Draft 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

[BatManu20]

Darius Acuff gets most of the attention for Arkansas (and righftully so), but Freshman Meleek Thomas has been playing really for them too as of late. 6'5 190 lb 3PT sniper who is currently averaging:

16 pts, 4 rbs, 3 asts, & 1.5 stls per game on 43% FG%, but an elite 42% from 3 on 5.5 attempts per.

One of the best 3PT shooters in all of CBB this year. Excels as an off-ball guard in catch-and-shoot situations (similar to Devin), but also has a quick first step that he uses to attack closeouts to get to the cup, and he has a quickly-improving mid-range game. He also competes hard defensively and doesn't take plays off on that end.

Needs to get stronger obv, but he projects as a solid 3&D SG at the next level with some real upside. Recent mocks that have him going anywhere from 18-35 in this year's draft so he's sort all over the place right now, but I can't imagine he doesn't wind up as a late-FRP at worst given his age, shooting ability, and upside.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2035574009115414763

https://twitter.com/x/status/2034761467220959531

 

[Kick-Stand]

I hate college basketball. How is Peterson not touching the ball every Kansas possession?

 

[Uriel]

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I'll take that, tbh

Great troll job there by Gemini, but would we really take Peterson if this happened? I’d have to imagine we’d either trade the pick, or trade one of Fox, Castle, or Harper.

 

[bozhemoi]

I hate college basketball. How is Peterson not touching the ball every Kansas possession?

He's been untrustworthy as a player all season, playing, not playing, so they have to do their own thing.

 

[spurraider21]

Every year there are examples of teams passing on players because they're asked to do so or they don't agree with the terms of the contract (like Reaves, FVV, etc), yet I don't remember a single recent example of a team playing hard ball with a player in the second round in the way you describe (offering them a one year deal and forcing them to take it or freeze them out of the league). You think teams are oblivious to the mechanism you describe? Or maybe they're too aware of the consequences of forcing a player's hand by threatening to freeze their NBA career?

I think probably there were teams with some interest in Raynaud (before 42) but not enough to agree to his terms or risk entering a conflict. They took their next target and Raynaud fell until he felt good with the team and contract. As for the Spurs, they probably weren't willing to offer 2/3 guaranteed years and targeted 2 way prospects instead.

thats fine. atlanta passed on sarr because he didnt want to go there supposedly, and they are suffering for it. meanwhile utah picked bailey despite him supposedly not wanting to be there and he's been giving them a solid rookie season. it turns out if he wants to get a big contract, pouting as a rookie and holding out or whatever isnt the path to get there.

 

[spurraider21]

Cenac is a very interesting archetype of player, but i agree with the assessment that he should not be expected to be a meaningful NBA contributor as a rookie. he is a project pick but not just some ambiguous lump of clay like Noe Essengue, as there is a fairly clear path for how Cenac can find success.

the only rotation player for the spurs who is about to hit free agency is Barnes, and CB is certainly showing he'll be ready for more minutes. so perhaps the spurs have some luxury in taking a project with payoff 1-2 years down the line.