2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

Yeah he had a rough game. 1/13 from the field. 4 ast / 3 tov

Dybantsa’s poor shooting night also cost his team a win. 6/24. 1/8 from 3. They still almost pulled off the comeback.

Yes, it looks like he had an off night.   I have not seen enough of Peterson, but I think I would rate Dybansta #1 on my list.   That could change and I love Boozer.  

Looking at this draft class, I think the 5-12 prospects are going to be tricky.  I like a lot of them but there is some potential for a few of them to miss.   With young prospects, you are always making a projection.   I think the 5-12 is a little better than last years draft, but I think they are pretty similar actually.

[Chicagojk]

Older freshman but he looks the part.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUBsJhhkf...aHlvNGF0YQ==

[Mavs2021]

2000 begs to differ

[DL2RimRocker]

Older freshman but he looks the part.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUBsJhhkf...aHlvNGF0YQ==

This kid has good potential as a combo guard but I'm not sure he would be our answer at PG.
He has a solid all-around game though and I'd love to see the Mavs get a pick in the 20s to pick him up.

I see a little Hardy in him so that would be my only concern.

[DL2RimRocker]

Peterson's injuries are becoming a concern.
As a Jayhawks fan I get the same frustrations as I do with AD and Lively as a Mavs fan.
Seems like the kid can't stay on the court because he always has some type of leg injury (cramping, hamstring, ankle sprain).
I'm leaning more towards Dybansta as the number 1 pick even though I think Peterson would be the perfect fit with Coop if the Mavs get that lucky again.

[ThisIStheYear]

Flemings gives this class as good of a top 5 prospects as you’ll see.  After that, it flattens considerably. My favorite prospects for the Mavs in positions 7-10:  Wagler, Philon, Acuff, and Mullins. These four meet a subjective need, are on a similar tier in the scouting, and except for the old kid at Michigan, seem to have the best advanced stats of the remaining players. The data tell me to avoid the Louisville point guard.

So, as of now, if the Mavs land top 3 it’s one of the studs, doesn’t matter which, at 4 I’d take Flemings, if they stay at 7-10, probably Wagler or Acuff.

[myconsumerclub]

Good synopsis we are truly lucky that the area of need we have is abundantly addressed in this draft so we can count on getting our need filled and hopefully we are lucky enough to pick a Luka instead of the Trae. Wagler is my fave option because of his flexibility to play alongside Kyrie with SG size and a high 3PFG%.

[Dirknows]

Good synopsis we are truly lucky that the area of need we have is abundantly addressed in this draft so we can count on getting our need filled and hopefully we are lucky enough to pick a Luka instead of the Trae. Wagler is my fave option because of his flexibility to play alongside Kyrie with SG size and a high 3PFG%.

I’m not sure Wagler will even be there when we pick. 22/5/8 and 2 steals last night, 2-4 from 3. He would be a great pairing with Kyrie, although he’s gonna have to get stronger to become a good defender.

[Winter]

I’m not sure Wagler will even be there when we pick. 22/5/8 and 2 steals last night, 2-4 from 3. He would be a great pairing with Kyrie, although he’s gonna have to get stronger to become a good defender.

I posted this in the wrong thread originally.

RE Wagler. He's having an incredible season and may not be there when we pick, but if he struggles with strength and defense as you point out, his rookie year might not be what you wish. I could imagine him struggling at the NBA level. Of course, after the top three, most have some weakness.

The players below all fit at about where the Mavs would pick. I think most of these guys could play with Flagg. The exceptions in the top 12 rookies that I think might be somewhat redundant with Flagg are Steinbach and Peat. But really there's a nice selection of players and several decent shooters.

Of the three PG's, all three of them have a certain specific quality. Brown's perimeter shooting is suspect, but most analysts think it has to do with shot-selection rather than shooting mechanics (His FT% is very good)

Acuff has been compared to Stephon Marbury and every time I see him that looks about right. Lots of buckets, lots assists, but 6'3".

Philon went back to college after testing the draft last year and improved his perimeter shooting. Needs some muscle.

Wagler is the surpise as a playmaking SG. His freshman year has been spectacular. You worry he might cool off when he gets to the NBA

Lendborg is one of those guys that does everything. He looks like a NFL player. Good shooter and is constantly moving. Good passer, good rebounder. Very active.

Mullins is the best perimeter shooter of the bunch. I hope UConn goes deep in the playoffs as he would be fun to watch.

Quaintance may very well be the next Dwight Howard, but he's had a few injuries so he's a bit unknown in regards to competiton. Almost everyone says he's a defensive monster.

[Winter]

Draft date announced.

The draft lottery will take place on Sunday, May 10

[ThisIStheYear]

I’m not sure Wagler will even be there when we pick. 22/5/8 and 2 steals last night, 2-4 from 3. He would be a great pairing with Kyrie, although he’s gonna have to get stronger to become a good defender.

Yep. Wagler is starting to look like a clear 6th best player in the draft. He’s good.  Maybe Acuff is realistic? After that, I don’t feel as great about the prospects. Hoping some of the front court players will go earlier due to varying team needs and push one of those two down a couple of spots. Mavs need to tank a little better!

[ThisIStheYear]

Duplicate post.

[Scott41theMavs]

After last night, the Mavs are 8th in lottery odds. 

No need to whinge about our poor tanking efforts. The Mavs are likely to finish in the 6th-8th range. All they will need at that point is a little bit of luck - and a little bit of competence (hire a good GM) to make the right choice with their pick.

[Mavs2021]

After last night, the Mavs are 8th in lottery odds. 

No need to whinge about our poor tanking efforts. The Mavs are likely to finish in the 6th-8th range. All they will need at that point is a little bit of luck - and a little bit of competence (hire a good GM) to make the right choice with their pick.

1. They are four games behind Utah in 6th, so that is clearly not happening.
2. This was an eight team race, that the Mavs will likely finish in ninth.
3. That means 20,2% top 4 odds, when it should have been 31,9%.

So yes poor job.

[Chicagojk]

I have said that the point guard only prospects don't really interest me much.  I still think there is validity to that.  Guys like Acuff look closer to 6 foot than 6'3 to me.  

With that being said, you watch the highlights of the 4 guys (Wagler looks to be able to play off the ball) and it is pretty impressive.   There still needs to be growth with them, but they look really good.   I am just going off highlights.  The tournament will be fun to watch this year.  

It will also be interesting to see where the centers go.  It looks like Quaintance may be out for a while, if not the season.  I have no idea how you can properly evaluate him.   Then you have two interesting skilled bigs at North Carolina and Michigan.  Both look like their best ball is ahead of them and look like really nice backup center types.

[Smitty]

@DraftDeeper
UPDATED 2026 NBA DRAFT RANKINGS

My Top 30 is available below, remember if you want my full Top 100 you have to be a @NoCeilingsNBA+ subscriber! Some very notable movement inside the Top 10, all the way out to 30. We're getting a clearer picture of this class.

   

[Smitty]

#13 BYU vs. #14 Kansas
Dybantsa vs Peterson
ESPN @ 3:30 CST

[Winter]

I have said that the point guard only prospects don't really interest me much.  I still think there is validity to that.  Guys like Acuff look closer to 6 foot than 6'3 to me.  

With that being said, you watch the highlights of the 4 guys (Wagler looks to be able to play off the ball) and it is pretty impressive.   There still needs to be growth with them, but they look really good.   I am just going off highlights.  The tournament will be fun to watch this year.  

It will also be interesting to see where the centers go.  It looks like Quaintance may be out for a while, if not the season.  I have no idea how you can properly evaluate him.   Then you have two interesting skilled bigs at North Carolina and Michigan.  Both look like their best ball is ahead of them and look like really nice backup center types.

Kind of agree about the PGs. If available, I would probably choose Wagler, Lendborg or Mullins before a PG. But that could change.

[Dirknows]

1. They are four games behind Utah in 6th, so that is clearly not happening.
2. This was an eight team race, that the Mavs will likely finish in ninth.
3. That means 20,2% top 4 odds, when it should have been 31,9%.

So yes poor job.

Yeah, I don’t see us passing Utah, the highest I can see us getting is to 7th lottery odds. Right in the range of where a lot of the guards are supposed to go, likely miss out on the top prospects though. Man do we need the NBA lottery Gods on our side again this year.

[Winter]

#13 BYU vs. #14 Kansas
Dybantsa vs Peterson
ESPN @ 3:30 CST

Watching....

Peterson is a full notch above everyone on that court including Dybsanta.

At the half, he has 18 points in 17 minutes. He is 3 of 4 from the 3 point line, and has 3 steals. It's like watching one of Kyrie's "Uncle Drew" videos.