2026 NBA draft thread

[Luka77]

Everyone and their brother knows I've been screaming "GUARD" into this forum for months. It's just starting to feel like the Mavs like some of the guards more than others, specifically the ones who won't fall to 9. There's even talk that Burries doesn't make it that far now. 

I like Flemings, and I don't know that Dallas doesn't, but there has been like nothing about him here, not even rumors. They've been loosely linked with Brown Jr, Acuff and Burries, but not really Flemings, and it's starting to feel to me like Flemings is the one who'll be there at 9, so...that's why I'm attempting to wrap my head around an Ament pick. 

I don't know how likely I think this is, but if he's Durant, Odom or, hell, even Rashard Lewis, that would be a score. Gotta assume that IF the Mavs draft him it's because Schmitz thinks he will be.

I don't know that I will ever see a Durant comp for Ament. Durant was much more explosive in college.  I do see anywhere form Rashard Lewis to Odom , as well as a slightly taller Kyle Kuzma as his upside.  Much of his upside, like most players in the draft, will be determined by what's above his shoulders that is something we as fans have very little insight into. 

One thing the board should know about the sudden interest by the Mavs in Ament is that the Bucks (who draft 10th; pick after the Mavs), are considered his floor.  Ament's relationship to Jimmy Haslem (Bucks owner) is similar to Ryan Smith's (Utah Owner) relationship to AJ Dabantsa.  Jimmy is an alum and a huge donor/booster to his alma mater in Tennessee, so he was likely one of the boosters involved with bringing Ament to UT.

So, from the Mavs prospective this could be a smokescreen of showing interest in a player with the hope of getting the Bucks to trade up so one of the players that they covet falls.  Regardless, It's hard to tell either way, as this is still "Lying Season".