2026 NBA draft thread

[Smitty]

This whole thought process got me to thinking...we tend to focus on who we want.  I'm curious who people least want to drop to #9.  Let's imagine ATL does take a guard.  Who would bother you the most if we are "stuck" with him?  

Great writeup. To answer your question. Wagler is the one I want the least. I know it's not a popular opinion on this board, but he's the one that concerns me the most. I've tried to like him more all season and just can't put him over any one of "THE5". I also think he'd be last in the stack for Masai. I also think he won't be there at 9, so I'm probably not the best one to answer this one...

Acuff and Brown I kind of have in their own tier. Then Burries and Flemings in a tier. Then Wagler.

[Winter]

I honestly don't think this FO is going to take any player #9 out of expectations. I also don't think Wagler is their type even if he falls.

Brown seems like a player they might want, and Flemings less so. I think Burries may still be the guy, but Carr has made an impact at the combine and that wouldn't surprise me.

[ThisIStheYear]

Once the data from the con vine is fully processed, I think the Mavs will be selecting from Big Mo, Carr, and maybe Flemings if he falls. Burries very short length is an issue.

[SkenfromLMF]

@DraftDeeper
2026 NBA MOCK DRAFT POST COMBINE "WHAT WOULD I DO" EDITION

IF this is truly how this plays out, I cannot express how much I want to do the OKC trade: 9 and 30 with 48 for 12; 17; and 37. If you walked out of the first round of this draft with Ament and Burries and a high 2nd pick TBD you would have to feel incredible about the work of the new FO.

[mvossman]

This whole thought process got me to thinking...we tend to focus on who we want.  I'm curious who people least want to drop to #9.  Let's imagine ATL does take a guard.  Who would bother you the most if we are "stuck" with him?  

What would bother me the most is if this FO gets cute and reaches for a wing project instead of one of the guards.

Of the five guards I would go with Brown.  I have come around on his upside, but I think he is the biggest risk of the group.  Its not just his health, I also worry about his decision making.  For all his shooting and passing talent, he was inefficient at both due to being overly aggressive.  Is that something that gets better with age and a different environment?  I don't know.

[mvossman]

IF this is truly how this plays out, I cannot express how much I want to do the OKC trade: 9 and 30 with 48 for 12; 17; and 37. If you walked out of the first round of this draft with Ament and Burries and a high 2nd pick TBD you would have to feel incredible about the work of the new FO.

The problem is you don't know how its going to play out behind you.  I would be really surprised if Burries falls to 12.  In fact if OKC makes that trade I would not be surprised if they pick Burries at 9.  He is an OKC kind of player.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

I'd have a standing offer with Lottery teams of the Lakers pick + either #30 or taking on salary for their pick.

I think a pick in this draft is as good as anything you could reasonably hope to get for that pick. If OKC is getting a good pick like that and unloading three years of Caruso, I'd want #12.

Let's say that plays out and you got #12 and had the intent to snag the best SG available, would you be open to seeing if Christie + #9 could get you up a pick or two. Like Christie + #9 to the Kings for #7?

I really want Mara. I think having him down low would make Cooper's penitration lethal, because bigs would either have to play back or leave Mara open for a lob.

[mvossman]

I'd have a standing offer with Lottery teams of the Lakers pick + either #30 or taking on salary for their pick.

I think a pick in this draft is as good as anything you could reasonably hope to get for that pick. If OKC is getting a good pick like that and unloading three years of Caruso, I'd want #12.

Let's say that plays out and you got #12 and had the intent to snag the best SG available, would you be open to seeing if Christie + #9 could get you up a pick or two. Like Christie + #9 to the Kings for #7?

I really want Mara. I think having him down low would make Cooper's penitration lethal, because bigs would either have to play back or leave Mara open for a lob.

I like the idea of trading for another pick in the draft as opposed to trading down, because you are doing it for a specific player you know is there when you do it.

I have no interest in paying assets to move up a few spots.  I don't think there is a big difference between 5-9.  I also don't think Christie would move the needle that much for other teams.

I'm not interested in Mara.  I don't think he can defend in space.  I think he will get run of the court in some playoff matchups.  I would rather go the other direction at center and find a stretch 5.

[michaeltex]

I'd have a standing offer with Lottery teams of the Lakers pick + either #30 or taking on salary for their pick.

I think a pick in this draft is as good as anything you could reasonably hope to get for that pick. If OKC is getting a good pick like that and unloading three years of Caruso, I'd want #12.

Let's say that plays out and you got #12 and had the intent to snag the best SG available, would you be open to seeing if Christie + #9 could get you up a pick or two. Like Christie + #9 to the Kings for #7?

I really want Mara. I think having him down low would make Cooper's penitration lethal, because bigs would either have to play back or leave Mara open for a lob.

Mara would make Gafford and/or Lively expendable? Could be a path to re-stocking the pick cupboard.

[Smitty]

@sixringsofsteeI
Some final thoughts on the NBA Draft Combine @EnjoyBBall

- I believe Keaton Wagler is the 2nd guard off the board
- Aday Mara won't make it past pick 10 right now
- Nobody improved their draft stock this week more than Cameron Carr
- The Wizards and Clippers have the toughest decisions to make
- Mikel Brown Jr. is the best shooter in this class
- Cam Boozer vs. Caleb Wilson will be the debates of all debates
- Dillon Mitchell is my favorite sleeper from this class
- I think still some way AJ Dybantsa ends up in Utah

[hakeemfaan]

Great writeup. To answer your question. Wagler is the one I want the least. I know it's not a popular opinion on this board, but he's the one that concerns me the most. I've tried to like him more all season and just can't put him over any one of "THE5". I also think he'd be last in the stack for Masai. I also think he won't be there at 9, so I'm probably not the best one to answer this one...

Acuff and Brown I kind of have in their own tier. Then Burries and Flemings in a tier. Then Wagler.

I am a big believer of folks who step up to the occasion.  Wagler what he did at Purdue and what he did in the tournament overrides other athletic concerns I have with him. 

I am in Scott’ camp. Even though it was vanity, with the previous regimes and their haphazard approach to the draft. we could at least delude ourselves that we could make better decisions. 

With Masai and Schmidt, even if this draft is not a hit in the long run, I can’t even delude myself that I would have made a better pick. I trust this regime because other than a couple of other GMs who are not available anyway, we have one of the best duos. Whoever they pick, even a Burries who I am not too high on, I won’t complain if he does not pan out.

[Smitty]

@NoCeilingsNBA
Does how a player's game look matter?

Whether it does or doesn't, Arizona's Brayden Burries is both a thrill to watch and a joy to scout on the stat sheet as a 2026 NBA Draft guard prospect.

@rowankent breaks it all down

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/brayden-...-of-design

[Smitty]

@krystenpeek
Mikel Brown Jr had a ball in his hands from day 1. His parents had him in college while his dad, Christopher, was still playing basketball. "My dad used to take me to a lot of practices, I used to sleep in the dorms with them, he would take me to class." https://www.nba.com/news/hockey-days-cus...-prospects

[Smitty]

@cameronsalerno1
How does Darius Acuff Jr. stack up against other one-and-done guards John Calipari coached?

Points
1. Acuff (845)
2. Malik Monk (754)
3. Jamal Murray (720)

Assists
1. John Wall (241)
2. Acuff (232)
3. Derrick Rose (189)

3s made
1. Murray (113)
2. Monk (104)
3. Acuff (91)


Here is a visual of the stats Darius Acuff Jr. posted during his freshman season at Arkansas compared to other elite one-and-done guards John Calipari coached.

Acuff’s season by the numbers:
23.5 PPG
6.4 APG
91 3s
48.4% (FG)/44% (3PT!!)/80.9% (FT)

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Mara would make Gafford and/or Lively expendable? Could be a path to re-stocking the pick cupboard.

Okay, not to get too into the weeds, my dream offseason is:

Mavs receive #8, #23, Kispert, Risacher and Hield 

Hawks receive Kyrie, Gafford and #30

Mavs receive Carus and #12
Thunder receive Lakers 2029 

Mavs receive Herro, Mitchell 
Heat receive PJ, Klay Christie, 2030 GS pick

The Mavs draft:
#8 Mara
#9 Brown 
#12 Burries 
#23 M. Johnson 

Brown, Mitchell 
Herro, Burries, Kispert, Hield 
Naji, Middleton 
Flagg, Johnson, Risacher 
Mara, Lively, Cisse

A big youth movement with Naji and Middleton as the vet leaders

[Mavs2021]

@NoCeilingsNBA
Does how a player's game look matter?

Whether it does or doesn't, Arizona's Brayden Burries is both a thrill to watch and a joy to scout on the stat sheet as a 2026 NBA Draft guard prospect.

@rowankent breaks it all down

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/brayden-...-of-design

Do we think Ament, Steinbach and Lendeborg are the picks at #10 and #11?

If Brown and Burries make it to #9, I think I´d offer OKC to take on Caruso and a top 4 protected future 1st for #12. 

Doesn´t feel like Bucks or Warriors would be tempted by Burries, so just take Brown´s upside off the board and hope the Bucks pick Ament for his upside and the Warriors take Lendeborg for the win now approach.

You either end up with Brown AND Burries or Ament/Steinbach. One of Okorie, Thomas, Swain, Peat and Evans probably falls to #30. 

Best case you give up a top 4 protected future pick and come away with

Brown
Burries
Peat
Flagg
Lively

That team can run anybody into the ground.

[KillerLeft]

The only two guys we've discussed I have almost no interest in for the Mavs are Mara and Lendeborg. I like the profile of the latter, but I just can't wrap my head around drafting a 24 year old with this opportunity. You can say it doesn't matter, but it does to me.

Mara is just the type of player I don't enjoy watching and personally don't believe you can win with nowadays, especially as a highly-paid 1st round pick and expectations that he'd be an integral piece of how the team is constructed. You have Lively, and I'm nowhere near giving up on him. I'm more intrigued with Cisse in some ways than Mara, and I think the focus should be on finding CHEAP insurance for Lively, and when it's time to give up on Lively, I'll hope to have found another player like HIM, or I'll make finding another player like HIM my priority at that time.

[Smitty]

Okay, not to get too into the weeds, my dream offseason is:

Mavs receive #8, #23, Kispert, Risacher and Hield 

Hawks receive Kyrie, Gafford and #30

Mavs receive Carus and #12
Thunder receive Lakers 2029 

Mavs receive Herro, Mitchell 
Heat receive PJ, Klay Christie, 2030 GS pick

The Mavs draft:
#8 Mara
#9 Brown 
#12 Burries 
#23 M. Johnson 

Brown, Mitchell 
Herro, Burries, Kispert, Hield 
Naji, Middleton 
Flagg, Johnson, Risacher 
Mara, Lively, Cisse

A big youth movement with Naji and Middleton as the vet leaders

I like the creativity. Obviously unrealistic. Maybe even a bit of "draft fever". BUT I have zero interest in trading Kyrie for a draft pick, unless it's top-4 (which isn't happening).  I think Flagg needs a 'Kyrie' for the next step in his development. We could see a Luka-like year 2 leap with a running mate like Kai next to him. Everything the front office does going forward has to be about Flagg and his development. Bringing in 4 or 5 rookies like you suggested and shipping out already good to great players like Kyrie, PJ, Klay, and Max is going backwards, and not doing what's in the best interest for Cooper IMO.

[Smitty]

I think I´d offer OKC to take on Caruso and a top 4 protected future 1st for #12. 

Now we're talking...

The '30 FRP maybe? Since the Mavs have 2 that year?

[Winter]

The only two guys we've discussed I have almost no interest in for the Mavs are Mara and Lendeborg. I like the profile of the latter, but I just can't wrap my head around drafting a 24 year old with this opportunity. You can say it doesn't matter, but it does to me.

Mara is just the type of player I don't enjoy watching and personally don't believe you can win with nowadays, especially as a highly-paid 1st round pick and expectations that he'd be an integral piece of how the team is constructed. You have Lively, and I'm nowhere near giving up on him. I'm more intrigued with Cisse in some ways than Mara, and I think the focus should be on finding CHEAP insurance for Lively, and when it's time to give up on Lively, I'll hope to have found another player like HIM, or I'll make finding another player like HIM my priority at that time.

Agree about Cisse, and Mara doesn't really feel like a Mavs move to me.

They interviewed Lendenborg yesterday, and he said the best player on the Michigan team was Moritz - which was kind of funny. That team must have had a lot of chemistry. Anyway, I can't see Lendenborg being the #9 pick for the Mavs either. I'm still feeling it for Burries or Carr, but the PGs are going to square dance in front of the #9 pick and I don't know where that ends up.

If I had to guess I think they would try to find a way to get another pick in this draft but there's a lot of options and it seems silly to wonder about how that plays out.