Draft 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

[bozhemoi]

Hannes Steinbach inhaled another 24 rebounds in his game last night (12 offensive). He's flying under the radar somewhat, but may be the best center/stretch pf in the class with hustle, mobility, a workable jump shot, and incredible board work. Feel like this is who OKC may target, even if they already have Sorber, as his template is very similar to Hartenstein.

 

[Ariel]

Hannes Steinbach inhaled another 24 rebounds in his game last night (12 offensive). He's flying under the radar somewhat, but may be the best center/stretch pf in the class with hustle, mobility, a workable jump shot, and incredible board work. Feel like this is who OKC may target, even if they already have Sorber, as his template is very similar to Hartenstein.

Yeah, I agree he's a very likely target for OKC. Not really the archetype I was looking for, but definitely an interesting offensive player.

 

[OK Computer]

damn lets see how he responds...Hopefully it motivates him.

It didn’t motivate him last night - 5 pts, 5 rebounds.

 

[bozhemoi]

Yeah, I agree he's a very likely target for OKC. Not really the archetype I was looking for, but definitely an interesting offensive player.

I'd give very serious consideration for the Spurs considering Kornet is already past 30. Passing on a wing may not be optimal, but if we're not in love with anyone there, getting insurance, a guy to develop, and all the skills needed would be pretty smart.

 

[BatManu20]

My only concern with Steinbach is his lack of rim protection. Elite rebounder with good size and fluid athleticism, but he's not going to deter many shots at the rim at the next level imo. That said, I'm still extremely high on him as a prospect and would be more than happy with the pick.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029439934394663038

 

[SpursBills]

Steinachs production is starting to become undeniable. I like him better than Mara because he actually has a chance of playing the 4 in big lineups and as a backup center he can actually get out and run. Not as concerned about rim protection when you’ve got Carter Bryant flying around and he’s going up against backups. I’m not drafting a full time starting 4, but a some-time starting 4 for double big lineups who also plays backup center. I can’t think of any double big lineups who can also spread you out with speed and shooting, so he would be a nice change of pace starting big when you’re going up against Mitch Robinson/Kat style lineups while Carter Bryant is the starting 4 in most lineups that involve a lot of shooting.

Having him and keldon as the 4-5 backup might hemorrhage points, but he will likely more than make up for it on the other end since the Harper-Steinbach PNR would be so lethal.

I know shooting and wings are more immediate needs, but I just think good bigs are more rare and impactful than wings, who are much more plug and play and you can get them later in the draft.

 

[OK Computer]

All these convincing words might move Hannes on my list from 7 to 5, so my big three becomes big four: Haugh, Carr, JJ, Hannes.

 

[BatManu20]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029458881647165700

 

[Mugen]

Playing himself out of our range tbh.

 

[BatManu20]

Let the record show that despite my concerns about his rim-protection, he's been a pet cat of mine since December tbh.

• Steinbach is my guy in the upcoming draft. Not sure we'll be selecting high enough to have a shot at him either though as I think he will end up going top-10 based on the season he's having. He's be a seamless fit on this team though. 6'11 elite rebounder (statistically the best in the draft) while being a highly skilled offensive player.

If Steinbach is on the board when the Spurs are on the clock, I'm almost certain he would be the pick tbh. But based on the season he's having, I think he ultimately ends up going top-10 and thus out of our range barring a complete meltdown by the Hawks. The Combine and pre-draft process will help better determine where he goes as well.

Steinbach projects as a big PF though at the next level who can play C in certain lineups. He's a skilled offensive player and an elite rebounder (statistically the best rebounder in the draft at 12.1 RPG), but a limited rim-protector due to his lack of athleticism. He has a great 6'11 frame and long arms though. Still only 19 and an excellent passer as well. He doesn't shoot the 3 much right now, but the potential is clearly there (55% 3PT% on 1.2 attempts per game). He's got great form on his jumper and is a plus FT shooter at 75%. I think he has the potential to develop into a solid stretch-4 over time, which would be perfect for us while Barnes holds that spot down for the next couple years.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1986780680882393384

https://twitter.com/x/status/2002950280887816313

https://twitter.com/x/status/2003907115535290717

 

[OK Computer]

Of all the centers in this draft, Hannes Steinback is the most impressive so far.

^ Nov 26 @BatManu20

 

[BatManu20]

^ Nov 26 @BatManu20

 

[spurraider21]

Cenac seemed really interesting in concept when i first started looking at these guys but the more ive watchim him play the less I see it

 

[spurraider21]

Steinbach has some Sabonis in him. im not seeing the vision with the spurs specifically (he does almost all his scoring in the restricted area, and i dont think PF is his ideal position defensively), but he's talented. very good hands.

 

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029644367602880864

 

[BatManu20]

Steinbach has some Sabonis in him. im not seeing the vision with the spurs specifically (he does almost all his scoring in the restricted area, and i dont think PF is his ideal position defensively), but he's talented. very good hands.

I think he'll develop into a solid NBA 3-point shooter down the line tbh. He's currently at 33% from 3 on 1.6 attempts per which isn't great obv, but he's a plus foul shooter and has good form on his shot. Just a matter of putting getting the reps before he's a plus 3PT shooter too imo. I could see him as a stretch 4 beside Wemby, at least in certain lineups. He's a fluid athlete who runs well. Clips like this one show some of that fluidity:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1939018746557030755

 

[BatManu20]

I see Jayden Quaintance's name dropping in some recent mocks. He'd be a top-10 lock if he were healthy (and he may still end up going in the top-10 regardless), but I wonder if he were to slip down boards and were somehow available when we pick if we'd roll the dice on him. He only played 4 games this season after Kentucky rushed him back from his ACL recovery before he experienced some knee discomfort and called it quits again. Didn't show much offensively in those 4 games but his defensive presence was still elite. His tape last year at Arizona State is undeniable though. The guy is a defensive monster when healthy. Reminds me of Bam Adebayo when he was at Kentucky.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2002477428913094779

https://twitter.com/x/status/1909606682457452748

 

[SpursBills]

I think he'll develop into a solid NBA 3-point shooter down the line tbh. He's currently at 33% from 3 on 1.6 attempts per which isn't great obv, but he's a plus foul shooter and has good form on his shot. Just a matter of putting getting the reps before he's a plus 3PT shooter too imo. I could see him as a stretch 4 beside Wemby, at least in certain lineups. He's a fluid athlete who runs well. Clips like this one show some of that fluidity:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1939018746557030755

France gets all the hype because they seem like they're just churning out lottery picks every year around Wemby, but team Germany is going to be excellent in a couple years too for FIBA/Olympics

Franz / Steinbach / Gruenloh is a massive frontline with Christian Anderson / Schroder in the backcourt and Mo Wagner pissing everybody off

 

[SpursBills]

Playing himself out of our range tbh.

I actually think his stock is going to drop a little bit from end of season until draft day, so if the Spurs want him and the Hawks are a play in team they've got a decent shot at him

He's the only lottery guy who's probably not going to make the tournament and his measurements aren't going to be mindblowing. He'll get victimized by recency bias as some guys inevitably get hot during the tournament and then when he measures at 6'9.5" barefoot with a 7' wingspan at the combine everybody's going to say shit like "tweener" and "unathletic" and drop him on their boards.

It'll be the opposite of someone like Cam Carr, who's probably going to rise big time once he cranks out a 40 inch vertical, 7'1-2 wingspan, and an 8'8" standing reach or some shit like that.

 

[spurraider21]

I think he'll develop into a solid NBA 3-point shooter down the line tbh. He's currently at 33% from 3 on 1.6 attempts per which isn't great obv, but he's a plus foul shooter and has good form on his shot. Just a matter of putting getting the reps before he's a plus 3PT shooter too imo. I could see him as a stretch 4 beside Wemby, at least in certain lineups. He's a fluid athlete who runs well. Clips like this one show some of that fluidity:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1939018746557030755

i meant sabonis as a compliment, but that movementis almost all vertical/straight line. the ability to hang around as a non-center would require much more lateral movement and defending ballhandlers

 

[BatManu20]

Posted about Diop back in November. He's not coming out this year but I expect him to be a lottery prospect next year, prob after he transfers to a power program. He'll likely be offered a nice chunk of change in the portal.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029675243740999787

 

[BatManu20]

Baba Miller is another interesting 2nd Round Senior prospect. 6'11 225 lb big man from Spain. Good rebounder and a solid defender due to his length. Doesn't shoot the 3 well though which limits his upside.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029703490109678062

 

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029749601368973518

 

[OK Computer]

for a while I was fantasizing about having a team that has capable ball handlers from 1-5 (hence why I’m a big fan of Joshua Jefferson), but now I’m dreaming about having more players with All Defensive potential.

assessing the defensive potential of players in my favorites list:
1) Ament - has the length but has more of a scorer’s mindset than a defensive one. Also, might lack strength.
2) Haugh - has the foot speed, all-out effort that you’d see from All Defense guys. I think he has the strongest case.
3) Carr - i think he’s more of a team defender than a 1:1 lock down defender.
4) JJ - impactful defender but the effort and intensity isn’t always there.
5) Hannes - All Defense guys are either strong perimeter defenders or can anchor the paint. Hannes is neither.
6) Zuby - Probably the second best defender on this list behind Haugh. Has all the physical tools.
7) Amari - Adequate defender
8) Mara - More of an offense guy
9) Tounde - Has tools but currently nothing special

That’s it. Draft Haugh, hope Mara falls to our 2nd round pick and call it a day. We’d have a complete team. Game over, league.

 

[OK Computer]

I’m going to throw a comp I don’t throw around often.

Haugh has shades of Manu.

Not the special vision and passing.

But the frantic, balls-to-the-wall, win-at-all-costs trait that Manu had, Haugh has.

Manu had bad misses and made bad decisions. Like really bad. But you ignored it because he’d make a back breaking play on the next one. That’s what Haugh does.

Haugh is going 100 miles per hour and giving his all in every play. That’s kind of unheard of in college basketball.

Both are sneaky athletic and acrobatic. Both have winner DNA. Both drafted old. Both fearless.

I’m closing in on Haugh being the pick. He should absolutely be the pick, IMO.

Oh, and he’d get along with Keldon too:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2028476019519242332