2026 NBA draft thread

[cow]

I wouldn't be comfortable throwing money at Lively. Not sure how they come to terms to be honest, but can't pay him for his potential when his injury history outweighs his potential so far. I'd probably trade him if they can get good value. Otherwise he needs to take less money to stay. They can't afford to give him a huge contract and then he sits like usual.

He's a tricky situation for sure and it might be that he plays out his rookie deal and you let the market decide what he is worth and if you'd be willing to match that/if he'd be willing to let you match that. I'd definitely gauge league interest in a trade, but everyone else can see his injury history too.

[KillerLeft]

Yeah, I don't either. I didn't mean to give that impression. We need to surround Flagg with players who can shoot. But those players exist. I'm not sure there's many guys like Moritz though.

Morez Johnson Jr is a rare animal that doesn't come around often. On that, we agree completely. 

I just hope the team gets good enough for his unique talents to shine.

[mvossman]

I'm not sure Moritz has to do it. 

I just think we need players that can do it.

I think in order to be a truly versatile player he will need to be able to do something more than traditional center stuff (rim rolling and putbacks).  I know he is a good cutter, but I think having a credible 3 would really open up his value on that side of the court.

[cow]

I hope you're right!

Usually not.

[KillerLeft]

The really interesting question (to which we'll never have an answer) is:

Would Johnson still have been the pick if Flemings had been there at 9?

Thaaaaaat would've been a little more controversial, I think.

[BigDirk41]

Morez Johnson Jr is a rare animal that doesn't come around often. On that, we agree completely. 

I just hope the team gets good enough for his unique talents to shine.

Any chance that he becomes a bigger Draymond? That would be freaking amazing!

[KillerLeft]

Any chance that he becomes a bigger Draymond? That would be freaking amazing!

Draymond on defense is one of the first comps I thought of. 

I don't thiiiiiiiiink he's going to the hub of the greatest offense ever, the way Draymond was, but...you never know. 

But Draymond is a good example on my side of the other conversation. Sorry kids, but "the death lineup" is what made GS great. Once they let Bogut (who wasn't much of factor for them, anyway) go all those years ago, they basically never replaced him. Brace yourselves: Draymond Green has basically been an All Star CENTER for a decade, and one of the main reasons for the success of what might be the last NBA dynasty.

[mvossman]

The really interesting question (to which we'll never have an answer) is:

Would Johnson still have been the pick if Flemings had been there at 9?

Thaaaaaat would've been a little more controversial, I think.

Given that I thought this FO would pick Burries over Flemings if both available, I don't think it would have changed anything. (pure speculation)

[Dirknows]

Any chance that he becomes a bigger Draymond? That would be freaking amazing!

He doesn’t have Draymonds playmaking ability. He could be the Hawks version of Horford is more what I think of him as.

[KillerLeft]

Given that I thought this FO would pick Burries over Flemings if both available, I don't think it would have changed anything. (pure speculation)

See, I don't know about that. I'll always wonder. 

The more I think about it, the more I think what little we've heard from Dallas these past few weeks was the result of them being resigned to how picks 1-8 were going to go. In other words, I just don't think they believed Flemings (or Brown, or Wagler, or Acuff) were going to be there.

[loki]

I wouldn't be comfortable throwing money at Lively. Not sure how they come to terms to be honest, but can't pay him for his potential when his injury history outweighs his potential so far. I'd probably trade him if they can get good value. Otherwise he needs to take less money to stay. They can't afford to give him a huge contract and then he sits like usual.

They could sign him to a deal like Zion's with non-guaranteed money that becomes guaranteed as he meets certain games played thresholds.

[Winter]

The other thing Moritz brings is something the Mavs never could manage as an offensive strategy - offensive rebounds. Teams like Detroit and Houston already exploit that intentionally and are making a living from it.

[cow]

Any chance that he becomes a bigger Draymond? That would be freaking amazing!

I hope he has Draymond's leadership and BBIQ qualities.  Sounds like he has the work ethic.  Different skillset and athleticism though, I think.

[KillerLeft]

The other thing Moritz brings is something the Mavs never could manage as an offensive strategy - offensive rebounds. Teams like Detroit and Houston already exploit that intentionally and are making a living from it.

Well honestly, you've identified one of the few areas in which Gafford is actually effective, so I hope he brings more than that when all is said and done. 

However, "replicate Gafford on offense while lapping him 24 times on defense" is a good starting point. As great of an offensive rebounder as Gafford is, he's one of the worst defensive rebounders at his size in the entire sport. And, as highly impactful as he is for his team, offensively (with the right ball-handler in the right scheme), he's a HUGE liability in space as a defender.

[dirkfansince1998]

He doesn’t have Draymonds playmaking ability. He could be the Hawks version of Horford is more what I think of him as.

As of now I don't really see the cerebral game of Draymond or Horford. But Morez is a much better athlete. That's why the ceiling is so high. He is barely tapping into his potential and May seems to be aware of this. His footwork isn't great. He tends to leave his feet. He commits cheap fouls. And even with all of those issues he was one of the most impactful defenders in college.

[Dirknows]

I hate how now we just have to hear about how great of a 2nd round pick Brunson was.

[Smitty]

Sources: The New York Knicks are trading Nos. 31 and 55 to the Houston Rockets for Nos. 39 and 53 and a 2029 Kings second-rounder. The moves begin for night two of the NBA Draft.

[dirkfansince1998]

And now...Give me Sharp or Saunders and this is an A+ draft.

[SleepingHero]

My big board for the 2nd round:

Evans
Thomas
Baba Miller
Jayden Bradley
Jack Kayil

[speedkilz88]

Houston Bruce Thornton