2026 NBA draft thread

[Smitty]

There are a lot of "another DSJ" worries floating around here these days. For me, that's the worry with Carr. He's athletic, yes, but he doesn't seem creatively athletic to me. All the dunks are straight line drives, off the same foot with the same hand. I don't hate him, but I'm not thrilled about him, either. 

The thing that makes Ament palatable for me is this: when it comes to "star" potential, I think he's pretty high on the list. To me, you've got Peterson, Dybantsa, possibly Boozer, Brown Jr and then Ament right after if you're listing guys with star potential. Obviously, the top 2-3 have higher floors, but Brown Jr and Ament could do some real damage in the NBA if they figure things out. I don't hate the strategy, especially where the Mavs are. I'd probably still draft Burries over Ament, but I can see the argument for Ament, and if Burries isn't there, well...

I would add Acuff to your "star potential" list, but I agree with your overall point. That's the thing isn't it... If this is the last lottery pick the Mavs will have in the next 5+ years, do you go for high upside or high floor. I probably lean high upside but can see both sides of it. Of course, both high upside and high floor guys aren't likely to be available at pick 9.

In the end none of us know how these guys will pan out. I also don't care to draft the best ROOKIE. Or the best GUARD. I want the best PLAYER. That's why Ament has been in my top 10 all year (upside). I think Dan comparing him to ZR has some merit... That he may not look like a homerun in year 1 or 2. It could take a little longer for someone like him.

I think it was you that shared the Tommy Sheppard clip and he said something similar. That you pick based on upside and when a scout says something like plug and play that usually means he'll be good on the rookie contract but not much better -- alluding to high floor types. There's more than one philosophy and we have no idea what the new MBT are thinking. It will be interesting to watch play out either way.