2026 NBA draft thread

[mvossman]

I agree completely. I'm one of the more outspoken here that don't view picks as the only "asset" in the NBA. Good players. Good contracts. Apron/Tax space. Those are also assets.

I did however get a ton of pushback and was told it's imperative that the new FO get draft picks for Vets this summer. Not only did they not do that even once, but they also doubled down with one of the oldest Vets in possible trade discussions, with the Naji extension. Yet, the majority on the board seem to be in favor of the moves, despite them doing the exact opposite of their wishes...

Going forward I think (hope) we can all have more discussions that don't always have to involve draft picks as the only measure of good/bad trade ideas. Maybe the AD trade was the first step in realizing that. Then, this summer.

I don't remember there being a hyper focus on draft picks.  I do think there was a focus on accumulating assets, whether it was draft picks or young players on reasonable contracts.  It's not a surprise that Masai is leaning towards the player asset route as that has been his MO.  It also helps that most of the assets they have sent came in the AD trade.  I don't think anybody was excited about the Kawhi rumors and the Naji extension was met with mixed reviews on here.