2026 NBA draft thread

[Scott41theMavs]

Interesting shot profiles of the point guard prospects

https://x.com/mavsfilmroom/status/203214...43645?s=61

Thanks for this. 

Based on those numbers, Acuff and Philon look great, Brown not so much at all. I'm rather buying the DSJ comp, and IIRC DSJ is out of the league. Flemings is a little low on his 3p% but quite solid all-around. Anderson's shooting percentages are eye-opening, but his distribution percentages are lamentable. If he's that good at converting at the rim and shooting it from midrange, why doesn't he do it more often?

Wagler has a pleasing 3p%, but his numbers at the rim/mid-range are quite low compared to the others. Not big on a 3-and-D guard. We have to get something much better out of our pick.

From what I have seen so far, my top board is 
1) Dybantsa
2) Wilson
3) Boozer (and hope he adapts to be able to play NBA defense)
4) Peterson (and hope he learns to play team ball/create for others, care about basketball, and stay healthy)
5) Flemings
6) Acuff

Unfortunately, we're likely to pick somewhere between 7 and 9 (presuming we can't catch the Jazz), so we'd have to pray for one of those guys to drop if we don't move up. I would consider Wagler or Philon (whom most would consider to be a reach), but I'd almost rather trade down, because I think those six guys are the stars. If we can't get a star, but can get two quality starters, that's a decent draft. If they could get the two OKC picks, Anderson would be a great candidate for the later one. I wouldn't pick him top ten, but I do believe he'll be a decent NBA starting point guard.

[mvossman]

Thanks for this. 

Based on those numbers, Acuff and Philon look great, Brown not so much at all. I'm rather buying the DSJ comp, and IIRC DSJ is out of the league. Flemings is a little low on his 3p% but quite solid all-around. Anderson's shooting percentages are eye-opening, but his distribution percentages are lamentable. If he's that good at converting at the rim and shooting it from midrange, why doesn't he do it more often?

Wagler has a pleasing 3p%, but his numbers at the rim/mid-range are quite low compared to the others. Not big on a 3-and-D guard. We have to get something much better out of our pick.

From what I have seen so far, my top board is 
1) Dybantsa
2) Collins
3) Boozer (and hope he adapts to be able to play NBA defense)
4) Peterson (and hope he learns to play team ball/create for others, care about basketball, and stay healthy)
5) Flemings
6) Acuff

Unfortunately, we're likely to pick somewhere between 7 and 9 (presuming we can't catch the Jazz), so we'd have to pray for one of those guys to drop if we don't move up. I would consider Wagler or Philon (whom most would consider to be a reach), but I'd almost rather trade down, because I think those six guys are the stars. If we can't get a star, but can get two quality starters, that's a decent draft. If they could get the two OKC picks, Anderson would be a great candidate for the later one. I wouldn't pick him top ten, but I do believe he'll be a decent NBA starting point guard.

Its hard to say how much that back issue is impacting Brown.  Don't know if that means we should discount his struggles or be concerned about back issues at 19.  The scouts still love him.

I would have no problem ending up with Wagler.  Great size, maybe the best 3 point shooter in the draft, took over PG role mid season and is killing it, late bloomer who is probably still growing.  Lot of folks have him at top 5 ceiling in the draft.

Who is Collins?  I assume that is Caleb Wilson?  I have at least as much concern with his outside shooting as Boozer defense.

Acuff has best chance of falling out of top 6.  Lot of folks have Brown and Wagler ahead of him.

[Scott41theMavs]

Its hard to say how much that back issue is impacting Brown.  Don't know if that means we should discount his struggles or be concerned about back issues at 19.  The scouts still love him.

I would have no problem ending up with Wagler.  Great size, maybe the best 3 point shooter in the draft, took over PG role mid season and is killing it, late bloomer who is probably still growing.  Lot of folks have him at top 5 ceiling in the draft.

Who is Collins?  I assume that is Caleb Wilson?  I have at least as much concern with his outside shooting as Boozer defense.

Acuff has best chance of falling out of top 6.  Lot of folks have Brown and Wagler ahead of him.

Ugh, yes, not sure what happened there. Big brain fart.

[Chicagojk]

Ament with 26-8-4 today. 13 free throws too. He gets to the line a ton.

What a fun group of lottery picks to watch and debate this year.

[Winter]

The other thing that happens is that some teams ahead of us - like Brooklyn - may just not think a PG is a good fit for them this year. They don't pick the best player available. Maybe they pick Ament and things go sideways a little. That kind of thing happens more often than not.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Holy crap, Dybantsa is a bucket!

Reminds me of my second favorite player, Dominique Wilkens.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/arttakesnote/status/203224...58323?s=61

[DallasMaverick]

Dallas is trying to win right now. Very disappointing.

[DallasMaverick]

Dallas is trying to win right now. Very disappointing.

Okay. Maybe not. 

Gotta give Kidd props for making it this close, while playing his “A-list” players.

[F Gump]

 
From what I have seen so far, my top board is 
1) Dybantsa
2) Wilson
3) Boozer (and hope he adapts to be able to play NBA defense)
4) Peterson (and hope he learns to play team ball/create for others, care about basketball, and stay healthy)
5) Flemings
6) Acuff

Thanks for this.

I'm with you on 1-4. Like you (it appears), I'm less and less enamored of Peterson, the more we see of him. He's a top talent in a lot of ways, but the production keeps falling WAYYYYYY short of the hype that says he's a dominant player. 

But that top 4 stands out because I'm wary on everyone past 4. All those guys in the 5-10 range have huge bust potential imo. 

Flemings gets high ratings by mock draft guys, but has lots of meh games. Acuff is by far the most productive and consistent offensively (he gives me Brunson vibes), but size and defense are not good, and he's not the guy leading his team to win after win like Brunson did.

I think a large part of the attraction on these 5-10 guys is the measurables, not the production. They are in the top 10 because they are a 6-5 or 6-6 PG and will therefore be superior. Except, when they step on the floor, not nearly s superior. I get it, but it bothers me and makes me wary.

[Chicagojk]

Kingston Flemings highlights from last night

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comme...yu_big_12/

Darryn Peterson highlights from last night

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comme..._8_rebs_3/

Nate Ament highlights

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comme...njury_sec/

AJ highlights
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comme..._3pt_full/

[Chicagojk]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4818...zer-guards

[vfromlmf]

Scouts are calling this a "double draft" given the star power at the top and incredible depth, while '27 is considered very weak. Is there a world where MIL, DAL and Kyrie consider a move to MIL for their pick in the #10-11 range? Portis+Kuzma would likely be outgoing, ideally not to DAL.

[Mavs2021]

Scouts are calling this a "double draft" given the star power at the top and incredible depth, while '27 is considered very weak. Is there a world where MIL, DAL and Kyrie consider a move to MIL for their pick in the #10-11 range? Portis+Kuzma would likely be outgoing, ideally not to DAL.

I think you ask that question the wrong way around. Is there a world, where the Mavs give up their pick in a Giannis deal.

[khaled1987]

https://x.com/arttakesnote/status/203224...58323?s=61

I am one of Brown biggest critic here, and this confirms my opinion. It feels he is still in the mix because he is 6'5 only. 

I was the first to mention Wagler in this thread, but I am starting to be out on him tbh. In a perfect world he could be the new Klay with extra playmaking, but can he move around off the ball like Klay did and have same quick release and translate his 3PT in the NBA at volume? It seems more likely that he will be a 3D wing with some playmaking skills. I doubt he can be the lead guard without him being able to be threat around the rim and putting such pressure on defense.

Acuff remains no 5 on my board, Fleming is 6th, Wagler is 7th.

I am not sure after that tbh. Ament and Brown has high potential but I feel they are more likely to be busts, I like Mullins but I feel he isn't ready and likely should stay in college.

[mvossman]

Thanks for this.

I'm with you on 1-4. Like you (it appears), I'm less and less enamored of Peterson, the more we see of him. He's a top talent in a lot of ways, but the production keeps falling WAYYYYYY short of the hype that says he's a dominant player. 

But that top 4 stands out because I'm wary on everyone past 4. All those guys in the 5-10 range have huge bust potential imo. 

Flemings gets high ratings by mock draft guys, but has lots of meh games. Acuff is by far the most productive and consistent offensively (he gives me Brunson vibes), but size and defense are not good, and he's not the guy leading his team to win after win like Brunson did.

I think a large part of the attraction on these 5-10 guys is the measurables, not the production. They are in the top 10 because they are a 6-5 or 6-6 PG and will therefore be superior. Except, when they step on the floor, not nearly s superior. I get it, but it bothers me and makes me wary.

There is definitely a drop from the top 4 to the rest.  Kind of weird how that lines up with the lottery odds.

On the Acuff vs Brunson comparison, Brunson scored less than 10 points a game with 2.5 assists in his freshman year.  Even in his third year his numbers were not as good as Acuff.  I think at least part of the reason he led his team to more wins is because he had a better team around him.

Those 4 guards are scoring roughly 20 points a game with 6 assists.  Flemings, Acuff and Wagler are doing it with high efficiency.  They have BPMs in the 10-12 range.  That is elite for a 19 year old freshman.  I think those three guys have floors of rotational players at worst, but I could see Acuff being the next Brunson, Flemings being another Jrue Holiday and Wagler being a Tyrese Haliburton.  If I have a chance to draft one of them, I pull the trigger instead of trading down.

[Scott41theMavs]

There is definitely a drop from the top 4 to the rest.  Kind of weird how that lines up with the lottery odds.

On the Acuff vs Brunson comparison, Brunson scored less than 10 points a game with 2.5 assists in his freshman year.  Even in his third year his numbers were not as good as Acuff.  I think at least part of the reason he led his team to more wins is because he had a better team around him.

Those 4 guards are scoring roughly 20 points a game with 6 assists.  Flemings, Acuff and Wagler are doing it with high efficiency.  They have BPMs in the 10-12 range.  That is elite for a 19 year old freshman.  I think those three guys have floors of rotational players at worst, but I could see Acuff being the next Brunson, Flemings being another Jrue Holiday and Wagler being a Tyrese Haliburton.  If I have a chance to draft one of them, I pull the trigger instead of trading down.

Just as long as we all agree, no friggy Brown.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

https://x.com/arttakesnote/status/203224...58323?s=61

INteresting info.  Wagler and Mikel Brown have no floater game.

[Mavs2021]

INteresting info.  Wagler and Mikel Brown have no floater game.

Yeah I don´t like that. Floaters are a sign of touch and improvisation. I think there are no great players without touch and improvisation. The closest might be Karl Malone. It was literally the first ten seconds of the Dybantsa video that sold me on him being #1. To finish through contact, off balance, bad angle, and to convert that off the glass. That is next level touch, quick thinking and improvisation you need to be a superstar.

Dybantsa has to be #1. 

I´m torn between the other three. I think Wilson actually has the lowest bust potential, despite the fact that he can´t really shoot. He also has the highest upside, cause he currently can´t shoot. His athleticism and motor are next level just like the Thompson twins. I will wash my keyboard with soap right away now, but the way he moves in atht jersey reminds me of Michael Jordan, and he´s 6´10. At worst he´s a future DPOY. Boozer won´t be a bust either, but he literally might be a slightly better version of his dad. And who the hell knows with Peterson.

[Winter]

Yeah I don´t like that. Floaters are a sign of touch and improvisation. I think there are no great players without touch and improvisation. The closest might be Karl Malone. It was literally the first ten seconds of the Dybantsa video that sold me on him being #1. To finish through contact, off balance, bad angle, and to convert that off the glass. That is next level touch, quick thinking and improvisation you need to be a superstar.

Dybantsa has to be #1. 

I´m torn between the other three. I think Wilson actually has the lowest bust potential, despite the fact that he can´t really shoot. He also has the highest upside, cause he currently can´t shoot. His athleticism and motor are next level just like the Thompson twins. I will wash my keyboard with soap right away now, but the way he moves in atht jersey reminds me of Michael Jordan, and he´s 6´10. At worst he´s a future DPOY. Boozer won´t be a bust either, but he literally might be a slightly better version of his dad. And who the hell knows with Peterson.

I'm with you on Wilson. In five years, he could easily be the best player of this draft.