2026 NBA draft thread

[DanSchwartzgan]

I watch Tyrese Maxey and I say to myself, we had an opportunity to draft this kid back in 2020.  And we drafted Josh Green instead.  Ouch.  Yes, I know.  We had Luka and Brunson at the time.

But I see Maxey and I wonder if a player similar to him be a good fit with Flagg.  Insert Darius Acuff.  I think if we get into the top 4, I would select Acuff.  That may be rich for some, but him and Flagg would be a dynamic duo.  I don't think Acuff gets to us at 8 (assuming we stay at that position).

I'm not sure Acuff is the best direct comp to Maxey.  Size is similar, but Maxey was projected as a combo guard (not pure-PG) and was known for his defensive tenacity - not Acuff in the least.  Acuff was a much more efficient scorer and a much better playmaker in his one year of college.  The best comp to college-Maxey is mainly about size.

I think you could argue that the size, combo-guard projection and defensive tenacity make Burries the better comp.  The college scoring and rebounding for Burries and Maxey are more similar.  Burries has better efficiency numbers while all three of them were 80%+ from the line.  

I'm not sure either Burries or Acuff is as good of an athlete as Maxey.  It took Maxey four years to get above 6 assists per game (he was MIP in his fourth season).  He was an efficient high teens scorer and starter his second year, but his evolution to having the keys to the car as the primary PG took several years.  

I think the argument for Acuff is it is OK that he's small like Maxey because he can already score like Maxey scores now.  The problem is you have to put up with much worse defense in order to get that scoring.  The argument for the Burries comp is there is probably more to his offensive game than he showed on a talented college team and will be credible from deep and on D while you wait to see if he has the same playmaking evolution that Maxey has had.