2026 NBA draft thread

[hakeemfaan]

Valid, but I wasn't comparing their play styles. Instead, It was just about someone that pops athletically, gets everyone excited and then you find out he's not actually that great at basketball. THAT's what I was driving at with the comparison. I worry about that some with Carr.

But that’s what I am saying. 

Carr is not just a dunker.  Carr has a definite skill that might translate well. DSJ shot was bad.

[KillerLeft]

But that’s what I am saying. 

Carr is not just a dunker.  Carr has a definite skill that might translate well. DSJ shot was bad.

Well, we'll have to see what happens. I would not be ok with picking Carr at 9, personally.

[cow]

You can’t hide Lively the way GS could do with Dray. They had some of the best shooters ever and so defenses couldn’t cheat. 

Dray will take and make the odd outside shot and can also put the ball and create while driving to the basket. All Lively can try is to roll and dunk.
We all saw how valuable Mitchell Robinson was. So I am not minimizing what that type of a player can do. I just feel Dray is not the right comparison. For all of his ridiculous behavior and flawed jump shot, Dray’ handles and ability to create or finish by himself, make him a very unique player.

Dray could also bring the ball up court or lead the break.  He does a ton offensively, some of it not so well, but at least he's willing to.  That's stuff we haven't seen from Lively.  I was pretty excited about Lively attempting threes after we'd heard about him working on shooting them last summer (or maybe the previous one), but it feels like he's more like Powell and just unwilling to even look at the rim when defenders ignore him.

I'm not too worried about Lively as I kind of think the book as out on him as far as injuries are concerned and even if the unlikely happens and he can play a full/healthy season, I don't think it will dispel that notion.

[hakeemfaan]

Well, we'll have to see what happens. I would not be ok with picking Carr at 9, personally.

Same here.  Burries or Fleming have the ceiling of lead guard 

Carr’s ceiling seems to be a microwave offense off the bench type of guy. That’s the usual ceiling for guards who can shoot well but have weak handles and play inconsistent defense.

[Chicagojk]

While I think there is a case that ament could be a Masai type player, I think Koa Peat may fit the definition netter.

Despite having some very apparent weaknesses, I think him falling into the 20s could be a scenario where a good starting player with pedigree falling further than he should.

[mvossman]

We talked about Carr quite a bit after being a standout at the combine but not much since. Above is a snapshot of some of the measurables and shooting. 2 things that stand out as both a "Masai guy" and something this team really needs going forward (shooting). I have him at 14, but 7-15 are all in the same tier for me. Basically a 'projected starter' tier. I don't know if that's how an NBA front office will have it split [tiers]... maybe it's a true stack with an overall score based on a point system with weighted metrics. I don't know, but I do think Carr will be a good one at the next level. All of these prospects have flaws. Carr at least has a real NBA skill to work with from day 1, SHOOTING.

Man, I have Carr significantly below the top 9 guys.  He feels like a pure scorer, who doesn't have a great handle and doesn't put a lot of effort into defense.  He gives bench offense vibes to me.  He could be more, but I feel like there is a lot more projection with him to be a quality starter than the top 9/10 guys.

[mvossman]

Same here.  Burries or Fleming have the ceiling of lead guard 

Carr’s ceiling seems to be a microwave offense off the bench type of guy. That’s the usual ceiling for guards who can shoot well but have weak handles and play inconsistent defense.

I missed this before I posted.  I think Carr has a higher ceiling, but I think you nailed his most likely outcome.  I think Flemings most likely outcome is starting lead guard, and Burries is starting combo guard.

[KillerLeft]

Man, the whole Mavs media scene...twitter, YouTube, podcasts, EVERYONE is worried about this Ament thing. Either it's a bad idea or we're all in a huge echo chamber of pain.

I just want to put it out there, for the record, while Ament is far from my dream for this coming draft, I think there's a world in which it ends up being an awesome pick. I wouldn't hate it. I'd at least give it a chance.

[Scott41theMavs]

Man, the whole Mavs media scene...twitter, YouTube, podcasts, EVERYONE is worried about this Ament thing. Either it's a bad idea or we're all in a huge echo chamber of pain.

I just want to put it out there, for the record, while Ament is far from my dream for this coming draft, I think there's a world in which it ends up being an awesome pick. I wouldn't hate it. I'd at least give it a chance.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'd eventually give it a chance, because I know that Masai and Schmitz are competent and know more than I do. I guess I'm a bread and circus fan in the sense that Ament, no matter how he turns out, will move zero needles and generate very little excitement in his rookie year. It's a disheartening thought. While he might be the ugly duckling who is an All-Star swan by the middle of his second contract, after what we have been through the past year and a half, I would far rather have someone who will make the team better this year as well as years from now, which I believe is true of every single one of Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, Wilson, Flemings, Acuff, Wagler, Brown, and Burries. If you can get one of those guys, I just don't think it's right to touch Ament.

It's fine to grab a win-later rookie when you're tanking and that will help you tank. Mavs don't have a pick next year. They don't need to win the championship next year, but they do need to get into the winning mindset and not become content with losing and chase Flagg off.

[cow]

Man, the whole Mavs media scene...twitter, YouTube, podcasts, EVERYONE is worried about this Ament thing. Either it's a bad idea or we're all in a huge echo chamber of pain.

I just want to put it out there, for the record, while Ament is far from my dream for this coming draft, I think there's a world in which it ends up being an awesome pick. I wouldn't hate it. I'd at least give it a chance.

I said it before but he has the physical look of a Ujiri pick.  Why is everyone so down on him? Seems like Presti and the Thunder have interest.

[Scott41theMavs]

I said it before but he has the physical look of a Ujiri pick.  Why is everyone so down on him?  Seems like Presti and the Thunder have interest.

College performance. And I get the late-season improvement after recovering from injuries, but he has that deer in headlights look. Not a dawg. The anti-PJ.

[cow]

College performance. And I get the late-season improvement after recovering from injuries, but he has that deer in headlights look. Not a dawg. The anti-PJ.

I was just reading up on his injury which seems like a bit of a freak occurrence that lingered all season which means you are probably taking a swing on him based on measurables.  If he's the anti-PJ on offense, that's probably a good thing.  ha

[Luka77]

Everyone and their brother knows I've been screaming "GUARD" into this forum for months. It's just starting to feel like the Mavs like some of the guards more than others, specifically the ones who won't fall to 9. There's even talk that Burries doesn't make it that far now. 

I like Flemings, and I don't know that Dallas doesn't, but there has been like nothing about him here, not even rumors. They've been loosely linked with Brown Jr, Acuff and Burries, but not really Flemings, and it's starting to feel to me like Flemings is the one who'll be there at 9, so...that's why I'm attempting to wrap my head around an Ament pick. 

I don't know how likely I think this is, but if he's Durant, Odom or, hell, even Rashard Lewis, that would be a score. Gotta assume that IF the Mavs draft him it's because Schmitz thinks he will be.

I don't know that I will ever see a Durant comp for Ament. Durant was much more explosive in college.  I do see anywhere form Rashard Lewis to Odom , as well as a slightly taller Kyle Kuzma as his upside.  Much of his upside, like most players in the draft, will be determined by what's above his shoulders that is something we as fans have very little insight into. 

One thing the board should know about the sudden interest by the Mavs in Ament is that the Bucks (who draft 10th; pick after the Mavs), are considered his floor.  Ament's relationship to Jimmy Haslem (Bucks owner) is similar to Ryan Smith's (Utah Owner) relationship to AJ Dabantsa.  Jimmy is an alum and a huge donor/booster to his alma mater in Tennessee, so he was likely one of the boosters involved with bringing Ament to UT.

So, from the Mavs prospective this could be a smokescreen of showing interest in a player with the hope of getting the Bucks to trade up so one of the players that they covet falls.  Regardless, It's hard to tell either way, as this is still "Lying Season".

[Luka77]

Same here.  Burries or Fleming have the ceiling of lead guard 

Carr’s ceiling seems to be a microwave offense off the bench type of guy. That’s the usual ceiling for guards who can shoot well but have weak handles and play inconsistent defense.

Or he could be an elite role player at the SG position if he improves his defense.  That's how I see him: neither of the other players listed above has his physical upside.

[cow]

I don't know that I will ever see a Durant comp for Ament. Durant was much more explosive in college.  I do see anywhere form Rashard Lewis to Odom , as well as a slightly taller Kyle Kuzma as his upside.  Much of his upside, like many players in the draft, will be determined by what's above his shoulders that is something we as fans have very little insight into. 

One thing the board should know about the sudden interest by the Mavs is that the Bucks (who draft have the 10th pick after the Mavs), are considered his floor.  Ament's relationship to Jimmy Haslem (Bucks owner) is similar to Ryan Smith's (Utah Owner) relationship to AJ Dabantsa.  Jimmy is an alum and a huge donor/booster to his alma mater in Tennessee, so he was likely one of the boosters involved with bringing Ament to UT.

So, from the Mavs prospective this could be a smokescreen of showing interest in a player with the hope of getting the Bucks to trade up so one of the players that they covet falls.  Regardless, It's hard to tell either way, as this is still "Lying Season".

Watching some video of Ament and I was trying to think of a good comp for how he moves (kinda nonchalant).  Odom fits that bill nicely.

[KillerLeft]

I don't know that I will ever see a Durant comp for Ament. Durant was much more explosive in college.  I do see anywhere form Rashard Lewis to Odom , as well as a slightly taller Kyle Kuzma as his upside.  Much of his upside, like many players in the draft, will be determined by what's above his shoulders that is something we as fans have very little insight into. 

One thing the board should know about the sudden interest by the Mavs in Ament is that the Bucks (who draft 10th; pick after the Mavs), are considered his floor.  Ament's relationship to Jimmy Haslem (Bucks owner) is similar to Ryan Smith's (Utah Owner) relationship to AJ Dabantsa.  Jimmy is an alum and a huge donor/booster to his alma mater in Tennessee, so he was likely one of the boosters involved with bringing Ament to UT.

So, from the Mavs prospective this could be a smokescreen of showing interest in a player with the hope of getting the Bucks to trade up so one of the players that they covet falls.  Regardless, It's hard to tell either way, as this is still "Lying Season".

Yes, the thought that Dallas is trying to scare something out of Milwaukee in order to move down exactly one spot and then draft whomever they would've drafted anyway at 9 did occur to me.

[Scott41theMavs]

5 days until the first round.

Still no coach.

Still no medical staff.

[ballsrchr]

5 days until the first round.

Still no coach.

Still no medical staff.

Ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum...

[DanSchwartzgan]

Yes, the thought that Dallas is trying to scare something out of Milwaukee in order to move down exactly one spot and then draft whomever they would've drafted anyway at 9 did occur to me.

It is a reasonable theory, but the thing that struck me was 'to what end'?  They don't have any picks to speak of.  They aren't giving up Ryan Rollins to move up one spot.  

Then I realized their entire roster might be remade in the next few days.  So, who do we like from Miami?  If Milwaukee values Ament, they probably don't want Jovic in the Giannis deal.  That would be a nice piece of business.

[hakeemfaan]

Man, the whole Mavs media scene...twitter, YouTube, podcasts, EVERYONE is worried about this Ament thing. Either it's a bad idea or we're all in a huge echo chamber of pain.

I just want to put it out there, for the record, while Ament is far from my dream for this coming draft, I think there's a world in which it ends up being an awesome pick. I wouldn't hate it. I'd at least give it a chance.

I was high on Ament at first because honestly I don't think his floor is bust. I still believe that. A legit 6'10" guy who has the handles to operate from the perimeter and toughness to get to the line frequently is imo never going to be a total bust. Plus GMs are always seduced by size. Even if he is a bust here, he will still get more trade looks down the road than if a smaller guard who we select doesn't pan out.

That, plus his FT % being high, reports of him having gone through a late growth spurt that might have affected his shot,..etc gave me hope that his shot will be good soon. It's just that the more I watched his highlights, even with the hot streak he had, the less I was convinced if he would develop a really consistent jump shot.

For where we're picking and who will be available, I feel there are better options than Ament. Options who can not just open up the floor for Flagg, but also take a lot of load off him.  If we were picking a few slots down and our options were limited, then I'd fully be on board with taking a chance on Ament and seeing if his shot could become more consistent.  

So I'm in the same boat.  I don't think it would be the best choice, but it's not like it will be a totally ridiculous move. One can certainly see the logic if he is picked.