2026 NBA Draft Thread.....

[SUPERBALLMAN]

It took me a minute to realize who Caleb Wilson reminded me so much of: Antonio McDyess.

Literally a carbon copy (play style, frame, explosiveness) of McDyess at Alabama but with better passing instincts.

I think I have to move him to #3 ahead of Boozer.

Yes, that's a good one!

[AFM]

He actually reminds me of Antonio Daniels. And Dybantsa reminds me of Jarvis Hayes #throwback

[Dat2U]

A Caleb Wilson / Alexandre Sarr frontline is drool worthy. At their potential peak, that's a frontline that can challenge for title. So much athleticism, switchability on defense, developing skill on offense. High IQ decision making, instant reads and passing. Caleb's high level motor & intensity.

[9 and 20]

If we don't land top 4 and if Boozer drops to 5, any chance the Spurs would trade Harper for him? Spurs have Fox and Castle at guard already and may lose Sochan in the offseason. We might even encourage them to think we will try to sign Sochan in the summer.

Fox, Castle, Keldon Johnson/Devin Vassell, Boozer, Wembanyama is a good, young lineup. If Booz is some unstoppable inside force, then the Spurs become hilariously overpowered.

[doclinkin]

A Caleb Wilson / Alexandre Sarr frontline is drool worthy. At their potential peak, that's a frontline that can challenge for title. So much athleticism, switchability on defense, developing skill on offense. High IQ decision making, instant reads and passing. Caleb's high level motor & intensity.

Kid has arms like a Kraken. Ridiculously long. Sticky hands.

[awolfinwater]

A Caleb Wilson / Alexandre Sarr frontline is drool worthy. At their potential peak, that's a frontline that can challenge for title. So much athleticism, switchability on defense, developing skill on offense. High IQ decision making, instant reads and passing. Caleb's high level motor & intensity.

Kid has arms like a Kraken. Ridiculously long. Sticky hands.

Caleb "The Kraken" Wilson. That has a good ring to it. I live in Chapel Hill now and will see if I can get the nickname to stick

[tontoz]

Watching Peat in a game for the first time a couple of things stand out. He is really athletic. He is faster and more agile than I realized from watching highlights.

He's pretty short though. He's listed at 6'8 but I would guess he might be almost 2" shorter than that.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Caleb Wilson comp..... CWeb ?

Watch on YouTube

Caleb must be in consideration for us as a top 5 pick. Him and Sarr at 4/5 could be a relentless menace!

Watch on YouTube

Days back I posted draft AJ Dybantsa. I will stick by that.

Caleb Wilson can become a Jalen Duren, which would complete the Wizards' front court.

A Caleb Wilson / Alexandre Sarr frontline is drool worthy. At their potential peak, that's a frontline that can challenge for title. So much athleticism, switchability on defense, developing skill on offense. High IQ decision making, instant reads and passing. Caleb's high level motor & intensity.

Knowing that Wilson might still be on the board at #6, this is a perfect draft day trade down.

Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter were swapped on draft day. Suppose the Wizards decide in the grand scheme that Wilson is their guy. Washington could trade down 3, 4, or 5 for the rights to Wilson

I used to hardly ever look at the physical or much video to predict. I KNEW Millsap was going to be great. He would fill needs. Caleb Wilson isn't just a safe pick. He's the best fit next to Sarr. Remember Chris Webber and Rasheed Wallace? Sarr and Wilson would be special.

With the Wizards later 1st round pick, I wouldn't mind an absurd selection, Braden Smith.

[Dat2U]

An early take on the top 5 of the draft:

Peterson = lives up to the hype so far but injured so we haven't seen much. A lock as the #1 or #2 pick.

Dybantsa = lives up to the hype but handle could use a little work. A lock as the #1 or #2 pick.

Boozer = has not lived up to the hype. Extremely productive but has struggled with finishing against better comp. Looks a little stiff. Not as strong as anticipated. Solid but not Tier 1 prospect (May not be tier 2 either). May still go top 5, but could slide down a few spots as well.

Wilson = been better than the hype. Wildly explosive with a solid frame to add more weight. Improving handle with the ability to read the floor quickly. Terror on defense with activity, athleticism, awareness and long arms. Looks like the prototype 4/5 of the future. I think he's a lock at 3 or 4.

Brown Jr = lives up to the hype. Good size at PG, explosive first step with solid frame and excellent shooting form. My only concern with him is his ability to play without the ball but the skills and talent make him a top 5 prospect in most years. I think he's got a strong case so far to go in the 3-5 range.

Feel free to add any others you've watched.

[dobrojim]

Podcast I watched last night has JT Toppin at 30.
He's not a freshman but could be a good option.

[tontoz]

Koa Peat is a strange kind of tweener. He looks like he has the height and mobility of a 3, but the strength and game of a center. Good agility finishing in traffic but in college teams can pack the paint to slow him down. He likes shooting from 5-15 feet with mixed results.

Looks good on D and on the boards. Not really sure what to make of him right now but i would say he is a candidate from 5-7.

Arizona is a strong team, literally. Peat isn't their only bruiser.

[machu46]

Last summer i was high on Ament. Now i am close to being completed out on him as a top 8 prospect. I was under the impression last summer that he was a good/great shooter. So far that has not been the case.

His shooting was so bad in that Duke exhibition it was a major red flag. He wasnt just missing, he is missing the rim. So far through 4 games he is 4-18 from 3 against cupcakes. If this continues it's pretty hard to make the case for him as a top 8 pick. He isn't dynamic taking it to the basket.

This is just the way I do things some people will differ. When it comes to 3-point shooting, I really weigh attempts heavily. The sample size is small and 3-point shooting fluctuates in low percentages. It tells me a lot that he's letting it fly at least 4 times a game. I also like the 3 assists a game. It's not crazy competition but 2 games with 5 assists.

Imo, it'd be a bigger red flag if he wasn't attempting them. Let's see where his average shakes out. But the potential is there if the 3-point shot falls. He's skilled for 6'10.

I feel similarly about shot attempts in general. If a guy is taking a ton of shots on his college team, even if he isn't shooting a great percentage, it tells me everyone understands that he's their best scorer/the guy they want shooting. I would obviously prefer that they are both high efficiency and high volume, but the volume is arguably more important than the efficiency when evaluating prospects IMO (there's definitely some "feel" involved here beyond just having a hard and fast rule for it though).

[machu46]

On a different note, was listening to Vecenie’s latest podcast where he sang the praises of Mikel Brown. He described him as a taller version of Garland. If he develops into a bigger Garland who is not a liability defensively, watch out.

I think it's in part the flair he plays with and the size, but I see a lot of LaMelo in Brown personally. And I know LaMelo is one of those polarizing players where folks might give that comp to say Brown is bad but I really do mean it in a good way.

As is often the case with freshmen and particularly freshmen that are carrying a huge offensive load, Brown has a TON to work on defensively lol. He absolutely has my attention though; this draft class is so exciting.

[machu46]

One thing that I'm kinda keeping an eye on but not really drawing conclusions from yet: watching Dybantsa and Cenac (and Boozer but in a different way), the shot making has been there but I really don't like how hard they've had to work for their shots/how contested they've been. Like this shot below; remarkable that AJ was able to hit this but I really wish it were a bit easier for him to create separation. I see Dybantsa as a future star in the NBA but this is just something I'll probably be noting as I watch more of him.

[Northwest Roddy]

Can Caleb shoot?

[tontoz]

Can Caleb shoot?

TBD

He's made some nice midrange shots which looked good but has only attempted 5 3s making 2.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Watch on YouTube

[SUPERBALLMAN]

My new favorite for our late 1st round pick (30)...

6-9 Freshman PF Illinois David Mirkovic

Was not great vs Alabama last night, but still had 10 pts 10 boards, 2-6 from 3, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 TO

Is he fast? No. Does he have quick burst? No. Is he a high leaper? No... In fact, he kind of runs like Forrest Gump.

But I'll tell you what. He's got moves. He is CRAFTY. He can shoot, he can pass, and he rebounds like crazy.

The way he plays actually reminds me in a way of Kyshawn.


NBA DRAFT ROOM (currently mocked pick #31):

David Mirkovic PF – Illinois (Montenegro) – HT: 6-9 – WT: 255 – WING: NA – Fr – A versatile big forward who rebounds the heck out of the ball and is a solid shooter and scorer. Has legit NBA potential.

Draft Notes
Mirkovic is a big-bodied forward with a very high skill level and a nice looking outside shot.
He can dominate on the boards with his wide frame and strength.
Has range on his jumper and really good looking outside shot.
Moves well for a big guy, even though he’s not a high flyer or the most bursty player.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[dobrojim]

Toppin on now against Wake Forest looks solid.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Toppin on now against Wake Forest looks solid.

Watching Houston vs Rider on TNT for the 2 Houston freshmen Cenac & Flemings...