2026 NBA draft thread

[Scott41theMavs]

So, question… if the Mavs get a low teens pick, does Swain fit the hypothesized Masai/Schmitz mold?

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

If the Mavs have a trade for Gafford, I expect Steinbach as one of the Mav's picks NOT Mara. Not even Morez.

Hannes already has a skill that would translate -- rebounding. And the Mavs could cover that base with Hannes. Morez and Mara (despite being 7'3") are just average to good rebounders.
Yes, Mara can provide interior defense and Morez is actually switchable, but Hannes isn't a total liability on D.
Then there's the fit with Cooper. Mara will clog the lane for Cooper unless Coop gets his 3-ball and jumper percentages up. Speaking of 3-ball, Hannes is better than Morez at perimeter shooting, can be a reliable stretch 5 (who can also score inside on his own unassisted).
Mara and Morez are play finishers - needs a PG to score. Mara can post up, but that would not be optimal with on an offense with Flagg. Hannes on the other hand is not just a pick and roll/pick and pop target for Cooper -- but can be an option to give the ball to for creating offense from the front court when Flagg sits.
Mara's an exceptional passer - but Hannes isn't too far behind.

My guys are Brown Jr. and Flemmings and I'd take either ahead of Steinbach. But I rather have the Mavs trade down for Hannes and not pick him at 9. But if they do, it wouldn't bum me out.

[KillerLeft]

See, we can agree on things from time to time.  haha

Dude, I agree with tons of your takes!

[hakeemfaan]

If the Mavs have a trade for Gafford, I expect Steinbach as one of the Mav's picks NOT Mara. Not even Morez.

Hannes already has a skill that would translate -- rebounding. And the Mavs could cover that base with Hannes. Morez and Mara (despite being 7'3") are just average to good rebounders.
Yes, Mara can provide interior defense and Morez is actually switchable, but Hannes isn't a total liability on D.
Then there's the fit with Cooper. Mara will clog the lane for Cooper unless Coop gets his 3-ball and jumper percentages up. Speaking of 3-ball, Hannes is better than Morez at perimeter shooting, can be a reliable stretch 5 (who can also score inside on his own unassisted).
Mara and Morez are play finishers - needs a PG to score. Mara can post up, but that would not be optimal with on an offense with Flagg. Hannes on the other hand is not just a pick and roll/pick and pop target for Cooper -- but can be an option to give the ball to for creating offense from the front court when Flagg sits.
Mara's an exceptional passer - but Hannes isn't too far behind.

My guys are Brown Jr. and Flemmings and I'd take either ahead of Steinbach. But I rather have the Mavs trade down for Hannes and not pick him at 9. But if they do, it wouldn't bum me out.

I don't mind Hannes as  the 17th pick if we get multiples, but not at 9 or 12.  He has foot speed and can absolutely rebound, but he is a poor rim protector, questionable outside shot, and questionable on defending in space.

[cow]

Dude, I agree with tons of your takes!

Let's dump Christie together then!

[mvossman]

If the Mavs have a trade for Gafford, I expect Steinbach as one of the Mav's picks NOT Mara. Not even Morez.

Hannes already has a skill that would translate -- rebounding. And the Mavs could cover that base with Hannes. Morez and Mara (despite being 7'3") are just average to good rebounders.
Yes, Mara can provide interior defense and Morez is actually switchable, but Hannes isn't a total liability on D.
Then there's the fit with Cooper. Mara will clog the lane for Cooper unless Coop gets his 3-ball and jumper percentages up. Speaking of 3-ball, Hannes is better than Morez at perimeter shooting, can be a reliable stretch 5 (who can also score inside on his own unassisted).
Mara and Morez are play finishers - needs a PG to score. Mara can post up, but that would not be optimal with on an offense with Flagg. Hannes on the other hand is not just a pick and roll/pick and pop target for Cooper -- but can be an option to give the ball to for creating offense from the front court when Flagg sits.
Mara's an exceptional passer - but Hannes isn't too far behind.

My guys are Brown Jr. and Flemmings and I'd take either ahead of Steinbach. But I rather have the Mavs trade down for Hannes and not pick him at 9. But if they do, it wouldn't bum me out.

I'm not really seeing it.  He is a bit of a tweener.  He is not a plus defensive at center (undersized and not an elite rim protector) or power forward (will struggle on the perimeter).  He has offensive game but very little of it is spacing (he took less than 2 threes a game).  Don't really like the fit with Flagg.  It would be a travesty to take him at 9.

[OBX Maverick]

I wonder how many of us would be here if they didn't luck into Flagg.  It would have been brutal.

I lived through the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Even went to see games in person those years. If that didn’t send me packing, nothing’s gonna do it! I feel like the pain i absorbed during those 2 seasons galvanized me as a fan!  Speaking of 1992, Walter Bond, anyone??

[Scott41theMavs]

Man, 9 for 10 and 13 would sure be juicy - but no reason for the Bucks to do that. Too bad our pick isn’t a couple spaces higher.

[OBX Maverick]

Heck, pretty much of all of the 1990’s until they traded for Fin and Dirk was drafted was a living nightmare.

[Scott41theMavs]

Heck, pretty much of all of the 1990’s until they traded for Fin and Dirk was drafted was a living nightmare.

Um, on a certain level, the trade for Fin was the low point of the ‘90s, given how Kidd was viewed at the time. Congrats, Nico - you made us forget the stench of that one! Then of course Nellie tore the team down to the studs - which led to us being able to draft Dirk. The difference between then and now is we had draft picks then, whereas now, thanks again Nico.

[OBX Maverick]

Um, on a certain level, the trade for Fin was the low point of the ‘90s, given how Kidd was viewed at the time. Congrats, Nico - you made us forget the stench of that one! Then of course Nellie tore the team down to the studs - which led to us being able to draft Dirk. The difference between then and now is we had draft picks then, whereas now, thanks again Nico.

Nah….. I can see where your’e coming from, as it was far from an even trade,  but Fin was the beginning of what became an era of success. 

92 and 93 were by far the nadir of the Mavericks franchise after the late 80’s team flamed out with Tarpley and Fat Lever while Ro and Harp were jettisoned to the Knicks. Go check out the rosters from those years, Mr. Bond

[Winter]

Mavericks horse race today!

Oddsmakers (me)

1. Burries - 2:1
2. Flemings - 5:1
3. Trade Down - 7:1
4. Wagler 8:1
5. Johnson - 12:1
6. Trade Up - 40:1
7. Nate Ament - 15:1
8. Unknown Player - 25:1

Daily Double - Numbers 3 and 5

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Spears: "I also heard right now that there's rising expectation that the Clippers will keep the pick and take Michael Brown Jr. from Louisville."

YouTube

[SleepingHero]

Just repeating the same thought bubble I had in the FA thread, but with BRK giving away Claxton for free essentially, wouldn't they be the ideal trade partner now for the Mavs?

Mavs can leapfrog Sacramento and select Acuff, Brown Jr, or even Wagler if LAC gets cute with Burries.

I know this is an obvious idea that's been discussed at length, but the landscape has shifted things now. Just explains so well why BRK gave Claxton away for free basically.

[mvossman]

Just repeating the same thought bubble I had in the FA thread, but with BRK giving away Claxton for free essentially, wouldn't they be the ideal trade partner now for the Mavs?

Mavs can leapfrog Sacramento and select Acuff, Brown Jr, or even Wagler if LAC gets cute with Burries.

I know this is an obvious idea that's been discussed at length, but the landscape has shifted things now. Just explains so well why BRK gave Claxton away for free basically.

I think somebody mentioned that they think Sharpe is ready to take on the full time job, so maybe they are not interested in Gafford.

[mvossman]

Marc Spears: "I also heard right now that there's rising expectation that the Clippers will keep the pick and take Michael Brown Jr. from Louisville."

YouTube

Wasn't Wagler confident he would be the pick at 5?  Does this mean the Nets just take Ament at 6?

[SleepingHero]

Wasn't Wagler confident he would be the pick at 5?  Does this mean the Nets just take Ament at 6?

He was pretty confident based on some interview. 

But does that really mean anything? 

I don't think the Nets want to just take Ament with a reach at 6.

[mvossman]

He was pretty confident based on some interview. 

But does that really mean anything? 

I don't think the Nets want to just take Ament with a reach at 6.

Maybe they don't think its a reach.  Maybe they are worried about Atlanta or Mavs?

[Scott41theMavs]

Maybe they don't think its a reach.  Maybe they are worried about Atlanta or Mavs?

That would be bonkers. 5. Brown, 6. Ament, 7. Acuff. Wagler, Flemings, and Burries available for Atlanta.

[mvossman]

That would be bonkers. 5. Brown, 6. Ament, 7. Acuff. Wagler, Flemings, and Burries available for Atlanta.

In a crazy world Atlanta takes Mara and the Mavs have a choice among all three.