2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

Legit questions if Mara is going to be able to guard when teams spread out but he is a skilled big man. In a sort of a weak center draft at the top it will be interesting where he falls

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV30O2SDj...Z3NjV2Y3c=

[Chicagojk]

I think Acuff has some Marburg to him. Maybe some college Deron Williams too. Williams was bigger by a few inches but both have that bulky build.

I think the pure point guard is a dying breed in the nba. Teams are going to 3-4 creators on the court and doing it as a group. When looking at point guards, I want to see how they impact the game when they are not scoring. Acuff does a good job getting others involved and giving the ball up. His size makes it tough for him to play different roles though.

[Winter]

I went to school at Arkansas, and watch them when I can.

Acuff truly impacts Arkansas in every way. They are just not that good of a team without him. Meleek Thomas is a second rounder in my opinion. Same with Billy Richmond. This is about Calipari and Acuff. How far Arkansas goes is determined by those two. Calipari's success rate with guards is so well known, that he has just signed one of the best PGs in next year's draft as well.

How Acuff will play in the NBA may be determined by someone like Kidd. I think he'll do well wherever he is, but that seems like a good match to me.

[Chicagojk]

Virginia's top scorer this year is a 6'9 freshman named De Ridder.   He is built like a football linebacker.   He didn't play well yesterday but I thought if he is a freshman, than wow.   Well it turns out he is a freshman but he is 23 years old.   So does that mean he could be playing college basketball at 27?

[vfromlmf]

Gump asked in another thread why I think Lebaron Philon has Jrue Holiday upside so answering here.

If the Mavs draft 7th I'm taking Philon.

1. Alabama Coach Preston Murphy was asked for an NBA comparison for Philon and he said Jrue Holiday
2. Philon himself agreed with the comp
3. Elite point-of-attack defense, high STL% (2.8%) and BLK% (2.2%) for a guard.
4. Physicality, plays with an edge. Best hands in the class at the point of attack. (Where Flemings relies on pure athleticism to recover, Philon uses anticipation and feel to stay glued to his assignment, which translates better to the NBA.)
5. Primary initiator with strong playmaking efficiency, 5 AST/game. 1.1 pts per possession in PnR.
6. Elite handle, maybe best in class.
7. Half court execution and three level scoring. Finishing at the rim improved from 54% as a freshman to 67% as a sophomore.
8. Elite Size for a PG at 6'4" 185 with 6' 7" wingspan and good frame to add strength (Holiday 6'4" 205). Can guard multiple positions and play with Kyrie or Christie on or off ball.

https://www.si.com/college/alabama/baske...jn2khat8kk

[vfromlmf]

Also, to be fair, Philon needs to add strength and consistency on defense. If he were a sure fire Holiday clone he'd go before Flemings. I posted my board in tiers above. Here it is in rank-order format. Obviously all subject to change after the Tournament.

MAVS DRAFT BOARD
1. Peterson
2. Dybantsa
3. Boozer
4. Wilson
5. Flemings
6. Brown Jr
7. Philon
8. Acuff
9. Wagler
10. Burries

[vfromlmf]

I went to school at Arkansas, and watch them when I can.

Acuff truly impacts Arkansas in every way. They are just not that good of a team without him. Meleek Thomas is a second rounder in my opinion. Same with Billy Richmond. This is about Calipari and Acuff. How far Arkansas goes is determined by those two. Calipari's success rate with guards is so well known, that he has just signed one of the best PGs in next year's draft as well.

How Acuff will play in the NBA may be determined by someone like Kidd. I think he'll do well wherever he is, but that seems like a good match to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLie1coEyuw

[KillerLeft]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLie1coEyuw

High praise, indeed. 

The Iverson comparisons from yesterday got my attention, that's for sure. My initial reaction was "pump the brakes," but if there's any validity to that comp, whatsoever, that's the guy the Mavs need. If Iverson had been even a little bit more of a put together human being, he'd probably be thought of as a top-10 all time guy. Dominant is an understatement (at his peak, at least). 

Also, I keep coming back to the idea that all of our experience as Mavs fans has been building around offensive superstars who were questionable on defense for one reason or another. I really, truly don't think we've got our heads fully wrapped around the differences in store for us during the Cooper Flagg era. If anything, it's OFFENSE we need to be worried about, at least until we see a team on the floor that works in the half court, offensively. That's non-negotiable, and I think we're taking it as a given that they'll figure that part out. I'm not so sure. I bring this up to say that, while I might end up being wrong, a Jrue Holiday type would NOT be the type of player I'd be looking for at this point, necessarily. Great guy to have, for sure, but not as custom made for a Flagg team as he would have been for a Dirk/Luka type team, imho.

[vfromlmf]

Watching SEC Championship. At the half. Acuff doesn’t play defense but if you told me he’ll be an All Star who averages 25+ ppg I’d believe you. He plays nothing like Kyrie (other than shot making) but he plays with a similar level of force, meaning he does some things you just can’t stop.

I mentioned before, I watched a game earlier in the season and Acuff was terrible, until the game was in doubt and he absolutely dominated the close. You do get the sense that’s the type of player he’ll be in the NBA. He can take over a game.

[F Gump]

I think Acuff is the guy who can dependably create offense in bunches, but he's also going to dominate the ball a lot. So there's a roster-planning issue of what you think you need, or what style of offense you envision.

If Acuff (who is talked about a lot, but has size issues) is Iverson, or Nash, or Brunson ....
And if Philon (who no one is really obsessing over) is Jrue ....
And if there are several others (especially Flemings) that are thought to be about as good (and might be better) ....

...then it's a no-lose situation to be in, to be picking one of those.

[SwisherPrice]

Acuff can score whenever and wherever he wants to. If he is a young Brandon Williams except with a 3-point shot then sign me up!

[Winter]

He just finished playing as Arkansas beats Vanderbilt by 11 points.

Acuff had 30 points and 11 assists. He was 5-8 of 3-pointers. I believe I read where he is the first player since Pete Maravich to lead the SEC conference in points and assists.

[Mavs03]

I want Acuff in Dallas. I hear the comparisons of Lilliard and Brunson and I can see why.

Acuff, Cooper, Christie and a healthy Lively would be a formidable team. Throw in the depth players of PJ, Marshall, and Gafford and that team would challenge for a top 4 spot in the West. Oh yeah, we would have Kyrie back with the team.

[vfromlmf]

Acuff took over the game by making threes and getting his guys open looks which they made.

He could go anywhere 4-6 and I wouldn’t be surprised.

[SwisherPrice]

Brazile will make a nice 2nd round pick too...he could be an effective role player as stretch 4

[Mavs03]

Acuff took over the game by making threes and getting his guys open looks which they made.

He could go anywhere 4-6 and I wouldn’t be surprised.

100% agree.  In fact, this may sound blasphemous to some on the board, but let's say we win the lottery and get the #1 pick.  Are you picking Boozer, Dybantsa or Peterson and not looking back?  Or would you consider moving down a few spots, acquire future draft capital and get Acuff who I think would be a great fit with Flagg, Christie and Lively?

[Winter]

100% agree.  In fact, this may sound blasphemous to some on the board, but let's say we win the lottery and get the #1 pick.  Are you picking Boozer, Dybantsa or Peterson and not looking back?  Or would you consider moving down a few spots, acquire future draft capital and get Acuff who I think would be a great fit with Flagg, Christie and Lively?

Not with those players at the top of the board.

[mvossman]

I think Acuff is the guy who can dependably create offense in bunches, but he's also going to dominate the ball a lot. So there's a roster-planning issue of what you think you need, or what style of offense you envision.

He probably will dominate the ball a lot, because he is that good on offense.  From a fit perspective, this team was built around a ball dominate player, and I think Flagg will benefit as much as anybody from having someone else on the court taking that much attention.  On the other hand, I don't think Acuff is going to be like Luka where he needs to have the ball in his hands.  He is an elite catch and shoot three point shooter and should be just fine off ball where it makes sense.

[Scott41theMavs]

Whee, this is fun!

Now lose.

[DallasMaverick]

Whee, this is fun!

Now lose.

Red hot from the field.