2026 NBA draft thread

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/MikeAScotto/status/2050231123171479739

List of players invited to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine.

[myconsumerclub]

double post

[myconsumerclub]

Saw this guy being mentioned in a mock going to us at 48.

searched for more and found the following

https://nbadraftroom.com/luigi-suigo/

youtube video of Luigi

the mock I mentioned https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T195walkc4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LxswVBJelI he goes a lot earlier in this mock before we even pick at 30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qGP_DQPd_c here he goes 36 in the ESPN mock so he is probably worth looking at a lot closer

[myconsumerclub]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc86-a9jBlc “7’4 ITALIAN GIANT | Luigi Suigo FULL Breakdown… Arkansas Target + NBA Draft?!”

[hakeemfaan]

That's the thing. He is a measurements pick. Size and handling but otherwise really raw. Hasn't really translated to winning basketball. Each year we have teams that gamble on the upside of players with his build but it rarely works out (but if it does you have something special). Don't think the Mavs are in the position to make a super risky move like this.

Sorry I have not read all the posts and so this might have been brought up. 

While Nate Ament’s shooting efficiency is concerning, his FT % is solid.  Plus I am reading he got to the line a lot. That counts for something because it shows toughness even though ironically the knock on him is that he seems lackadaisical.  Maybe it’s the style of play that is causing folks to overlook that he got to the line so much. 

I have always felt that the floor in the NBA is high for a big guy who can handle the ball and get to the line.  Also folks say he plays a similar position to  Coop and does similar thngs. IMO that is a good thing.  Imagine defenses having to deal with two forwards who can get to the line. Stand-alone shooters are much easier to get. 

He is another one I personally would not mind at all but opinions on him seem extremely polarized.

[dirkfansince1998]

Sorry I have not read all the posts and so this might have been brought up. 

While Nate Ament’s shooting efficiency is concerning, his FT % is solid.  Plus I am reading he got to the line a lot. That counts for something because it shows toughness even though ironically the knock on him is that he seems lackadaisical.  Maybe it’s the style of play that is causing folks to overlook that he got to the line so much. 

I have always felt that the floor in the NBA is high for a big guy who can handle the ball and get to the line.  Also folks say he plays a similar position to  Coop and does similar thngs. IMO that is a good thing.  Imagine defenses having to deal with two forwards who can get to the line. Stand-alone shooters are much easier to get. 

He is another one I personally would not mind at all but opinions on him seem extremely polarized.

A player with Ament's style of play should at least be a solid finisher around the rim. You can build upon that and slowly work your way out to the 3-point line. But that's not the case. He actually is one of the worst finishers in all of college basketball. Shooting 51% around the rim. For comparisation. People are concerned about Acuff and Wagler because they aren't the best finishers and they shoot ~59% around the rim and actually get there more often than Ament.

[hakeemfaan]

A player with Ament's style of play should at least be a solid finisher around the rim. You can build upon that and slowly work your way out to the 3-point line. But that's not the case. He actually is one of the worst finishers in all of college basketball. Shooting 51% around the rim. For comparisation. People are concerned about Acuff and Wagler because they aren't the best finishers and they shoot ~59% around the rim and actually get there more often than Ament.

None of these guys are finished guys. A couple of years around NBA trainers and little bit of weight could make a lot of difference.  Could.  That’s why it is so difficult to project. I am also going by the feeling that Wagler and Acuff will be gone. I have a sinking feeling  the Mavs are going to slip in the draft. Given all that, Phillon or Ament would still be a win imo.

[dirkfansince1998]

None of these guys are finished guys. A couple of years around NBA trainers and little bit of weight could make a lot of difference.  Could.  That’s why it is so difficult to project. I am also going by the feeling that Wagler and Acuff will be gone. I have a sinking feeling  the Mavs are going to slip in the draft. Given all that, Phillon or Ament would still be a win imo.

Not saying that you cannot hit the jackpot with upside gambles like this but more often than not it doesn't work out. With this most likely being the last good pick the Mavs will have in the next few years I don't think a gamble like Ament is the way to go. If some of the better guard prospects are gone (we all probably have them in a different order) I would rather trade down and pick a more NBA ready prospect with a lower ceiling.

[hakeemfaan]

Not saying that you cannot hit the jackpot with upside gambles like this but more often than not it doesn't work out. With this most likely being the last good pick the Mavs will have in the next few years I don't think a gamble like Ament is the way to go. If some of the better guard prospects are gone (we all probably have them in a different order) I would rather trade down and pick a more NBA ready prospect with a lower ceiling.

I would be totally opposed to taking the most ready player with a lower ceiling. That is why you have free agency.  This s the last draft for a while with a high pick. Don’t trade down unless you are getting a deal like the Hawks got last year. 

I also feel the floor is high for a big guy with enough handles to get to the line. Those guys rarely become total busts in the league. Also a big guy like that would alwys entice other teams much more than a ready prospect with a lower ceiling, even if he doesn’t pan out here. GMs are always suckers for big guys with potential.

[Scott41theMavs]

I would be totally opposed to taking the most ready player with a lower ceiling. That is why you have free agency.  This s the last draft for a while with a high pick. Don’t trade down unless you are getting a deal like the Hawks got last year. 

I also feel the floor is high for a big guy with enough handles to get to the line. Those guys rarely become total busts in the league. Also a big guy like that would alwys entice other teams much more than a ready prospect with a lower ceiling, even if he doesn’t pan out here. GMs are always suckers for big guys with potential.

Ament's frame and game make me think Poku. And that's pretty much an ender for me. 

I don't like picking guys in the lottery whose floor is "out of the league in four years."

[dirkfansince1998]

I would be totally opposed to taking the most ready player with a lower ceiling. That is why you have free agency.  This s the last draft for a while with a high pick. Don’t trade down unless you are getting a deal like the Hawks got last year. 

I also feel the floor is high for a big guy with enough handles to get to the line. Those guys rarely become total busts in the league. Also a big guy like that would alwys entice other teams much more than a ready prospect with a lower ceiling, even if he doesn’t pan out here. GMs are always suckers for big guys with potential.

Looking at the last few drafts we had Aleksej Pokuševski, Jeremy Sochan, Ousmane Dieng, Tidiane Salaun, Cody Williams, Nikola Topic (still have some hope) as big wings/forwards with handles picked in the lottery. Not looking great.
Going back even further we had Scottie Barnes and Jonathan Kuminga. Barnes had a low usage role in college but was super efficient. Kuminga might be the best comparisation. Played for the g-league ignite team. Terrible shooting percentages from all over the floor. 
Don't think the big guys with handles rarely bust narrative holds up to reality.

[Mavs03]

I watch Tyrese Maxey and I say to myself, we had an opportunity to draft this kid back in 2020. And we drafted Josh Green instead. Ouch. Yes, I know. We had Luka and Brunson at the time.

But I see Maxey and I wonder if a player similar to him be a good fit with Flagg. Insert Darius Acuff. I think if we get into the top 4, I would select Acuff. That may be rich for some, but him and Flagg would be a dynamic duo. I don't think Acuff gets to us at 8 (assuming we stay at that position).

[Knutsen]

I watch Tyrese Maxey and I say to myself, we had an opportunity to draft this kid back in 2020.  And we drafted Josh Green instead.  Ouch.  Yes, I know.  We had Luka and Brunson at the time.

But I see Maxey and I wonder if a player similar to him be a good fit with Flagg.  Insert Darius Acuff.  I think if we get into the top 4, I would select Acuff.  That may be rich for some, but him and Flagg would be a dynamic duo.  I don't think Acuff gets to us at 8 (assuming we stay at that position).

I was thinking the same watching game 7. Maxey is close to the perfect match to Cooper as a player than can create, shoot, get easy baskets, speeds the game up, but isn’t ball hogging or egocentric going one in five.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I watch Tyrese Maxey and I say to myself, we had an opportunity to draft this kid back in 2020.  And we drafted Josh Green instead.  Ouch.  Yes, I know.  We had Luka and Brunson at the time.

But I see Maxey and I wonder if a player similar to him be a good fit with Flagg.  Insert Darius Acuff.  I think if we get into the top 4, I would select Acuff.  That may be rich for some, but him and Flagg would be a dynamic duo.  I don't think Acuff gets to us at 8 (assuming we stay at that position).

I'm not sure Acuff is the best direct comp to Maxey.  Size is similar, but Maxey was projected as a combo guard (not pure-PG) and was known for his defensive tenacity - not Acuff in the least.  Acuff was a much more efficient scorer and a much better playmaker in his one year of college.  The best comp to college-Maxey is mainly about size.

I think you could argue that the size, combo-guard projection and defensive tenacity make Burries the better comp.  The college scoring and rebounding for Burries and Maxey are more similar.  Burries has better efficiency numbers while all three of them were 80%+ from the line.  

I'm not sure either Burries or Acuff is as good of an athlete as Maxey.  It took Maxey four years to get above 6 assists per game (he was MIP in his fourth season).  He was an efficient high teens scorer and starter his second year, but his evolution to having the keys to the car as the primary PG took several years.  

I think the argument for Acuff is it is OK that he's small like Maxey because he can already score like Maxey scores now.  The problem is you have to put up with much worse defense in order to get that scoring.  The argument for the Burries comp is there is probably more to his offensive game than he showed on a talented college team and will be credible from deep and on D while you wait to see if he has the same playmaking evolution that Maxey has had.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I'm not sure Acuff is the best direct comp to Maxey.  Size is similar, but Maxey was projected as a combo guard (not pure-PG) and was known for his defensive tenacity - not Acuff in the least.  Acuff was a much more efficient scorer and a much better playmaker in his one year of college.  The best comp to college-Maxey is mainly about size.

I think you could argue that the size, combo-guard projection and defensive tenacity make Burries the better comp.  The college scoring and rebounding for Burries and Maxey are more similar.  Burries has better efficiency numbers while all three of them were 80%+ from the line.  

I'm not sure either Burries or Acuff is as good of an athlete as Maxey.  It took Maxey four years to get above 6 assists per game (he was MIP in his fourth season).  He was an efficient high teens scorer and starter his second year, but his evolution to having the keys to the car as the primary PG took several years.  

I think the argument for Acuff is it is OK that he's small like Maxey because he can already score like Maxey scores now.  The problem is you have to put up with much worse defense in order to get that scoring.  The argument for the Burries comp is there is probably more to his offensive game than he showed on a talented college team and will be credible from deep and on D while you wait to see if he has the same playmaking evolution that Maxey has had.

All great points, but you failed to mention what makes Maxey so dangerous, his speed. He easily could be one of the fastest players with the ball in the NBA. Also, I'm not as high on Burries as some of you are. I could be wrong; however, I like Acuff a bit more.

[DanSchwartzgan]

All great points, but you failed to mention what makes Maxey so dangerous, his speed. He easily could be one of the fastest players with the ball in the NBA. Also, I'm not as high on Burries as some of you are. I could be wrong; however, I like Acuff a bit more.

In fairness, I did say neither is as athletic as Maxey.  

I don't think it is an either/or thing for Dallas.  I'm certainly not in the camp that I'd take Acuff at #4 if we get that pick.  Otherwise, Acuff will very likely be gone by the time Dallas picks at 8/9.  It is really Burries vs. Philon at 9 thing or maybe a Burries vs. one of Brown/Flemings with Philon at 8 the way mocks stand today.

[Chicagojk]

2020 was such a weird year, but I do wonder how closely the Mavs looked at Maxey.  I am guessing not very much.   Man, if they got that draft right Dallas may have a championship.  Maxey, Bane, McDaniels.  I was right on Maxey and Bane, but wrong on McDaniels.  2-3 is better the Mavs 0-2.   

I have a lot of negatives on Morey.  Dislike his arrogance and how he is willing to always upgrade a team instead of letting internal growth happen.  He knows talent though.   Both in the draft, UDFA and FA.   He builds pretty good rosters. 

It would be fascinating where VJ, Harper and Kon would fit if they combined both drafts.    Harper had a similar uneven season as Peterson.   Peterson probably has the higher ceiling, but I think Harper may have been considered in the top 3.   I think.

I think Kon falls out of the top 5 (if we just go by their freshman seasons) and probably ends up in the 5-8 guard group to a team not needing a point guard.

VJ would be the fascinating one.  Didn't have as good of a season as Acuff, Wagler or Flemings but come into college very hyped.   Has amazing athleticism and good size.  I don't believe he is top 3.   I think some team may pick him over Wilson, but not very much.  So he to is probably in the 5-8 guard range of this draft.   I think I would have taken VJ over several of the guys ranked in this years class.

[mvossman]

I watch Tyrese Maxey and I say to myself, we had an opportunity to draft this kid back in 2020.  And we drafted Josh Green instead.  Ouch.  Yes, I know.  We had Luka and Brunson at the time.

But I see Maxey and I wonder if a player similar to him be a good fit with Flagg.  Insert Darius Acuff.  I think if we get into the top 4, I would select Acuff.  That may be rich for some, but him and Flagg would be a dynamic duo.  I don't think Acuff gets to us at 8 (assuming we stay at that position).

Acuff in the top 4 would be a crazy reach.  If you were really set on that you should trade down to 5 for a massive asset return.

[mvossman]

2020 was such a weird year, but I do wonder how closely the Mavs looked at Maxey.  I am guessing not very much.   Man, if they got that draft right Dallas may have a championship.  Maxey, Bane, McDaniels.  I was right on Maxey and Bane, but wrong on McDaniels.  2-3 is better the Mavs 0-2.   

I have a lot of negatives on Morey.  Dislike his arrogance and how he is willing to always upgrade a team instead of letting internal growth happen.  He knows talent though.   Both in the draft, UDFA and FA.   He builds pretty good rosters. 

It would be fascinating where VJ, Harper and Kon would fit if they combined both drafts.    Harper had a similar uneven season as Peterson.   Peterson probably has the higher ceiling, but I think Harper may have been considered in the top 3.   I think.

I think Kon falls out of the top 5 (if we just go by their freshman seasons) and probably ends up in the 5-8 guard group to a team not needing a point guard.

VJ would be the fascinating one.  Didn't have as good of a season as Acuff, Wagler or Flemings but come into college very hyped.   Has amazing athleticism and good size.  I don't believe he is top 3.   I think some team may pick him over Wilson, but not very much.  So he to is probably in the 5-8 guard range of this draft.   I think I would have taken VJ over several of the guys ranked in this years class.

I don't think Harper cracks the top 4 in the current draft.  I think he would slot in at 5 (or 6 if you are combining drafts and including Flagg).  I think VJ and Kon would be just outside of the top PGs.  I think they would be in the conversation with Burries (and maybe Brown).  If we end up picking at 8/9, I hope we get a guy who has as good a rookie season as any of those guys.

[Mavs2021]

2020 was such a weird year, but I do wonder how closely the Mavs looked at Maxey.  I am guessing not very much.   Man, if they got that draft right Dallas may have a championship.  Maxey, Bane, McDaniels.  I was right on Maxey and Bane, but wrong on McDaniels.  2-3 is better the Mavs 0-2.   

I have a lot of negatives on Morey.  Dislike his arrogance and how he is willing to always upgrade a team instead of letting internal growth happen.  He knows talent though.   Both in the draft, UDFA and FA.   He builds pretty good rosters. 

It would be fascinating where VJ, Harper and Kon would fit if they combined both drafts.    Harper had a similar uneven season as Peterson.   Peterson probably has the higher ceiling, but I think Harper may have been considered in the top 3.   I think.

I think Kon falls out of the top 5 (if we just go by their freshman seasons) and probably ends up in the 5-8 guard group to a team not needing a point guard.

VJ would be the fascinating one.  Didn't have as good of a season as Acuff, Wagler or Flemings but come into college very hyped.   Has amazing athleticism and good size.  I don't believe he is top 3.   I think some team may pick him over Wilson, but not very much.  So he to is probably in the 5-8 guard range of this draft.   I think I would have taken VJ over several of the guys ranked in this years class.

I said offer AD for PG13+ #3 and take Edgecombe. Not sure Morey does it, but that´s the kind of big boys GMing that we need right now. Big decision and being right. Imagine having Flagg + Edgecombe + top 10 pick. Heck even PG13 would be more useful than the player return from Washington, though I figured he was done.