2026 NBA draft thread

[Torielp10]

If you could promise me that Ament truly loves the game of basketball and has a strong work ethic and drive to be great I would draft him and feel great about it. Ament, lively, and Flagg would be a salty start for a big athletic lineup on defense. Trade up from 30 to get a guard Philon to learn behind Kyrie! I still want burries though but I can see it working with ament

[khaled1987]

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.

Vision isn't the same as projection, but let's assume they are.
Projection is the absolute core value of the draft, it is the reasons why seniors rarely get in the lottery, why Freshmen or internationals selected first for every year since 2009 etc. Teams put huge emphasis on projection and potential. Boozer was better in college than anyone else and could be selected 3rd because of teams projection on another 2 players.

Vision isn't about lot of projection, it is about those projections being based on actual meaningful stuff. With Ament they are, especially for those who followed the prospects long enough. The vision is about the trajectory, the path he is on, the characters he has, the circumstances he had etc. It isn't just based on fantasy of someone who has some tools and will magically turn it into skills. 

Again, it is a risk, but who isn't.

[Smitty]

The calm before the storm…

[HoosierDaddyKid]

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

Same as ESPN and NBAtv

ESPN owns ABC.

[Winter]

Which team gets Flemings?

[loki]

Which team gets Flemings?

Atlanta. Either them or the team right after the team before the team that picks him.

[Scott41theMavs]

In your head, picture Sean Bradley, then add loads of passing/finishing skill. 

Then, realize that skill won't matter because by the time he's 25 he's going to move like Sean Bradley. 

THAT's who half the world is expecting the Mavs to draft at 9 today...because he went to Michigan and the Mavs just hired Dusty May. I know that's ridiculous. I know that. The smart part of my brain knows Ujiri and Schmitz aren't retarded. But, Schmitz did convince his GM to draft Yang Hansen last year in Portland, and there are officially Vegas odds out there making it look like Mara is the Mavs' guy now. 

I just can't...

Air M(ar)antis.

[KillerLeft]

Which team gets Flemings?

Milwaukee loves him, apparently. Now that they have two picks in the lottery, I think 13 is his absolute floor, regardless of what's true and what isn't with this whole Ament thing. He could go 10th to them if Ament is gone, or 13th if Ament is still there at 10.

Or...someone might trade to 8 to get him. I imagine Ament isn't the only player people are trading up to get. I can see Flemings being a target, too, and nobody but ATL seems to be taking offers (as far as we know). 

I still think he'd be a fine pick for Dallas at 9, but somehow it doesn't feel like something they'll do. 

I'd say 8-13. Not a very bold prediction, I know.

[Scott41theMavs]

The calm before the storm…

Cue the opening bass line of "Dazed and Confused"

[Winter]

Mikel Brown looks like an accountatnt.

Boozer dressed entirely in white. Not a speck of color.

Hannes Steinbach has really big ears.

[Luka77]

Philon looking like Harry Potter.lol

[khaled1987]

This is the first draft in a long time where there is legit speculation about who goes 1 or 2 or 3, I am a bit excited even if I still believe it won't be a surprise

[SleepingHero]

This is the first draft in a long time where there is legit speculation about who goes 1 or 2 or 3, I am a bit excited even if I still believe it won't be a surprise

Its a lot of fun

[SleepingHero]

Why the hell would Silver say AJ Dybantsa's full name lmfao.

thought we had an anthony bennett moment.

[cow]

Suck it Utah and Ainge.

[SleepingHero]

I need to have these ESPN reporters start asking some hard hitting questions.

[windjc]

Why the hell would Silver say AJ Dybantsa's full name lmfao.

thought we had an anthony bennett moment.

He requested it to honor his dad.

[F Gump]

ROUND 1 HAS BEGUN

Just as a reminder for those intently discussing pick trades --- if there are any trades of picks, we won't hear about them until after all the related picking is done. The draft order and teams is locked in.

So (for example) if the Mavs traded 9 for 12/17, we wouldn't know about it until some time much later than 9 -- maybe after 17, maybe after 30, maybe later.

[SleepingHero]

Darryn Peterson #2.

He did not really want to go to Utah. But great pick by Utah.

[Dirknows]

ROUND 1 HAS BEGUN

Just as a reminder for those intently discussing pick trades --- if there are any trades of picks, we won't hear about them until after all the related picking is done. The draft order and teams is locked in.

So (for example) if the Mavs traded 9 for 12/17, we wouldn't know about it until some time much later than 9 -- maybe after 17, maybe after 30, maybe later.

So not everyone freak out when they draft Mara?