2026 NBA draft thread

[hakeemfaan]

And I'll say this, again: My inclusion of Burries in the 2nd tier is contingent on the idea that he's already a lead guard, an opinion I've heard from multiple experts who followed him prior to this season. This is covered ground. I'm simply remaining open to the idea that one college season doesn't equate to an all-encompassing reflection of his potential. There's lots out there about him choosing the role because it was the only one available to him at the school he wanted. I don't know (but obviously, neither do you), but the people putting this out there say he had offers from other schools to be a lead guard. Good schools. If this is true, he goes up a notch for me because it shows he's wiling to make himself a fit in the right situation. 

Obviously, if he's NOT a lead guard, or even if him being a lead guard requires "developing into" one, that lowers him for me. All those guys are going to require loads of development regardless of what their roles are, but my interest in Burries is mostly based on the idea that he already IS a lead guard. Again, the MAVS need to have the right of it, but I can see it enough to remain open. Worst case, he's a GUARD, which is something, given this team's current roster status. 

I'm past the point of needing to argue about this part - we're too close to the draft, and we all think what we think. Now, I'm on to arguing with this ridiculous notion that it's somehow preferable to come away with two mediocre forwards, or one mediocre forward and a 3rd string PG, or a mediocre forward and a slow, stiff big who you can't play in the playoffs than the ONE thing that could concevably move the team forward from here.

I'll add that I was ridiculed around here for suggesting Peterson would be a lead guard in the NBA, and then two months later, POOF! His representation is out there letting teams know that's the role he wants. So predictable, honestly. In the NBA, the guys who handle the ball are the ones who matter. You're not going to draft a guard in the top 5 (or top 10, probably) and NOT give him the ball. You don't have to be Jason Kidd to succeed in that role. In fact, you're probably better off these days starting your career off have 1-3 things you do really well with the ball at each level, provided you are a threat to SCORE.

We saw in this Finals the importance of a secure ball handler. 

Both Harper and Castle can do a few things really well and can score but put on ball pressure on them and they can’t handle it. This is why Fox was kept in despite underperforming, even though I don’t  know if he is strong with the ball either. 

As I said, my bar for a PG is low. If Burries can be really strong with the ball when defenses really get after him, then it is fine. But a lead guard HAS to be dependable with the ball first and foremost. Of course you need scoring as well in this day and age . Weaker defense from the PG  position is one thing you can hide somewhat well and something a team can live with as long as the player is at least trying hard.