2026 NBA draft thread

[Smitty]

Really good means someone pretty darn close to starter material on a championship team. Max is not that. He played a lot of minutes on a tankathon team. Big deal.

He’s 22 years old my guy…

[windjc]

He’s 22 years old my guy…

What is your point? That doesn’t mean he has incredible upside. We need someone better and if Max becomes a 25 point scorer and creater and defensive stopper along the way then great.

[Dirknows]

I don't think Peterson will be setting up offense for others either.  I see his role as a primary offensive hub in the NBA (Kobe, MJ, ect) or an SG that can initiate offense from time to time.  Put him on the Mavs, I'm all about it.  They will need a Derek Fisher, John Paxson, BJ armstrong, Steve Kerr (off the ball shooter playing the point) to win a championship.  That role is easier to find.

I see the easiest way to unlock Flagg's offense is to get him a Chris Paul-type point guard (Acuff?) or do the above and put him in his ideal role as Scottie Pippen-like slasher/defender/scorer (SF/PF).

I think Flagg showed everyone last season his offensive ceiling is much higher than Scottie’s, more on the Kawhi/Tatum end of the spectrum. Not quite elite, but a notch below. And who knows, he’s still only 19.

[windjc]

I think Flagg showed everyone last season his offensive ceiling is much higher than Scottie’s, more on the Kawhi/Tatum end of the spectrum. Not quite elite, but a notch below. And who knows, he’s still only 19.

His ceiling is not quite elite? Jeebus. He broke all kinds of rookie scoring records last year. What is elite ceiling to you?

[mvossman]

Max was also 18 years old his freshman year. 2 years younger than Burries. I don’t really get this comparison between the two though. Max has developed into a really good off-ball guard at the highest level. Burries is a prospect that shows more than he did coming out of college, but who cares? Nobody knows what these guys will become when it’s all said and done.

The point is that Max is clearly not the player he was in college and Burries wont be either.  The 2 years in age difference is a good point, but I would argue that years of college experience is a bigger driver of development curve than age.

[Dirknows]

His ceiling is not quite elite? Jeebus. He broke all kinds of rookie scoring records last year. What is elite ceiling to you?

I meant elite scorer as in Luka/SGA automatic bucket type guys. And I was referencing his ceiling as a scorer, did you ever consider Kawhi or Tatum an elite scorer?

[Luka77]

https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/2064838125734567988

I will be surprised if he goes late first.  I think right outside the lottery him, Anderson and Stirtz will get close looks.  One will probably go late teens.  One may go late teens/early 20's.   Maybe one slips...my uneducated guess is Stirtz goes mid 20's.   I don't think Okorie is the one who slips.

One of these guys would be great in Derek Fisher, BJ Armstrong, Steve Kerr, ect role that I was talking about above.  Okorie would be my favorite for that type of role.  

The Mavs then may have to find their primary offensive SG at some other point.  This draft might be the one that gets them many of their complementary pieces, but not the all-star they are seeking.  

I think the worst thing the Mavs can do is try and force someone like Burries into a role they can't play (Primary on-ball creator or Primary off-ball scorer).

[Luka77]

So you think he is Max Christie based off his one college season.  Lets do a little comparison:

            Max                        Burries
Pts        9                            16
Rbs       3.5                          4.9
Ast        1.5                          2.4
Tov        1.5                          1.5
Stl          .5                           1.5
Blk         .5                            .5
3PA        3.5                          4.6
3P%       32%                        39%
TS%       49%                        62%
OBPM      .8                           6.0
DBPM      1.1                         5.7
BPM        1.9                         11.7

This was each players only year in college.  Do you see the difference?  Its glaring.  Clearly Max developed and became a better player than he was in college.  Honestly if you just look at his freshman season you wonder why any team drafted him (it was the second round) and why he didn't stay another year in college.  There is expectation that Burries will show a lot of improvement as well, but he is starting from a much higher place than Max did.  The scouts are not looking at Burries stat sheet when they say he could develop into a lead guard eventually.  There is room to grow.

He is a slightly better scorer (7 point/per game), playmaker (.9 better assists /game) and better rebounder (1.4 better/game) than a 19 y.o Christie in college.  

They are only approx. 2.5 years apart in age (2 years and 7 months), and Christie has already played 4 years in the NBA.  

I would guess if put Christie back in college at the same age, he would perform similarly to Burries.

At best, you can say Burries might be a slight upgrade over Christie overall as a prospect but I still don't see an offensive hub or primary creator that is being suggested now or in the future.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

Not a fan of Burries, but if all the other guards are taken, I'd be okay with him at 9.
Not excited, just okay-ish.

The thing that worries me is if the Mavs are presented with a choice of Burries and Flemmings and the Mavs went with Burries.
Not the end of the world type of disappointment, but still would be.

From all of what I have seen and heard of Flemmings is that this dude is cerebral, and you'd need that in a PG.
And in this draft, I'd like to walk away with a better PG than hoping for a good SG who can one day share PG duties.

[KillerLeft]

And it's not limited to the center. 5-out is the name of the game. Spurs scheme has Wemby playing off the worst shooter on the floor. OKC won two games because Caruso was able to punish the Spurs for leaving him open.

Case in point on display tonight. Foul trouble forced NY to play Sochan, who won’t even look at the rim with Wmbenyama 8 feet off of him. Consequently, the Knicks can’t even get a decent shot off.

[mvossman]

He is a slightly better scorer (7 point/per game), playmaker (.9 better assists /game) and better rebounder (1.4 better/game) than a 19 y.o Christie in college.  

They are only approx. 2.5 years apart in age (2 years and 7 months), and Christie has already played 4 years in the NBA.  

I would guess if put Christie back in college at the same age, he would perform similarly to Burries.

At best, you can say Burries might be a slight upgrade over Christie overall as a prospect but I still don't see an offensive hub or primary creator that is being suggested now or in the future.

The first sentence is completely ridiculous.  80% more scoring is "slightly better".  These numbers are not close as can most easily be seen by the box plus/minus where one guy is less than 2 and the other is almost 12.

I think you are overselling what Max is and underselling what Burries can be.  Clearly we are at a point to agree to disagree.

[mvossman]

Not a fan of Burries, but if all the other guards are taken, I'd be okay with him at 9.
Not excited, just okay-ish.

The thing that worries me is if the Mavs are presented with a choice of Burries and Flemmings and the Mavs went with Burries.
Not the end of the world type of disappointment, but still would be.

From all of what I have seen and heard of Flemmings is that this dude is cerebral, and you'd need that in a PG.
And in this draft, I'd like to walk away with a better PG than hoping for a good SG who can one day share PG duties.

I think there is a good chance they do go with Burries.  I'm guessing they like his physical size better and his positional versatility.  I was a little surprised that the Locked on Mavs guys both picked Burries over Flemings today.  I probably lean the other way, but I would be fine with either.

[Luka77]

The first sentence is completely ridiculous.  80% more scoring is "slightly better".  These numbers are not close as can most easily be seen by the box plus/minus where one guy is less than 2 and the other is almost 12.

I think you are overselling what Max is and underselling what Burries can be.  Clearly we are at a point to agree to disagree.

You do know that Christie also took 8.4 shots and 2.1 FTA per game compared to Burrie's 11 shots and 4.3 FTA per game.  Burries offensive role was vastly different than Christies in college.

[mvossman]

You do know that Christie also took 8.4 shots and 2.1 FTA per game compared to Burrie's 11 shots and 4.3 FTA per game.  Burries offensive role was vastly different than Christies in college.

Which make the massive difference in TS% (49 to 62) even more glaring.  Max was incredibly inefficient on low volume.

[Luka77]

I think Flagg showed everyone last season his offensive ceiling is much higher than Scottie’s, more on the Kawhi/Tatum end of the spectrum. Not quite elite, but a notch below. And who knows, he’s still only 19.

I can see that. If you like that comp better.  I wasn't using the Pipen comp as a one-to-one comparison, more of the style of play/role on a championship team.

If you like the Kawhi comp better, the Mavs will still need a VanVleet or Lowry level of PG (similar to the archetype I mentioned), OG, Siakam, and Gasol to surround Kawhi (i.e Flagg).

[ballsrchr]

I meant elite scorer as in Luka/SGA automatic bucket type guys. And I was referencing his ceiling as a scorer, did you ever consider Kawhi or Tatum an elite scorer?

I consider Kawhi as an elite diva shirker who only plays when he wants to...

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Anthony Slater: Warriors are working out Michigan wing Yaxel Lendeborg tomorrow at Chase Center. Older prospect, bigger wing who is a theoretical plug-and-play option. He is a real option for them at #11. A few other lottery prospects expected in SF next week.

x.com

[Winter]

A quick review of five of the latest mock drafts....

Morez Johnson seems likely be picked between 12-14 (four out of five mocks)
Burries was never picked above #9, but three of five mocks had him going to Dallas at #9.
Nate Ament went at #6 one one mock but the rest had him at #10 or below.
Most drafts had all the PG's going above #9, but Flemings, Brown, and Wagler each strayed south to #9 or below in one of five drafts.
Aday Mara went above #9 in three of five mock drafts. That was a bit of a surprise.
Philon went at #10 or below on all of them.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I consider Kawhi as an elite diva shirker who only plays when he wants to...

Oh, but when he plays, he's elite.

[Chicagojk]

is it bad that I don't really trust Masai on this and that he may mess up this draft?

Masai is a great GM, especially at making trades. But his drafting history to me leaves a lot to be desired. With the Nuggets he was in control of the 2011-2014 NBA drafts. The picks he made:

2011- Kenneth Faried (Again, a solid pick given the talent, but missed out on multiple notable players. Reggie Jackson, Jimmy Butler, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Chandler Parsons).
2012- Evan Fournier (Solid pick. B+. Missed out on Draymond and Khris Middleton, but a forgivable mistake)
2013- Traded 27th pick Rudy Gobert for the 46th pick Erick Green+Cash. (First massive major mistake of Masai's Denver tenure.  Their current C rotation was Mozgov and Javale McGee.)

Then he moved to Toronto. His drafts are as follows:

2014- Bruno Caboclo + Deandre Daniels. (The infamous 2 years away from 2 years away Bruno. Masai missed SEVERAL guys. Dwight Powell being one of them. Some others: Dinwiddie, Jerami Grant, Joe Harris, Jordan Clarkson, Clint Capela, oh and Jokic).
2015- Delon Wright. (solid pick, of course missed a couple of guys you could argue better, but nothing to really complain this year. BUT this draft will come back later.)
2016- Jakob Poeltl + Pascal Siakam. (the biggest grand slam of any draft year for Masai. Got an all star at the end of the draft and a very solid center).
2017- OG Anunoby (another grand slam back to back. Found Anunoby at the end of the 1st and set the Raptors up again well).
2018- None
2019- Dewane Hernandez (2nd to last pick of the draft. Honestly ignorable)
2020- Malachi Flynn + Jalen Harris (this was the COVID draft, where a lot of teams made some questionable choices, but he did miss here).
2021- Scottie Barnes+Blanton+David Johnson (In an incredible surprise move, he took Barnes very early, and it was a good draft all considering, it was considered a gamble, but it paid off well. The other two late 2nds didn't really amount to much at all.)
2022- Christian Koloklo ( A miss all things considering. Kamm was obsessed with this guy, but didn't pan out. Lots of other late 2nds. J-Dub, Max Christie, Jayden Hardy)
2023- Gradey Dick (a minor miss, but its still panning out).
2024- Ja'Kobe Walter (a moderate miss, but still panning out).
2025- Collin Murray Boyles (although it was reported that Masai did not handle this draft).


Overall, he's made some pretty poor drafting choices. But when he hits, he hits big. I suppose such is the way of the NBA draft, not sure why I have this pessimism. Its also easy to look back with hindsight and pick apart moves, but the Mavs are at an important juncture and they can't mess this up. Maybe it's just because I've become accustomed to the Mavs FO being incompetent over the years so I expect the worst. Plus, for whatever reason, the last 4 years of drafts by the Mavs were all run pretty damn well with solid scouting and picks. Lively trade, Hardy trade, Omax+Holmes trade for free, and of course Cooper Flagg sheer luck.

Masai's trades I'm excited for. We've seen time and again he can wheel and deal.

Trades:
2011- Carmelo trade.
2011- Traded Raymond Felton for Andre Miller
2012- Traded Aaron Afflalo+Al Harrington for Andre Igoudala
2014- Traded Bargnani for Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Quinten Richardson, NYK's 9th pick (Poeltl) + 2 2nds
2015- traded Greviez Vasquez for a future 1st (which ended up being OG Anunoby) and 46th pick, which was Norman Powell.
2017- traded Terrence Ross+a future FRP for Serge Ibaka
2018- Traded Derozan, Poeltl, and their 2019 FRP for Kawhi+Danny Green.
2021- Traded Kyle Lowry for Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic
2023- Traded OG, Achiuwa, and Flynn for RJ Barrett, Quickley and a 2024 2nd
2024- Traded Siakam for Bruce Brown, Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr and 3 FRPs

His trades are legendary. Draft not so much.

All of this ramble to say, I hope Masai is as good as advertised.

Masai has had a bit of a cold spell for a bit.   There may have been several reasons for that.    I think he will make the decisions, but will rely on Schmitz and others to allow him to make smart decisions by giving him good intel.   Time will tell.

I really liked what Schmitz said in one of his interviews.  He said how they are judged who they pick and that is fair of course.  He was discussing the full process though and having everything rated properly so you can handle when a draft night does not go your way.   Donnie will always have Dirk, Luka and Jalen on his resume.  That is a freaking great resume.   At the same time, supposedly Dallas never had a draft board when he ran the team.    It sort of checks out.  Donnie was great finding talent that would grow into all time greats, but some of the other work was missed and I think we saw this often.

I don't know how true this is, but I did hear this from Chad Ford recently.    Danny Ainge is one of the better GM's in league history.   His reputation is well deserved.   The Tatum draft pick was genius.    Chad Ford was saying that Ainge loved two players in that draft:  Tatum and Josh Jackson.  If Tatum was not available he would have gone with Jackson.    One is a hall of famer and the other is out of the league.  Sometimes that is the breaks.