2026 NBA draft thread

[DL2RimRocker]

Regarding the whole Peterson situation. I´d be really worried to pick him. Bill Simmons said he reminds him too much of Ben Simmons with regards to caring for the game/giving effort. That it would be better, if Peterson was actually injured rather than not caring/giving effort. 

And that´s where this all falls apart for me with so many discussions recently. No you actually want him to not give a flying f*** about college and be so arrogant that he just does not care about the negative perception he creates. That he dials in, when the NBA starts. That´s already not a great look, but the other way IS FAR WORSE. I still don´t believe Ben Simmons never cared. This is Ben Simmons recent AI report card:

Ben Simmons has focused heavily on his physical conditioning during his rehabilitation from back injuries
, with reports indicating a, "locked in" approach to his health and fitness as of late 2023 and 2024. 

• Rehabilitation Focus: Following multiple back surgeries—including a microscopic partial discectomy in March 2024—Simmons has engaged in intensive training, including Pilates and using specialized, weight-reducing treadmills (OTG) to manage his weight and load on his back.
  
• Physical Changes: While often photographed looking "ripped and trim" during offseason training, his journey has been more about managing injuries and returning to peak physical condition rather than a public, dramatic weight loss transformation, frequently appearing in videos working on his shot.
  
• Recent Status: As of late 2025, reports suggest he has been working to become "bulletproof" in the gym, aiming to get to the best possible physical shape to compete.
  

The guy basically hid a chronic back problem in college and the NBA behind "a not caring attitude" and to this day even hardcore fans believe his love for the game was the problem. Then you look at MPJ, who dropped like 10-12 spots due to a bad back in the draft and if it had manifested the same way it did for Ben Simmons, he´d probably have lost $50-80M on his rookie deal and first extension.

So if I had a chronic calf problem, I´d totally play up the idea that I´m so crazy and arrogant that I refuse to play in college, work out and provide medicals. Worst case I get picked 3rd, because of some immaturity issues. People forget this is generationally life-altering money and agents need to plot the best way to make their client the most money. Don´t you think an agent would take him aside and tell him, that he might want to slow down on the crazy/lazy a bit.

The same concern existed with Edward's and that didnt turn out so bad.

I agree I would stay clear of Peterson if I had the first pick for the same reasons you mention. As a Jayhawks fan I feel he has really crapped on his team and I have more fun watching them without him. Melvin Council Jr is the engine of that team and his game is always elevated when Peterson is out.

I personally think Peterson is managing himself because the stakes are high. Cant say I blame him but it is a strategy that could easily backfire.

He could be the next Fultz if he goes #1, but he could also be the next Edward's. I'm beginning to think it will be closer to to former.