2026 NBA DRAFT CLASS

[BlazersBroncos]

Flemings feels very likely to slide right now.

I think sliding is like to pick 10 or so, which is where I've had him all year. Fun playe4, might be a good pro, but not a natural PG and I dont trust the shot as much as others do.

Yeah I could see him sliding past that. Pick 13-16.

Same. Sorta a master of none and his WS is a pretty big nick.

What 'non-blue-chip' (IE CP3) guys marketed as 2-way starters at PG/CG have succeeded at above-replacement-starter levels w/ a similar wingspan?

[Chuck Everett]

If the Nets rumors are true about Austin Reaves (and his big offer), then I would not be surprised if Karim Lopez is their pick or they trade down with OKC for 12/17 while also picking up Aaron Wiggins.

At the end of the day, Nets need multiple apples to add talent and Reaves would be another proven scorer that serves as a stopgap while they rebuild. He may not be as potent without the Laker whistle, but he's a good playmaker in the regular season.

Regarding Flemings, I called it months ago. Knew he was smaller and they keep trying to sell how it's not an issue. He needs a lot of development work to even become a passable starter for any team. He's also too right hand dependent for a PG. If he was Harden's size, you could overlook, but how is a guy like him supposed to defend Edgecombe or Dylan Harper?

[JMAC3]

The Nets can want Reaves all they want but why is he leaving LA to go play with one of the worst teams in the league for the same or lesser money?

[Chuck Everett]

The Nets can want Reaves all they want but why is he leaving LA to go play with one of the worst teams in the league for the same or lesser money?

It doesn't seem likely that the Lakers will meet a 4 year/177 million dollar offer for him. Can they build a championship team around Luka with him making that much? Seems doubtful.

[JMAC3]

The Nets can want Reaves all they want but why is he leaving LA to go play with one of the worst teams in the league for the same or lesser money?

It doesn't seem likely that the Lakers will meet a 4 year/177 million dollar offer for him. Can they build a championship team around Luka with him making that much? Seems doubtful.

I think it is a super easy yes to keep Reaves at that price, especially since his cap hold is only like 20 million. They can add salary around Luka and then sign Reaves to the MAX last.

[Chuck Everett]

The Nets can want Reaves all they want but why is he leaving LA to go play with one of the worst teams in the league for the same or lesser money?

It doesn't seem likely that the Lakers will meet a 4 year/177 million dollar offer for him. Can they build a championship team around Luka with him making that much? Seems doubtful.

I think it is a super easy yes to keep Reaves at that price, especially since his cap hold is only like 20 million. They can add salary around Luka and then sign Reaves to the MAX last.

I guess we'll see if Austin (and his representation) is willing to do that in a few weeks.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Mikel Brown 100% should be picked by the Clippers. Acuff's interview with Draymond, in which he expressed an unwillingness to guard non-PGs on switches and said it should be about 1-on-1 matchups, is a monster red flag for teams. It tells me what many have already suspected... It's not a lack of ABILITY so much as it's an unwillingness to do what's uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, I love old school 1 on 1 hoops.. but in the modern day NBA.. if a small guard is unwilling to TRY to switch and defend bigger guys he's going to be targeted every play down.

An ESPN report today said Mikel continues to destroy workouts and move up boards, and Sean now said he has serious momentum to go 5th. Nets are really pushing for him, having visited his home and family in Florida yesterday. I don't believe he makes it to 7 despite many mocks still having him at 8-10 range.

Read on Twitter

If the Clippers take Acuff or Wagler they are going to waste another era IMO. They need to go for a higher risk, high reward type pick here.

[FarBeyondDriven]

I think sliding is like to pick 10 or so, which is where I've had him all year. Fun playe4, might be a good pro, but not a natural PG and I dont trust the shot as much as others do.

Yeah I could see him sliding past that. Pick 13-16.

Same. Sorta a master of none and his WS is a pretty big nick.

What 'non-blue-chip' (IE CP3) guys marketed as 2-way starters at PG/CG have succeeded at above-replacement-starter levels w/ a similar wingspan?

well, how many guys with his wingspan have been great defenders like him? And if they are, how many are ALSO great on offense? None. Shows you what an outlier he is but I choose to celebrate that rather than diminish it. I mean, there's been loads of small guards with his wingspan that were great offensive players. Shouldn't we be stoked that he could be one of those AND a very good defender unlike them?

[babyjax13]

Suigo withdrew. Kayil and Sergio staying in.

[moss_is_1]

Kayil must have legit 1st round buzz. Pretty sure the Wolves are high on him.

[WargamesX]

Kayil must have legit 1st round buzz. Pretty sure the Wolves are high on him.

That makes sense I don't think they will be able to keep Ayo. He’s the best FA on the market. However they really liked what he brought and maybe Kayil can bring that.

[moss_is_1]

Kayil must have legit 1st round buzz. Pretty sure the Wolves are high on him.

That makes sense I don't think they will be able to keep Ayo. He’s the best FA on the market. However they really liked what he brought and maybe Kayil can bring that.

I think they'll keep Ayo. He might be a better option than a lot of the others, but its a market that has a lot of good players.

Reaves, Ayo, Coby White, Simons, Collin Gilespie, McCollum, Powell, Sexton, Grimes are all likely to receive interest. Pair that with a draft that also is loaded with guards and I'm confident he will back with the Wolves. He expressed an interest in hitting UFA, but also has mentioned liking Minnesota and the team.

Something similar to Naw's contract, maybe a slight bump over the MLE. 4/70 is the MLE, I could see bumping it to $16m a year if needed.

[HMFFL]

Clippers may have given Mikel Brown Jr a promise, and honestly he should 100% be their pick. His camp has canceled all meetings and workouts besides the remaining scheduled ones with the Clippers and Hawks. There are rumors a specific top 10 team has reassured him of a pick. If you just look at the situation logically and use deductive reasoning I'm 90% sure it's the Clippers. The last week most mocks have swapped them from Wagler to Brown Jr who has apparently been dominating workouts, with many scouts saying he's the second best guard in the draft after Peterson.

https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/2026-nba-mock-draft-3-0-latest-intel-updates-all-60-picks

"The rumor around the NBA in recent days is that Mikel Brown Jr. and his camp have shut down workout invites outside of those already accepted, which likely signals that a team has promised him following individual meetings and workouts. Brown will meet with the Clippers and Hawks before the draft, sources said. When gathering information on Brown since the combine, the most common team associated with him has been the LA Clippers, who are also considering Wagler and Flemings in this spot, sources said.

Both Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and team president Lawrence Frank have been on hand to see Brown on the court in person, and he is said to be fully recovered and back to 100 percent following his lingering back issues at Louisville. Word from teams that have watched Brown work out privately has been fantastic, with one team with a top-10 pick telling ClutchPoints they view him as the second-best guard in this draft class."

I think the Clippers have to take Brown. They clearly don't want to move Garland, which makes the Acuff pairing extremely weird, same with Flemings probably for different reasons (Flemings is a mediocre shooter/off ball player, Acuff is a very high usage+on ball+smaller guy too). Wagler's upside is basically really good do it all connector in the Austin Reeves type mold. He will never be a #1 or even possibly #2 option on a contender. He's more like a great #3 who does many things above average.

Brown Jr is the only guard in that 5-10 range who has more risk for his floor and "holes" in his game BUT if the back is healthy, and everything clicks he has the upside to be a top 2 player from this draft. Insane 3 point volume and range, defensive flashes, really surprising court vision if you can bring down the turnovers. He's the one guard here I can see going on an Jalen Brunson type arc where you can build a contender around. He supposedly grew from 5'11" to 6'4" ish in a little over a year. If he grows another inch or half inch and puts on 15 lbs of muscle he would probably age very well.

The Clippers need a homerun SGA 2.0 scenario. If Wagler ends up being another Austin Reeves they would get a great young player, but nothing franchise altering. If they can somehow land another Brunson tier guard (say Brown hits his ceiling) it could literally be a perennial all star, MVP race guy who can completely swing the trajectory of the team post Kawhi. Long story short is.. take a big risk here.

Mikel is by far the best shooter this year.

When he shoots like Lillard in range in practice, people are gonna dream of another Kon with more point guard juice. He has that big guard thing going over the 6 footers.

He took 58.6% of his FG from 3 this year.

Big guards with desire to defend are going to be okay at defense in the worst case.

I agree.
I expect Mikel to figure things out in the NBA and improve on his glaring issues he had in college. The Clippers play a big role in this draft.

[WargamesX]

Kayil must have legit 1st round buzz. Pretty sure the Wolves are high on him.

That makes sense I don't think they will be able to keep Ayo. He’s the best FA on the market. However they really liked what he brought and maybe Kayil can bring that.

I think they'll keep Ayo. He might be a better option than a lot of the others, but its a market that has a lot of good players.

Reaves, Ayo, Coby White, Simons, Collin Gilespie, McCollum, Powell, Sexton, Grimes are all likely to receive interest. Pair that with a draft that also is loaded with guards and I'm confident he will back with the Wolves. He expressed an interest in hitting UFA, but also has mentioned liking Minnesota and the team.

Something similar to Naw's contract, maybe a slight bump over the MLE. 4/70 is the MLE, I could see bumping it to $16m a year if needed.

They want him, and there is definitely a good chance they can keep him, but I still think Ayo is the best FA on the market by a decent margin (when you include both production and upside). The wolves may just not be in the position to match. Their salary situation is not ideal for a coveted UFA.

If that happens Kayil is a good prospect to try and mold into a Ayo clone.

[djw]

Mikel Brown 100% should be picked by the Clippers. Acuff's interview with Draymond, in which he expressed an unwillingness to guard non-PGs on switches and said it should be about 1-on-1 matchups, is a monster red flag for teams. It tells me what many have already suspected... It's not a lack of ABILITY so much as it's an unwillingness to do what's uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, I love old school 1 on 1 hoops.. but in the modern day NBA.. if a small guard is unwilling to TRY to switch and defend bigger guys he's going to be targeted every play down.

An ESPN report today said Mikel continues to destroy workouts and move up boards, and Sean now said he has serious momentum to go 5th. Nets are really pushing for him, having visited his home and family in Florida yesterday. I don't believe he makes it to 7 despite many mocks still having him at 8-10 range.

Read on Twitter

If the Clippers take Acuff or Wagler they are going to waste another era IMO. They need to go for a higher risk, high reward type pick here.

I actually don't think that's what Acuff said. To me that sounded a lot more like he is willing to take any matchup and doesn't want to be hidden on defense on a non-threat.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Mikel Brown 100% should be picked by the Clippers. Acuff's interview with Draymond, in which he expressed an unwillingness to guard non-PGs on switches and said it should be about 1-on-1 matchups, is a monster red flag for teams. It tells me what many have already suspected... It's not a lack of ABILITY so much as it's an unwillingness to do what's uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, I love old school 1 on 1 hoops.. but in the modern day NBA.. if a small guard is unwilling to TRY to switch and defend bigger guys he's going to be targeted every play down.

An ESPN report today said Mikel continues to destroy workouts and move up boards, and Sean now said he has serious momentum to go 5th. Nets are really pushing for him, having visited his home and family in Florida yesterday. I don't believe he makes it to 7 despite many mocks still having him at 8-10 range.

Read on Twitter

If the Clippers take Acuff or Wagler they are going to waste another era IMO. They need to go for a higher risk, high reward type pick here.

I actually don't think that's what Acuff said. To me that sounded a lot more like he is willing to take any matchup and doesn't want to be hidden on defense on a non-threat.

yeah, I think everyone understands that. The issue is, he's a terrible defender that barely even tries despite his claims he wants to guard the other stars in their "matchup" and him scoffing at being moved off his "matchup" is a red flag because he's either too stupid to recognize he needs to be hidden or he doesn't care that he gets smoked so long as he and his "matchup" get to trade buckets. It really just speaks to low intelligence and self-awareness and him being a potential malcontent.

But who knows, maybe when he gets in the league and backups, let alone stars, are abusing him and teams are hunting him relentlessly, he'll realize maybe it's not a good idea to guard his "matchup" if his coach tries to hide him. Or, he'll have some humility and pride and put more effort into his defense which, given his athleticism and decent enough length he should be be much better at it than he is. It's a major red flag and cause of concern imho. If you're taking him over the other very talented guards you've been warned.

[vincecarter4pres]

OK legit hot take, this should be the top 5 draft order:

1. Caleb Wilson
2. Mikel Brown Jr.
3. Dybantsa
4. Boozer
5. Peterson

[THEJOHN_IV]

OK legit hot take, this should be the top 5 draft order:

1. Caleb Wilson
2. Mikel Brown Jr.
3. Dybantsa
4. Boozer
5. Peterson

Yeah thats about as hot as the sun

[babyjax13]

OK legit hot take, this should be the top 5 draft order:

1. Caleb Wilson
2. Mikel Brown Jr.
3. Dybantsa
4. Boozer
5. Peterson

Do you think you are higher on Brown/Wilson than others, or lower on the consensus top-3? Or both?

[vincecarter4pres]

OK legit hot take, this should be the top 5 draft order:

1. Caleb Wilson
2. Mikel Brown Jr.
3. Dybantsa
4. Boozer
5. Peterson

Do you think you are higher on Brown/Wilson than others, or lower on the consensus top-3? Or both?

Mainly higher on Wilson and Brown.

Wilson I’ve been in on all year, have had him bounce between 1 and 2 since late fall.

Brown I didn’t have a strong opinion on, but didn’t watch him much and the few games I saw got some JR Smith vibes and it scared me. Once the Nets fell to 6 and read all the stuff of him killing workouts and saw the combine numbers, went back on my DVR and watched a bunch of Louisville games. It changed everything for me. Legitimately feel if he hadn’t hurt his back and had played a full season, had momentum and the groove of the season flow on his side, he’d have caused an even bigger mess debate with the big 3 of this year’s draft(has always been a big 4 for me even without him, and often feel a big 5 with Acuff), he’s that good imho.