2026 NBA draft thread

[SleepingHero]

What in the world are the Lakers trading for to move 1 spot up.

[omahen]

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
Sources: New York is trading No. 24 to the Los Angeles Lakers for No. 25.

And probably some cash. LA doesn't have a SRP to trade

[Mavs2021]

Prediction:

Carr/Peat #24
Reed/Cenac #25
Reed/Cenac #26
Carr/Evans #27
Peat/Evans #28
no idea #29
Kayil/deLarrea/Thomas #30.

[mvossman]

I would throw a lot of last year out.  So many teams including the Mavs were trying to tank. I always felt their defense was weaker.  

I don't disagree that any team can use more quality scoring but if you think finding quality switchable defensive wings is any easier, than we just disagree.  In fact, I feel the latter is much more difficult to get.

I'm talking about a number 3 offensive guy who can play defense.  That is a lot harder to find a switchable defensive wing.

[omahen]

I would assume Knicks will be moving out of the draft

[Mavs2021]

I would assume Knicks will be moving out of the draft

Nah. They need cheap bodies for their bench. I assume they will take Carr or Peat.

[SleepingHero]

And probably some cash. LA doesn't have a SRP to trade

My question is who does LA want so bad to move up a single spot.

Cenac?? Carr?? Peat???

[SleepingHero]

I would assume Knicks will be moving out of the draft

They may have to let Robinson go. 

I think they are highly motivated to reduce their tax bill.

[Mavs2021]

My question is who does LA want so bad to move up a single spot.

Cenac?? Carr?? Peat???

Knicks save some money being tight against the cap and they probably don´t care which center the Lakers want to pick and will take Carr or Peat.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto)
Sources: The Atlanta Hawks will select Zuby Ejiofor with the No. 23 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Hawks going with size.

Makes up for their pick at 8.

The way the Knicks bullied them in the playoffs, they had no choice.

[KillerLeft]

Lakers trade up for Carr, huh? Interesting. Do they think Reeves is gone?

[Mavs2021]

The way the Knicks bullied them in the playoffs, they had no choice.

Bullied? They were the 2nd best team in the play-offs.

[SleepingHero]

Lakers take Carr???

Doesn't fill anything they really need.

Unless they are afraid of losing Reaves...

[Mavs2021]

Did not expect that. Question: Did Luka like THJ or did our 2028 odds just improve?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Knicks picked Carr and traded him to the Lakers.

[SleepingHero]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
The Knicks received cash considerations from the Lakers for No. 24 -- Cameron Carr.

[JamesConway816]

Lakers take Carr???

Doesn't fill anything they really need.

Unless they are afraid of losing Reaves...

They probably just like him. Only had to give up cash to move up one spot and secure him.

[omahen]

Strange selection for Lakers and that they made it at all. They have been looking for that third guard for a while now taking chances with Nick Smith, Kobe Bufkin and similar. But, they didn't cover any of the main needs (athletic wings and center)

[hakeemfaan]

I'm talking about a number 3 offensive guy who can play defense.  That is a lot harder to find a switchable defensive wing.

 
We all talked at  length about Burries being a real steal if he could play the point. Once you slot him at the 2 or 3, his wingspan has limitations.  So if the front office was not convinced that he could guard multiple positions and he is not going to be lighting it up offensively every night, then his value drops for them.  Also, you are talking as if Johnson won't be scoring much or has no upside on his shot.

I don't see this as any sort of catastrophic mistake.  They were constrained by where they drafted and who was left.  Sure if Burries or Ament or Mara turn out to be absolute studs we can talk a few years from now, but by the same token Morez has a lot of upside as well. Let's see.

[Mavs2021]

Lakers take Carr???

Doesn't fill anything they really need.

Unless they are afraid of losing Reaves...

Who can even pay Reeves and do the Nets now want to after adding another guard in Brown. I guess Reeves, MPJ, Randle and a good coach could be a play-in team in East.