2026 NBA draft thread

[Scott41theMavs]

Another win-loss, but this one unfortunately also hurts our OKC pick - now back down to 30th.

Special thanks to the Pacers for force-feeding the Grizz a win. We're now two games back/ahead of them. Pels hanging tough with the Clipps. Would be real nice if they came back and won.

[vfromlmf]

The Mavs currently lose (pick higher) in a tie breaker with the Pels; and the teams play one more game on March 16th.

Predictions:
- I have the Mavs moving into a tie when the Pels beat the Wiz on March 8th;
- Dallas will drop a full game behind the NO when they lose the March 16th matchup.
- Mavs finish with 6th best lotter odds
- 9% chance at number one overall
- 30% chance of picking top 4
- Most likely pick 6, 7 or 8
- Mavs draft Mikel Brown Jr

[DanSchwartzgan]

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie has a new mock draft out.  First, here are the top 10 picks.  He says there is a definite drop off after the top 10:

1. Sacramento - Dybansta
2. Washington - Peterson
3. Atlanta - Boozer
4. Indiana - Wilson
5. Brooklyn - Flemings
6. Utah - Wagler
7. Dallas - Acuff
8. Memphis - Brown
9. Milwaukee - Ament
10. Chicago - Burries

Burries continues to creep up the list.  If he had more on-ball skill, he probably move up even more.  Here is what Vecenie wrote about Acuff:

7. Dallas Mavericks
Darius Acuff Jr. | 6-2 guard | 19 years old | Arkansas

I don’t know if any player has quieted more worries over the last month with his outstanding play than Acuff. He continues to silence questions by dominating. The freshman guard is averaging 22 points and 6.2 assists while shooting an absurd 49.1 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from 3 and 79.3 percent from the line. He’s the most polished floor general in college basketball. He plays off two feet and moves well without the ball to set up his on-ball moves. His passes are always crisp and on-target, even if his vision and his highlight-reel passes are a bit less polished than some others in the class. His decision-making is superb, and he rarely turns the ball over, posting a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

The only two quibbles that scouts still bring up are whether he can consistently get paint touches against NBA athleticism and length and whether he can guard anyone consistently. In terms of the former, he’s done just about everything in his power to make me a believer that he can separate, thanks to the threat of his shot and elite pace. But the latter is something I’m definitely concerned about. Even though Acuff is stocky and strong, he’s the worst defender of the players slated to go in the top 10 by a wide margin. He struggles to get through screens and shows a lack of engagement too regularly off the ball. Still, the offensive skill package is so good that it’s hard to see how he doesn’t at least turn into a starting-caliber point guard with All-Star upside.

[Winter]

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie has a new mock draft out.  First, here are the top 10 picks.  He says there is a definite drop off after the top 10:

1. Sacramento - Dybansta
2. Washington - Peterson
3. Atlanta - Boozer
4. Indiana - Wilson
5. Brooklyn - Flemings
6. Utah - Wagler
7. Dallas - Acuff
8. Memphis - Brown
9. Milwaukee - Ament
10. Chicago - Burries

Burries continues to creep up the list.  If he had more on-ball skill, he probably move up even more.  Here is what Vecenie wrote about Acuff:

7. Dallas Mavericks
Darius Acuff Jr. | 6-2 guard | 19 years old | Arkansas

I don’t know if any player has quieted more worries over the last month with his outstanding play than Acuff. He continues to silence questions by dominating. The freshman guard is averaging 22 points and 6.2 assists while shooting an absurd 49.1 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from 3 and 79.3 percent from the line. He’s the most polished floor general in college basketball. He plays off two feet and moves well without the ball to set up his on-ball moves. His passes are always crisp and on-target, even if his vision and his highlight-reel passes are a bit less polished than some others in the class. His decision-making is superb, and he rarely turns the ball over, posting a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

The only two quibbles that scouts still bring up are whether he can consistently get paint touches against NBA athleticism and length and whether he can guard anyone consistently. In terms of the former, he’s done just about everything in his power to make me a believer that he can separate, thanks to the threat of his shot and elite pace. But the latter is something I’m definitely concerned about. Even though Acuff is stocky and strong, he’s the worst defender of the players slated to go in the top 10 by a wide margin. He struggles to get through screens and shows a lack of engagement too regularly off the ball. Still, the offensive skill package is so good that it’s hard to see how he doesn’t at least turn into a starting-caliber point guard with All-Star upside.

I posted this several days ago, but it's worth revisiting now.

It's quite possible that the #6 and #7 draft picks will likely be Wagler and Acuff. It's entirely possible both could be available when the Mavs pick. That would be a good option for any team especially one that desperately needs playmaking.

I'm not entirely certain what I would do if given the pick. Neither player would be a stellar defensive option. Acuff is groomed specifically for PG duties. Wagler is more flexible and could likely play along side another PG.

[Chicagojk]

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie has a new mock draft out.  First, here are the top 10 picks.  He says there is a definite drop off after the top 10:

1. Sacramento - Dybansta
2. Washington - Peterson
3. Atlanta - Boozer
4. Indiana - Wilson
5. Brooklyn - Flemings
6. Utah - Wagler
7. Dallas - Acuff
8. Memphis - Brown
9. Milwaukee - Ament
10. Chicago - Burries

Burries continues to creep up the list.  If he had more on-ball skill, he probably move up even more.  Here is what Vecenie wrote about Acuff:

7. Dallas Mavericks
Darius Acuff Jr. | 6-2 guard | 19 years old | Arkansas

I don’t know if any player has quieted more worries over the last month with his outstanding play than Acuff. He continues to silence questions by dominating. The freshman guard is averaging 22 points and 6.2 assists while shooting an absurd 49.1 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from 3 and 79.3 percent from the line. He’s the most polished floor general in college basketball. He plays off two feet and moves well without the ball to set up his on-ball moves. His passes are always crisp and on-target, even if his vision and his highlight-reel passes are a bit less polished than some others in the class. His decision-making is superb, and he rarely turns the ball over, posting a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

The only two quibbles that scouts still bring up are whether he can consistently get paint touches against NBA athleticism and length and whether he can guard anyone consistently. In terms of the former, he’s done just about everything in his power to make me a believer that he can separate, thanks to the threat of his shot and elite pace. But the latter is something I’m definitely concerned about. Even though Acuff is stocky and strong, he’s the worst defender of the players slated to go in the top 10 by a wide margin. He struggles to get through screens and shows a lack of engagement too regularly off the ball. Still, the offensive skill package is so good that it’s hard to see how he doesn’t at least turn into a starting-caliber point guard with All-Star upside.

I have been wondering who crashes that top 10.   There are a lot of point guard players in a row there.  Seems unlikely all go in a row.  I think there is an opportunity for a wing or big to jump into this mix due to the logjam of point guards in this range.  

For this mock, would Brooklyn really take another point guard?   They took three last draft.   Utah would be an interesting question mark too...although they did move Clayton who they just drafted at the deadline.

[Chicagojk]

Here is the full first round mock

1. Sacramento Kings - AJ Dybantsa
   
2. Washington Wizards- Darryn Peterson
   
3. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP)- Cameron Boozer
   
4. Brooklyn Nets - Kingston Flemings
   
5. Utah Jazz -Keaton Wagler
   
6. Dallas Mavericks - Darius Acuff Jr.
   
7. Memphis Grizzlies - Mikel Brown Jr.
   
8. Milwaukee Bucks - Nate Ament
   
9. Chicago Bulls - Brayden Burries
   
10. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL) - Koa Peat
    
11. Charlotte Hornets - Jayden Quaintance
    
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) -Thomas Haugh
    
13. Portland Trail Blazers - Labaron Philon Jr.
    
14. Miami Heat - Karim Lopez
    
15. Golden State Warriors - Bennett Stirtz
    
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via ORL) - Hannes Steinbach
    
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI) - Braylon Mullins
    
18. Charlotte Hornets (via PHX) - Yaxel Lendeborg
    
19. Toronto Raptors -Patrick Ngongba II
    
20. Detroit Pistons (via MIN) - Christian Anderson Jr.
    
21. Los Angeles Lakers -Morez Johnson Jr.
    
22. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE) - Chris Cenac Jr.
    
23. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU) - Dailyn Swain
    
24. New York Knicks - Cameron Carr
    
25. Denver Nuggets - Amari Allen
    
26. Boston Celtics - Aday Mara
    
27. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS) -Motiejus Krivas
    
28. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC) -Tyler Tanner
    
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET) - Tounde Yessoufou
    

I think I would take Tounde as a flyer.  If Cenac or Morez Johnson fell a few more spots, I would have interest moving the GS pick and the Bulls second rounder with the OKC pick to move up.  

[Winter]

For this mock, would Brooklyn really take another point guard?   They took three last draft.   Utah would be an interesting question mark too...although they did move Clayton who they just drafted at the deadline.

I'm beginning to wonder if Brooklyn is going to have the option of taking Peterson - as a SG perhaps. If not, the Wizards just acquired Trae so Peterson as a Wizard is not a slam dunk either.

From Stein:

"Says at least one top talent evaluator whose team will be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick via the draft lottery in May: "I wouldn't take [Kansas' Darryn] Peterson with the first pick. Too many question marks."

A sentiment we presumably haven't heard for the last time thanks to Peterson's intermittent availability for the Jayhawks."

[Smitty]

Here is the full first round mock

1. Sacramento Kings - AJ Dybantsa
   
2. Washington Wizards- Darryn Peterson
   
3. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP)- Cameron Boozer
   
4. Brooklyn Nets - Kingston Flemings
   
5. Utah Jazz -Keaton Wagler
   
6. Dallas Mavericks - Darius Acuff Jr.
   
7. Memphis Grizzlies - Mikel Brown Jr.
   
8. Milwaukee Bucks - Nate Ament
   
9. Chicago Bulls - Brayden Burries
   
10. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL) - Koa Peat
    
11. Charlotte Hornets - Jayden Quaintance
    
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) -Thomas Haugh
    
13. Portland Trail Blazers - Labaron Philon Jr.
    
14. Miami Heat - Karim Lopez
    
15. Golden State Warriors - Bennett Stirtz
    
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via ORL) - Hannes Steinbach
    
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI) - Braylon Mullins
    
18. Charlotte Hornets (via PHX) - Yaxel Lendeborg
    
19. Toronto Raptors -Patrick Ngongba II
    
20. Detroit Pistons (via MIN) - Christian Anderson Jr.
    
21. Los Angeles Lakers -Morez Johnson Jr.
    
22. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE) - Chris Cenac Jr.
    
23. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU) - Dailyn Swain
    
24. New York Knicks - Cameron Carr
    
25. Denver Nuggets - Amari Allen
    
26. Boston Celtics - Aday Mara
    
27. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS) -Motiejus Krivas
    
28. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC) -Tyler Tanner
    
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET) - Tounde Yessoufou
    

I think I would take Tounde as a flyer.  If Cenac or Morez Johnson fell a few more spots, I would have interest moving the GS pick and the Bulls second rounder with the OKC pick to move up.  

Where is Caleb Wilson? I'd take Isaiah Evans at 29/30.

[Mavs2021]

Where is Caleb Wilson? I'd take Isaiah Evans at 29/30.

Lost in C&P? Everybody slips down a spot? Also would explain only 29 picks or has somebody been stripped of their 1st round pick?

[Scott41theMavs]

Lost in C&P? Everybody slips down a spot? Also would explain only 29 picks or has somebody been stripped of their 1st round pick?

They skipped the Pacers, evidently.

[Scott41theMavs]

To me, Dybantsa is the clear-cut number one. While I see Boozer as somewhat more hide-bound version of Tatum, there's just too much overlap between him and Flagg. Boozer's lack of rim protection locks him in at the four, which thereby locks Flagg into the three spot, with our not-great guard options. So many questions with Peterson, who seems like a selfish offensive M-80 who might have major injury issues - seems like a perfect fit with Washington, lol. I would be quite upset with the Mavs picking either of those two regardless of what pick they have.

Wilson would fit far better with Flagg than Boozer because he has some potential as a small-ball five, and I would love to see him in a Mavs uni. But given that it's more likely we either pick 6-9 (guard) or 2-3 (trade down to those spots if Dybantsa is off the board) than 1st (Dybantsa) or 4th (Wilson, unless someone reaches on him at 2 or 3 in a reach that isn't really a reach because Peterson is an Old Maid/hot potato), it behooves us to fixate on the guards.

[KillerLeft]

Wilson would fit far better with Flagg than Boozer because he has some potential as a small-ball five, and I would love to see him in a Mavs uni. 

It's funny you say that, because most of the comps I see for Boozer are "a cross between Kevin Love and Al Horford." Both spent considerable time playing small ball 5 and in Horford's case that was his best position from day 1, basically. 

I don't know what Boozer will be like as a pro, but I think we sometimes look at the measurables on these guys and think we have them figured out. Maybe it's premature in some cases?

[Winter]

Wilson would fit far better with Flagg than Boozer because he has some potential as a small-ball five, and I would love to see him in a Mavs uni. But given that it's more likely we either pick 6-9 (guard) or 2-3 (trade down to those spots if Dybantsa is off the board) than 1st (Dybantsa) or 4th (Wilson, unless someone reaches on him at 2 or 3 in a reach that isn't really a reach because Peterson is an Old Maid/hot potato), it behooves us to fixate on the guards.

I agree with that take on Wilson. His defense may the best of the top 5, and he moves like a SF. He's out-played nearly every lottery pick he's played against. But our chances are remote. 

In our current position, we're likely looking at Acuff, Wagler, or possibly Flemings.

[Scott41theMavs]

I agree with that take on Wilson. His defense may the best of the top 5, and he moves like a SF. He's out-played nearly every lottery pick he's played against. But our chances are remote. 

In our current position, we're likely looking at Acuff, Wagler, or possibly Flemings.

That was my point overall.

Don't forget Brown.

[Scott41theMavs]

It's funny you say that, because most of the comps I see for Boozer are "a cross between Kevin Love and Al Horford." Both spent considerable time playing small ball 5 and in Horford's case that was his best position from day 1, basically. 

I don't know what Boozer will be like as a pro, but I think we sometimes look at the measurables on these guys and think we have them figured out. Maybe it's premature in some cases?

Love and Horford don't protect the rim either. 

Kyrie is likely to be a problem on the defensive end next year. With your franchise guy being the prototypical two-way forward, do you really want to create another defensive problem in the starting lineup? I'm out on Boozer unless with have the 6th pick and he somehow falls that low, which he won't.

[KillerLeft]

Love and Horford don't protect the rim either. 

Kyrie is likely to be a problem on the defensive end next year. With your franchise guy being the prototypical two-way forward, do you really want to create another defensive problem in the starting lineup? I'm out on Boozer unless with have the 6th pick and he somehow falls that low, which he won't.

Oh, I'm not advocating for Boozer, just pushing back against the idea the we really know what these guys are going to be like at the next level. 

Also (slightly off topic), I couldn't care less how someone in this draft might fit with Kyrie, tbh.

[KillerLeft]

In our current position, we're likely looking at Acuff, Wagler, or possibly Flemings.

My experience with all these guys is more limited than most, but I'd be comfortable taking my chances with any of the above.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/Sam_Vecenie/status/2028476670903304575

[mvossman]

Love and Horford don't protect the rim either. 

Kyrie is likely to be a problem on the defensive end next year. With your franchise guy being the prototypical two-way forward, do you really want to create another defensive problem in the starting lineup? I'm out on Boozer unless with have the 6th pick and he somehow falls that low, which he won't.

They don't, but you can still be a decent defensive center without being an elite rim protector (Horford).  You can also stagger Flagg and Boozer and you can play them both with a center as well.  It won't be a perfect fit, but you can make it work.  

I can see the argument for picking AJ over him, but Peterson has too many red flags and Caleb is a perimeter player who can't shoot, which is at least as concerning as Boozer defensive fit.  

What you can't do is let fit with 34 year old injury prone guard have any impact at all when choosing which 19 year old potential superstar to put with your other 19 year old superstar.

[ThisIStheYear]

Boozer is the best college player this century. His BPM and other metrics are just ridiculous. I don’t know how that translates exactly to the pros, but I’d take him at 1 if the draft were today. Really, any pick in the top 3 feels like winning the lottery.