2026 NBA draft thread

[F Gump]

Its like you don't even read the post.  

Sure I did. Which is why my comment was about what you DIDN'T say, which was the Mavs need for a superior expert GM, and the "luckiness" he can bring. Or we can try to do it without him, and then whine about how "unlucky" we always are in our drafting. IMO there is significant bust potential for the Mavs in this draft, no matter where they pick, unless they have an EXPERT running the show.

Presti, please.

[mvossman]

Sure I did. Which is why my comment was about what you DIDN'T say, which was the Mavs need for a superior expert GM, and the "luckiness" he can bring. Or we can try to do it without him, and then whine about how "unlucky" we always are in our drafting. IMO there is significant bust potential for the Mavs in this draft, no matter where they pick, unless they have an EXPERT running the show.

Presti, please.

No you didn't, or you can't grasp the concept that some things (most things really) involve both luck and skill.  At no point did I even imply that getting a quality GM/scouting department would not improve the odds.  But your black and white view that the Mavs are doomed unless they hire your fanboy Presti and then it will be perfect is overly simplistic.

[F Gump]

Yawn - more sniping from you, life as usual, because you are trying to micromanage what I say or how I say it. Let's move on.

[mvossman]

Yawn - more sniping from you, life as usual, because you are trying to micromanage what I say or how I say it. Let's move on.

I love it.  Misrepresent somebody's post with a jerk response and the complain about "sniping".  Yes, lets move on.

[Chicagojk]

Mavs need lottery luck because they aren’t out tanking the Jazz and grizzled. Grizz lost to the Kings at home tonight. Utah is having players due cosmetic surgery so they can’t play. Mavs old veterans are going to old ball teams into some wins.

[windjc]

Saying the draft is luck is just what fans say after being subject to mediocre management since inception. No Thunder fan is saying that.

[Scott41theMavs]

Lol, what a nightmare game for Flemings and Cenac. Not great for Peterson, either. They all heard Brad Stevens was in the house and clenched up.

[F Gump]

I love it.  Misrepresent somebody's post with a jerk response and the complain about "sniping".  Yes, lets move on.

My apologies. I didn't see it as misrepresenting, certainly didn't think I was acting like a jerk (and I never want to be a jerk), but I did nothing to try to see it your way. Sorry about that, that's wrong on my part, and I will try to do better.

[F Gump]

Lol, what a nightmare game for Flemings and Cenac. Not great for Peterson, either. They all heard Brad Stevens was in the house and clenched up.

LOL at your phrasing -- but you may be right. Data point: Peterson somehow was able to play 30 minutes, surprisingly, wonder how that happened (and maybe we saw why he sits so much, as the added workload was not impressive at all).

However, when I watch these supposed "stars-to-be" or even peruse the box scores, I keep seeing this over and over. Despite (supposedly) being the guys we should should want, they keep having games where they are really meh.

[Winter]

Total snap judgement after watching a few games and not much research, but Brown Jr is the exact prototype I want.  Bigger guard with athleticism.  The issue for me is Acuff is just better.  Th measurement for Acuff is going to be huge.  I think he gets better shots than Brown, gets his teammates better looks and just looks better.  The issue is his size but to my eye Acuff is better now.

Entirely true to my eye as well.

Several analysts in podcasts have referred to Brown's shot selection - which I also think is related to his high turnover rate. He wants to shoot and is far too eager to do it. That's not what the Mavs need. It bugs me that he's the best physical specimen and probably the worst PG of the three.

[Smitty]

Entirely true to my eye as well.

Several analysts in podcasts have referred to Brown's shot selection - which I also think is related to his high turnover rate. He wants to shoot and is far too eager to do it. That's not what the Mavs need. It bugs me that he's the best physical specimen and probably the worst PG of the three.

Isn't it though? That's at least one of the big things I think is missing from not having Kyrie. High volume shooting, spacing, playmaking, etc.

[Winter]

Isn't it though? That's at least one of the big things I think is missing from not having Kyrie. High volume shooting, spacing, playmaking, etc.

Not if he's another Dlo (an exaggeration of course). Acuff is at least consistent. He makes his shot because he gets separation... and he shoots quite a bit. His efficiency is just better. He's over 9% better than Brown on two-point shots as well as 3-point shots.

[Smitty]

Not if he's another Dlo (an exaggeration of course). Acuff is at least consistent. He makes his shot because he gets separation... and he shoots quite a bit. His efficiency is just better. He's 9% better than Brown on two-point shots as well as 3-point shots.

Oh, I'm a big fan of Acuff. I don't need convincing there. I'm also a big fan of Brown Jr.

[Winter]

Here's another good stat.

Brown shoots 7.7 3-pointers a game at a 35% clip
Acuff shoots 5.6 a game at 44%.

For 2-Point percentages

Brown shoots 5.5 2-pointers a game at .505
Acuff shoots 9.9 2-point attempts at .541

Acuff is actually shooting more shots in aggregate ... and making more of them.

[Winter]

I looked at three new Mock drafts this morning and Darryn Peterson was not #1 on any of them. He was actually #3 on two of them.

[Chicagojk]

Here's another good stat.

Brown shoots 7.7 3-pointers a game at a 35% clip
Acuff shoots 5.6 a game at 44%.

For 2-Point percentages

Brown shoots 5.5 2-pointers a game at .505
Acuff shoots 9.9 2-point attempts at .541

Acuff is actually shooting more shots in aggregate ... and making more of them.

It matches.   When I have seen him, I say often "man that is a tough shot he is taking".  Even when he makes it.   


Again, he could be the best of the bunch.  It is sort of silly for me to make a snap judgement off a two games.   Atlhough I guess that is what message boards are for.   I think I am going to have some doubt with the excitement of anyone they take in the 7-9 range.    I think some will outpeform during their career, while others will struggle to secure a big second contract.  

Speaking of Acuff, lets say he is measured at 6'2 in shoes.   Time will tell how long Kyrie stays in Dallas, but for this purpose lets say he finishes his contract here (and maybe more).  Is there anyway that Acuff and Kyrie could play together?   Maybe not quite as tall as Maxey and VJ, but similar.  Could you pair them with tall wings and a defensive center and just cause teams fits with spread and dish offense?

[Chicagojk]

Finley at Houston vs Kansas game last night

https://x.com/MavsFilmRoom/status/2026136349510611363

[Winter]

Speaking of Acuff, lets say he is measured at 6'2 in shoes.   Time will tell how long Kyrie stays in Dallas, but for this purpose lets say he finishes his contract here (and maybe more).  Is there anyway that Acuff and Kyrie could play together?   Maybe not quite as tall as Maxey and VJ, but similar.  Could you pair them with tall wings and a defensive center and just cause teams fits with spread and dish offense?

I wouldn't want to do that, but I guess you'd have to see if the offense outweighs the defense.

I see could easily see Acuff coming off the bench for Kyrie, but we're probably ahead of ourselves at this point.

[vfromlmf]

Spent some time digging into the Guards and Wagler is really starting to separate. He's not the second best player in this draft but if the Mavs were drafting today and Dybantsa is out of reach, Wagler is the guy I'm targeting in our draft range. Basketball IQ, size and playing style stand out. Other guards may be more explosive in transition but Wagler will be able to play in the half court. Not sure if it's been mentioned by scouts but he looks to have some lower body strength that will serve him well. Agree with the Halliburton comp.

[mvossman]

I wouldn't want to do that, but I guess you'd have to see if the offense outweighs the defense.

I see could easily see Acuff coming off the bench for Kyrie, but we're probably ahead of ourselves at this point.

You would have to play them together some.  I would want Acuff getting at least 20 minutes a game as a rookie, and probably a lot more than that.  As someone who has expressed fit concerns with Flagg, you can't worry about that at all for a 34 year old PG.  Acuff lack of size is a concern in general, but I am not going to let fit with Kyrie have any impact on whether to draft him or not.