2026 NBA Draft Prospects

[grant101]

I don't like skinny frames either, but if his stats mostly hold up in conference play then you have a guy that is doing CP3 things on the court in a CP3 frame.

Trae Young, Rob Dillingham. Ya, stay away.

Acuff please.

Those were bad defenders in college and Tanner is one of the best.

He's definitely interesting (and fun to watch operate), but it's just so rare for skinny sub 6ft combo guards to stick in the NBA. Even Alvarado was much stronger/stockier. His athleticism and point of attack defence give him a leg up, but you are going to really have to believe the three point shot is real to take him above some of the other actual point guards in this draft (he did not shoot it well at all last year). If it is, he's a sleeper, if not, he might be unplayable.

[PhilBlackson]

There has to be a scenario where we trade IQ and Poeltl for a C or Guard and then draft a great replacement guard or C we can slowly develop over the years and start off as the tenth man.

I think their "best case scenario" (I use that loosely because it's making the best out of a bad situation/contact negotations lol) is to (hopefully) be able to trade IQ/Yak/GD/Ochai +27' FRP, then draft a talented PG (period). Whether that's catching one of Carr (although not a true PG, I think his skillset would fit), Phillon or maybe Aciuff somewhat "fall" to us in the draft (I believe one of them will still be there when we draft). Then we have the LENGTH and talent needed to compete at truly the highest level...

And I just think with this draft in particular, that the guard prospects are relatively more talented than the Cs. We might have a chance to lowkey add a stud PG. On the flipside, the PGs that are available to trade for are all defensive liabilities, AD might just put us in the running for the best defensive team in the league. End of day, I'm open to either if it means unloading IQ/Yak but I personally believe AD + a young PG is the better route IF the costs is fairly low/a single future 1st attached.

[Psubs]

Trae Young, Rob Dillingham. Ya, stay away.

Acuff please.

Those were bad defenders in college and Tanner is one of the best.

He's definitely interesting (and fun to watch operate), but it's just so rare for skinny sub 6ft combo guards to stick in the NBA. Even Alvarado was much stronger/stockier. His athleticism and point of attack defence give him a leg up, but you are going to really have to believe the three point shot is real to take him above some of the other actual point guards in this draft (he did not shoot it well at all last year). If it is, he's a sleeper, if not, he might be unplayable.

Okay, so he just outduel Labaron Philon (1 ast 4 tos). Tanner had 29 pts 7 ast and 4 stls. Is he Chris Paul 2.0?

Raptors are okay with sophomores. He's upped his 3pt shooting and FT shooting. He avg 2.5 stls and only 1.5 tos.

[Yallbecrazy]

Those were bad defenders in college and Tanner is one of the best.

He's definitely interesting (and fun to watch operate), but it's just so rare for skinny sub 6ft combo guards to stick in the NBA. Even Alvarado was much stronger/stockier. His athleticism and point of attack defence give him a leg up, but you are going to really have to believe the three point shot is real to take him above some of the other actual point guards in this draft (he did not shoot it well at all last year). If it is, he's a sleeper, if not, he might be unplayable.

Okay, so he just outduel Labaron Philon (1 ast 4 tos). Tanner had 29 pts 7 ast and 4 stls. Is he Chris Paul 2.0?

Raptors are okay with sophomores. He's upped his 3pt shooting and FT shooting. He avg 2.5 stls and only 1.5 tos.

Haven't looked too deep into the prospects yet as I generally wait for the end of January and even then the Raptors are exciting so I get my fill of NBA from watching them rather than having to search for potential future Raps stuff to get excited about. That being said, his stats are so eye popping I think he might be worthy of a top 5 pick. His free throw shooting has taken a leap alongside his 3pt shooting so I think it's genuine and not just randomness.

I should mention the top 5 part is based on him continuing to put up great stats in conference play.

[Mark_83]

Those were bad defenders in college and Tanner is one of the best.

He's definitely interesting (and fun to watch operate), but it's just so rare for skinny sub 6ft combo guards to stick in the NBA. Even Alvarado was much stronger/stockier. His athleticism and point of attack defence give him a leg up, but you are going to really have to believe the three point shot is real to take him above some of the other actual point guards in this draft (he did not shoot it well at all last year). If it is, he's a sleeper, if not, he might be unplayable.

Okay, so he just outduel Labaron Philon (1 ast 4 tos). Tanner had 29 pts 7 ast and 4 stls. Is he Chris Paul 2.0?

Raptors are okay with sophomores. He's upped his 3pt shooting and FT shooting. He avg 2.5 stls and only 1.5 tos.

Not sure about Chris Paul. He's not really that type of pass-first play-maker. In terms of playing style (not projection) he low-key reminds me of Iverson. Again, I mean in style only.

Vandy plays a very low turnover style of offense, but even then, that steal-to-turnover ratio is insane.

[grant101]

He's definitely interesting (and fun to watch operate), but it's just so rare for skinny sub 6ft combo guards to stick in the NBA. Even Alvarado was much stronger/stockier. His athleticism and point of attack defence give him a leg up, but you are going to really have to believe the three point shot is real to take him above some of the other actual point guards in this draft (he did not shoot it well at all last year). If it is, he's a sleeper, if not, he might be unplayable.

Okay, so he just outduel Labaron Philon (1 ast 4 tos). Tanner had 29 pts 7 ast and 4 stls. Is he Chris Paul 2.0?

Raptors are okay with sophomores. He's upped his 3pt shooting and FT shooting. He avg 2.5 stls and only 1.5 tos.

Not sure about Chris Paul. He's not really that type of pass-first play-maker. In terms of playing style (not projection) he low-key reminds me of Iverson. Again, I mean in style only.

Vandy plays a very low turnover style of offense, but even then, that steal-to-turnover ratio is insane.

He was great tonight! If he continues to play like this he’ll force himself into the lottery. Rooting for it, cause he’s super fun.

Iverson is a one-of-one but I get what you mean. I see a little Tahaad Pettiford as well (though I trust Tanner’s playmaking a little more)

[Mark_83]

Watch on YouTube

[Syd-TK3]

It's way too early for me to be invested in any sorta draft prospects right now lol

Like just going based off tankathons mock and see this Keaton Wagler kid at 22 and there's no way he not a lottery pick by June

Watch on YouTube

[Psubs]

Okay, so he just outduel Labaron Philon (1 ast 4 tos). Tanner had 29 pts 7 ast and 4 stls. Is he Chris Paul 2.0?

Raptors are okay with sophomores. He's upped his 3pt shooting and FT shooting. He avg 2.5 stls and only 1.5 tos.

Not sure about Chris Paul. He's not really that type of pass-first play-maker. In terms of playing style (not projection) he low-key reminds me of Iverson. Again, I mean in style only.

Vandy plays a very low turnover style of offense, but even then, that steal-to-turnover ratio is insane.

He was great tonight! If he continues to play like this he’ll force himself into the lottery. Rooting for it, cause he’s super fun.

Iverson is a one-of-one but I get what you mean. I see a little Tahaad Pettiford as well (though I trust Tanner’s playmaking a little more)

Pettiford, should've turned pro last year, knowing how deep this draft is. Now he's shooting worse from 3; he might have to stay all 4 years to become a prospect again. I guess he got more in NIL to come back than the 2 years guaranteed for a late 1st pick?

[Psubs]

Robbie Avila is now shooting 51/45/79. I guess he would be an interesting bench big. I could see his fitness getting better if he works on it each year.

Watch on YouTube

[Mark_83]

Another interesting player for our late second rounder: Jaden Bradley, Senior, Arizona.

Strong, athletic guard who gets after it on defense and can shake off contact at the rim. Range on shot is still in development but he already has a nice in-between mid-range game.

13.4pts 4.6ast 3.7reb 1.9stl
52.1%(fg) 54.2%(3fg) 82.7%(ft)

Watch on YouTube

[Jstock12]

Robbie Avila is now shooting 51/45/79. I guess he would be an interesting bench big. I could see his fitness getting better if he works on it each year.

Watch on YouTube

He does seem to be a good 3PT shooter with good vision and some playmaking.

But there's no chance he makes it into the NBA. Terrible measurables for a center (he seems to have t-rex arms), beyond horrible athleticism from the looks of it. All of it predictably translates into anemic block/steal rates and terrible rebounding.

P.S. It annoys me a lot when people make the Jokic comp for Avila. Jokic seems wayy faster despite also being way bigger. They're in completely different tiers as athletes.

[Psubs]

I feel like Grunloh (if declares) or an Ivisic with a 2nd pick (maybe trade up from our and the Lakers 2nd pick) would make sense. Though, I would love to get both Ivisic's with say #50 and #54.

Take BPA with the 1st pick.

https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-dominique-wilkins-dreamed-of-having-a-son-that-jake-wilkins-dunks-like-him-is-a-bonus

He's not even starting but I would gamble taking Jake Wilkins. I think his floor is 6'9 Jakobe Walter but his ceiling is a taller and even more athletic Paul George.

[Smalltown]

I'm hoping we can trade up in the second or acquire a bit of a higher pick and grab Aday Mara. He's nowhere near ready yet but he keeps developing and at true 7 foot plus he's worth a swing to see what's there.

[Psubs]

I'm hoping we can trade up in the second or acquire a bit of a higher pick and grab Aday Mara. He's nowhere near ready yet but he keeps developing and at true 7 foot plus he's worth a swing to see what's there.

His FT shooting is trash. Gotta be at least 60% like Queta.

Zvonimir is only 1 inch shorter than Mara and has shot the 3 at 37% each of his 3 years in college. I think his ceiling is Porzingis. I guess he might be more like Jay Huff with SF skills or a better shot-blocking Maxime Raynaud.

I think you could use Z to guard Wemby, but I'm not sure if Mara has the agility yet.

[Psubs]

#2 Michigan at home with Lendeborg and Mara lost to Wisconsin.

[Jstock12]

#2 Michigan at home with Lendeborg and Mara lost to Wisconsin.

And Michigan played pretty well actually. Wisconsin was just unconscious from three (15/33 vs Michigan's 8/25) and that was barely enough to run away with a win.

[S.W.A.N]

I feel like Grunloh (if declares) or an Ivisic with a 2nd pick (maybe trade up from our and the Lakers 2nd pick) would make sense. Though, I would love to get both Ivisic's with say #50 and #54.

Take BPA with the 1st pick.

https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-dominique-wilkins-dreamed-of-having-a-son-that-jake-wilkins-dunks-like-him-is-a-bonus

He's not even starting but I would gamble taking Jake Wilkins. I think his floor is 6'9 Jakobe Walter but his ceiling is a taller and even more athletic Paul George.

normally i agree with bpa... but

I will lose my mind if we draft a wing

[Psubs]

I feel like Grunloh (if declares) or an Ivisic with a 2nd pick (maybe trade up from our and the Lakers 2nd pick) would make sense. Though, I would love to get both Ivisic's with say #50 and #54.

Take BPA with the 1st pick.

https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-dominique-wilkins-dreamed-of-having-a-son-that-jake-wilkins-dunks-like-him-is-a-bonus

He's not even starting but I would gamble taking Jake Wilkins. I think his floor is 6'9 Jakobe Walter but his ceiling is a taller and even more athletic Paul George.

normally i agree with bpa... but

I will lose my mind if we draft a wing

Okay, let's not over think this and just draft Veesaar with the 1st pick. Him and Caleb Wilson are a deadly frontcourt duo.

He's shooting 64/51/67. 25 pts (2 for 3 from deep), 9 rebs, 4 ast (1to), 1 stl and 1 blk vs Wake Forest yesterday.

Watch on YouTube

[Thaddy]

There has to be a scenario where we trade IQ and Poeltl for a C or Guard and then draft a great replacement guard or C we can slowly develop over the years and start off as the tenth man.

I think their "best case scenario" (I use that loosely because it's making the best out of a bad situation/contact negotations lol) is to (hopefully) be able to trade IQ/Yak/GD/Ochai +27' FRP, then draft a talented PG (period). Whether that's catching one of Carr (although not a true PG, I think his skillset would fit), Phillon or maybe Aciuff somewhat "fall" to us in the draft (I believe one of them will still be there when we draft). Then we have the LENGTH and talent needed to compete at truly the highest level...

And I just think with this draft in particular, that the guard prospects are relatively more talented than the Cs. We might have a chance to lowkey add a stud PG. On the flipside, the PGs that are available to trade for are all defensive liabilities, AD might just put us in the running for the best defensive team in the league. End of day, I'm open to either if it means unloading IQ/Yak but I personally believe AD + a young PG is the better route IF the costs is fairly low/a single future 1st attached.

I would guess they wanted to deal that package for someone like Sabonis and then draft a PG from the draft since it seems guard heavy.

I hope we go for de Larrea. Big point guard, he can shoot, set the table for easy buckets, and he's playing a higher level of competition compared to the NCAA.