2026 NBA draft thread

[Winter]

I'm ambivalent about every guard in the top 12, so if one is picked I will have no horse in the race. Burries is fine, but I won't complain about Brown or Flemings if either is picked.

I would probably prefer a trade if Johnson were in the mix, but I think that's unlikely.

[loki]

That's just weird. If you're not the opposing PG, I'm not defending you? Did he just say that?

I think he's saying he doesn't want to be hidden on someone else rather than guard the opposing PG if it's a tough cover.

[Winter]

I think he's saying he doesn't want to be hidden on someone else rather than guard the opposing PG if it's a tough cover.

That makes more sense, although video of his defense is pretty telling no matter who he covers.

[Scott41theMavs]

11 days until the first round.

[hakeemfaan]

If Burries can play the point then at his size he could end up being a home run of a pick. I’m just not sure he has the ability to run an offense. But, we may not even have the option to draft any of the pure point guards since we’re picking 9.

Absolutely.  

However, I am still hoping Flemings falls as I have him higher. 

I also don’t get why LaBaron is ranked a tier below the 2nd tier. Height wise he is right there. It’s just his weight that is a bit low. This is a guy who torched Michigan who might have 3 guys drafted in the top 20 mainly for their defense. I love watching his highlights

[KillerLeft]

Absolutely.  

However, I am still hoping Flemings falls as I have him higher. 

I also don’t get why LaBaron is ranked a tier below the 2nd tier. Height wise he is right there. It’s just his weight that is a bit low. This is a guy who torched Michigan who might have 3 guys drafted in the top 20 mainly for their defense. I  love watching his highlights

From what I've heard/read, Philion went through the draft combine last season and was told "you should go back to college and focus on putting on weight." He took the advice, but was only able to add like 3-5 lbs, leaving him in an even worse situation than before, as teams now don't believe he's able to put weight on.

[mvossman]

From what I've heard/read, Philion went through the draft combine last season and was told "you should go back to college and focus on putting on weight." He took the advice, but was only able to add like 3-5 lbs, leaving him in an even worse situation than before, as teams now don't believe he's able to put weight on.

It was actually less than 2 lbs.  His stock is still way higher than it was last year because he greatly improved on offense, but his defense went the other way and he couldn't put on weight.  It's why I think his future is 6th man.

[hakeemfaan]

From what I've heard/read, Philion went through the draft combine last season and was told "you should go back to college and focus on putting on weight." He took the advice, but was only able to add like 3-5 lbs, leaving him in an even worse situation than before, as teams now don't believe he's able to put weight on.

But he was a much better player this past year.  He worked on his shot   So it’s not like he didn’t improve. Some guys are going to be skinny but put them with a NBA training staff and they will pack on some weight in a few years. 

Also wrt his athleticism, as I said, he blitzed the national champs with 3 potential  NBA players and made them dance to his tunes. Not that you bought up his athleticism but that’s been another criticism against him.  Playing and dominating the big dogs should bump you up to the next tier but it doesn’t seem to have done much for his stock.

[hakeemfaan]

It was actually less than 2 lbs.  His stock is still way higher than it was last year because he greatly improved on offense, but his defense went the other way and he couldn't put on weight.  It's why I think his future is 6th man.

From what I read he became a much more focal point on offense but it’s not like he suddenly became a liability on defense . 

How many point guards who are great offensively in the NBA really play defense throughout?  As long as he has the ability he can’t  be targeted.   Also, as the Reddit thread said there are folks who criticize Burries as well as being overrated on defense. 

This is not to say you are wrong because universally Philon is considered in the next tier. I am just puzzled that someone who clearly is uber talented didn’t get a major bump up with how he played against UMich.

[Scott41theMavs]

From what I read he became a much more focal point on offense but it’s not like he suddenly became a liability on defense . 

How many point guards who are great offensively in the NBA really play defense throughout?  As long as he has the ability he can’t  be targeted.   Also, as the Reddit thread said there are folks who criticize Burries as well as being overrated on defense. 

This is not to say you are wrong because universally Philon is considered in the next tier. I am just puzzled that someone who clearly is uber talented didn’t get a major bump up with how he played against UMich.

Are you telling us that Philon is no pylon?

[dirkfansince1998]

Ignoring the on court performance. He went through the process. People told him what he needs to do. One year later he is back and wasn't able or willing to do. Did not add weight. Was just as bad in the athletic drills. Probably did not help his stock.

[KillerLeft]

Ignoring the on court performance. He went through the process. People told him what he needs to do. One year later he is back and wasn't able or willing to do. Did not add weight. Was just as bad in the athletic drills. Probably did not help his stock.

Right. The point is that they (the decision makers, not us) are worried that his frame isn't capable of adding weight, even with the help of an NBA training staff, and that seems to be why he's thought of as a tier below.

[mvossman]

From what I read he became a much more focal point on offense but it’s not like he suddenly became a liability on defense . 

How many point guards who are great offensively in the NBA really play defense throughout?  As long as he has the ability he can’t  be targeted.   Also, as the Reddit thread said there are folks who criticize Burries as well as being overrated on defense. 

This is not to say you are wrong because universally Philon is considered in the next tier. I am just puzzled that someone who clearly is uber talented didn’t get a major bump up with how he played against UMich.

I think its nearly impossible to not be a target in the NBA when you have a small frame/bulk and you don't have elite length or athleticism to make up for it.  The evidence is strong that he will not be able to fix any of those issues.

I think Burries defense is overrated in some corners.  He has a good chance to be a plus defender in the NBA, but he is getting compared to Derrick White (who is elite defensively) and I think that is overselling him on that side of the ball.

[hakeemfaan]

Yep. Ignoring the on court performance, the decision makers want to focus on lack of weight gain and lack of athleticism, neither of which stopped him from dominating the national champions.

[hakeemfaan]

I think its nearly impossible to not be a target in the NBA when you have a small frame/bulk and you don't have elite length or athleticism to make up for it.  The evidence is strong that he will not be able to fix any of those issues.

I think Burries defense is overrated in some corners.  He has a good chance to be a plus defender in the NBA, but he is getting compared to Derrick White (who is elite defensively) and I think that is overselling him on that side of the ball.

For me the biggest concern with him would have been if he were short. He is pretty tall for a PG. 

Given that he has shown clearly that he can be a lead guard as opposed to Burries, who we have to project and guess, I am just surprised how he is totally not in that conversation at 9. Especially when  talent is not a question with him.

[DallasMaverick]

Yep. Ignoring the on court performance, the decision makers want to focus on lack of weight gain and lack of athleticism, neither of which stopped him from dominating the national champions.

From all the scouting reports back in the day, Jalen Brunson’s defense and lack of athleticism will almost certainly relegate him to the bench, as well.

[Mavs2021]

I have really given up thinking about that 9th pick. We´ll get, who we´ll get. I´m more interested in those Hawks/Lakers Gafford rumours, cause I´m worried the "steals" will happen in that 17-25 range (Steinbach, Anderson, Okorie, Peat, Quaintance, Cenac Jr. etc.) and that 30 is kind too late for all those guys. I have no idea who, but I think there will be two future All-Stars hidden in that range, whereas with #30, I feel dead inside. Maybe you get a rotational player, if you pick a senior. No interest at all in the international hype jobs like Suigo or Kayil.

[dirkfansince1998]

For me the biggest concern with him would have been if he were short. He is pretty tall for a PG. 

Given that he has shown clearly that he can be a lead guard as opposed to Burries, who we have to project and guess, I am just surprised how he is totally not in that conversation at 9. Especially when  talent is not a question with him.

Physical tools and athleticism are a part of the talent evaluation. Otherwise I would have Braden Smith as the number one PG in the class. And with Philon it is all about his frame and athleticism. If he struggles to defend the pick and roll in college I cannot imagine how he is ever going to do it in the NBA.

That said. I totally get why you aren't all in on the guard consensus in this class. Personally I don't see all that much of a difference between Acuff, Philon and Brown. They have upside but also flaws that are hard to ignore. Wagler is by far my favorite. Burries has no real flaws but plays a different role and if you are all in on a primary ballhandler he wouldn't be my pick. Still relatively high on Flemings but I am not as convinced as I was a few months ago. 

Also have a guard that I am much higher on than the consensus. At this point I have watched way too much Okorie tape and still cannot figure out why he isn't in the conversation with the rest of the mentioned names. Can totally understand that someone feels the same way about Philon or another prospect.

[Dirknows]

I have really given up thinking about that 9th pick. We´ll get, who we´ll get. I´m more interested in those Hawks/Lakers Gafford rumours, cause I´m worried the "steals" will happen in that 17-25 range (Steinbach, Anderson, Okorie, Peat, Quaintance, Cenac Jr. etc.) and that 30 is kind too late for all those guys. I have no idea who, but I think there will be two future All-Stars hidden in that range, whereas with #30, I feel dead inside. Maybe you get a rotational player, if you pick a senior. No interest at all in the international hype jobs like Suigo or Kayil.

I’m not trading Gafford to the Lakers for pick 25. We’ve done them enough favors already. Since it’s looking like Atlanta is gonna go guard at 8, I’d be ok with pick 23 for Gafford.

[mvossman]

I’m not trading Gafford to the Lakers for pick 25. We’ve done them enough favors already. Since it’s looking like Atlanta is gonna go guard at 8, I’d be ok with pick 23 for Gafford.

Gafford is not nearly good enough of a player to worry about helping another team.  The focus should be entirely what is best for Mavs.  If 25 is the best they can get and the intention is not to run a heavy P&R offense next season then they should pull the trigger.