2026 NBA draft thread

[Smitty]

Nightmare scenario for the Mavs if the top 8 players drafted are:

Dybantsa
Peterson
Boozer
Wilson
Wagler
Flemings
Acuff
Brown Jr

I think they should be exploring trade up scenarios.  Not sure we have the assets or there's a right fit to trade up.

I think it’s highly unlikely it goes all guards 5-9. I’ll continue to be on the unpopular side of things, as usual, but people need to start watching YouTube videos of Yaxel and Ament. Both fit exactly what Masai has drafted in the past. I’d be willing to bet at least one of those guys goes in the top ten and maybe both. With the Mavs being on that list of possibilities… I also think Mara, Philon, or Steinbach have a chance to be top 10 on someone’s board. 

The Mavs have to get this pick right. That doesn’t mean they have to pick a PG.

[Winter]

I'm not taking him over Philon Jr who seems to be underrated at this point.  It would also be a disaster if Philon fell to OKC.  

The kid has almost no holes in his game, and yet everyone wants to focus on one single negative which is strength.  His change of pace, especially in the lane, is just something you can't teach.  

This is a guard's league and not having a league guard for the future would be a mistake IMO.

I'm assuming you know Burries is a guard. It's debatable with Philon, but if my options at #9 are between Burries and those below him, I'm taking Burries... and maybe looking for a PG in a trade.

[Winter]

I think it’s highly unlikely it goes all guards 5-9. I’ll continue to be on the unpopular side of things, as usual, but people need to start watching YouTube videos of Yaxel and Ament. Both fit exactly what Masai has drafted in the past. I’d be willing to bet at least one of those guys goes in the top ten and maybe both. With the Mavs being on that list of possibilities… I also think Mara, Philon, or Steinbach have a chance to be top 10 on someone’s board. 

The Mavs have to get this pick right. That doesn’t mean they have to pick a PG.

I agree, especially about Yaxel. He could be Masai's guy... or even get picked above us. Someone almost always surprises us somewhere in the top 10.

Lendeborg is an incredibly flexible playmaking wing. A complete two-way player. His age keeps him out of the top 5 but that's about it.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Nightmare scenario for the Mavs if the top 8 players drafted are:

Dybantsa
Peterson
Boozer
Wilson
Wagler
Flemings
Acuff
Brown Jr

I think they should be exploring trade up scenarios.  Not sure we have the assets or there's a right fit to trade up.

That is a pretty popular mock following the Lottery.  I think the thing that changed yesterday is Acuff doesn't really make sense for LAC and probably not for Brooklyn.  I've thought him a lock to not slip past Sacramento.  The place some mocks break from this is Atlanta.  They could literally take anything and I've seen Mara and Ament go here which would push Brown down to us.

Unfortunately, I think there is a really good chance Brown has a good week and jumps to five.  I've seem places where people send Flemings to Sacramento rather than Acuff for the better D he provides.  The reason I bring that up is I wonder if Atlanta wants to do the whole undersized no-D scoring PG thing again.  I think they liked the D they played once Trae was gone.  I could see them taking Flemings, but not Acuff.  If Sacramento does take Acuff, then I think Flemings is the one that makes it to us (again, on the assumption Brown looks good at the combine).

I really hope we trade down with OKC if your board holds true.  I'm fine with any of Burries, Ament or Philon at 9, but feel one will make it to 12.  I also think this thing goes 17 deep before I start to struggle with who to pick.  If we aren't getting positional need or star power at #9, then give me two shots at it at 12 and 17.

[Smitty]

I agree, especially about Yaxel. He could be Masai's guy... or even get picked above us. Someone almost always surprises us somewhere in the top 10.

I don’t think those two would be a surprise at all though. Ament was talked about as a top 3 guy in this class all along. One so-so college season isn’t going to erase all the High school, AAU, National team stuff that these scouts have been grinding and watching for years through the ranks. Speaking of college, Yaxel was just the best player on a championship team and checks a lot of boxes for being NBA ready and someone that I’d imagine scouts have to guess or project very little for.

For me, it’d be surprising if one of them AREN’T selected in the top 10. Mocks are fun and rankings give us something to talk about but the media and fans don’t know how teams have these guys stacked and even then, 30 teams will have 30 different boards.

[david75090]

Arizona had a very deep team.    They were able to incorporate two high level freshman and really fit in well as a team.   It is tough to say who the best player was.  I like several of them.  Bradley did win Big 12 player of the year and I believe was first team/second team all american.   So I think you are correct, but I think most of their players sacrificed a little.   Bradley would definitely be a consideration with our second round pick for me.

Yes. Pick the best guard on Arizona's team at #48, pick the best player available at #9. The Mavs new Head Honcho likes them long, lean and athletic and I believe he'll draft someone like that. The best, tallest player.

[Dahlsim]

Wouldn't be willing to give up one of the few remaining future picks to to move up when the available options are all over the place on most mocks. I have my personal preferences and would pick Wagler and Buries over the rest but that's not enough to trade up for them.
Would rather trade down and aim for two mid first round picks if my prefered guard isn't available at #9.

Agree.  Trading up is unlikely.  Not impossible though.  Agree in general that having multiple picks represents 2 bites at the apple, better chance to hit on one.  This was Hinkie's philosophy with 'process' strategy in Philly and essentially was Presti has done to perfection in OKC.   So deep draft here, another first rounder = another crack at hitting a big win. 

Key to trading up is when a team feels extremely confident that a particular player which happens to be 'gettable' with their assets is going to be that big hit in a way that another team doesn't see the same.  Classic case was Dallas going from #5 to #3 and nabbing Luka.  

Last night with the Knicks demolition of the Sixers we saw a Mikal Bridges, another big example of a big winning prize from a trade up transaction.   Sixers ended up with an extra 1st round pick but Jaden Springer + Zhaire Smith did not come close to the value for the team trading down. 

I didn't follow the college players closely so this is just my hypothetical take from online research.   
This year for example Acuff on https://tankathon.com/mock_draft  is mocked at #7 with Dallas mocked to Burries at #9.   In theory depending how Sac. feels about the board, that could make Acuff gettable if Dallas new drafting experts think he's more of a star in the making.  Defense is the downside of course on Acuff but we've seen star examples like Luka and Steph where great offense makes up.  
Some observers think Acuff could belong in that top 4, others have him quite a bit lower.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I don’t think those two would be a surprise at all though. Ament was talked about as a top 3 guy in this class all along. One so-so college season isn’t going to erase all the High school, AAU, National team stuff that these scouts have been grinding and watching for years through the ranks.  

Kevin O'Connor has him 10th to Milwaukee and his top comp is "Brandon Ingram, with a willingness to launch 3's".  Sounds like a Masai guy to me.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I agree, especially about Yaxel. He could be Masai's guy... or even get picked above us. Someone almost always surprises us somewhere in the top 10.

Lendeborg is an incredibly flexible playmaking wing. A complete two-way player. His age keeps him out of the top 5 but that's about it.

If they draft Yaxel if available, will they trade PJ?  I think Yaxel has more upside.

[Winter]

I really hope we trade down with OKC if your board holds true.  I'm fine with any of Burries, Ament or Philon at 9, but feel one will make it to 12.  I also think this thing goes 17 deep before I start to struggle with who to pick.  If we aren't getting positional need or star power at #9, then give me two shots at it at 12 and 17.

I can live with the 2-shot scenario (#12 and #17)... mainly because the Mavs have a bare cupboard regarding the draft for the next few years. Even if we traded for a 2027 first-rounder later in the season, it's not likely to produce a player between 12-17.

It's probably unlikely, but from where I sit now the two-shot scenario had an advantage IF you're not in love with the player at#9.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I didn't follow the college players closely so this is just my hypothetical take from online research.   
This year for example Acuff on https://tankathon.com/mock_draft  is mocked at #7 with Dallas mocked to Burries at #9.   In theory depending how Sac. feels about the board, that could make Acuff gettable if Dallas new drafting experts think he's more of a star in the making.  Defense is the downside of course on Acuff but we've seen star examples like Luka and Steph where great offense makes up.  
Some observers think Acuff could belong in that top 4, others have him quite a bit lower.

I think Acuff is the least likely top 10 guy for Schmitz.  His philosophy has everything to do with a player being able to stay on the floor and contribute during the playoffs.  Acuff feels perfect for a team like the Kings.  Score 30 a game during the regular season and start your vacation early every year.

[Winter]

If they draft Yaxel, will they trade PJ?  I think Yaxel has more upside.

I think so. It makes sense. Yaxel is a better playmaker and passer and you don't give up much anywhere else.

[Smitty]

If they draft Yaxel if available, will they trade PJ?  I think Yaxel has more upside.

I think that would be on the table for sure. It wouldn’t have to be a trade that happened right away, this summer, but it’d be on the table going forward.

With any trade, it takes two to tango. Saying we want player X to be traded away, and even the FO having it in their plans, doesn’t just magically make it happen. Another team or teams has to want that player, salary matching stuff, proper compensation, etc. etc.

[Smitty]

I think Acuff is the least likely top 10 guy for Schmitz.  His philosophy has everything to do with a player being able to stay on the floor and contribute during the playoffs.  Acuff feels perfect for a team like the Kings.  Score 30 a game during the regular season and start your vacation early every year.

Unfortunately for me, I think you’re right. I personally have Acuff 4th on my board and getting him at 9 would be a home run for me, but I actually think Acuff is the least likely player in the entire draft to be a Maverick. 
IMO the Mavs have a greater chance of trading up for the #1 pick than they do calling Acuff’s name on draft night.

[mvossman]

I'm not taking him over Philon Jr who seems to be underrated at this point.  It would also be a disaster if Philon fell to OKC.  

The kid has almost no holes in his game, and yet everyone wants to focus on one single negative which is strength.  His change of pace, especially in the lane, is just something you can't teach.  

This is a guard's league and not having a league guard for the future would be a mistake IMO.

Is this a guard's league?  Jokic, SGA, Luka, Giannis, Tatum, Wemby, Kawhi, ...  It seems like this is a league of bigs/forwards/wings that play like guards.  Looking at the last several champions, most don't even start a player Philon's size.  The only exception is Curry, who is easily the best shooter of all time.  Players Philon's size (roughly 6' 3" and 180 lbs) have to be elite offensively to belong in starting lineups.  Most likely they end up being 6th men.

[mvossman]

That is a pretty popular mock following the Lottery.  I think the thing that changed yesterday is Acuff doesn't really make sense for LAC and probably not for Brooklyn.  I've thought him a lock to not slip past Sacramento.  The place some mocks break from this is Atlanta.  They could literally take anything and I've seen Mara and Ament go here which would push Brown down to us.

Unfortunately, I think there is a really good chance Brown has a good week and jumps to five.  I've seem places where people send Flemings to Sacramento rather than Acuff for the better D he provides.  The reason I bring that up is I wonder if Atlanta wants to do the whole undersized no-D scoring PG thing again.  I think they liked the D they played once Trae was gone.  I could see them taking Flemings, but not Acuff.  If Sacramento does take Acuff, then I think Flemings is the one that makes it to us (again, on the assumption Brown looks good at the combine).

I really hope we trade down with OKC if your board holds true.  I'm fine with any of Burries, Ament or Philon at 9, but feel one will make it to 12.  I also think this thing goes 17 deep before I start to struggle with who to pick.  If we aren't getting positional need or star power at #9, then give me two shots at it at 12 and 17.

I get the arguments for a trade down, but that requires the other team to be on board.  I get the argument that OKC has too many picks in general, but not sure they are not thinking the same regarding value of 9 vs 12 and 17. My guess is that this would cost 30 as well. Are folks still interested in trade down if its 9 + 30 for 12 +17?

[Chicagojk]

I don’t think those two would be a surprise at all though. Ament was talked about as a top 3 guy in this class all along. One so-so college season isn’t going to erase all the High school, AAU, National team stuff that these scouts have been grinding and watching for years through the ranks. Speaking of college, Yaxel was just the best player on a championship team and checks a lot of boxes for being NBA ready and someone that I’d imagine scouts have to guess or project very little for.

For me, it’d be surprising if one of them AREN’T selected in the top 10. Mocks are fun and rankings give us something to talk about but the media and fans don’t know how teams have these guys stacked and even then, 30 teams will have 30 different boards.

I could see myself talking myself into Ament.  It is going to take a lot of work.   Just like some of the others in this range, I have a lot of questions.

I don't think I will ever get there with Yaxel.   Despite him being the much better player between these two currently.   I just don' think I will have him in my top 12 for my wish list.

[Chicagojk]

I am also against a trade down at 9.  I would much prefer using 30 and getting creative trying to get to low 20's if you really like 2-3 prospects in that range.

[mvossman]

Kevin O'Connor has him 10th to Milwaukee and his top comp is "Brandon Ingram, with a willingness to launch 3's".  Sounds like a Masai guy to me.

Too bad there is nothing in his college profile to suggest he will be particularly good at launching 3s.  His volume was low, percentage poor and FT% not elite.  I get that there is more to his resume than his lone college season, but it seems like his college struggles were due to being put into a situation (lead creator) that he is not suited for.  He feels like a role player who has not demonstrated that he can play that role.  I realize Masai has had a very good hit rate going after toolsy guys, but I still have PTSD from Mavs failing miserably going down this route.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/hoopshypeoffici...jj6sdvas2k


AD is the gift that keeps on giving...