2026 NBA draft thread

[Chicagojk]

Ament declares.

https://x.com/sam_vecenie/status/2047467...53193?s=61

[Chicagojk]

Haven't gone thru these but this guy has some good draft reviews for different prospects.

https://www.youtube.com/@derek-parker

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Since the board is really dead now...

FWIW, as of Thursday afternoon, neither Peterson nor Boozer has declared for the draft, yet. They still have until 11:59pm EDT Friday, to declare. Wonder what's holding them back?

Any chance Boozer wants to give it another shot with his brother at Duke?

Maybe DP isn't ready for NBA lights yet? He seemed a little skittish during his season at Kansas.

If one, or both, stay in school, then the draft loses some of its luster.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4858...son-kansas



Peterson just declared today.

[dirkfansince1998]

Haven't gone thru these but this guy has some good draft reviews for different prospects.

https://www.youtube.com/@derek-parker

https://draftballr.com/

For the nerds. All you could ever ask for. Boxscore stats and metrics, +/- based metrics, tracking data, shot charts and much more.

[Scott41theMavs]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4858...son-kansas



Peterson just declared today.

That leaves Boozer and Burries as the top 9-ers who have yet to declare.

[Chicagojk]

Any news on Arenas?  He will be a polarizing prospect.   Former top recruit.  Looks the part.  Got injured in a car accident, had surgery and came back for the final 13 games.   In those games he did not try to blend in.  Shot a lot and missed a lot.   Son of former NBA player Gilbert.   I don't think I can get there at 30 with him.   He is talented though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXEk6dvnDac&t=147s

[dirkfansince1998]

What's the board consensus on impact metric darlings like Allen Graves or Rafael Castro?
At first glance Graves looks like the perfect 3&D wing. But I still have some concerns about his role (limited minutes off the bench) and his high foul rate. Biggest limitation was his inability to stay on the floor. He has been all over the place on draft boards. Could sneak into the lottery or drop into the second round (or not declare at all).
Castro has the best stocks/foul-ratio in college basketball. Older prospect with no real offensive skill. But his help defense is a game changer. Wasn't even on the radar a few weeks ago but in recent mock drafts he sneaks into the 2nd round.

[dirkfansince1998]

Any news on Arenas?  He will be a polarizing prospect.   Former top recruit.  Looks the part.  Got injured in a car accident, had surgery and came back for the final 13 games.   In those games he did not try to blend in.  Shot a lot and missed a lot.   Son of former NBA player Gilbert.   I don't think I can get there at 30 with him.   He is talented though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXEk6dvnDac&t=147s

Based on his small college sample size he would be lucky to get a camp invite this summer. If there ever was a player that should use the opportunity to return to college it's him. Needs to prove that he is still the same player that was viewed as one of the top prospects in highschool.

[Chicagojk]

Based on his small college sample size he would be lucky to get a camp invite this summer. If there ever was a player that should use the opportunity to return to college it's him. Needs to prove that he is still the same player that was viewed as one of the top prospects in highschool.

He should definitely go to back to college.  Although I read his dad is in favor of getting to the pros fast so you can get those second and third contracts earlier.  nIL opportunities may have changed that though.

Although when you are top recruit and just envision being a one and done, sometimes it is hard to change that in your mind.

[Scott41theMavs]

That leaves Boozer and Burries as the top 9-ers who have yet to declare.

The other fairly big names who haven't announced yet are Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, Motiejus Krivas, and Tyler Tanner.

[Chicagojk]

Dame Sarr back to Duke.  Was wondering about this one.   Duke got a high profile transfer and also has another top class coming in.   Sarr is not ready so it is a good move imo.   Although, he was one of the guys I had on my short list at 30.

[Chicagojk]

[Norlander] NEWS—Henri Veesaar is leaving UNC and intends to stay in the NBA Draft, source told @CBSSports. Avgd 17.0 pts, 8.7 rebs, shot ~42% from 3. Big domino on this NCAA draft declaration deadline day. Veesaar a potential 1st-rounder but will leave a big NIL? on the table as a result


************
Not really a consideration for me at 30.  Had a good year though.  Sort of surprised he did not go back.  It will be interesting to see where he falls.

[Scott41theMavs]

The other fairly big names who haven't announced yet are Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, Motiejus Krivas, and Tyler Tanner.

Morez declared per CBS Sports.

[Scott41theMavs]

Anybody home? Good grief. Boozer is in. And Burries. And Mara. And Tanner. No word on Krivas yet.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://247sports.com/college/michigan/s...nkey=24042


Michigan is reloading via the transfer portal.

[Winter]

What's the board consensus on impact metric darlings like Allen Graves or Rafael Castro?
At first glance Graves looks like the perfect 3&D wing. But I still have some concerns about his role (limited minutes off the bench) and his high foul rate. Biggest limitation was his inability to stay on the floor. He has been all over the place on draft boards. Could sneak into the lottery or drop into the second round (or not declare at all).
Castro has the best stocks/foul-ratio in college basketball. Older prospect with no real offensive skill. But his help defense is a game changer. Wasn't even on the radar a few weeks ago but in recent mock drafts he sneaks into the 2nd round.

Allen Graves is the winner of the "Cameron-Boozer-Look-Alike" contest. Even the hair. Just not as seasoned as Boozer. I like him, but he doesn't quite have the pedigree and consistency of Boozer. Definitely talented. He's not explosive at all, but has a lot of all-around talent.

Every time I look at Mock drafts now, I see players between 15-30 that look like better picks than those slotted between 6-15. I can't shake this. I see it almost every time I look at a mock draft. Part of the problem is that really good players are getting penalized for their age. Guys like like Lendeborg, Joshua Jefferson, Swain, Taris Reed, Karaban, and Momcilovoc look like they can contribute right away in some form... and to me look better than many players above them. But what do I know? All I have is Youtube.

It's going to be a confusing draft when the the players are sorted out, and I can't help but wonder in GMs have anything resembling what we see in the first round currently - especially after the top 5 are gone.

[Chicagojk]

Billy Richmond declared. Probably won’t be on my target list at 30 but is probably a late first/early second if he declares. His best basketball is ahead of him. The shooting is the thing that will determine if he is a functional NBa player.

[Chicagojk]

Anybody home? Good grief. Boozer is in. And Burries. And Mara. And Tanner. No word on Krivas yet.

Did Tanner declare?  I have said I would prefer a non center or small point guard at 30.  Although I think I will like Tanner, Anderson and the Stanford so much that I would even move up for them.  I think I will really like all three if they are in the draft.

[Winter]

Tanner declared.

[dirkfansince1998]

Did Tanner declare?  I have said I would prefer a non center or small point guard at 30.  Although I think I will like Tanner, Anderson and the Stanford so much that I would even move up for them.  I think I will really like all three if they are in the draft.

Really like Tanner. Same for Braden Smith. But I don't think modern NBA teams should have more than one (max two) tiny guards on the roster. Mavs already have Nembhard (assuming that Williams is gone). Personally I would happily give up on Nembhard if the Mavs can land one of the mentioned guys.