2026 NBA Draft Thread.....

[The Consiglieri]

Took a morning spin on tankathon this morning: 4,5,4,3,5. The Wizards need the Suns to go on a long losing streak to get some more balls.

The frustrating news is how impressive their start has been early in the season. We needed them to stumble drunkenly into a ditch, and then quit. Instead, they are playoff bound for now.

The good news is December is one long, immense road trip, hopefully it breaks them. 8 roadies in 10 games, and 10 of 13 if you count the night before thanksgiving through new years. We need them to implode during that stretch (November 26th through New Years Eve). I had them as 3-10 or 4-9 for that stretch.

If I'm right, and they just did the fence sitting performance over the next 5 (2-3 or 3-2), then we're looking at something analagous to 13-18 (hurrah!) or 16-15 (boo!!!!) by New Years.

It's really critical they drop some games going into the roadie. We wanted them dragging going into Thanksgiving, but instead they have some momentum. Very frustrating. I take solace in the fact that only 1 of their wins is against a quality team, for the most part, they've played the dregs, and a sub .500 Clippers squad. We'll see how they perform now that the schedule is about to get much tougher.

We really, really, really need the Suns to finish bottom 5-10, without that, it's just a repeat of '25 but w/potentially worse odds when it comes to falling even farther.

I think we should be okay, but an 8-5 start was something I just didn't see happening.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Boozer is pretty consistent at #1.

I do love the idea of the Wizards getting both Boozers with their 2 picks.

Based on what i've seen i wouldn't consider Boozer in the top 5. He feasts on cupcakes but against a decent team i don't think he is going to look good. He was 10-32 from the field combined against Tenn and Texas and they aren't exactly powerhouse teams.

His skills taking it to the basket and finishing look pretty mediocre to me. I think he is being way overrated based on what he did in high school.

Generally speaking I'd have Dybantsa at #1 , I just see him as the most complete versatile highest upside star potential in this draft.

Beyond that I see the biggest areas that need to be addressed in setting the foundation for this team are lead guard that can actually run the team,and lead the way so the rest of the players can play their roles and be put in positions of strength to utilize their skills. Someone who can create, get in the paint, and get players like Sarr and Tre involved in the offense on the receiving end. Secondly would be an interior player, someone who can add some size and physicality to help take pressure off Sarr.

As far as lead guard I would be looking at Peterson and Mikel Brown Jr.

And then I would be looking at Boozer, Wilson and Peat as PFs to put next to Sarr.

I'm starting to see the lead guard prospects as more desirable than the PFs, in terms of talent, upside and star potential. So I do find myself starting to view Peterson and Brown at 2 and 3 behind Dybantsa.

I also think we can probably find an interior player later in the draft easier than a lead guard. Someone like Steinback, Veesaar or Toppin.

If we end up outside the top 3 then I'd probably be looking at Wilson, Boozer, Peat. Although Avdalas may be worth considering also.

[The Consiglieri]

I watched Brown in that game and also in FIBA over the summer. I don't think he has the shot versatility from 3 that Tre does. I dont think he is as good moving right or left and then shooting like Tre can do. But he does have deep range and is very comfortable shooting pullup 3s off the dribble.

On the other hand Brown looks dynamic taking it to the basket. He had one drive in that game where he drove left and tried to dunk on someone with his left hand but missed because he was fouled. I was like . I heard somewhere that he has a 40" vertical which wouldn't surprise me. He also looks like he has legit playmaking skills.

So yeah that could be a nasty backcourt but we need a high pick to get him depending on who is in front of us.

I still think Brown's highest slot is probably 3 or 4 and that would require Ament to step on a rake and a lot of GM's to really not want Boozer (I won't be surprised if some teams buy into the "lower ceiling projections).

I also think it's worth noting team needs to some extent: You've got 2 guards who could probably play PG, Dybantsa is a pure wing, Ament is probably eventually a 4 but for now can play wing too, Boozer is a big, and for now, that's probably the top 5.


So looking at the clear disaster class sides:
Brooklyn
Washington
New Orleans

I don't really buy Indiana being this bad for the long haul, I figure they'll straighten out into a 30-35 win team. What would Brooklyn and New Orleans be drafting? I guess New Orleans pick goes to Atlanta (genius move, idiots), so who would Atlanta take?

The only guy that really, really, really doesn't make sense for us is Dybantsa, but if we pick 2nd, for now, he's probably the guy and we just work trades with wings, but it's gonna be an interesting 7 months, that's for sure. Exciting that basically at least 3 of the top 5 guys sound like a really good fit for us.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

These are the players I would be targeting in the 2ND ROUND!!




Magoon Gwath NBA Draft Room: Currently mocked 32

C – San Diego State – HT: 7-0 – WT: 205 – WING: NA – So – A very intriguing big man with a unique mix of shot blocking, great height and 3pt shooting. Has very good mobility for a player his size and is a real athlete not just a 7-foot dude.

Draft Notes
Gwath is a tall, skinny, lanky and intriguing big man with a unique skill-set.
He’s got a mix of great height, shot-making, shot blocking that you don’t often see. At this point he’s very skinny and lanky and will have to add a lot of strength but he’s got some tools and skills you can’t teach.
Rebounds the ball well despite his lack of strength. Uses his length well and has a good nose for the ball.
Has really good timing as a shot blocker and does a good job of altering shots without fouling. Could become a really high level defender as he develops his strength.

Watch on YouTube

Mouhamed Faye NBA Draft Room: Currently mocked 44

PF – Senegal – HT: 6-10 – WT: 223 – WING: 7-4 1/4 – Int05 – A physical PF/C who lives in the paint. Is a high level rebounder and defender. Top 15 International Prospects

Draft Notes
Faye is a strong, physical big man who plays an old-school game. He does all of his damage in the paint and is an enforcer in the middle. He’s not very skilled with the ball in his hands but brings value as a rebounder, defender, screen-setter and rim-runner.
He’s got a strong base and doesn’t get pushed around in the paint. He’s a developmental player and could be a draft and stash candidate with a chance to continue to develop and work his way into the league in a few years.

Watch on YouTube

Noa Kouakou-Heugue NBA Draft Room: Currently mocked 61

SF – France – HT: 6-10 – WT: 207 – WING: NA – Int.07– An impressive athlete with size and length. Pressures the ball well and has great tools. A bit raw but has upside.

Draft Notes
A long, wiry, mobile and athletic forward who lots of upside to develop. Is very thin and is just growing into his frame.
A developmental player but with intriguing tools.

Watch on YouTube

Hugo Facorat. NBA Draft Room: Currently mocked 74

PF – France – HT: 6-10 – WT: 200 – WING: NA – Int.07 – A skilled combo forward with great height and length. Will have to get stronger to defend in the NBA but has a frame that should be able to handle more weight. Has a lot of upside but a long ways to go.

Draft Notes
Facorat is a long and wiry 6-10 forward who can do a lot of different things on the court. He plays a finesse game and is good with the ball in his hands, showing some dribble-drive and shot-making ability.
He has a quick first step and good overall quickness for a player his size.
Has a somewhat unorthodox jumper but has good touch and can hit the 3. Has a soft touch around the rim and is a good finisher.
At this point he’s very skinny and needs to put on strength to guard in the post, but he has time to fill out his frame. He does have good length and if the frame fills out he can be an impact defender.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[SUPERBALLMAN]

No Ceilings Big Board

Watch on YouTube

[prime1time]

Read on Twitter

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Read on Twitter

Comp for Boozer = Barkley ?

Watch on YouTube

[TheBlackCzar]

Read on Twitter

Comp for Boozer = Barkley ?

Watch on YouTube

I don't want him..... He's not going to be a superstar.....

[tontoz]

Boozer is great at padding his stats in blowouts. Indiana State? Larry Bird isn't walking through that door.

[machu46]

Boozer is great at padding his stats in blowouts. Indiana State? Larry Bird isn't walking through that door.

Fortunately Boozer should have plenty of chances to prove himself against better competition as the season goes on. Very good basketball player but the physical tools are not impressive.

I am a big believer in not overthinking young players that dominate and he definitely looks like he'll fit into that category but we'll see...the Texas game was pretty dreadful.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

[tontoz]

BYU vs #3 Ucon at 7.

[willbcocks]

The teams with the 7 worst records in the league have a combined losing streak of 36 games right now. The tank battle is ferocious.

[DukeLecker]

Boozer more likely 6’7” than 6’10”

Reminds me of Jabari Parker.

[tontoz]

What a wild game for AJ. Horrible start and they were down 15 in the 1st half. Then he goes off in the 2nd half and their comeback came up just short. Wow

[prime1time]

What a wild game for AJ. Horrible start and they were getting blown out. Then he goes off in the 2nd half and their comeback came up just short.
Wow

I didn't see the first half but I saw the end of the 2nd half. Dybantsa is good and worthy of being in the convo for #1. To be that young and already that skilled, with that level of body control is impressive. Once or twice a decade a draft class comes along that change the landscape of the NBA. This will be that kind of draft class. These kids are all so special. AJ, Boozer, Brown Jr. I haven't seen a full game of Peterson or Ament yet but from the limited amount I've seen they look special also. I still think Brown Jr. should be looked at as special because he can playmake and create for others. AJ took over the game at the end but he also ended the game with 0 assists.

[prime1time]

Watch on YouTube

[tontoz]

What a wild game for AJ. Horrible start and they were getting blown out. Then he goes off in the 2nd half and their comeback came up just short.
Wow

I didn't see the first half but I saw the end of the 2nd half. Dybantsa is good and worthy of being in the convo for #1. To be that young and already that skilled, with that level of body control is impressive. Once or twice a decade a draft class comes along that change the landscape of the NBA. This will be that kind of draft class. These kids are all so special. AJ, Boozer, Brown Jr. I haven't seen a full game of Peterson or Ament yet but from the limited amount I've seen they look special also. I still think Brown Jr. should be looked at as special because he can playmake and create for others. AJ took over the game at the end but he also ended the game with 0 assists.

In the first half the Ucon D had him on tilt. The guy guarding him was a tough defender and help came quickly when he tried to drive. It got to the point where AJ didn't even try to shoot any more. He was 1-6 in the first half for 4 pts with a couple of turnovers.

[tontoz]

Watch on YouTube

[SUPERBALLMAN]

What a wild game for AJ. Horrible start and they were getting blown out. Then he goes off in the 2nd half and their comeback came up just short.
Wow

I didn't see the first half but I saw the end of the 2nd half. Dybantsa is good and worthy of being in the convo for #1. To be that young and already that skilled, with that level of body control is impressive. Once or twice a decade a draft class comes along that change the landscape of the NBA. This will be that kind of draft class. These kids are all so special. AJ, Boozer, Brown Jr. I haven't seen a full game of Peterson or Ament yet but from the limited amount I've seen they look special also. I still think Brown Jr. should be looked at as special because he can playmake and create for others. AJ took over the game at the end but he also ended the game with 0 assists.

In the first half the Ucon D had him on tilt. The guy guarding him was a tough defender and help came quickly when he tried to drive. It got to the point where AJ didn't even try to shoot any more. He was 1-6 in the first half for 4 pts with a couple of turnovers.

I fell asleep at halftime , he was totally stopped in the 1st half looked frustrated. I gotta watch the 2nd half today.

Also Houston vs Auburn today at 3pm ESPN chance to watch another top prospect Cenac.

I gotta say I'm liking Mikel Brown Jr more and more.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Oh yeah, and when thinking about this draft, don't forget about ALIJAH...

Watch on YouTube

https://usctrojans.com/news/2025/9/11/mens-basketball-alijah-arenas-is-fearless-in-the-face-of-the-future