2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

Mullins is going to be a stud.  Hurley has held him back a little

Probably be best served to return to school.  Make a few million and try again in a weaker draft.  This season got off to the wrong foot for him with an injury.  His draft range probably starts right after the lottery (or maybe right at end of lottery).  The issue is later lottery to mid to late 20’s is a lot of variance.  He could go 13 or 26.
 

Seems like a lot of uncertainty.  Take the nil money be the lead guy next year and come out as probably a more certain lottery pick.

[Chicagojk]

saw rumors saying Tyler Tanner may try to return to school.   Last night Texas Tech Anderson had a poor game.  Texas Tech has had no problem finding money for NIL, so he may have a very difficult decision.  With a glut of point guards in this draft, it is going to be easy for 1 or 2 to be lost a little.   It may be better to take the sure NIL money and get another year of college basketball before trying the draft again.

[Scott41theMavs]

saw rumors saying Tyler Tanner may try to return to school.   Last night Texas Tech Anderson had a poor game.  Texas Tech has had no problem finding money for NIL, so he may have a very difficult decision.  With a glut of point guards in this draft, it is going to be easy for 1 or 2 to be lost a little.   It may be better to take the sure NIL money and get another year of college basketball before trying the draft again.

To me it hurts the draft significantly for the Mavs (and most other teams) if Mullins, Tanner, and Anderson don't declare, but I could see them staying put for their own good.

[Scott41theMavs]

My updated Mavs big board, which likely bears no resemblance to any national/expert big board:
1) Dybantsa
2) Wilson
3) Acuff
4) Flemings
5) Boozer
6) (Peterson)
7) Burries
8) Wagler
9) Lendeborg
10) Philon
11) (Brown)

Parentheses - I don't want the Mavs to obtain these players in any event, but Peterson, at least, should be a placeholder to push others down if the Mavs don't move up to top four. I think the ship has sailed on Peterson being drafted top 4 - we'll see if I'm right.

[Winter]

I've always thought Lendenborg was a top 10 in this draft.

The next few games will tell us something with these players I think. Houston, Michigan, Arizona, Alabama, Illinois, Duke and Arkansas all have players here that the Mavs can consider. I think Flemings is going to need some good games to stay in the top 5. Guys like Philon, Burries and and Wagler need to stand out a little more I think.

[Smitty]

My updated Mavs big board, which likely bears no resemblance to any national/expert big board:
1) Dybantsa
2) Wilson
3) Acuff
4) Flemings
5) Boozer
6) (Peterson)
7) Burries
8) Wagler
9) Lendeborg
10) Philon
11) (Brown)

Parentheses - I don't want the Mavs to obtain these players in any event, but Peterson, at least, should be a placeholder to push others down if the Mavs don't move up to top four. I think the ship has sailed on Peterson being drafted top 4 - we'll see if I'm right.

I went through a similar thought exercise yesterday evening and thought about how I'd feel about each prospect if they were the Mavs pick.

Dybantsa- Ecstatic 
Boozer- Ecstatic
Wilson- Very happy
Acuff- Very happy
Flemings- Happy
Peterson- Very anxious/uneasy
Brown- Okay (if the medicals are fine)
Wagler- Okay
Burries- Okay
Philon- Okay

So, I guess if I had a big board for Mavs only, and the draft were today, they can really only pick Top 4 or 7/8. Which means the land mines for me are really Peterson (if top 4), and Brown (if the back is a real issue). All that to say, I guess you, mvossman, and I are all on the same page for the most part. I think we only differ on Boozer, who I think is a no-brainer pick at #2. And maybe on the upside of Brown, back injury aside...

[Smitty]

I've always thought Lendenborg was a top 10 in this draft.

Yeah, but he's 24 years old. That's going to be difficult to overcome to jump in the top 10 IMO. Feels more like an OKC or Spurs pick at 15/16. A contender type, adding a FA, more than a young prospect.

[Chicagojk]

Yeah, but he's 24 years old. That's going to be difficult to overcome to jump in the top 10 IMO. Feels more like an OKC or Spurs pick at 15/16. A contender type, adding a FA, more than a young prospect.

I read on another forum that someone asked why he is not showing higher.  Someone then showed all the first round picks who were 23 and they were literally a list of failures.   That is tough to overcome.  The college game is different now though with older players.   

I think both Luxemburg and Haugh at least have a floor of being good rotation players.    I think they are ready made players to help better teams now.   Both have their warts, but most good teams will be able to work around them.

[Winter]

Yeah, but he's 24 years old. That's going to be difficult to overcome to jump in the top 10 IMO. Feels more like an OKC or Spurs pick at 15/16. A contender type, adding a FA, more than a young prospect.

I think you may be right, but I see analysts discuss the age thing at length on draft podcasts. I just can't tell honestly how they will view this when combines start separating players. The guy is a leader on the team, always upbeat and plays both ways. He's hard to just pass up on age alone.

[Chicagojk]

This draft is so important for Dallas this year.  It is freakin ridiculous the Spurs walked away last year with Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant.  Dallas really needs to have a similar luck this year.  Finding a player as good as Harper will be really tough.    Finding a Bryant at 30 will be even harder.   With that being said, Dallas really needs to find a core 3 player with their lottery pick and a future rotation player at 30.  They don't have a lot of room to miss.

[mvossman]

I went through a similar thought exercise yesterday evening and thought about how I'd feel about each prospect if they were the Mavs pick.

Dybantsa- Ecstatic 
Boozer- Ecstatic
Wilson- Very happy
Acuff- Very happy
Flemings- Happy
Peterson- Very anxious/uneasy
Brown- Okay (if the medicals are fine)
Wagler- Okay
Burries- Okay
Philon- Okay

So, I guess if I had a big board for Mavs only, and the draft were today, they can really only pick Top 4 or 7/8. Which means the land mines for me are really Peterson (if top 4), and Brown (if the back is a real issue). All that to say, I guess you, mvossman, and I are all on the same page for the most part. I think we only differ on Boozer, who I think is a no-brainer pick at #2. And maybe on the upside of Brown, back injury aside...

One other area where I differ a little from you guys is my trepidation with Wilson.  I have concerns about a perimeter player who can't shoot in general, and I know I'm not supposed to worry about fit, but a power forward that can't shoot is not what I am looking to put next to Flagg.

[numnuts23]

If Dallas falls to 8 and the board gets washed - Acuff/Flemings plus the top 4 are gone - I'd be really tempted to draft Burries. He has good size, can defend, finish at the rim and can shoot. He is old for a freshman (will be 21 next season) - but man he seems like a good player to have. At this point, I'm more confident in him becoming a good/great NBA player than Peterson. I could see him becoming a more athletic Derrick White.

[numnuts23]

This draft is so important for Dallas this year.  It is freakin ridiculous the Spurs walked away last year with Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant.  Dallas really needs to have a similar luck this year.  Finding a player as good as Harper will be really tough.    Finding a Bryant at 30 will be even harder.   With that being said, Dallas really needs to find a core 3 player with their lottery pick and a future rotation player at 30.  They don't have a lot of room to miss.

It ridiculous the lotto luck that the Spurs have had forever.  

87 - David Robinson - jumped from 4th to 1st 
89 - Sean Elliot - jumped from 4th to 3rd 
97 - Tim Duncan - jumped from 3rd to 1st 
23 - Wemby - jumped from 3rd to 1st 
24 - Castle - jumped from 5th to 4th
25 - Harper - jumped from 8th to 2nd 

The 3 years they jump to 1st - there are franchise altering players there as well.  

As for Dallas - this past lotto was the first time ever they had moved up.

[vfromlmf]

My main problem with Acuff is he will define everything going forward.

You're going to have to build a defense around him. Maybe he will get better but he's a complete nonfactor on defense whether on- or off-ball. Because of this, he's going to need to be an elite offensive player to make up for his deficiencies, meaning he has to become one of the best offensive players in the league. That's a lot to ask from a player that could be challenged by longer, more athletic defenders in the NBA. His game is a bit of an anachronism as well. The best teams in the league are increasingly long, switchable, and use multiple initiators. Acuff is different so you'll also need to build your offense around him. He will be a very high usage player and he's already one of the highest usage players in the NCAA... comparable to Flagg's usage at Duke.

[mvossman]

If Dallas falls to 8 and the board gets washed - Acuff/Flemings plus the top 4 are gone - I'd be really tempted to draft Burries.  He has good size, can defend, finish at the rim and can shoot.  He is old for a freshman (will be 21 next season) - but man he seems like a good player to have.  At this point, I'm more confident in him becoming a good/great NBA player than Peterson.  I could see him becoming a more athletic Derrick White.

I would probably go Wagler next, but I am warming up to Burries.  Mavs have very little chance of picking 5 or 6, so if they don't get top 4 I'm guessing they will be picking from a group of Wagler, Brown, Burries and Philon.

[Smitty]

One other area where I differ a little from you guys is my trepidation with Wilson.  I have concerns about a perimeter player who can't shoot in general, and I know I'm not supposed to worry about fit, but a power forward that can't shoot is not what I am looking to put next to Flagg.

I think every single one of these guys have flaws. They aren't finished products. Same as prospect Flagg last year. I think what the Mavs need is top end talent. Fit comes later. When these young guys start to become who they're going to be in the NBA, and when they're ready to compete at the highest level. IF/when that comes to fruition, maybe you need to trade a talent like Wilson/Boozer for a player that "fits" Flagg's game more at that time. Right now, fit is the last thing on my mind when drafting in the top 10 for the last time in 5+ years. Get the best player (whoever you think that is)!

[numnuts23]

I would probably go Wagler next, but I am warming up to Burries.  Mavs have very little chance of picking 5 or 6, so if they don't get top 4 I'm guessing they will be picking from a group of Wagler, Brown, Burries and Philon.

Wagler is right there as well - smart smart player, who just plays at his own pace.  Wagler right now might got top 5 - so he might be out of range for Dallas if they fall in the lotto.  

My board as of right now: 

AJ 
Boozer
Wilson
Acuff 
Wagler 
Peterson 
Flemings 
Burries 
Philon
Brown Jr.
Mullins

[Chicagojk]

My main problem with Acuff is he will define everything going forward.

You're going to have to build a defense around him. Maybe he will get better but he's a complete nonfactor on defense whether on- or off-ball. Because of this, he's going to need to be an elite offensive player to make up for his deficiencies, meaning he has to become one of the best offensive players in the league. That's a lot to ask from a player that could be challenged by longer, more athletic defenders in the NBA. His game is a bit of an anachronism as well. The best teams in the league are increasingly long, switchable, and use multiple initiators. Acuff is different so you'll also need to build your offense around him. He will be a very high usage player and he's already one of the highest usage players in the NCAA... comparable to Flagg's usage at Duke.

It is tricky.  Especially looking at the big guards in SA, OKC and LAL.   Tough to be small.  You need to be really good.   Maybe Acuff is.  

I saw Kyrie turns 34 today.   I would love to see him have success in Dallas.   A kyrie and Acuff pairing in the backcourt is not ideal, but it would be really fun.  Although, if Mavs draft Acuff I would say the odds are pretty high Kyrie is not a Mav in a year time period.

[mvossman]

My main problem with Acuff is he will define everything going forward.

You're going to have to build a defense around him. Maybe he will get better but he's a complete nonfactor on defense whether on- or off-ball. Because of this, he's going to need to be an elite offensive player to make up for his deficiencies, meaning he has to become one of the best offensive players in the league. That's a lot to ask from a player that could be challenged by longer, more athletic defenders in the NBA. His game is a bit of an anachronism as well. The best teams in the league are increasingly long, switchable, and use multiple initiators. Acuff is different so you'll also need to build your offense around him. He will be a very high usage player and he's already one of the highest usage players in the NCAA... comparable to Flagg's usage at Duke.

I don't think you will have to build your offense around Acuff.  He will likely be the primary initiator because he is really good at it, but he can play off ball as well.  He is an elite catch and shoot player.

The defense is a legit concern, but on the other hand I think he is top 3 in this draft for chances to be an elite creator.  That is so difficult to find that I think its worth it.  Its a lot easier to find 3&D players than elite creators.

[Chicagojk]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWOowsahi...FmbWR6cw==

Karaban will either be a late first or probably early second. He will get little excitement but in a few years he will be a good role player for a team. Big, smart, hits open shots, cuts, makes good decision,
Good help defender.