot of help.  Locked on Mavs had a no ceiling guy on who had him in the 20s.  Read another draft analysis that had Ament in the 20s.  He is just so far away.

I was in the same boat, but listen to someone like Givony, who watched those guys for maybe 5 years and not just college.

It is simple with him : he has the tools, character and the work ethic. He is a guy who is always improving,  even in a disappointing college season,he had his body getting stronger, improved as a defender, and had stronger second half on offense, while playing in a team that used two bigs and made it harder for him. 

It kind of remind me with Paul George, who took time to develop as a player in the NBA. 

It is a risk, because you are banking on who he could be rather than what he is, but I can see the vision. Right now I won't be as disappointed if he is the pick as much in comparison to a week ago

[Winter]

Just noticed that ABC is televising the NBA draft starting at 7:00

Same as ESPN and NBAtv

[mvossman]

I was in the same boat, but listen to someone like Givony, who watched those guys for maybe 5 years and not just college.

It is simple with him : he has the tools, character and the work ethic. He is a guy who is always improving,  even in a disappointing college season,he had his body getting stronger, improved as a defender, and had stronger second half on offense, while playing in a team that used two bigs and made it harder for him. 

It kind of remind me with Paul George, who took time to develop as a player in the NBA. 

It is a risk, because you are banking on who he could be rather than what he is, but I can see the vision. Right now I won't be as disappointed if he is the pick as much in comparison to a week ago

Whenever you have to use a phrase like "vision" it means a lot of projection.  So often projection does not pan out, especially with a player that struggled that much in college.  Its possible, but its a swing for the fences kind of move.  I don't think the Mavs should be making a swing for the fences kind of move at 9.