[Wiretap] Four players are competing for the top spot in the 2026 NBA Draft

[ChiTownHero1992]

I like all 4 prospects for now, but don't ever trust Kansas prospects tbh so we'll see on Peterson. I like what I see out of Cam Boozer and AJ though, both have massive amounts of potential!

Ament has been good but just starting to emerge, I don't trust it as a top 5 pick at all as of yet and don't see how he fits in the same grouping.

[Duke4life831]

I totally get the hype for the other 3, especially Peterson. All 3 have their own “wow” part to their game.

With that said, AJ is on his own tier. The dude is the closest thing we’ve seen to T-Mac. 6’8, very athletic and top tier shot creation. He’s also not just a “high defensive potential” guy either, he’s a good defender already with elite physical tools.

[azcatz11]

AJ Dybantsa is a guy I would take over anybody in this draft and over Flagg easily.

Is he generational?

[wegotthabeet]

Man this draft might be the strongest in a decade.

Too bad we're skipping it.

Imagine Flagg didn’t reclassify. Might have been the best top 5 since 2003 and it might still be despite that.

[ShadyMoney]

I’m waiting on the ‘29 and ‘30 class

Will be way better IMO

[FrodoBaggins]

Boozer will probably be the best college player. I also wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being the best in the NBA.

[Mr B]

So the NBA just needs to make sure the Mavs get a top 4 pick? Doesn’t come close to making up for forcing the Mavs to make the Luka trade but it’s a start.

We don't even own our picks after this year for a long while. Another reason why this move was so "genius".

The Mavs own their own picks in ‘25, ‘27, and ‘29. They just can’t trade the picks.

[Johnny Firpo]

So the NBA just needs to make sure the Mavs get a top 4 pick? Doesn’t come close to making up for forcing the Mavs to make the Luka trade but it’s a start.

We don't even own our picks after this year for a long while. Another reason why this move was so "genius".

The Mavs own their own picks in ‘25, ‘27, and ‘29. They just can’t trade the picks.

The 2027 is going to Charlotte, unless it's 1-2 (so essentially, we don't have that pick). 2029 has swap on it (Irving trade), so while we will have a 1st round pick, it's not gonna be ours, but a worse pick than we would have gotten.

[BruttoNostra]

So the NBA just needs to make sure the Mavs get a top 4 pick? Doesn’t come close to making up for forcing the Mavs to make the Luka trade but it’s a start.

We don't even own our picks after this year for a long while. Another reason why this move was so "genius".

The Mavs own their own picks in ‘25, ‘27, and ‘29. They just can’t trade the picks.

You got 1/3 correct - they own their picks in 25, 26 and 31.
Top-2 protection in 2027 - even if they finish in the bottom-3, they have like 28% to retain that pick.
Swaps not in favor of Dal - in 28 and 30.
LAL pick in 29.

2025 - Own

2026 - Own

2027 - 1-2 Own; 3-30 to CHA

2028 - Own or OKC (via OKC swap for DAL)

2029 - Two most favorable of DAL, HOU and PHX to HOU then other to BRK (via DAL and PHX to BRK; via DAL or PHX to HOU; via HOU swap for DAL or PHX); LAL

2030 - Own or SAN (via SAN swap for DAL); most / more favorable of DAL, SAN and MIN 2-30 to SAN; less favorable of (i) MIN 2-30 and (ii) more favorable of DAL and SAN [or MIN if MIN not conveyable] to MIN (via SAN swap for DAL; via SAN swap of SAN or DAL for MIN)

2031 - Own

[Mr B]

We don't even own our picks after this year for a long while. Another reason why this move was so "genius".

The Mavs own their own picks in ‘25, ‘27, and ‘29. They just can’t trade the picks.

You got 1/3 correct - they own their picks in 25, 26 and 31.
Top-2 protection in 2027 - even if they finish in the bottom-3, they have like 28% to retain that pick.
Swaps not in favor of Dal - in 28 and 30.
LAL pick in 29.

2025 - Own

2026 - Own

2027 - 1-2 Own; 3-30 to CHA

2028 - Own or OKC (via OKC swap for DAL)

2029 - Two most favorable of DAL, HOU and PHX to HOU then other to BRK (via DAL and PHX to BRK; via DAL or PHX to HOU; via HOU swap for DAL or PHX); LAL

2030 - Own or SAN (via SAN swap for DAL); most / more favorable of DAL, SAN and MIN 2-30 to SAN; less favorable of (i) MIN 2-30 and (ii) more favorable of DAL and SAN [or MIN if MIN not conveyable] to MIN (via SAN swap for DAL; via SAN swap of SAN or DAL for MIN)

2031 - Own

Believe me, whatever scenario that works out worst for the Mavs will happen.

[Chokic]

Here is a long list of hyped high school players who were at some point ranked #1 in their class who haven't exactly panned out in the league. More often than not somebody ranked lower or much lower turns out better in the league. I'm not sold on Aj Dybantsa as a superstar hes around Jonathan Kuminga tier as a prospect.

Chet Holmgren
Jonathan Kuminga
Quincy Miller
Shabazz Muhammad
Emoni Bates
Jalen Duren
Cole Anthony
James Wiseman
DeAndre Ayton
Marvin Bagley
RJ Barrett
Harrison Barnes
Andrew Wiggins
Ben Simmons
Jahlil Okafor
Skal Labissiere
Brandon Jennings
Lou Williams
Gerald Green
Oj Mayo
Markelle Fultz
Shaedon Sharpe
Nick Smith
Josh Jackson
Harry Giles
Avery Bradley
Renardo Sidney
Dariq Whitehead
Dereck Lively
Isiah Collier
Ron Holland

[Devilanche]

I’m waiting on the ‘29 and ‘30 class

Will be way better IMO

Don’t sleep on the class of ‘33.

[ShadyMoney]

I’m waiting on the ‘29 and ‘30 class

Will be way better IMO

Don’t sleep on the class of ‘33.

I’m doing my notes for them now.

[BruttoNostra]

I’m waiting on the ‘29 and ‘30 class

Will be way better IMO

Don’t sleep on the class of ‘33.

I’m doing my notes for them now.

Instead of that, go and "work" on the class of '45

[Devilanche]

Don’t sleep on the class of ‘33.

I’m doing my notes for them now.

Instead of that, go and "work" on the class of '45

Those guys aren’t even walking yet . There’s still time !

[brackdan70]

I think this draft is really strong beyond the top as well. Recruiting wise AJ, Boozer and Petersen seem to be set apart with AJ a clear number one. All three are Flagg level prospects or better. There are several other fantastic freshmen as well.

[BruttoNostra]

I’m doing my notes for them now.

Instead of that, go and "work" on the class of '45

Those guys aren’t even walking yet . There’s still time !

Of course they aren't walking yet, but do the math - they don't have much time left to be ready for '45 - they must be conceived asap

[reddyplayerone]

"Peterson is a Kansas commit and draws comparisons to Damian Lillard with his shot creation. Peterson has more size than Lillard at 6'6 with a 6'11 wingspan."

Man, a 6'6'' with 6'11'' wingspan Lillard is NOT a Lillard, it's an entirely different new player. A T-Mac maybe?

Sounds like Bubble Murray

But Jamal is 6'2" like Lillard

And T-Mac is like 6'8" or 6'9". At 6'6" this kid is probably more comparable to someone like Shai

[Jcool0]

AJ Dybantsa is a guy I would take over anybody in this draft and over Flagg easily.

Is he generational?

He good but he is not on Flagg's level.

[Shock Defeat]

AJ Dybantsa is a guy I would take over anybody in this draft and over Flagg easily.

Is he generational?

He good but he is not on Flagg's level.

Yes he is and will be