2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

I'm struggling to fall in love with any of these guards.  If we get lucky and get a top four pick, then I'm taking one of the top four guys (none of which are pure PG's).  But, if we stay in the upper end of the top 10, these guys are going to be picked over a bit by the time we get one.

Flemings looks like a good starter, but nothing special (a lesser version of Fox) to my untrained eye.  Brown probably has the most upside, but I worry that he's got a bit of a "get mine" mentality.  I want the right mentality next to Flagg as much as I want the right talent.  I worry about Acuff's D, size and lack of steals.  He feels like a sixth man of the year/Dennis Smith Jr. type to me.  I have no ability to judge the athleticism of Wagler and Mullins, but they feel more complimentary than star.  I think that's why I'm trying to like Ament.  I can see his archetype working next to Flagg.  The question is whether he can live up to the best versions of that archetype or not.  

The 6-10 range of drafts is always problematic because teams are still trying to find that five-tool star from among players  with no obvious NBA ready tool.  At some point teams shift to guys with less upside, but have at least one NBA-ready skill.  Those are the guys who tend to find a career and the athletes you hope can put it all together are more bust-prone.

I think the 5-9 is similar to a lot of drafts.  This one may be a little deeper and more upside, but the typical risk/reward types.    I can do a big list of strengths and negatives of all of them.    They are 19-20 year old kids where they should not be close to their final development.   I have seen Acuff the most (that means I have seen like two games).  I really like him.   It is concerning though at his height.   He has Luka/Reaves, SGA, Ant, Murray, etc who he would need to match up with.   That is a lot of skill and size that he will need to guard.   I think he is a bulldog though.  He really pushes the pace and in my limited viewing makes the best passes.   I am not saying he is my favorite of that group, but I think he deserves to be in that grouping.  I think the vision of Brown is my favorite of the group, but I will need to see more of him.  In his highlights he makes tough shots.  I think Acuff gets easier looks.    Wagler will need to really prove it to me.  I have a biased against guys who come from nowhere.  Not saying he won't be the best of the group, but his lack of explosion plays does concern me.   

I think there is a good chance that most of these guys in the 5-9 range may need some time to develop and be a reserve piece for a year or two.