2026 NBA draft thread

[Winter]

Take Kevin O’Conner draft intel with a grain of salt but could be interesting.  I think you would need to get in front of Atl if this is true, I think. Not sure Sacramento takes him.  I think Kevin is easy to dupe.  He is like a dog in heat trying to break stories.

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/s/xkBEANr8Oo

I do think that of the top 10 players, Wagler is the one guy that really needs to impress people in workouts. All the other players were more heavily scouted before the college season started.

[KillerLeft]

What if the smoke with Wagler/Bulls is real and they take him over Wilson. What would you give up to trade up from 9 to 5 to get Wilson?? ‘29 FRP? More?

negatory, my friend. Offensive creators only for this ride.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/daltonj_johnson/status/206...82590?s=46

[hakeemfaan]

I like Burries because he seems like a high floor guy. He also has two things that in combination are very rare... excellent finishing abilities at the rim and a very good jump shot.

However, I am not going to quickly concede that he will play the point very well. If GMs were convinced of that, he would be going even higher (not that #9 is low by any means). His wingspan and size would also be no issue if one was convinced that he could be slotted at the point. Once you slot him as a SG/SF, then there can be legit questions about his size given that our main competitors have young, tall lean guys at those positions.

I know Philon is ranked universally lower, but when I watch the two play, Philon's talent stands out much more. Plus, I can clearly see he can play the lead guard position. With Philon the issue would be his weight, durability, and lack of elite athleticism. With Burries, the floor is high and I am not going to complain if the Mavs draft him, but I would be praying real hard that he can play the point (and my bar for a PG is low..not expecting a Magic or a Kidd, but at this point based on what I have seen from his college highlights and usage, I just don't know whether he can at least be a really solid ball handler in end of game situations when teams really get after you. That one is an absolute must).

[KillerLeft]

I like Burries...

However, I am not going to quickly concede that he will play the point very well. If GMs were convinced of that, he would be going even higher (not that #9 is low by any means).

Agreed, and that's why I'm not convinced he'll be there at #9. I know all the mocks say he will, but people around here are always saying there will be surprises after #4...what if he's one of them? 

If we're to believe the "Burries is maneuvering himself towards Dallas" narrative that's out there, and I'm not saying we should, really, then he and his camp seem to believe there could be teams in that 2nd tier range who want him, right?

[mvossman]

Agreed, and that's why I'm not convinced he'll be there at #9. I know all the mocks say he will, but people around here are always saying there will be surprises after #4...what if he's one of them? 

If we're to believe the "Burries is maneuvering himself towards Dallas" narrative that's out there, and I'm not saying we should, really, then he and his camp seem to believe there could be teams in that 2nd tier range who want him, right?

I got the impression there are very strong signs that Rich Paul is trying to steer Burries to Dallas.  The Mavs FO are being very tight lipped in whatever their plans are, but I don't think you can say the same for Rich.  I'm not sure that is a sign that teams above Mavs might take him.  Might simply be a sign that Mavs are the earliest he reasonably goes and Rich really likes the situation there for him.  I would be surprised if he goes earlier than 9, but not any more surprised than anybody else.

[hakeemfaan]

Sorry if this was posted before
https://x.com/APH00PS/status/2065182805219287163?s=20

[hakeemfaan]

Agreed, and that's why I'm not convinced he'll be there at #9. I know all the mocks say he will, but people around here are always saying there will be surprises after #4...what if he's one of them? 

If we're to believe the "Burries is maneuvering himself towards Dallas" narrative that's out there, and I'm not saying we should, really, then he and his camp seem to believe there could be teams in that 2nd tier range who want him, right?

Could be interpreted both ways..he could be pushing for Dallas as he is afraid that he will fall into the tier after Dallas as well. 

However, yes, all it takes is one GM picking higher than us. If that GM is convinced that Burries can play the point, there is absolutely nothing that anyone can point to as a weakness.   He has superb strength and solid length if you slot him primarily as an on ball guard who can play off guard occasionally.

[Winter]

Could be interpreted both ways..he could be pushing for Dallas as he is afraid that he will fall into the tier after Dallas as well. 

However, yes, all it takes is one GM picking higher than us. If that GM is convinced that Burries can play the point, there is absolutely nothing that anyone can point to as a weakness.   He has superb strength and solid length if you slot him primarily as an on ball guard who can play off guard occasionally.

I am reminded that when Don Nelson traded for Jason Terry, he immediately slotted him into the PG spot. I can't remember how long that lasted, but needless to say it was less than memorable.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Dalton Johnson: Yaxel Lendeborg so far has worked out for the Warriors, Thunder, Heat, Bucks, Hornets and Mavs. He has workouts with the Clippers and Hawks left

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Kings are working out Keaton Wagler next week, according to league sources. Though Acuff remains the favorite for this choice, the franchise of course is doing its due diligence and Wagler could be available after he was previously expected to be the fifth choice. There was a bit of shock on social media when I moved Wagler down last week. But inevitably, someone will slip on draft night. And it could be Wagler, since league sources say the Clippers aren’t head over heels in love with him for the fifth pick and Wagler’s group canceled his workout this week with the Nets, who have the sixth pick.

Yahoo! Sports

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Forwards Nate Ament and Karim Lopez worked out against either other in Brooklyn on Tuesday, Lopez revealed on my podcast. Projected lottery picks Keaton Wagler and Kingston Flemings were originally scheduled to attend that workout, but dropped out after a group workout in Chicago that both also attended, according to league sources. There is a sense in opposing front offices that Brooklyn could trade down from this spot, whether it’s with a team trying to leap way up the board or even up just one spot in the Kings or two spots in the Hawks. Weeks ago I reported the Kings are widely believed to be targeting Acuff, so that’s in part why he’s the pick here for Brooklyn. Want your guy? Trade for him.

Yahoo! Sports

[Chicagojk]

not crazy about this answer....

https://x.com/draymondshow/status/2064716715859099753

[Winter]

not crazy about this answer....

https://x.com/draymondshow/status/2064716715859099753

That's just weird. If you're not the opposing PG, I'm not defending you? Did he just say that?

[Smitty]

So, if you combine all of the recent rumors you have:

5) Clippers - Mikel Brown Jr.
6) Nets - Nate Ament/Kingston Flemings
7) Kings - Darius Acuff Jr.
8) Hawks - Keaton Wagler
9) Mavericks - Brayden Burries

[Dirknows]

Could be interpreted both ways..he could be pushing for Dallas as he is afraid that he will fall into the tier after Dallas as well. 

However, yes, all it takes is one GM picking higher than us. If that GM is convinced that Burries can play the point, there is absolutely nothing that anyone can point to as a weakness.   He has superb strength and solid length if you slot him primarily as an on ball guard who can play off guard occasionally.

If Burries can play the point then at his size he could end up being a home run of a pick. I’m just not sure he has the ability to run an offense. But, we may not even have the option to draft any of the pure point guards since we’re picking 9.

[Smitty]

Gotta do that Gafford trade with Atlanta for 23 to jump the Knicks at 24 if you want Zuby?!

https://x.com/thestrickland/status/2064758492854911308?s=46&t=4w35gotNXtBJnqxbaL7e9w

[Chicagojk]

Acuff was so good as a freshman.   I bet the conversations on him with teams is wild though.

https://x.com/SportsSturm/status/2065419487961141658

[mvossman]

So, if you combine all of the recent rumors you have:

5) Clippers - Mikel Brown Jr.
6) Nets - Nate Ament/Kingston Flemings
7) Kings - Darius Acuff Jr.
8) Hawks - Keaton Wagler
9) Mavericks - Brayden Burries

Just need Hawks to go Ament/Flemings/Mara and the Mavs actually have the option of Wagler.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

So, if you combine all of the recent rumors you have:

5) Clippers - Mikel Brown Jr.
6) Nets - Nate Ament/Kingston Flemings
7) Kings - Darius Acuff Jr.
8) Hawks - Keaton Wagler
9) Mavericks - Brayden Burries

I'm pretty confident Wagler and Acuff wont be there at 9.  

I'd be happy with either Brown or Flemings.

I'd be ok with Burries if he's the only one left.