2026 NBA draft thread

[mvossman]

Isn’t Burries wingspan a negative for his height?  Some of the smaller guards have his wingspan. Am I reading it wrong?

Its a little short, but he was taller and heavier than expected so a wash at worst.  I think defensively he is going to be a lot like a Lowry or VanVleet, two guys who are significantly shorter than Burries with a significantly shorter wingspan than Burries (and yet both were plus defenders).  I bring those two up because they are guys Masai ran with for many years.

[Winter]

Even Wagler has about the same wingspan as Burries. It's Flemings that stands out as almost 3" too short.

[KillerLeft]

Even Wagler has the same wingspan as Burries. It's Flemings that stands out as too short.

And much like Desmond Bane (who I believe even more length-challenged) I hope that causes him to fall to the Mavs, because he might be the best guard in this class when the dust clears.

[mvossman]

Even Wagler has the same wingspan as Burries. It's Flemings that stands out as too short.

I am struggling with Flemings wingspan.  He is 1/2 inch taller than Acuff and supposedly 3.5 inches shorter wingspan, yet supposedly they have the same standing reach.  I guess maybe Acuff is 2.5 inches wider?  That seems like a lot.

[Winter]

And much like Desmond Bane (who I believe even more length-challenged) I hope that causes him to fall to the Mavs, because he might be the best guard in this class when the dust clears.

 
He might very well be the better PG out of the group. 

I'm just not sold on any of them as a Mavs pick.

[mvossman]

And much like Desmond Bane (who I believe even more length-challenged) I hope that causes him to fall to the Mavs, because he might be the best guard in this class when the dust clears.

Bane was dinged for wingspan (most notably by the Gambler) but it was still longer than Flemings.  He was also taller and much bulkier.  Of course we are comparing a shooting guard to a point guard, but I have to admit that the Flemings numbers are concerning.  He can make up for some of it with elite athleticism, but he may not be a plus defender.

[dirkfansince1998]

For comparisation: height/wingspan

Jrue Holiday 6'3.25" 6'7"
Derrick Rose 6'1.5" 6'8"
Russell Westbrook 6'2.25" 6.7.75
Eric Bledsoe 6'0.25 6'7.5"
Kyrie Irving 6'1.75" 6'4"
Stephen Curry 6'2" 6'3.5"
Kemba Walker 5'11.5" 6'3.5"
Damian Lillard 6'1.75" 6.'7.75"
Marcus Smart 6'2" 6'9.25"
TJ McConnell 6'0.5" 6.2"
Derrick White 6'3.25" 6'7.5"
De'Aaron Fox 6'2" 6'6.5"
Trae Young 6'0.5" 6'3"
Jalen Brunson 6'1" 6'4"
Lu Dort 6'2.75" 6'8.5" (this one really suprised me)

[mvossman]

For comparisation: height/wingspan

Jrue Holiday 6'3.25" 6'7"
Derrick Rose 6'1.5" 6'8"
Russell Westbrook 6'2.25" 6.7.75
Eric Bledsoe 6'0.25 6'7.5"
Kyrie Irving 6'1.75" 6'4"
Stephen Curry 6'2" 6'3.5"
Kemba Walker 5'11.5" 6'3.5"
Damian Lillard 6'1.75" 6.'7.75"
Marcus Smart 6'2" 6'9.25"
TJ McConnell 6'0.5" 6.2"
Derrick White 6'3.25" 6'7.5"
De'Aaron Fox 6'2" 6'6.5"
Trae Young 6'0.5" 6'3"
Jalen Brunson 6'1" 6'4"
Lu Dort 6'2.75" 6'8.5" (this one really suprised me)

So Flemings is a slighter taller Curry or Kyrie.  Probably not a great fit with Kyrie on the floor.

[KillerLeft]

Bane was dinged for wingspan (most notably by the Gambler) but it was still longer than Flemings.  He was also taller and much bulkier.  Of course we are comparing a shooting guard to a point guard, but I have to admit that the Flemings numbers are concerning.  He can make up for some of it with elite athleticism, but he may not be a plus defender.

Interesting. I thought I remembered Bane having a literal NEGATIVE wingspan, but could be wrong. FLemings' isn't negative, it's just not as freakish as the others (in a deep draft).

[dirkfansince1998]

Interesting. I thought I remembered Bane having a literal NEGATIVE wingspan, but could be wrong. FLemings' isn't negative, it's just not as freakish as the others (in a deep draft).

Combine participation wasn't mandatory when Bane was drafted (only since 2024). He skipped it so we don't have any official data. But him having t-rex arms was definitely a big story (Kamm wasn't a fan...).

[dirkfansince1998]

Looking at some of the rumors/leaks from ongoing drills.

Johnson Jr is a freak athlet. Quicker and more explosive than most wings.
Koa Peat with a brickfest in the shooting drills.

[KillerLeft]

Combine participation wasn't mandatory when Bane was drafted (only since 2024). He skipped it so we don't have any official data. But him having t-rex arms was definitely a big story (Kamm wasn't a fan...).

I remember Kamm praying, in live time, that Dallas wouldn't take him at their second pick. He was so happy when Memphis traded up to snag him one pick before, lol. 

I also remember thinking about twice a year ever since how much smoother the Luka era would've gone had they just taken him not only then (second pick) but instead of Josh Green for their first pick, even.

Sometimes, you just have to trust that the best basketball player is the right choice and choose to overlook some of these measurables.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/isaaclharris/status/205399...28788?s=61

Anderson with a good vertical and shooting drills.

[Chicagojk]

I have no idea what to do with Karin Lopez

https://x.com/isaaclharris/status/205397...00417?s=61

https://x.com/draftexpress/status/205393...77244?s=61

Just turned 19

[mvossman]

Interesting. I thought I remembered Bane having a literal NEGATIVE wingspan, but could be wrong. FLemings' isn't negative, it's just not as freakish as the others (in a deep draft).

I mean his wingspan was roughly the same as his height without shoes (so negative relative to his height with shoes) but he is taller than Flemings so his wingspan was still longer.  There are definitely some high level defenders in the NBA with small wingspans, but generally those are guys with some bulk who play with strength, but don't think that really applies to Flemings.

[Dirknows]

I have no idea what to do with Karin Lopez

https://x.com/isaaclharris/status/205397...00417?s=61

https://x.com/draftexpress/status/205393...77244?s=61

Just turned 19

I’m starting to look into him and I’m liking what I’m finding. He is an athletic freak for sure, strong too.

[F Gump]

Bane reported measurements (he did not get measured at the combine)
Height 6-6 (probably with shoes)
Wingspan 6-4.25

[SwisherPrice]

I'll reserve judgment until we find out the hand measurements. Anyone with below-average hand size for their position will be a red flag for me!

Big hands (and long enough arms) can be the great equalizer. Allows a guard to play much bigger (ex: Josh Hart and Gary Payton II)

[Winter]

I’m starting to look into him and I’m liking what I’m finding. He is an athletic freak for sure, strong too.

I get the athletic freak part too, but it's just hard to know about his basketball acumen when he's playing in New Zealand.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/marcjspears/status/2053975...41715?s=46