2026 NBA draft thread

[Smitty]

Well, I want to give my thoughts before reading those from others, so I'm not influenced or swayed. I thought Round 1 was a success overall. Coming into the night they had picks 9 & 30. They walk out with 9 & 25, having to give (2) SRP's to move up. I think the obvious theme and what I will look for going forward is SIZE and position VERSATILITY. MoJo is a Big... Big as in what others call 4's and or 5's. He can and will play both roles here. Sergio is a Guard. Guard as in what others call 1's and 2's. He can and will play both roles here. Both of these guys can play in any system, with multiple different lineup combinations, and player archetypes. That is my big picture takeaway.

What I would have done... I would have drafted Burries at 9 and I. Evans at 30. That's it. Those two players will be the ones I watch going forward to see how it plays out.

Another big takeaway for me is that I don't think Nembhard is long for the roster. His non-guaranteed deal and still being two-way eligible makes me think he either won't be here at all, or he's just a two-way guy. He lacks the size and versatility and was not Masai/Schmitz pick.

I was somewhat surprised Gafford was not moved -- but actually shocked that no NBA player was traded for, or with, a pick last night. Has that ever happened?!


There will be more moves this summer -- no doubt. But as it stands right now this sure looks like the Nico vision. (Sub Morez for AD). 
1 Guard - 3 Wings - 1 Big OR 1 Guard - 2 Wings - 2 Bigs.

I don't see Sergio as anything more than a 3rd PG in year 1. That leaves Kyrie as the only big minute Guard on the roster...

Tonight I think they still have Pick 48. Lot of confusion, so I'll have to confirm. Agents have a LOT of influence on where a player goes. Cash can and will be a useful tool to move up... Which Dumont has shown over and over is no obstacle. I'd be looking to double dip at Guard, with this guy being the Nemby 2-way replacement. The number one guy for me to fill that role is Jaden Bradley. He's not top on my board, but someone I think could be there at 48 or that the Mavs could trade up to get. 


Here are my top 18 remaining:

Isaiah Evans (G/W)
Meleek Thomas (G)
Henri Veesaar ©
Ryan Conwell (G)
Trevon Brazile (Big)
Baba Miller (W/Big)
Jaden Bradley (PG)
Emanuel Sharp (G)
Bruce Thornton (G)
Otega Oweh (G/W)
Milos Uzan (PG) 
Ugonna Onyenso ©
Jack Kayil (PG)
Aaron Nkrumah (G)
Braden Smith (PG)
Vsevolod Ishchenko (G/W)
Jakobi Gillespie (PG)
Richie Saunders (G)