2026 NBA draft thread

[Scott41theMavs]

I think you are reading too much into a team that knows the organization has no interest in winning right now.  

PJ started and played third most minutes on a team that went to the finals.  He has a history of playing to his team's level.

The purpose of the AD trade was to give them a lot of flexibility this coming offseason.  They will have the full MLE, the TE, the ability to take on salary in trades and added several minor assets.  Between Kyrie, Lively, lottery pick, late first pick, MLE and any other moves they make this team will look very different than it does right now.

Sure on your final graph. But 2021 was talking about the current team (i.e. "way better than their record").

Your point about PJ is astute, but I would consider him, for better or for worse, the single Maverick Most Likely to Be Traded at this point due to the overlap with Cooper. We seem to agree he's in no way playing like a guy who would start for any contending NBA team this year. In terms of next year, I would add "whatever we get in trade for PJ and other outgoings" to your list.

[Chicagojk]

Don’t see that comparison.

https://x.com/sleeper_hoops/status/20397...56771?s=61

[mvossman]

Don’t see that comparison.

https://x.com/sleeper_hoops/status/20397...56771?s=61

Nope.  They are not close.

[Chicagojk]

Acuff may never be a passable defender.  Time will tell.   Although, you need to recognize he is still young and he was asked to carry a heavy load on offense and almost outscore teams.   Sure he will never be Jrue Holiday. Although do you really think teams would dismiss a Dame Lillard or Jalen Brunson. It is not an either or imo. You find good, smart players. Fill in the holes of things missing or weaknesses and go from there.


https://x.com/thenbabase/status/2039712906447925745?s=46&t=Fmdr94oXagcEyy75KJqaFg

[KillerLeft]

Don’t see that comparison.

https://x.com/sleeper_hoops/status/20397...56771?s=61

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing, because I haven't watched Boozer enough to form a strong opinion, but if you go past the headline you'll see that the comparison isn't about play style, it's about accomplished, polished, productive winners being doubted going into the draft due to skepticism over athletic ability.

[mvossman]

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing, because I haven't watched Boozer enough to form a strong opinion, but if you go past the headline you'll see that the comparison isn't about play style, it's about accomplished, polished, productive winners being doubted going into the draft due to skepticism over athletic ability.

Which is fair.  But the big difference is that Luka was an elite creator.  I think he took just as much hit from being European as from limited athleticism.  Boozer is an elite post player and rebounder and a great overall player, but he does not have the same creation upside as Luka did (or even some of the guys in his draft class like Peterson and Dybantsa).

[From Dirk to SCREW YOU Nico]

I think you are reading too much into a team that knows the organization has no interest in winning right now.  

PJ started and played third most minutes on a team that went to the finals.  He has a history of playing to his team's level.

The purpose of the AD trade was to give them a lot of flexibility this coming offseason.  They will have the full MLE, the TE, the ability to take on salary in trades and added several minor assets.  Between Kyrie, Lively, lottery pick, late first pick, MLE and any other moves they make this team will look very different than it does right now.

We all HOPE you are right.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Who do you like to win in the Final Four and why ("for amusement purposes only")?

[Scott41theMavs]

Who do you like to win in the Final Four and why ("for amusement purposes only")?

Don't give a rat's, aside from how Wagler, Burries, Mullins, and Lendeborg perform.

[Winter]

I wish the Arizona-Michigan game was a finals game instead of a semi-final. I think those two teams are one and two.

[Chicagojk]

For other draft sickos out there.

https://x.com/all_things_mavs/status/204...83290?s=61

[Mavs2021]

For other draft sickos out there.

https://x.com/all_things_mavs/status/204...83290?s=61

Been saying that for a while. I don´t think Miami is good enough and they won´t let the Blazers or Clippers overtake them for play-in homecourt. 45th pick could be possible. There are a few interesting international players or seniors projected in that range. They should definitely take the swing for Flagg over re-signing somebody like Middleton. Jaden Bradley could be the defensive stopper we need in our backcourt, offering something different to literally every other guard on our roster.

[DanSchwartzgan]

They probably won't use a roster spot for the mid 2nd.  Either a two-way or an overseas stash.

Nembhart or BWill probably comes down to whether BWill commands more than the minimum.  Either is probably your 3rd PG, so not of major consequence.

Has Cisse earned a roster spot?  Or, does he return as a two-way?  I hope he returns either way, but much will depend on...

Bagley has probably earned a raise.  But, I wouldn't go above the BAE at $5.5mm.  I like having his offense off the bench and his 3-point shooting is intriguing (though I fear he gives up points just as fast as he scores them).  Still, he provides value on a team with so many other injury prone options.  I'd be happy with Bagley-BAE and Cisse-2 Way.  I'd also be happy with Cisse and a pick somehow occupying both slots.  The possibility of trading Gafford and the outlook for Lively's health also play a role here.  BTW, what does Boston do with NG Queta (who will be UFA in 27) and UFA Vucevic this summer?  

I'm not sure who out there is worthy of a full MLE contract.  My favorite player is probably Dosunmu, but I don't see that one if we draft a guard.  My argument for retaining Middleton is based on 1. You have Bird rights and don't have to use any of the MLE on him.  2.  You can create a veteran expiring contract to go out with Klay in a TDL deal in early 2027.  There is room to give Middleton pretty good money and still leave room under the cap for use of the MLE or the TPE later.  I'm not opposed to letting Middleton walk and using the MLE.  I just don't see it in a world where we don't have a GM yet.

In fact, other than the draft, I suspect the summer will be devoid of exciting big swings.  The likelihood is the new GM will need evaluation time once he arrives and flexibility will be prioritized.  Absent a no-brainer signing at the $15mm MLE or a no brainer S&T using the $21mm TPE, I don't see a significant add this summer.  I see the next big swing coming in Jan/Feb, which is why I'm not opposed to keeping Middleton on the right contract.  The priority isn't playoff position in 26/27.  The priority is the path to adding assets who will be valuable members of the roster when Flagg is in his early 20's.

[mvossman]

They probably won't use a roster spot for the mid 2nd.  Either a two-way or an overseas stash.

Nembhart or BWill probably comes down to whether BWill commands more than the minimum.  Either is probably your 3rd PG, so not of major consequence.

Has Cisse earned a roster spot?  Or, does he return as a two-way?  I hope he returns either way, but much will depend on...

Bagley has probably earned a raise.  But, I wouldn't go above the BAE at $5.5mm.  I like having his offense off the bench and his 3-point shooting is intriguing (though I fear he gives up points just as fast as he scores them).  Still, he provides value on a team with so many other injury prone options.  I'd be happy with Bagley-BAE and Cisse-2 Way.  I'd also be happy with Cisse and a pick somehow occupying both slots.  The possibility of trading Gafford and the outlook for Lively's health also play a role here.  BTW, what does Boston do with NG Queta (who will be UFA in 27) and UFA Vucevic this summer?  

I'm not sure who out there is worthy of a full MLE contract.  My favorite player is probably Dosunmu, but I don't see that one if we draft a guard.  My argument for retaining Middleton is based on 1. You have Bird rights and don't have to use any of the MLE on him.  2.  You can create a veteran expiring contract to go out with Klay in a TDL deal in early 2027.  There is room to give Middleton pretty good money and still leave room under the cap for use of the MLE or the TPE later.  I'm not opposed to letting Middleton walk and using the MLE.  I just don't see it in a world where we don't have a GM yet.

In fact, other than the draft, I suspect the summer will be devoid of exciting big swings.  The likelihood is the new GM will need evaluation time once he arrives and flexibility will be prioritized.  Absent a no-brainer signing at the $15mm MLE or a no brainer S&T using the $21mm TPE, I don't see a significant add this summer.  I see the next big swing coming in Jan/Feb, which is why I'm not opposed to keeping Middleton on the right contract.  The priority isn't playoff position in 26/27.  The priority is the path to adding assets who will be valuable members of the roster when Flagg is in his early 20's.

I think its hard to predict this kind of thing without knowing what happens in the lottery.  That pick could have a huge impact on the roster.  If they get top 4, there is a good chance they end up with a forward/big, bringing them back to similar roster imbalances they started the season with.  In that scenario they would really need to move one of PJ/Naji and probably look to pick up one of the 6th man options with the MLE.

Regardless, I hope there is more movement than you are suggesting.  This roster needs a lot of changes and it would be really frustrating to watch this organization squander the flexibility they traded away AD for.  If nothing else, I would much rather take a shot with the MLE than spend some of that space on a 35 year old Middleton.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I think its hard to predict this kind of thing without knowing what happens in the lottery.  That pick could have a huge impact on the roster.  If they get top 4, there is a good chance they end up with a forward/big, bringing them back to similar roster imbalances they started the season with.  In that scenario they would really need to move one of PJ/Naji and probably look to pick up one of the 6th man options with the MLE.

Regardless, I hope there is more movement than you are suggesting.  This roster needs a lot of changes and it would be really frustrating to watch this organization squander the flexibility they traded away AD for.  If nothing else, I would much rather take a shot with the MLE than spend some of that space on a 35 year old Middleton.

I agree with the first paragraph.  A top four pick changes everything and requires an additional guard whether it be via trade or signing.  Even if a good guard option is available in the late first, I don't think you rely on that as your primary backup at the position.

I don't think of it as squandering as much as I think of it as preserving flexibility.  Who is this magical player who will sign here for the MLE that a team without a GM (or one who has been on the job for five minutes) is going to commit to?  Manufacturing tradeable expiring salary will feel important later in the season when the new (expert) GM has had time to evaluate the roster and plan a path forward.

[Mavs2021]

I agree with the first paragraph.  A top four pick changes everything and requires an additional guard whether it be via trade or signing.  Even if a good guard option is available in the late first, I don't think you rely on that as your primary backup at the position.

I don't think of it as squandering as much as I think of it as preserving flexibility.  Who is this magical player who will sign here for the MLE that a team without a GM (or one who has been on the job for five minutes) is going to commit to?  Manufacturing tradeable expiring salary will feel important later in the season when the new (expert) GM has had time to evaluate the roster and plan a path forward.

They trusted Finley/Riccardi to move that sloth AD and if the new GM is not in place for free agency, he´s not in place for the draft either. That means Finley/Riccardi have already made two decisions much bigger than whether to spend the MLE on Sexton or Simons. Neither will settle for the MLE in the first week of free agency either. That´s a late July decision, so no pre-free agency deal will be in place.

All that being said the new decision-maker will be in place for the draft. I think it´s going to be Lindsey and they know that already. Only question is whether Finley or Riccardi will be the official GM. I assume it will be Riccardi with Finley as Team Manager.

[Mavs2021]

I can´t get over the fact that Peja´s son can´t shoot.

[DallasMaverick]

I can´t get over the fact that Peja´s son can´t shoot.

It was a generation-skipping skill.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

If basketball doesn't work out, it seems like Solo Ball could be the spokesperson for testicular cancer.

[Winter]

Wagler's lack of muscle is a problem. He uses his body well, but he's going to get pushed around in the NBA.

Mullins is pretty scrappy for his weight, and he hunts that 3-point shot. You can't give him any space. He'd just dying to take it.