2026 NBA draft thread

[speedkilz88]

Chuck Cooperstein
@coopmavs
·
7h
I was busy tonight with our Mavs TV draft coverage, but just scrolling through the feed and seeing how many people apparently were freaking out as the night wore on. All I could think of was the scene at the end of Trading Places when Louis and Billy Ray waited for the correct moment to break the Orange juice future market.
This was high level work that brought in a guy in Johnson who reminds me of Charles Oakley, and a big shooting PG in de Larrea whose team is on the verge of winning the Spanish ACB title, the best domestic league in Europe. They filled holes. They drafted winners. I'm not sure what more you could ask for.

[speedkilz88]

Tyler Rucker
@tyler_rucker
·
7h
I can't stand letter grades but...I'll do better.

Morez Johnson Jr was a fantastic get. Had him ranked 10th on my big board. Great building block piece alongside Cooper. He's going to be a good one.

Sergio was fantastic value late. Chance to be a really good piece. Great offensive growth. Good size and feel. Sneaky solid night for Dallas.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Agree.

Both are proven winner and players who play for Ws and not for stats.

[Mavs2021]

I don´t get the whole argument about #9 is too high.

It´s obvious the May coaching hire leak was supposed to trigger Presti for Mara and the Warriors for Lendeborg (as their clear Plan B to a veteran trade) --> It didn´t work.
The flying to Memphis for the Nate Ament workout was supposed to trigger the Bucks --> Didn´t work either.
The Hornets were probably pretty set on Steinbach and Anderson as their German combo.

So you played your cards for #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #17 and #18. None of the teams took your bait. That´s probably why we briefly heard a Memphis #16 trade down rumour, but the Bulls took Swain. Taking Johnson instead seems a no brainer. So you can´t risk going all the way down to Memphis and everybody else called your bluff.

There was nobody to trade down with.

[speedkilz88]

Quinn Fishburne
@QuinnFishburne
·
19h
There aren’t many 6’7, 20 year old primary ball handlers who can self-generate paint touches, navigate screens and flash the craftiness that Sergio De Larrea has...⤵️

Sergio De Larrea isn’t a particularly impressive finisher at the rim, 58.7% and just 43.7% as a driver, BUT his foundation but physically and from a skillset perspective is more advanced then he gets credit for and is a better foundation then a number of projected lottery picks.

At 6’7, De Larrea boasts true positional size and strength, which he pairs with impressive burst and handle to create legitimate separation, both in isolation and out of the pick-and-roll. As a ball handler, he plays with advanced pace, regularly snaking screens and getting defenders stuck on his back. He is exceedingly comfortable dribbling through the heart of defenses.

Once in the lane, he has the frame/strength to handle moderate physicality but it’s his craft around the rim that really pops and highlights his offensive upside. Players at De Larrea’s size rarely have his combination of pacing, ball handling and creativity.

His ability to play at top speed while being able to immediately de-accelerate is exciting, especially at his size. He does a great job actively keeping defenders on there heels, with a set of slight dribble hesitations and eye/head manipulation. He plays off two feet in the paint and has an awesome step-through game.

De Larrea’s 9.0% turnover rate and 22% free throw rate as a driver only add to the optimism around his offensive projection.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I don´t get the whole argument about #9 is too high.

It´s obvious the May coaching hire leak was supposed to trigger Presti for Mara and the Warriors for Lendeborg (as their clear Plan B to a veteran trade) -->  It didn´t work.
The flying to Memphis for the Nate Ament workout was supposed to trigger the Bucks --> Didn´t work either.
The Hornets were probably pretty set on Steinbach and Anderson as their German combo.

So you played your cards for #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #17 and #18. None of the teams took your bait. That´s probably why we briefly heard a Memphis #16 trade down rumour, but the Bulls took Swain. Taking Johnson instead seems a no brainer. So you can´t risk going all the way down to Memphis and everybody else called your bluff.

There was nobody to trade down with.

I think all of that makes great sense.  Sure, it would have been nice to pick up some little bit extra, but ultimately, I can't fault them for just taking their guy when the subterfuge didn't produce results.

[Smitty]

Well, I want to give my thoughts before reading those from others, so I'm not influenced or swayed. I thought Round 1 was a success overall. Coming into the night they had picks 9 & 30. They walk out with 9 & 25, having to give (2) SRP's to move up. I think the obvious theme and what I will look for going forward is SIZE and position VERSATILITY. MoJo is a Big... Big as in what others call 4's and or 5's. He can and will play both roles here. Sergio is a Guard. Guard as in what others call 1's and 2's. He can and will play both roles here. Both of these guys can play in any system, with multiple different lineup combinations, and player archetypes. That is my big picture takeaway.

What I would have done... I would have drafted Burries at 9 and I. Evans at 30. That's it. Those two players will be the ones I watch going forward to see how it plays out.

Another big takeaway for me is that I don't think Nembhard is long for the roster. His non-guaranteed deal and still being two-way eligible makes me think he either won't be here at all, or he's just a two-way guy. He lacks the size and versatility and was not Masai/Schmitz pick.

I was somewhat surprised Gafford was not moved -- but actually shocked that no NBA player was traded for, or with, a pick last night. Has that ever happened?!


There will be more moves this summer -- no doubt. But as it stands right now this sure looks like the Nico vision. (Sub Morez for AD). 
1 Guard - 3 Wings - 1 Big OR 1 Guard - 2 Wings - 2 Bigs.

I don't see Sergio as anything more than a 3rd PG in year 1. That leaves Kyrie as the only big minute Guard on the roster...

Tonight I think they still have Pick 48. Lot of confusion, so I'll have to confirm. Agents have a LOT of influence on where a player goes. Cash can and will be a useful tool to move up... Which Dumont has shown over and over is no obstacle. I'd be looking to double dip at Guard, with this guy being the Nemby 2-way replacement. The number one guy for me to fill that role is Jaden Bradley. He's not top on my board, but someone I think could be there at 48 or that the Mavs could trade up to get. 


Here are my top 18 remaining:

Isaiah Evans (G/W)
Meleek Thomas (G)
Henri Veesaar ©
Ryan Conwell (G)
Trevon Brazile (Big)
Baba Miller (W/Big)
Jaden Bradley (PG)
Emanuel Sharp (G)
Bruce Thornton (G)
Otega Oweh (G/W)
Milos Uzan (PG) 
Ugonna Onyenso ©
Jack Kayil (PG)
Aaron Nkrumah (G)
Braden Smith (PG)
Vsevolod Ishchenko (G/W)
Jakobi Gillespie (PG)
Richie Saunders (G)

[Dirknows]

Morez was the Pascal pick of Masai’s past. Even looking at their numbers Pascal’s freshman year vs. Morez sophomore year, they’re nearly identical. Now I don’t know if he’ll ever be able to develop Pascal’s offensive game, but Masai is betting on him to improve his offense. If he can do that, he can be a 4 and a small ball 5. And for Michigan coaches to say “who cares who the other team has, we have ‘Rez” speaks volumes to his impact as a player. Definitely good with the pick.

[Mavs2021]

Can´t believe they still have not cleared up the trade mess, but I think we definitely still have #48. Tankathon probably solved it like this: the Mavs got three 2nd rounders from the Suns. Mavs re-route two of the Phoenix 2nd round picks to New York and keep #47 for themselves. Regardless I think Schmitz sounded way too excited for Day 2 to just go with just BPA #48.

[From Dirk to SCREW YOU Nico]

Some of the clips I have seen make me think the Luka - Gafford/Lively pick and roll game is back on with De Larrea. I don't know how quickly he will adapt to the NBA, but some of his highlights show some real pinpoint lobs after he gets a defender behind him. I am a little excited for that, esp if he is running a second team offense doing that.

I should have added Johnson in there too...he's a freak athlete than can play above the rim as well, I just don't know about his pick and roll game.

[Mavs2021]

Schroeder into the TPE + #34 from Cavs seems almost too logical.

[Moviemavguy]

there's no way this is right. It quite literally doesn't make sense. Stein is confused, and who could blame him. 

There's not netting three firsts to move UP. That math doesn't math.

After the initial rationalization , acceptance and even defense of the Morez pick, feeling underwhelmed today. We talked about tiers in the draft and then the Mavs selected a lower tier player as per almost all draft experts.

Hope it works out and  that Morez can be a 3D player at multiple positions than just be a very good undersized center.

Tell that to the previous coach who decided to play Kris Middleton.  Mavs were doomed out of the top 8.  Morez is a really nice player though with good comps.  

Bigger issue is not being able to move ANY veterans for another pick.  That would be more concerning to me.  We'll see what happens on that front.

[Smitty]

Is this our 14 at this point?


Lively     Gafford      Cisse 
PJW       Morez
Flagg     Naji           Martin
Christie  Klay           AJ Johnson
Kyrie      de Larrea   Nembhard

Depth chart with guaranteed contracts:

Kyrie | (Sergio)
Christie | Klay | AJJ
Flagg | Naji | Martin
PJW | (MoJo)
Lively | Gafford

Up to 3 spots remaining. MLE/TPE/Trade has to be used on a PG type, no? Sergio is probably closer to PG 3 in year 1. Kyrie won't play 36mpg for 82 games. Point-Flagg is a thing and Naji can do PG things, but it's looking rough at the moment. AJJ is basically a DNP-CD every night and could very well be waived. Klay feels like an obvious trade candidate -- maybe even a buyout guy. I think PJ fits what the FO is looking for. Size and position versatility. Gafford to the Lakers and bring back Bagley and/or Cisse? Middleton SnT for anything of value?

Lot of work to do this summer.....

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

A month ago, I thought this was a 8 player draft.  (You guys talked me into Burries over the last couple of weeks.)  Still extremely disappointed the top 8 guys went before our pick.  Was out of our control so can't be too mad.

[mvossman]

A month ago, I thought this was a 8 player draft.  (You guys talked me into Burries over the last couple of weeks.)  Still extremely disappointed the top 8 guys went before our pick.  Was out of our control so can't be too mad.

I'm guessing these guys don't draft Flemings if he falls to 9.  The focus on positional size was just so strong.

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
Memphis, like the Knicks at No. 31, is actively fielding offers to move the No. 32 pick for Night 2 of the draft, per sources. So picks 31 and 32 are up for auction in trades around the NBA -- with future assets being proposed.

[Winter]

@ShamsCharania
Memphis, like the Knicks at No. 31, is actively fielding offers to move the No. 32 pick for Night 2 of the draft, per sources. So picks 31 and 32 are up for auction in trades around the NBA -- with future assets being proposed.

Seems like the spot for the Mavs to make an investment... and grab Evans.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Mike is cooking...

[khaled1987]

I think Hollinger is correct tbh. I like Morez, but C+ grade (or B-) on draft night seems logical. You got a player who was ranked lower without an apparent reason. For draft guys it is normal to give such a grade IMO.

I believe he is more of a 4 than 5 btw, although he is surely going to play both.

Bith Masai and Dusty aren't the guys to draft an undersized C

[Scott41theMavs]

I believe that, given the first-round-worthy players that are still on the board, and how much building the Mavs have to do, that it is urgent that we get into the first few picks of the second. However, due to those same players we need being so good, those picks are going to be expensive. Obviously you don't give up any of the future first round draft capital we have left to give, and we don't have any seconds. The Mavs supposedly couldn't offload Gaff or PJW for a pick in the 15-25 range, but if we can rehabilitate them this year, we would be sorry for selling them off for seconds, no matter how good. That leaves probably burning our TPE, or at least part of it, to get into those picks. We'll see.
Klay might be another possibility.