2026 NBA draft thread

[dirkfansince1998]

That would be an interesting draft haul for a team desperate for playmaking and shooting and already heavy at the forward position.  You would almost have to trade away PJ or Naji if not both.  Would make more sense if they truly were in full tear down mode.

I've been pretty vocal about my intentions. I don't really care about the current roster outside of the potential value they could have in a trade. All about Flagg and the future. Best player/value available in the draft.
And I think the front court needs an overhaul as well. Without Luka the need for a rim runner is greatly reduced and the potential for more switchable lineups is unlocked.
Right now it is still more or less Luka's team (take advantage of his strengths, hide his weaknesses). That needs to change asap.

[Winter]

If the Mavs don't get top 4, the odds of getting a star are very low.  At that point the goal should be to get a core piece.  That means a quality starting level PG or an elite role player.  Anything less than that can be had with a quality MLE signing.  The question is do they have a better chance of getting that at 8 versus two shots at 12 and 17.  I lean towards 8.  I think there is a drop off after 8-9 range.

Don't think Burries will be another Max Christie.  He is a better defender, playmaker and rebounder.  I don't know if he will shoot as well as Christie has in the NBA, but he is a better player at everything else.

I probably didn't express that particular thought clearly. Most everyone we're talking about at #8 is a freshman and pretty raw. I'm not sure any of them have the talent now to be playing 20 mpg and maybe not that much. The top 4 players in this draft are almost in a class by themselves. I'd like to get them, but let's not count on that.

If the FO saw other positional players in the 1st round that they really felt were a good gamble with a high upside, I'd think I'd be good with that. It's maybe riskier, but I don't see the typical mock draft #8s as having much upside.

[Winter]

"deleted"

[Scott41theMavs]

Agreed.  And the Mavs recent history of drafting measurements guys (Green, DSJ) has not gone well.

Hopefully we'll have far better decision-makers in place by the draft.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Do the new rules around the lottery make getting our own pick back from Charlotte more or less attractive?  The top 2 protection part currently in place just got a lot better.  If Dallas were to finish 10th it still has a nice shot at 1/2.  It still likely conveys, but the odds improved a bunch.  Does it make sense to give up something now to give yourself a better shot at 3-14 under these new rules?  In a loaded draft, sure.  In the 2027 draft?  

We are thinking too linear.  Move down and we get these picks.  Or, it takes these picks to move up.  When we traded with OKC, there was salary involved (Bertans).  We have a TPE, so value doesn't have to be derived solely from pick equity.  That might apply whether moving up or moving down.

[mvossman]

I probably didn't express that particular thought clearly. Most everyone we're talking about at #8 is a freshman and pretty raw. I'm not sure any of them have the talent now to be playing 20 mpg and maybe not that much. The top 4 players in this draft are almost in a class by themselves. I'd like to get them, but let's not count on that.

If the FO saw other positional players in the 1st round that they really felt were a good gamble with a high upside, I'd think I'd be good with that. It's maybe riskier, but I don't see the typical mock draft #8s as having much upside.

I don't really see any of the guys we have been talking about at 8 as raw.  I think any one of them will be playing at least 20 minutes a game as a rookie (just like Lively did).  

If you are talking about star upside, I don't see that from anybody outside the top 4 or 5.  If you are talking about core piece, I think its just an odds game.  If the guy at 8 has a 50% chance of being a core piece, and the guy at 12 has a 25% chance and the guy at 17 has a 15% chance, then you are better off sticking at 8.

[Scott41theMavs]

I'm also not up on the latest in "declare or not." Has anyone projected to land in the top 10 said they're returning to college? Anyone potentially in the top 20?

The only ones who were mocked top 20 who are staying in school are Thomas Haugh (Florida) and Braylon Mullins (UConn).

[Scott41theMavs]

I don't really see any of the guys we have been talking about at 8 as raw.  I think any one of them will be playing at least 20 minutes a game as a rookie (just like Lively did).  

If you are talking about star upside, I don't see that from anybody outside the top 4 or 5.  If you are talking about core piece, I think its just an odds game.  If the guy at 8 has a 50% chance of being a core piece, and the guy at 12 has a 25% chance and the guy at 17 has a 15% chance, then you are better off sticking at 8.

My breaking with you on this is that I would love to grab Swain, who I think will at least be a very good starter in a year or so, and I don't really think Anderson and Tanner are that much worse than the more highly-touted PG possibilities past 7.

[dirkfansince1998]

Do the new rules around the lottery make getting our own pick back from Charlotte more or less attractive?  The top 2 protection part currently in place just got a lot better.  If Dallas were to finish 10th it still has a nice shot at 1/2.  It still likely conveys, but the odds improved a bunch.  Does it make sense to give up something now to give yourself a better shot at 3-14 under these new rules?  In a loaded draft, sure.  In the 2027 draft?  

We are thinking too linear.  Move down and we get these picks.  Or, it takes these picks to move up.  When we traded with OKC, there was salary involved (Bertans).  We have a TPE, so value doesn't have to be derived solely from pick equity.  That might apply whether moving up or moving down.

Been thinking about various ways to get that pick back. Anyone interested in a return of Josh Green?

[Winter]

I don't really see any of the guys we have been talking about at 8 as raw.  I think any one of them will be playing at least 20 minutes a game as a rookie (just like Lively did).  

It all depends on the draft. Dylan Harper averages just above 20 mpg, and selected at #2. but we have to account for who is in front of him on that SA team. He might have gotten more minutes on a really bad team. A Mavs team may offer enough minutes for a draft pick at that spot, but I don't feel particularly excited about the options available there at #8.

I personally think we may be evaluating this draft too high. I just don't feel the difference between say 8 and 20 like some others here do. It's weighted heavily as a great draft because of the top 4 players. I'm not sure it's much different after that.

[mvossman]

My breaking with you on this is that I would love to grab Swain, who I think will at least be a very good starter in a year or so, and I don't really think Anderson and Tanner are that much worse than the more highly-touted PG possibilities past 7.

Its hard to be a quality starting small forward in this league without being able to shoot the 3.  That's a huge question for Swain.  I have a lot harder time seeing either of those two guys as starting point guards than I do most of the folks we have been talking about at 8.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/nbadraftwass/status/204958...51512?s=61

[Mavs2021]

Do the new rules around the lottery make getting our own pick back from Charlotte more or less attractive?  The top 2 protection part currently in place just got a lot better.  If Dallas were to finish 10th it still has a nice shot at 1/2.  It still likely conveys, but the odds improved a bunch.  Does it make sense to give up something now to give yourself a better shot at 3-14 under these new rules?  In a loaded draft, sure.  In the 2027 draft?  

We are thinking too linear.  Move down and we get these picks.  Or, it takes these picks to move up.  When we traded with OKC, there was salary involved (Bertans).  We have a TPE, so value doesn't have to be derived solely from pick equity.  That might apply whether moving up or moving down.

Agreed. The new proposal helps the Mavs with the Hornets. Just play hard next season and let the balls fall were they may. The 2027 draft probably will only have 1-2 worthwhile players.

My biggest focus right now is on the large TPE. That cannot go to waste. Players like Monk or Schroeder are on short term deals that would improve our team and could net some draft compensation. Cavs 29th pick is still my favourite target. Either take two swings at #29 and #30 or try to move up a few spots to snatch Swain or Anderson.

[Smitty]

I could “like” a lot more of these posts if you all would replace “Swain” with “Evans”. Flagg needs shooters around him…

Evans 38% 3PT | 5.8 3PA
Swain 29% 3PT | 1.5 3PA

[Winter]

I could “like” a lot more of these posts if you all would replace “Swain” with “Evans”. Flagg needs shooters around him…

Evans 38% 3PT | 5.8 3PA
Swain 29% 3PT | 1.5 3PA

You and I have been on the same page for that one. I did notice he'd moved up in the low 20s in most mock drafts now.

[F Gump]

You and I have been on the same page for that one. I did notice he'd moved up in the low 20s in most mock drafts now.

Sadly, "Player X moved up in the mocks" and "I see more about player X that I like" aren't really things that make him more likely (or more available). 

When it comes to moving up, they don't have the ammo in this draft, and I'm not in favor of investing future assets in enhancing a low 1st round dice roll. (If they can move up by tossing pick 48 in, then sure, but I really don't think that offer would move the needle.) Frankly, I think there's probably more likelihood that they trade away pick 30 (a move out) than move up.

[Winter]

Sadly, "Player X moved up in the mocks" and "I see more about player X that I like" aren't really things that make him more likely (or more available). 

When it comes to moving up, they don't have the ammo in this draft, and I'm not in favor of investing future assets in enhancing a low 1st round dice roll. (If they can move up by tossing pick 48 in, then sure, but I really don't think that offer would move the needle.) Frankly, I think there's probably more likelihood that they trade away pick 30 (a move out) than move up.

I never thought any of these players would be "more available." I was just stating how the mocks had changed.

We are likely slotted at somewhere between numbers 8-10. I personally don't have much faith in any of the players mocked in that area.

[khaled1987]

Different angle on value: How far UP (if at all) could you trade by combining 8 and 30? Can you get to 7? 6? 5?

Probably case by case, depending on which teams own those picks and what they're looking to achieve, but "value chart" wise, what's the precedent?

The Pacers and Wizards traded the 7th and 8th pick in 2023, Pacers got extra 2 second round picks for it. So, getting 7th with what we have is achievable assuming there is a willing partner. 

6th is a bit more complicated, it could be done with extra first. I am not sure 30th is the one. Maybe add the GSW pick?

[Winter]

While we've talked a lot about how good this draft was, I just watched a video grading this last year's draft with Flagg. I was really surprised at how strong this 1st round was. In the top 10, Tre Johnson had a bad year, and Khaman Malach could have played better... but that's about it. The top 4 players last year may be as good as the top 4 players this year. And the bottom half of the draft had some very good players in Cedric Coward and D Queen, and some very serviceable players like Gonzales and Newell. Yang Hansen was a big fat "F" but overall this draft was good.

1. Mavericks draft Cooper Flagg (Duke)
2. Spurs draft Dylan Harper (Rutgers)
3. 76ers draft VJ Edgecombe (Baylor)
4. Hornets draft Kon Knueppel (Duke)
5. Jazz draft Ace Bailey (Rutgers)
6. Wizards draft Tre Johnson (Texas)
7. Pelicans draft Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma)
8. Nets draft Egor Demin (BYU)
9. Raptors draft Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)
10. Rockets draft Khaman Maluach (Duke) – Traded to Suns
11. Trail Blazers draft Cedric Coward (Washington State) – Traded to Grizzlies
12. Bulls draft Noa Essengue (Ratiopharm Ulm)
13. Hawks draft Derik Queen (Maryland) – Traded to Pelicans
14. Spurs draft Carter Bryant (Arizona)
15. Thunder draft Thomas Sorber (Georgetown)
16. Grizzlies draft Yang Hansen (Qingdao) – Traded to Trail Blazers
17. Timberwolves draft Joan Beringer (Cedevita Olimpija)
18. Wizards draft Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida) – Traded to Jazz
19. Nets draft Nolan Traoré (Saint-Quentin BB)
20. Heat draft Kasparas Jakučionis (Illinois)
21. Jazz draft Will Riley (Illinois) – Traded to Wizards
22. Hawks draft Drake Powell (North Carolina) – Traded to Nets
23. Pelicans draft Asa Newell (Georgia) – Traded to Hawks
24. Thunder draft Nique Clifford (Colorado State) – Traded to Kings
25. Magic draft Jase Richardson (Michigan State)
26. Nets draft Ben Saraf (Ratiopharm Ulm)
27. Nets draft Danny Wolf (Michigan)
28. Celtics draft Hugo González (Real Madrid)
29. Suns draft Liam McNeeley (Connecticut) – Traded to Hornets
30. Clippers draft Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State)

It will be interesting to compare this upcoming draft with the 2025 draft.

[Chicagojk]

While we've talked a lot about how good this draft was, I just watched a video grading this last year's draft with Flagg. I was really surprised at how strong this 1st round was.  In the top 10, Tre Johnson had a bad year, and Khaman Malach could have played better... but that's about it. The top 4 players last year may be as good as the top 4 players this year. And the bottom half of the draft had some very good players in Cedric Coward and D Queen, and some very serviceable players like Gonzales and Newell. Yang Hansen was a big fat "F" but overall this draft was good.

1. Mavericks draft Cooper Flagg (Duke)
2. Spurs draft Dylan Harper (Rutgers)
3. 76ers draft VJ Edgecombe (Baylor)
4. Hornets draft Kon Knueppel (Duke)
5. Jazz draft Ace Bailey (Rutgers)
6. Wizards draft Tre Johnson (Texas)
7. Pelicans draft Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma)
8. Nets draft Egor Demin (BYU)
9. Raptors draft Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)
10. Rockets draft Khaman Maluach (Duke) – Traded to Suns
11. Trail Blazers draft Cedric Coward (Washington State) – Traded to Grizzlies
12. Bulls draft Noa Essengue (Ratiopharm Ulm)
13. Hawks draft Derik Queen (Maryland) – Traded to Pelicans
14. Spurs draft Carter Bryant (Arizona)
15. Thunder draft Thomas Sorber (Georgetown)
16. Grizzlies draft Yang Hansen (Qingdao) – Traded to Trail Blazers
17. Timberwolves draft Joan Beringer (Cedevita Olimpija)
18. Wizards draft Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida) – Traded to Jazz
19. Nets draft Nolan Traoré (Saint-Quentin BB)
20. Heat draft Kasparas Jakučionis (Illinois)
21. Jazz draft Will Riley (Illinois) – Traded to Wizards
22. Hawks draft Drake Powell (North Carolina) – Traded to Nets
23. Pelicans draft Asa Newell (Georgia) – Traded to Hawks
24. Thunder draft Nique Clifford (Colorado State) – Traded to Kings
25. Magic draft Jase Richardson (Michigan State)
26. Nets draft Ben Saraf (Ratiopharm Ulm)
27. Nets draft Danny Wolf (Michigan)
28. Celtics draft Hugo González (Real Madrid)
29. Suns draft Liam McNeeley (Connecticut) –  Traded to Hornets
30. Clippers draft Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State)

It will be interesting to compare this upcoming draft with the 2025 draft.

Last year was a good draft.   Not a lot of duds in that group.   Mavs picked a good time to be bad.   These past two drafts are really good.  Sometimes you stink, and the draft is pretty meh.   The one thing the Mavs did was be bad at the right time and get lucky (at least once).

I do wonder if it will be easier to trade for a 27 pick.  With a weaker draft, teams may be willing to trade more.   While the top of the draft looks weak, there are always role players in round one as you get deeper into the draft.