2026 NBA draft thread

[DanSchwartzgan]

I think its hard to predict this kind of thing without knowing what happens in the lottery.  That pick could have a huge impact on the roster.  If they get top 4, there is a good chance they end up with a forward/big, bringing them back to similar roster imbalances they started the season with.  In that scenario they would really need to move one of PJ/Naji and probably look to pick up one of the 6th man options with the MLE.

Regardless, I hope there is more movement than you are suggesting.  This roster needs a lot of changes and it would be really frustrating to watch this organization squander the flexibility they traded away AD for.  If nothing else, I would much rather take a shot with the MLE than spend some of that space on a 35 year old Middleton.

I agree with the first paragraph.  A top four pick changes everything and requires an additional guard whether it be via trade or signing.  Even if a good guard option is available in the late first, I don't think you rely on that as your primary backup at the position.

I don't think of it as squandering as much as I think of it as preserving flexibility.  Who is this magical player who will sign here for the MLE that a team without a GM (or one who has been on the job for five minutes) is going to commit to?  Manufacturing tradeable expiring salary will feel important later in the season when the new (expert) GM has had time to evaluate the roster and plan a path forward.