2026 NBA draft thread

[Scott41theMavs]

I was about to say how this game was nuking the draft stock of the world's Acuffs and Flemingses and Philons.

I could be wrong tho.

[Torielp10]

I could be wrong tho.

Brunson is next level though. He’s always been a leader, and really good at his craft. What separates him I think is his craftiness at getting to his spots. They’re going to be many smaller guys try to emulate him before someone actually does it imo. Give me Burries and build a defensive monster team around him and Flagg. If we can someone move back into the lottery after selecting burries for morez Johnson that would be a great draft

[Smitty]

Or Isaiah Joe.

I watched a video where they talked about simply buying out Klay for maybe $5mm less than he’s scheduled to make.  He then gets to sign wherever he wants.  So, you are doing him a solid and potentially adding usable cap space beyond just the MLE amount.  Maybe you use that extra money to make a more competitive bid for Ayo or White.  

In the same video the guy proposed trading Klay for Monk and then letting Sacramento do the buyout of Klay.  I’m not advocating for Monk so much as the different ways of moving Klay.  It is kind of hard to find Klay deals to contending teams where you get back a logical package.

Sure, I. Joe is a decent name also. Obviously gettable as well.

I don't follow with Klay being bought out for more space to offer free agents. The most the Mavs can offer straight up for anyone is the MLE. The most they could offer in a SnT scenario is the TPE (~$21M Year 1 starting number). Unless I'm missing something.

Other names that could make some sense as Free Agent signings: Simons, Sexton, Gillespie. These wouldn't be at the top of the list like Ayo and White, but there are gettable Guards this summer, both in free agency and the trade market.

[Chicagojk]

Sure, I. Joe is a decent name also. Obviously gettable as well.

I don't follow with Klay being bought out for more space to offer free agents. The most the Mavs can offer straight up for anyone is the MLE. The most they could offer in a SnT scenario is the TPE (~$21M Year 1 starting number). Unless I'm missing something.

Other names that could make some sense as Free Agent signings: Simons, Sexton, Gillespie. These wouldn't be at the top of the list like Ayo and White, but there are gettable Guards this summer, both in free agency and the trade market.

Masai is pretty cutthroat.   Remember the Dragic saga?   I really hope they find a spot for Klay on another team...hopefully a good team.   I really don't care what they get back.  Just not a negative asset.   Ideally they find something with at least a small asset, but I hope they do him right.

[Chicagojk]

My favorite choices for 9:

1) Wagler- I see him similar to Kon.   Not what Kon showed he was this year, but what I thought he would be entering the league.   Probably slim chance he makes it to 9.

2)  Acuff-  Wow, is his highlights fun.   Defense is a huge concern but I would still role the dice on him.    Probably a slim chance he makes it to 9.

3) Flemings-  I don't think he will be a lead point guard, but I don't think this team really wants that.   He can run a pick and roll offense and attack with his speed.   He doesn't turn the ball over.  The size is a big concern.  Ideally, you pair him with a bigger guard.   Probably the best chance he makes it to 9.

If all three are gone, I am in a difficult spot.    I have gone back and forth on 3-4 guys.   I am hoping one of the three above is available and Dallas agrees with this ranking.

At 30 or move up, I like Karaban (may be at 30), Okorie (will need to move up), Anderson (will need to move up), Peat (will need to move up a little).   Those are my top 4.

[mvossman]

My favorite choices for 9:

1) Wagler- I see him similar to Kon.   Not what Kon showed he was this year, but what I thought he would be entering the league.   Probably slim chance he makes it to 9.

2)  Acuff-  Wow, is his highlights fun.   Defense is a huge concern but I would still role the dice on him.    Probably a slim chance he makes it to 9.

3) Flemings-  I don't think he will be a lead point guard, but I don't think this team really wants that.   He can run a pick and roll offense and attack with his speed.   He doesn't turn the ball over.  The size is a big concern.  Ideally, you pair him with a bigger guard.   Probably the best chance he makes it to 9.

If all three are gone, I am in a difficult spot.    I have gone back and forth on 3-4 guys.   I am hoping one of the three above is available and Dallas agrees with this ranking.

At 30 or move up, I like Karaban (may be at 30), Okorie (will need to move up), Anderson (will need to move up), Peat (will need to move up a little).   Those are my top 4.

If I had to guess, if the Mavs are going guard at 9 and Flemings and Burries are both available, I think there is a real good chance they go Burries due to positional versatility.

[dirkfansince1998]

Updated Mavs workout list

Obi Agbim, Baylor
Drake Allen, Utah State
Christian Anderson Jr., Texas Tech
Michael Ajayi, Butler
Shane Blakeney, Drexel
Maliq Brown, Duke*
Rowan Brumbaugh, Tulane
Tucker DeVries, Indiana
Barry Dunning Jr., Pitt
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's*
Wyatt Fricks, Marshall
Jaden Henley, Grand Canyon*
Keonte Jones, Dayton
Alex Karaban, UConn*
Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt*
Ebuka Okorie, Stanford*
Otega Oweh, Kentucky*
Peter Suder, Miami (OH)*
Milos Uzan, Houston*
Chauncey Wiggins, Florida State

*scheduled

[Scott41theMavs]

19 days until the consequential draft day.

[Smitty]

https://x.com/Netswamp/status/2062577152957018218?s=20

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

The first reply to that tweet.

This is gonna be like how Anthony Edwards talked about Cam Reddish.

Just thought it was funny. I have no opinion on Ament.

[michaeltex]

19 days until the consequential draft day.

[aguiar95]

BIG BOARD

Tier 1 - All NBA/All-Star - Would trade everything but Flagg to acquire

Dybantsa
Peterson
Boozer
Wilson

Tier 2 - All-Star/Quality Starter - Would draft at #9 or trade up to get using minimal assets.

Wagler
Acuff

Tier #3 Quality Starter/6th Man - Would trade down to draft and try to get another pick

Flemings
Brown
Burries
Philon
Mara
Ament
Carr
Johnson Jr.

Tier 4 - 6th Man/Rotation piece - Would move up from #30 to try and snatch

Stirz
Steinbach
Cenac Jr.
Swain
Quaintance
Lopez

In an ideal world,we'd trade back with OKC for 12, 17 and Joe or with CHA for #14 and our pick and draft tier 3 players and move on from Gafford for a tier 4 player.

[Scott41theMavs]

18 days until the first round.

[Smitty]

Zuby remains one of my top guys with the Mavs 2nd FRP. He feels like a Masai guy as well. I don’t know if Grubel is right with the Top-20 consideration, but if so, I’d be perfectly fine with the Mavs trading up for him, if that’s their guy… The latest take from Nathan below:

@DraftDeeper
I can't believe Zuby Ejiofor isn't getting more mainstream attention in the 2026 NBA Draft. This is a player that, outside of shooting, doesn't have other major red flags. Normally, I'd be concerned about a forward that hasn't proven he's a shooting threat beyond what he did in a senior season. BUT... Ejiofor at 6'9" with a 7'2" wingspan at 245 lbs. has the strength and length to operate as a small-ball five in different capacities. Put that together with his ball handling as a four man who can take mismatches off the dribble, punish them in the post, and plays the offensive glass well to create second-chance scoring opportunities, and you have a pathway to generate offense outsdie of just camping on the wing or in the corners. You can play him in handoff actions, pick-and-roll, and even as a passing threat from the top of the floor. Zuby's 23% assist rate is a mark I'd be happy with from a combo guard or wing! He can cover almost any position on the floor defensively and has standout defensive playmaking metrics for a player his size and build. Having a player like Zuby is a luxury off the bench in today's NBA. He should be in firm consideration for a Top 25 pick, possibly Top 20.

[Scott41theMavs]

BIG BOARD

Tier 1 - All NBA/All-Star - Would trade everything but Flagg to acquire

Dybantsa
Peterson
Boozer
Wilson

Tier 2 - All-Star/Quality Starter - Would draft at #9 or trade up to get using minimal assets.

Wagler
Acuff

Tier #3 Quality Starter/6th Man - Would trade down to draft and try to get another pick

Flemings
Brown
Burries
Philon
Mara
Ament
Carr
Johnson Jr.

Tier 4 - 6th Man/Rotation piece - Would move up from #30 to try and snatch

Stirz
Steinbach
Cenac Jr.
Swain
Quaintance
Lopez

In an ideal world,we'd trade back with OKC for 12, 17 and Joe or with CHA for #14 and our pick and draft tier 3 players and move on from Gafford for a tier 4 player.

If I had as profoundly pessimistic a view of these guys as your tier headings indicate, I would Alec Baldwin weep in a pillow for the next five years of the Mavs, because there would be no hope.

Either 1) your headings are these guys' upside for their first two years in the league only, or 2) you are just way more negative on these players than the majority of pundits.

[dirkfansince1998]

Zuby remains one of my top guys with the Mavs 2nd FRP. He feels like a Masai guy as well. I don’t know if Grubel is right with the Top-20 consideration, but if so, I’d be perfectly fine with the Mavs trading up for him, if that’s their guy… The latest take from Nathan below:

@DraftDeeper
I can't believe Zuby Ejiofor isn't getting more mainstream attention in the 2026 NBA Draft. This is a player that, outside of shooting, doesn't have other major red flags. Normally, I'd be concerned about a forward that hasn't proven he's a shooting threat beyond what he did in a senior season. BUT... Ejiofor at 6'9" with a 7'2" wingspan at 245 lbs. has the strength and length to operate as a small-ball five in different capacities. Put that together with his ball handling as a four man who can take mismatches off the dribble, punish them in the post, and plays the offensive glass well to create second-chance scoring opportunities, and you have a pathway to generate offense outsdie of just camping on the wing or in the corners. You can play him in handoff actions, pick-and-roll, and even as a passing threat from the top of the floor. Zuby's 23% assist rate is a mark I'd be happy with from a combo guard or wing! He can cover almost any position on the floor defensively and has standout defensive playmaking metrics for a player his size and build. Having a player like Zuby is a luxury off the bench in today's NBA. He should be in firm consideration for a Top 25 pick, possibly Top 20.

We don't agree on his positional fit but I am really high on him as well. Same for the other two St. John's prospects in this class. But we obviously aren't the only people that have realized this. Doubt that Ejiofor drops to #30. Even less likely that Mitchell is still available at #48. Even Hopkins seems to be rising.

[mvossman]

BIG BOARD

Tier 1 - All NBA/All-Star - Would trade everything but Flagg to acquire

Dybantsa
Peterson
Boozer
Wilson

Tier 2 - All-Star/Quality Starter - Would draft at #9 or trade up to get using minimal assets.

Wagler
Acuff

Tier #3 Quality Starter/6th Man - Would trade down to draft and try to get another pick

Flemings
Brown
Burries
Philon
Mara
Ament
Carr
Johnson Jr.

Tier 4 - 6th Man/Rotation piece - Would move up from #30 to try and snatch

Stirz
Steinbach
Cenac Jr.
Swain
Quaintance
Lopez

In an ideal world,we'd trade back with OKC for 12, 17 and Joe or with CHA for #14 and our pick and draft tier 3 players and move on from Gafford for a tier 4 player.

I would move Flemings, Brown and Burries (and maybe Morez) into Tier 2.

I would have Yaxel (who is not on your list?) in Tier 3.

I would add Okorie and Evans to Tier 4.

[Chicagojk]

BIG BOARD

Tier 1 - All NBA/All-Star - Would trade everything but Flagg to acquire

Dybantsa
Peterson
Boozer
Wilson

Tier 2 - All-Star/Quality Starter - Would draft at #9 or trade up to get using minimal assets.

Wagler
Acuff

Tier #3 Quality Starter/6th Man - Would trade down to draft and try to get another pick

Flemings
Brown
Burries
Philon
Mara
Ament
Carr
Johnson Jr.

Tier 4 - 6th Man/Rotation piece - Would move up from #30 to try and snatch

Stirz
Steinbach
Cenac Jr.
Swain
Quaintance
Lopez

In an ideal world,we'd trade back with OKC for 12, 17 and Joe or with CHA for #14 and our pick and draft tier 3 players and move on from Gafford for a tier 4 player.

That is a good list. I disagree with some.  I am also not a fan of the trade back to 12 and 17.   I agree it looks good, but just assume everyone in front of you makes a good pick.  Things clear out pretty quick.   

My gameplan is to hit #9 and then find a way to move up 4-6 spots from 30.  Then, you may get a player in your second/third tier and one in your 4th tier.    That would be an ideal night for me.

[Scott41theMavs]

That is a good list. I disagree with some.  I am also not a fan of the trade back to 12 and 17.   I agree it looks good, but just assume everyone in front of you makes a good pick.  Things clear out pretty quick.   

My gameplan is to hit #9 and then find a way to move up 4-6 spots from 30.  Then, you may get a player in your second/third tier and one in your 4th tier.    That would be an ideal night for me.

I want them to pick #9 and then get another pick in the 10-20 range. Far more exciting options at 17-20 than at 24-26.

[khaled1987]

My favorite choices for 9:

1) Wagler- I see him similar to Kon.   Not what Kon showed he was this year, but what I thought he would be entering the league.   Probably slim chance he makes it to 9.

2)  Acuff-  Wow, is his highlights fun.   Defense is a huge concern but I would still role the dice on him.    Probably a slim chance he makes it to 9.

3) Flemings-  I don't think he will be a lead point guard, but I don't think this team really wants that.   He can run a pick and roll offense and attack with his speed.   He doesn't turn the ball over.  The size is a big concern.  Ideally, you pair him with a bigger guard.   Probably the best chance he makes it to 9.

If all three are gone, I am in a difficult spot.    I have gone back and forth on 3-4 guys.   I am hoping one of the three above is available and Dallas agrees with this ranking.

At 30 or move up, I like Karaban (may be at 30), Okorie (will need to move up), Anderson (will need to move up), Peat (will need to move up a little).   Those are my top 4.

I have the same 3, but Acuff at the top of them.

After those 3, I've Philon as my top pick, with Morez being another intriguing option.