2026 NBA Draft Thread

[spurraider21]

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[KingKev]

Good news as we will potentially still be lottery bound. I wonder if Wemby thinks differently
of Houston now.

[Seventyniner]

Dybantsa is gonna force his way to the Spurs like Kobe did with the Lakers.

[Thomas82]

The Boozer Twins, Bryce James, and Oscar Wembanyama will all be eligible for this draft as well. It'll be interesting.

[Splits]

going to BYU, don't draft, already poor judgement

[LeBowen]

going to BYU, don't draft, already poor judgement

Apparently they offered him more than 6 million.
I think he made a good choice, set for life if he can manage the money even if he suffers a career ending injury.

[scott]

It's fascinating to see how NIL money has changed the landscape of what Universities want to become players in sports. Colorado with Deion, Billichick being hired by UNC, BYU dishing out NIL money for Egor and now AJ, Rutgers signing the #2 and #3 best prospects in the country this year in Harper and Bailey, etc.

College sports is almost becoming unrecognizable for a mid-40s guy like me... not saying that's a bad thing either. It's just... different.

[baseline bum]

The Boozer Twins, Bryce James, and Oscar Wembanyama will all be eligible for this draft as well. It'll be interesting.

Bryce is nowhere near as good a prospect as Bronny was in HS, I wouldn't get too excited about him tbh.

[LeBowen]

not saying that's a bad thing either.

It absolutely is a bad thing.
There shouldn't be so much money in college sports, it's taking away from the game.
And kids shouldn't be moving across the country just because of basketball. Have them play for their at least somewhat local universities.

[KingKev]

Apparently they offered him more than 6 million.
I think he made a good choice, set for life if he can manage the money even if he suffers a career ending injury.

That mormon money long

[exstatic]

It absolutely is a bad thing.
There shouldn't be so much money in college sports, it's taking away from the game.
And kids shouldn't be moving across the country just because of basketball. Have them play for their at least somewhat local universities.

The money was always there,it’s just that the kids are getting their slice now.

Your locality screed sounds very boomerish/old man shouting at cloud. Lew Alcindor/KAJ left NY to go play for John Wooden at UCLA in the late 60s, so it’s not some new phenomenon. Players have always gone where their future looked best.

[LeBowen]

Your locality screed sounds very boomerish/old man shouting at cloud.

My actual opinion is that college system is not good for young players if they're not going to spend at least three years there. Maybe two, but one and done shouldn't be a thing.
Either enter the draft from high school or commit to two college seasons.

[scott]

It absolutely is a bad thing.
There shouldn't be so much money in college sports, it's taking away from the game.
And kids shouldn't be moving across the country just because of basketball. Have them play for their at least somewhat local universities.

Strongly disagree.

Kids move across the country for college for non-athletic reasons... I don't see why athletics should be any different. Just like going to Harvard of Stanford may best set a kid from San Antonio up for his career, so might a basketball player from Washington going to Duke (and this was already happening anyway).

And the money has always been there in college sports, it just been funneled to the people who aren't actually creating the product (the players). People watch sports for the athletes, not the coaches and athletic directors.

[scott]

My actual opinion is that college system is not good for young players if they're not going to spend at least three years there. Maybe two, but one and done shouldn't be a thing.
Either enter the draft from high school or commit to two college seasons.

I actually agree with that, but that's the NBA's doing - not the colleges or the kids.

[Seventyniner]

I don't like the "kids" characterization, as if 19 y/o one-and-done NBA rookies are somehow exponentially more mature than 18 y/o college freshmen. There's a gap but it isn't enormous.

Most don't seem to have a problem with a 19 y/o draft prospect trying to maximize their earnings. Why begrudge a 18 y/o top recruit who does the same thing?

One big impact of NIL and the portal is that the coach's personal touch in recruiting is much less important now, especially for one-and-dones. It's just straight up free agency.

[Thomas82]

Bryce is nowhere near as good a prospect as Bronny was in HS, I wouldn't get too excited about him tbh.

Yeah, we don't hear much about him anymore these days.

[baseline bum]

Yeah, we don't hear much about him anymore these days.

It was funny the big social media blitz that one month or two in the summer of 2023 and how much hype that generated (I bought into it too lol). He looked great on a mixtape but then again I remember when Austin Rivers looked like the next Dame on his HS mixtapes. I don't think Bryce was even a starter on his HS team through his junior season though.

[scott]

It was funny the big social media blitz that one month or two in the summer of 2023 and how much hype that generated (I bought into it too lol). He looked great on a mixtape but then again I remember when Austin Rivers looked like the next Dame on his HS mixtapes. I don't think Bryce was even a starter on his HS team through his junior season though.

Was the new Space Jam a documentary? Maybe Bryce just wants to design video games

[scott]

I've not heard of this kid, and maybe Givoni and Woo are just trolling... but they have something called Darryn Peterson as their #1 prospect ahead of AJ and Boozer.

https://i.redd.it/ppdep9h8qhle1.jpeg

[scott]

Link to the article for those with ESPN+

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/44002642/2026-nba-mock-draft-top-10-prospects-emerges

Early read is looking like another "Top 4 or Bust" class


The depth of the 2026 class remains to be determined. We're likely looking at one of the weakest classes of European prospects in quite some time. And outside of the four players mentioned above, the rest of the incoming freshmen class does not appear to be especially strong, leaving question marks regarding the strength of the class as a whole.

[scott]

And here are some more selective snippets for those of you without ESPN+


Peterson has been on another level all season for Napa, California-based Prolific Prep (22-2), scoring 30.4 points with 7.1 assists per game, shooting 44% for 3. Two wins in head-to-head Grind Session league matchups against Dybantsa and Utah Prep in December and February made the case quite convincingly for him as the best prospect in the high school game, scoring 61 points in 36 minutes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHFqMOH1mBc&ab_channel=THEGRINDSESSION) and hitting the game-winning 3-pointer in the second outing between the two, in what will likely go down as a legendary performance for the Kansas commit.

Drawing some comparisons from NBA scouts to a bigger Damian Lillard (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6606/damian-lillard) (who measured 6-foot-3 in shoes and189 pounds with a 6-8 wingspan just prior to turning 22 at the NBA draft combine in 2012), Peterson is the best shot creator in the class. He is able to get anywhere he wants on the court with an explosive first step, the ability to change speeds powerfully and has exquisite ballhandling, pace and body control. He generates paint touches at will, finishes skillfully with both hands and from difficult vantage points in and around the paint, and lives at the free throw line.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if Peterson ends up #1 over Dybantsa. His Kansas team will also likely be better than BYU and he’ll be able to show he’s a winning player, not just putting up numbers. Still, Dybantsa’s tools are amazing. Boozer is a distant 3rd imo.

[exstatic]

Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if Peterson ends up #1 over Dybantsa. His Kansas team will also likely be better than BYU and he’ll be able to show he’s a winning player, not just putting up numbers. Still, Dybantsa’s tools are amazing. Boozer is a distant 3rd imo.

Boozer was wrecking the common competition that the Thompson twins were sleepwalking through in 22-23. They were scoring like 20, and he was scoring like 35. They were 20 years old, and he was 15.

I also DGAF about what schools they each go to. Players are drafted on individual future potential, not how they did in college. Dybantsa had offers from everywhere, but chose BYU and that Utah based prep school based on NIL money.

Dybantsa and Boozer have been 1-2 for a while. It seems like a hot take to displace them before anyone has even played a game at the next level.

[cd98]

Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if Peterson ends up #1 over Dybantsa. His Kansas team will also likely be better than BYU and he’ll be able to show he’s a winning player, not just putting up numbers. Still, Dybantsa’s tools are amazing. Boozer is a distant 3rd imo.

BYU has been quietly pretty good this year and they got a good coach. A lot of success for college teams depends on the quality of transfer students and juniors and seniors. BYU has been pretty good at getting transfers. The Big 12 is stacked now. Heck, Kansas has not been that great this year.

[scott]

Don't know if it's coincidental with my reading of this article, or because the algorithm has found me, but seeing a lot more people talking about Peterson now. The hype is definitely amping up.

[RC_Drunkford]

the real question is can we be better than the Hawks in 2026 to utilize that swap?

[spurraider21]

the real question is can we be better than the Hawks in 2026 to utilize that swap?
hawks wont have their FRP to help them improve, but they have avenues of getting better.

there is a reasonable chance they receive the Kings pick (top 12 protected). while i dont think the kings are bad enough to completely collapse, perhaps the surging blazers and rejuvenated warriors surpass them in the west. or maybe the suns wake up. that seems unlikely. but if enough things go poorly for sacto, that would help us out

a lot of their good players are very young. jalen johnson, dyson daniels, okongwu, risacher are their 4 current starters (when healthy) and all are unde 25. they have room for further improvement.

kobe bufkin was a ST favorite during that draft. he was mostly in gleague as a rookie and was solid there. had a quiet start to this year and then pretty early on suffered a season ending injury. if he gives them anything, that will be a plus. they badly need scoring/creation off their bench

their pending FAs are mostly dead weight who they werent playing anyway. Capela, Nance. they may want to keep levert. theyre projected to be able to about 8 mil under the cap, so not enough to sign anyway. they will therefore likely operate above the cap and have access to the full MLE (in addition to re-signing levert and maybe garrison matthews if they want to keep a shooter)

[exstatic]

hawks wont have their FRP to help them improve, but they have avenues of getting better.

there is a reasonable chance they receive the Kings pick (top 12 protected). while i dont think the kings are bad enough to completely collapse, perhaps the surging blazers and rejuvenated warriors surpass them in the west. or maybe the suns wake up. that seems unlikely. but if enough things go poorly for sacto, that would help us out

a lot of their good players are very young. jalen johnson, dyson daniels, okongwu, risacher are their 4 current starters (when healthy) and all are unde 25. they have room for further improvement.

kobe bufkin was a ST favorite during that draft. he was mostly in gleague as a rookie and was solid there. had a quiet start to this year and then pretty early on suffered a season ending injury. if he gives them anything, that will be a plus. they badly need scoring/creation off their bench

their pending FAs are mostly dead weight who they werent playing anyway. Capela, Nance. they may want to keep levert. theyre projected to be able to about 8 mil under the cap, so not enough to sign anyway. they will therefore likely operate above the cap and have access to the full MLE (in addition to re-signing levert and maybe garrison matthews if they want to keep a shooter)

The only thing that really matters is ‘does Trae want to stay?’ If he doesn’t, he can force their hand this summer by threatening to opt out in 2026. Without him and their own pick, we’ll get two lottery picks in 26 and 27.

That Sacto pick, sitting at 13, is as high as it can get without jumping into its protected zone. Portland seems to be on a bit of a heater. It would really benefit us if they knocked Sacto into their pick protected zone.

[cd98]

the real question is can we be better than the Hawks in 2026 to utilize that swap?

TBH, I doubt that the Spurs are more than a play-in team next year, they have talent, but it's young and inexperienced and likely to blow games they "should" win. I imagine the Hawks won't be much better either, but our only hope of that swap turning into something special is if Young gives up on the Hawks and demands to leave. That guy is mostly what keeps them in the hunt for the 8th seed. If he was out, they would likely be bottom 3 in the NBA.

[spurraider21]

TBH, I doubt that the Spurs are more than a play-in team next year, they have talent, but it's young and inexperienced and likely to blow games they "should" win. I imagine the Hawks won't be much better either, but our only hope of that swap turning into something special is if Young gives up on the Hawks and demands to leave. That guy is mostly what keeps them in the hunt for the 8th seed. If he was out, they would likely be bottom 3 in the NBA.
healthy spurs team this year was already a borderline play-in team. you would expect some improvement with guys like castle, wemby, sochan, champagnie continuing to develop. you also could cross your fingers that devin's down year was due to injury and that he can bounce back. they'll also have a full season of a healthy fox, not having to be integrated on the fly.

they'll also have the MLE to work with and should be able to actively pursue somebody they want instead of just being the 3rd wheel in trades again (even though HB has worked out quite well).

imo the spurs aspirations next year need to be higher than "hopefully we can make a run at the play-in"

the one concern is how much the spurs early season success was on the back of chris paul... but if Fox can't more than make up for that, then we've got bigger issues

[cd98]

healthy spurs team this year was already a borderline play-in team. you would expect some improvement with guys like castle, wemby, sochan, champagnie continuing to develop. you also could cross your fingers that devin's down year was due to injury and that he can bounce back. they'll also have a full season of a healthy fox, not having to be integrated on the fly.

they'll also have the MLE to work with and should be able to actively pursue somebody they want instead of just being the 3rd wheel in trades again (even though HB has worked out quite well).

imo the spurs aspirations next year need to be higher than "hopefully we can make a run at the play-in"

the one concern is how much the spurs early season success was on the back of chris paul... but if Fox can't more than make up for that, then we've got bigger issues

I expect them to be better. But the West is really good and deep. Also, the key to winning games is getting vets. Spurs are young and not a lot of veterans, especially if CP3 goes. Look at the Rockets. Great draft picks, but they didn't start contending until they added some tough vets. I like our young guys, but if the Spurs want to make a push, they need more guys like CP3 and Barnes to go with the young guys. I think Fox will be a great player for us, but not sure he will produce big time wins when he couldn't do it in Sacramento.

[scott]

I think Fox will be a great player for us, but not sure he will produce big time wins when he couldn't do it in Sacramento.

He won Clutch Player of the Year, based entirely on producing big time wins in Sacramento.

[exstatic]

I expect them to be better. But the West is really good and deep. Also, the key to winning games is getting vets. Spurs are young and not a lot of veterans, especially if CP3 goes. Look at the Rockets. Great draft picks, but they didn't start contending until they added some tough vets. I like our young guys, but if the Spurs want to make a push, they need more guys like CP3 and Barnes to go with the young guys. I think Fox will be a great player for us, but not sure he will produce big time wins when he couldn't do it in Sacramento.

Fox was a #2 cast as a #1 in Sacto. It was never going to work.

[spurraider21]

He won Clutch Player of the Year, based entirely on producing big time wins in Sacramento.
he was also quite good in their playoff series against the warriors that went 7... tho he was bad in game 7

but throughout that series he was easily the best king and held his own against curry