People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
23min
RealGM Radio
Pacers Force Game 7
Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder to force the first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 2016. Who has the edge to win the 2025 championship? Wes Goldberg breaks down a surprising Game 6 and what comes next. #indianapacers #nba #okcthunder #tyresehaliburton RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA insights and analysis! Follow RealGM Twitter: https://x.com/RealGM Follow Wes Goldberg Twitter: https://x.com/wcgoldberg PrizePicks: PrizePicks is the best place to get real money sports action. With over 10 million members and billions of dollars in awarded winnings, PrizePicks has made daily fantasy sports accessible to all. You just pick MORE or LESS on at least two players for a shot to win up to 1000x your cash! Run Your Game all season long on PrizePicks. Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Gametime: Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RealGM Radio
Why the Knicks Made the Right Move to Fire Tom Thibodeau
The New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau as head coach this week. Wes Goldberg explains why Thibodeau didn't deserve to get fired, but why it will ultimately be the right move for the Knicks. ____________________________________________ RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA insights and analysis! Follow RealGM Twitter: https://x.com/RealGM Follow Wes Goldberg Twitter: https://x.com/wcgoldberg PrizePicks: PrizePicks is the best place to get real money sports action. With over 10 million members and billions of dollars in awarded winnings, PrizePicks has made daily fantasy sports accessible to all. You just pick MORE or LESS on at least two players for a shot to win up to 1000x your cash! Run Your Game all season long on PrizePicks. Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Gametime: Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RealGM Radio
Thunder Take Control of NBA Finals, Desmond Bane Trade and Kevin Durant Destinations With Dave DuFour
OKC's defensive masterclass and Jalen Williams' breakout performance have the OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER on the brink of a championship. Wes Goldberg and Dave DuFour (The Athletic) analyze the THUNDER's path to success, dissecting their suffocating defense and the PACERS' struggles. The conversation shifts to blockbuster trade scenarios, including Desmond Bane's move to Orlando and potential Kevin Durant destinations. Charlotte's challenges with LaMelo Ball and roster construction strategies for struggling franchises round out this comprehensive NBA discussion. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 3:37 Thunder Defense 25:31 Exciting Finals for fans 34:00 Desmond Bane trade 50:14 Kevin Durant's next team 57:30 Trade Machine ideas RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA insights and analysis! Follow RealGM Twitter: https://x.com/RealGM Follow Wes Goldberg Twitter: https://x.com/wcgoldberg PrizePicks: PrizePicks is the best place to get real money sports action. With over 10 million members and billions of dollars in awarded winnings, PrizePicks has made daily fantasy sports accessible to all. You just pick MORE or LESS on at least two players for a shot to win up to 1000x your cash! Run Your Game all season long on PrizePicks. Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Gametime: Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RealGM Radio
Pacers Go Up 2-1 in NBA Finals
Wes Goldberg shares his takeaways and observations from the Indiana Pacers' win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, including Tyrese Haliburton's aggressiveness, the Pacers' defensive adjustments and where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fell short. RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA insights and analysis! Follow RealGM Twitter: https://x.com/RealGM Follow Wes Goldberg Twitter: https://x.com/wcgoldberg PrizePicks: PrizePicks is the best place to get real money sports action. With over 10 million members and billions of dollars in awarded winnings, PrizePicks has made daily fantasy sports accessible to all. You just pick MORE or LESS on at least two players for a shot to win up to 1000x your cash! Run Your Game all season long on PrizePicks. Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Gametime: Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
ImageImageImageImageImage

2026 NBA Draft Thread.....

Moderators: nate33, montestewart, LyricalRico

TheBlackCzar
Junior
Posts: 285
And1: 154
Joined: Jun 29, 2009
     

2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#1 » by TheBlackCzar » Wed Apr 2, 2025 2:57 am

Good evening... Who is watching the McDonald's AAG tonight?


Darryn Peterson looks nice as hell out there.... I can see the Kobe comp's....


AJ Dybantsa
Alijah Arenas
Big Boozer
Lil Boozer
Darryn Peterson
Nate Ament - Very interesting prospect, 6-10 with a nice handle and shot, needs to gain weight but promising prospect....
AFM
RealGM
Posts: 12,222
And1: 8,431
Joined: May 25, 2012
   

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#2 » by AFM » Wed Apr 2, 2025 3:54 pm

Time to start talking about this kid




Reclassified in his junior year as a senior, so he's only doing 3 years of HS. Just turned 18 a few days ago.
payitforward
RealGM
Posts: 24,213
And1: 8,907
Joined: May 02, 2012
Location: On the Atlantic

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#3 » by payitforward » Wed Apr 2, 2025 4:03 pm

Oh sure.... but I want to see footage of him doing that kind of stuff to his Father! :)
AFM
RealGM
Posts: 12,222
And1: 8,431
Joined: May 25, 2012
   

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#4 » by AFM » Wed Apr 2, 2025 4:16 pm

payitforward wrote:Oh sure.... but I want to see footage of him doing that kind of stuff to his Father! :)


I was thinking I want to see him doing that to Javaris Crittenton's son
User avatar
gesa2
Rookie
Posts: 1,247
And1: 385
Joined: Jun 21, 2007
Location: Warwick MD
       

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#5 » by gesa2 » Wed Apr 2, 2025 5:15 pm

AFM wrote:
payitforward wrote:Oh sure.... but I want to see footage of him doing that kind of stuff to his Father! :)


I was thinking I want to see him doing that to Javaris Crittenton's son

:lol:
Making extreme statements like "only" sounds like there are "no" Jokics in this draft? Jokic is an engine that was drafted in the 2nd round. Always a chance to see diamond dropped by sloppy burgular after a theft.
-WizD
closg00
RealGM
Posts: 24,293
And1: 4,361
Joined: Nov 21, 2004

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#6 » by closg00 » Wed Apr 2, 2025 8:07 pm

AFM wrote:Time to start talking about this kid




Reclassified in his junior year as a senior, so he's only doing 3 years of HS. Just turned 18 a few days ago.


This kid is the truth, still needs to do his one and done year at USC.
User avatar
pancakes3
General Manager
Posts: 9,564
And1: 2,988
Joined: Jul 27, 2003
Location: Virginia
Contact:

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#7 » by pancakes3 » Wed Apr 2, 2025 8:20 pm

2026 nepodraft is gonna be lit. i hope we go 0-82
Bullets -> Wizards
The Consiglieri
Veteran
Posts: 2,791
And1: 985
Joined: May 09, 2007

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#8 » by The Consiglieri » Wed Apr 2, 2025 8:48 pm

From 5 weeks ago....
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/44002642/2026-nba-mock-draft-top-10-prospects-emerges

Suggestion from Givony seems to be that its quite top heavy with a top 4 or 5 that's pretty special and then the roof caves in, so maybe I was wrong that it was deeper than this one. Not sure, but it does seem SUPER TOP HEAVY to the tune of 3-4 deep for sure of guys that would be tier 1 in this class.
User avatar
doclinkin
RealGM
Posts: 14,713
And1: 6,568
Joined: Jul 26, 2004
Location: .wizuds.

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#9 » by doclinkin » Thu Apr 3, 2025 1:11 am

Isiah Harwell had 16 pts in 18 minutes. Shot 6 of 9, 4 of 7 from 3. He's a kid out of Idaho, committed to Houston. Intriguing as well. Some mocks have him top 8...
User avatar
FAH1223
RealGM
Posts: 16,286
And1: 7,381
Joined: Nov 01, 2005
Location: Laurel, MD
       

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#10 » by FAH1223 » Thu Apr 3, 2025 2:00 pm

AFM wrote:Time to start talking about this kid




Reclassified in his junior year as a senior, so he's only doing 3 years of HS. Just turned 18 a few days ago.


Alijah is going to be a monster.

Gil has done a great job with his son.
Image
Jay81
Veteran
Posts: 2,600
And1: 564
Joined: Nov 10, 2010

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#11 » by Jay81 » Tue May 20, 2025 12:16 pm

im already extremely pissed off that Boston will be tanking and getting the #1 pick next year
Jay81
Veteran
Posts: 2,600
And1: 564
Joined: Nov 10, 2010

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#12 » by Jay81 » Fri May 23, 2025 2:04 am

Any chance that Ted would not let us draft arenas?
PaulinVA
Junior
Posts: 275
And1: 231
Joined: Feb 14, 2021
       

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#13 » by PaulinVA » Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:14 am



Has us taking Boozer 2nd and moving/keeping Sarr at center.
dobrojim
RealGM
Posts: 16,663
And1: 3,927
Joined: Sep 16, 2004

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#14 » by dobrojim » Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:26 am

gesa2 wrote:
AFM wrote:
payitforward wrote:Oh sure.... but I want to see footage of him doing that kind of stuff to his Father! :)


I was thinking I want to see him doing that to Javaris Crittenton's son

:lol:



Sorry. I think funny-not funny is a better response. Tragic story.
A lot of what we call 'thought' is just mental activity

When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression

Those who are convinced of absurdities, can be convinced to commit atrocities
dobrojim
RealGM
Posts: 16,663
And1: 3,927
Joined: Sep 16, 2004

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#15 » by dobrojim » Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:35 am

Jay81 wrote:Any chance that Ted would not let us draft arenas?


Only if he wants mass resignations in the FO.
A lot of what we call 'thought' is just mental activity

When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression

Those who are convinced of absurdities, can be convinced to commit atrocities
9 and 20
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,626
And1: 1,203
Joined: Mar 28, 2021
 

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#16 » by 9 and 20 » Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:42 am

I want to draft Dybantsa one spot ahead of Utah.
Can't say I do. Who else gonna shoot?
dobrojim
RealGM
Posts: 16,663
And1: 3,927
Joined: Sep 16, 2004

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#17 » by dobrojim » Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:26 am

Wasn't totally sure where to put this

it's pretty darn encouraging....not familiar with these guys and maybe I like it because it confirms what I would like to hear. And I'm not familiar with some of the new wrinkles to cap mgmt aprons, 1st/2nd draft etc.

These guys are talking like they are really impressed by the strategic planning and (early) execution.

A lot of what we call 'thought' is just mental activity

When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression

Those who are convinced of absurdities, can be convinced to commit atrocities
Frichuela
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,502
And1: 3,629
Joined: Feb 25, 2015
 

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#18 » by Frichuela » Tue Jul 1, 2025 3:25 pm

This would be #so Wizards...

Read on Twitter
User avatar
gambitx777
RealGM
Posts: 10,505
And1: 1,976
Joined: Dec 18, 2012

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#19 » by gambitx777 » Tue Jul 1, 2025 4:11 pm

We are in serious danger of loosing our pick .

We have a critical mass of young talent and serious vets that will definitely not loose us games. We saw this when we traded away out tank commander Kuz and we were suddenly respectable then we trade out back up tank commander Poole. We have too many vets who knows how to win and too much young talent. .

That's all good. But we might be loosing our draft pick unless we A, get it back or B make another story if tank moves.

Sent from my SM-S926U1 using RealGM mobile app
The Consiglieri
Veteran
Posts: 2,791
And1: 985
Joined: May 09, 2007

Re: 2026 NBA Draft Thread..... 

Post#20 » by The Consiglieri » Tue Jul 1, 2025 5:15 pm

Who was it who already posted a conspiracy theory that Boston or Indiana will scoop up the #1 overall because that's how the NBA lottery works. Too funny, they deserve a reflexive distrust of that level.

Theathletic just posted their first '26 mock, to me anyway, one of the better we can find around since ESPN posted it's '26 mock back in February (and a new one two days ago), the consensus is still the same:

Tier 1:
1. Darrin Peterson-Combo Guard, complete player offensively and defense. 1/07
2. AJ Dybantsa-Wing w/some concerns on defense. 1/07 bday. Consensus 1.01 until Peterson leapt past him during their senior seasons in high school.

Tier 1B:
3. Cam Boozer: Ideal modern Power Forward that can hit from 3, at least to some extent, seems to be a few he'll be the best college player but has a lower ceiling than the others.
4. Nate Ament: The new comer to the tier making it 4 instead of 3, apparently he's a grower, like Bub, grew significantly and is now a 6-11 wing, plays hard on D. 12/06 B-Day

Tier 2:
5. Mikel Brown: 6'4" PG for Louisville, another Bub type, he apparently grew 6 inches in the past 18-24 months. Basically a better version of Fears and a bit taller. I'm shocked he's the oldest of these guys, he looks like a sophomore but he's got the April '06 bday.

5b. Karim Lopez: Yet another Wing Prospect, apparently has pro basketball genes (dad was on Mexican National Team), went to New Zealand to play pro ball, lit it up down the stretch. Has good Wing #'s during that stretch, set a record becoming the youngest player ever to record a double double as a 17 year old last fall, regarded as a very high effort guy.

Considering our interest in high effort, two way guys, it sounds like Peterson, Boozer, Ament, Brown and Lopez are fits, and Dybantsa is more of an offense guy who is meh on defense.

Long term, it sounds like Peterson is the best fit, followed by Ament or Boozer, if Ament's 6-11, that's kind of huge for a wing isn't it? I Wonder if he'll move to PF as he fills out. Sounds like Boozer is the best positional fit, a big bodied, offensive/defensive weapon, not sure what that does to Sarr though.

No Center Prospects, only 1 PG prospect1, whose more of a combo guy, you'd have to drop into 5th or lower before another PG prospect arrives, so it's yet more Wings which we are already chock full of at the top of the draft, 2 of the top 4 are wings, and 3 of the top 6. The unfortunate reality is that the entire top 10 is stuffed chock full of wings, 6 of the top 10 and 8 of the top 10 if you include combo guard/guard prospects. No Centers to speak of, and maybe 2 PG prospects. This is one of the reasons I found it odd that we didn't try to move up for Center help. It's a known, known that the '26 class aint providing us a solution to that problem, and this draft was chock full of center prospects. This year there's about 3-4 PF/C guys though that don't have the height but might have the length, but all of them are in that 8-15 zone, you don't see a straight Center Prospect until the 20's.


Looking at the board, for now anyway, If we avoid the horror of giving up the pick, my interests would be:
1.Peterson
2. Dybantsa
3. Ament
4. Boozer
5. Mikel Brown

A lot can change in a year, but for the most part, we know last year shuffled a bit of the top 5-6, but at the end of the college season and draft, only 1 of the top 6 players was a surprise, Kon, and I think all of us agree that was a stupid pick and valuation (even if NBA scouts really really liked him more than us, and analytics people). I suspect the top 4 will likely remain the same.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6439364/2025/06/29/nba-mock-draft-2026-prospective-players/

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585873/2026-nba-mock-draft-four-players-no-1-pick-options-peterson-dybantsa-boozer-ament

Return to Washington Wizards