NBA 2025-26 NBA Thread

[Ariel]

It's sad to see how empty handed we came away from the 2022 draft class, lots of good players available at the Spurs picks or right before: Dyson Daniels right before Sochan, Jalen Williams a few picks after, then Tari Eason; Christian Braun and Walker Kessler available at Branham's pick; Nembhard available at Wesley's...

Tari wasn't available at the Bran pick. He was taken 17th.

Yeah, I know, it was just lazy punctuation on my part (meant that Tari Eason could have been had with no. 9, or trading back from 9, which actually was my preferred choice over using that pick).

 

[Quentin_Compson]

The 2022 draft were swing and misses for sure. There’s still a chance the sochan icon with turn out to be ok but the chance of it being a home run is nil.

Based on our development the last few years, I’d guess Dyson Daniels would’ve died in the vine here. Kessler I never got, and still don’t as he’s like a worse version of gobert who is pretty much unplayable in the playoffs even though he’s a 4x DPoY. Braun is more due to jokic than anything.

Eason could turn out well here but then the lack of structure can’t be good for him. Jalen Williams would be good anywhere though.

Sorry, but saying that Gobert is pretty much unplayable in the playoffs is just absurd. He is still a clearly positive player in the postseason. Offensively, it has looked more and more rough recently, I'll give you that.

 

[Quentin_Compson]

I just listened to the "Dunc'd On" Spurs season preview: https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/282436/Duncd-On-SAS-Season-Outlook-with-Jared-Weiss

Jared Weiss said that his understanding is that Pop isn't much involved at all with the team right now. If true, that would be encouraging to me, both for Pop (who should focus on his health) and for the franchise (which should move on from post-stroke Pop).

Duncan's realistic case prediction for the Spurs was 41 wins, Weiss had them at 42 wins.

 

[ace3g]

https://www.facebook.com/YahooSports/posts/pfbid025FvKii6v5XSC6oU7EYnmJW1wtVyHs8JMF8gev5j9kdvtZHVE8i1Z8vHvCj2RjMmDl

 

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980711023675056298

 

[ace3g]

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[ace3g]

Chet is on fire.

 

[scott]

I do not keep up with OKC at all, but is Topic still out for them? They got dudes named Barnhizer and Youngblood getting minutes?

HOU's lack of depth is going to be a real problem for them I imagine, especially when KD inevitably gets injured.

 

[gilmor2002]

It's sad to see how empty handed we came away from the 2022 draft class, lots of good players available at the Spurs picks or right before: Dyson Daniels right before Sochan, Jalen Williams a few picks after, then Tari Eason, Christian Braun and Walker Kessler available at Branham's pick, Nembhard available at Wesley's...

how about Haliburton after Vassel

 

[heyheymymy]

It was honestly really annoying that during this draft cycle i found myself agreeing with rascal quite a bit

it's like rascal gave the login to someone else. the takes were a 180 (in the right direction) from the usual style

 

[bozhemoi]

I do not keep up with OKC at all, but is Topic still out for them? They got dudes named Barnhizer and Youngblood getting minutes?

HOU's lack of depth is going to be a real problem for them I imagine, especially when KD inevitably gets injured.

He has a testicular injury apparently.

 

[timtonymanu]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1978144846951956753

when did we get this guy, lol

That's Spurs legend, Kevin Tran.

 

[heyheymymy]

Just your reminder that when the Spurs picked Nunez in the 24 draft 2nd round, Ajay Mitchell and Jaylen Wells were both available still

 

[Ariel]

Just your reminder that when the Spurs picked Nunez in the 24 draft 2nd round, Ajay Mitchell and Jaylen Wells were both available still

Spoiler: Oh Ajay where art thou....

link

Yup, that's my issue as well. I've read people crediting him as a very good playmaker, yet none of his clips lead me to believe that is the case, you don't see many high level reads, he doesn't seem to create much for others, he's explosive and gets to the rim at will and finishes well (even though contact), but other than that there's not a lot of areas where he wows you. Any Luka comparisons are exclusively racially based, they're nothing alike as players

As for 2nd round candidates, how about Ajay Mitchell? 6'4" combo guard, super crafty and resourceful, efficient finisher. Current stats: 19.6 points, 4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 36% from 3, 85% from the line.
[video=youtube;8u89nDVYdQ4]

I might actually like him better than Topic l

link

Ah, sorry, missed it. May be outside the projected early 2nd range now, I just took a look at Tankathon but it isn't the most reliable source in this sense. But regardless, if the Spurs like Ajay (or someone, ANYONE) they should make it happen. They have plenty of draft capital, they can trade up, down, in, out... no reason not to get their target. OKC realized this and when they feel confident about some prospect they don't take chance: traded 3 firsts to get an extra pick in the '22 draft where they took Jalen Williams, moved from 12 to 10 to make sure no one leapfrogged them for Cason Wallace, etc. Same thing with Houston going after Sengun, Dallas after Luka, etc. If you feel confident, no need to take a chance and wait for your guy to fall into your lap.

link 1

I'd throw in Ajay Mitchell (my personal favorite at #33) or KJ Simpson in there too.

link 2

I don't think Buzelis will be there at 8, but if he is, taking him makes a lot of sense even if I do like Dillingham. There are many different ways the Spurs can go about finding a PG and that's besides Trae Young. I mean, give up 2/3 seconds for Brogdon, for God sakes, sign Tyus Jones... next year go for Donovan Mitchell or Derrick White. There's plenty of talent at the position, this current scarcity on the Spurs' roster was by design (traded away Dejounte & White, didn't sign anyone) but we shouldn't lose perspective. Also there are interesting PGs / combo guards at the 2nd pick (Kolek, Ajay Mitchell, KJ Simpson, etc).

link 3

Good list. Still hoping for Ajay Mitchell though.

link 4

Dang, really interesting. He's projected to be available where we pick in the 2nd round, really looks like a smart, crafty, well rounded offensive player. Someone who plays at his own pace, can hit the 3, pass, score inside. One of the more interesting 2nd round prospects for the Spurs.

link 5

Or Chicago/Charlotte want to move up from 11/6 you could renegotiate the protections on their respective 25 picks. As long as there's not an obvious prospect the Spurs pass up on, I'm cool with that, I like several prospects available later on (Devin Carter, Jared McCain, Jaylon Tyson, Ajay Mitchell) enough that I might do this if the assets attached are good enough.

link 6

Of course. Ajay Mitchell to OKC. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

PS: I know I wasn't the only one who liked Ajay, scott I remember clearly also liked him, there may be others.

 

[DAF86]

I want infinite OTs and both teams gassed for the reminder of the season.

 

[sKiN20]

Sengun in monster mode tonight. He might be a legit mvp candidate

 

[Ariel]

Sengun in monster mode tonight. He might be a legit mvp candidate

Another obvious pick that should have been a Spur... Ahh, never mind...

 

[heyheymymy]

Hope okc loses

 

[heyheymymy]

Sga FTs sigh

 

[NASpurs]

KD was the MVP for OKC tonight for sure. Too bad it's not 2014.

 

[NASpurs]

Shit I posted in the wrong thread. Oh well.

 

[DAF86]

I could see the Rockets' season spiriling downwards after this, tbh.

 

[Ariel]

It's just one game. But yeah, they've been overrated, may not be able to replicate last year's success (at least it terms of seed).

 

[bozhemoi]

Okogie, Capela, Eason, Sheppard as their bench is pretty nasty. Eason's not terrible and Sheppard can hit spot-ups, but yikes.

 

[STAT88]

Jimmy Butler is disgusting to watch. Free throw merchant. Worse than prime Wade, Harden, SGA at foul bating bullshit free throws.