2026 NBA draft thread

[Mavs2021]

If the Thunder are really after Mara how much of a gamble is the trade down?

You got 10 and 11 to navigate and have to project that neither the Bucks or Warriors take Burries/Flemings. Bucks been heavily linked with Ament and Warriors with Lendeborg. Do you gamble on it? If Burries/Flemings are there at #12, you take them, if not do you have a strong back-up plan like BPA (probably not a guard) and Okorie/Anderson/Stirtz at #17. Does it make the additional pick strategy more viable. You obtain another pick in the early 20s, and hope to get two of the three guards.

[KillerLeft]

If the Thunder are really after Mara how much of a gamble is the trade down?

You got 10 and 11 to navigate and have to project that neither the Bucks or Warriors take Burries/Flemings. Bucks been heavily linked with Ament and Warriors with Lendeborg. Do you gamble on it? If Burries/Flemings are there at #12, you take them, if not do you have a strong back-up plan like BPA (probably not a guard) and Okorie/Anderson/Stirtz at #17. Does it make the additional pick strategy more viable. You obtain another pick in the early 20s, and hope to get two of the three guards.

GS would take Burries, I think. 

Everything I heard today indicates Mavs intend to pick at #9 (unless you buy that Ament is a smokescreen, and that MIL will bite), but they're likely to try using PJW or Gafford to move up from #30 into the teens or early 20's. I saw in a few places the idea of #30, something decent outgoing and eating Isaiah Joe's contract (which I'd be fine with - they need shooting) in order to get #17 from OKC.

[loki]

5 days until the first round.

Still no coach.

Still no medical staff.

They will be drafting Dr Jarius Acuff. Not sure about the coach.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

TBH no on has any idea what the Mavs are doing to go.

People just need stuff to talk about on social media and their podcasts so every couple of days a new theory emerges.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

With only a few days to go before Tuesday night's first round of the NBA Draft, multiple draft experts have passed along that they legitimately believe Washington could select Kansas' Darryn Peterson over BYU's AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick. "Increased consideration" is the way one well-placed insider put it.

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Warriors PR: GSW Pre-Draft Workout | June, 18: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona Cameron Carr, G, Baylor Anthony Dell’Orso, F, Arizona Barry Dunning, F, Pittsburgh Lajae Jones, F, Florida State Labaron Philon, G, Alabama Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa Tre White, F, Kansas

x.com

[hakeemfaan]

Ament has not had a workout for the Mavs?

https://x.com/billyreinhardt/status/2067...95940?s=46

[Smitty]

   

[hakeemfaan]

There are a lot of smokescreens happening from 5 onwards.

The only thing that is seems to be close to a certainty is that if Acuff is there Sac will take him.

So will the Clips use that as a leverage for a trade if they are ok with Wagler? Nets don’t seem like Wagler is who they want.

I would be surprised if all teams in the 5-10 range stay pat

[Winter]

Regarding Isaiah Evans (who might be available late in the 1st round).

It's really amazing (and slightly alarming) how much of his production is relegated to the 3-point shot (almost 2x as many 3s). Is he a Reggie Bullock clone?

[Smitty]

Regarding Isaiah Evans (who might be available late in the 1st round).

It's really amazing (and slightly alarming) how much of his production is relegated to the 3-point shot. Statistically he doesn't even shoot ONE two-point shot in a game. Statistically, he does not even shoot ONE FT a game. He shoots over four 3-point shots ppg. He is the poster boy for 3 and D. He's a young Reggie Bulloch.... but more so.

I just can't decide about him. Is sitting in the corner and waiting for the ball a coach's decision? It has to be... no?

I’m not sure what you’re looking at with those statistics. He shot ~4 2PA/g and over 7 3PA/g with 3 FTA/g on 86%. He’s a good slasher and has shown some secondary playmaking all year. Here’s a clip:
https://x.com/acfilmroom/status/2066604907625398505?s=46&t=4w35gotNXtBJnqxbaL7e9w

[Winter]

I’m not sure what you’re looking at with those statistics. He shot ~4 2PA/g and over 7 3PA/g with 3 FTA/g on 86%. He’s a good slasher and has shown some secondary playmaking all year. Here’s a clip:
https://x.com/acfilmroom/status/2066604907625398505?s=46&t=4w35gotNXtBJnqxbaL7e9w

I corrected it before you posted (looking at 2024 stats).

Still applies in general I think. The No ceilings guys were down on him a bit for that. Although I have to think that's coaching stuff.

[JamesConway816]

Ament has not had a workout for the Mavs?

https://x.com/billyreinhardt/status/2067...95940?s=46

Nate Ament will workout for the Mavs according to his coach Chauncey Beckett

https://x.com/kevingraysports/status/2067956096359117281?s=46&t=-bN4oD2OLU_Ue80HIM_CZQ

[dirkfansince1998]

I corrected it before you posted.

Still applies in general I think. The No ceilings guys were down on him I think for that.

Depends on where he goes. Obviously not a lottery talent but in the late first round a THJ starter kit isn't the worst option.

[Winter]

Depends on where he goes. Obviously not a lottery talent but in the late first round a THJ starter kit isn't the worst option.

I always liked Evans from the videos... but after listening to a podcast on him, I'm beginning to question that.

[Smitty]

I corrected it before you posted (looking at 2024 stats).

Still applies in general I think. The No ceilings guys were down on him a bit for that. Although I have to think that's coaching stuff.

I have been the leader in the clubhouse all season for I. Evans to be a Maverick. Shooting  has to be addressed at some point. Why not add one of the best. Plus, he’s played with Coop already…

[Winter]

I have been the leader in the clubhouse all season for I. Evans to be a Maverick. Shooting  has to be addressed at some point. Why not add one of the best. Plus, he’s played with Coop already…

I've been a cheerleader for him as well. But I've gotten all that from stats and video... and now I'm beginning wonder if he's not too one-dimensional with no play-making skills at all.

[michaeltex]

FWIW, I think somebody is going to be really happy they spend a late FRP or early SRP on the Thomas kid out of Arkansas. Nothing specific, just seemed like the kind of quiet assassin you want on a team.

Also, looking at the Kalshi logo on the graphic, when did it become necessary or desirable to bet on every little nuance? Is it so hard to just enjoy a thing for itself?

[Winter]

FWIW, I think somebody is going to be really happy they spend a late FRP or early SRP on the Thomas kid out of Arkansas. Nothing specific, just seemed like the kind of quiet assassin you want on a team.

Since I'm an Arkansas fan (and alumnus), I followed Thomas. He's a little hard to predict. He might end up being Isaiah Joe - which isn't a bad thing really - but I'm not sure he will ever be anything resembling a PG and may not be good enough or tall enough to be a starter combo guard.

[Smitty]

@NBADraftWass

Some of buzz/feelings I've heard past week:

-Burries the guy who could go top 8, force a top PG to slip
-Expectations Carr, Swain, Zuby, Tarris go earlier than expected
-Heard from one source said Stirtz workout was team's best
-Lopez, Ament lotto
-Yax, JQ, Koa most vulnerable