Draft 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

[Correct Crusader]

I've said it in the past and I'll say it again: Yaxel would honestly be a great fit for us. I don't think we'd take him even if he were on the board when we selected, but he'd be a nice fit as a switchable 3&D stretch-4 beside Wemby and co. He's just old as hell at 23 and 1/2 years of age and we already have CB developing at the 4 spot. If we end up selecting in the 16-20 range he'll likely be long gone anyways so the point is likely moot.

1:50 on that video had me about to bust

 

[onechance87]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2035413260883632546

Should of been and1...This is what we need next to wemby at pf.

 

[mo7888]

Would definitely take him over Alex fucking Karaban (I'm on a crusade now... seeing too many people interested in that bum for my tastes! I'm mostly kidding of course... well, not about him sucking)

I don't hate picking Karaban, but I'd hate picking him anywhere in the 1st rd. I'd be fine with him as a 2nd rd pick.

 

[spurraider21]

First round picks have a fixed scale, second round picks do not but high profile players who slip to the second round usually expect more money and guarantees than most teams are willing to pay them at that point, which would seem to include the Spurs going by the 2nd rounders they actually did sign.

Could the Spurs have taken him without his consent? Sure, but what do you do when he doesn't sign the contract you're willing to offer? Do you really want to play hard ball with his rights, knowing he is a close friend of Wemby, and is also represented by Wemby's agent? This would seem like a big no no for most teams, and unfathomable for the Spurs.

Bottom line, if you want to treat the second round like the first, be prepared to pay them accordingly.

There is a fixed scale. You offer them the second round tender, which is a one year deal if they don’t take that you still retain their rights. If they sign the one year tender, they become a restricted free agent the following off-season. So they are still in your control.

If someone thinks Reynaud is going to suicide his career and punt two NBA seasons because he doesn’t want to play specifically in San Antonio, then I have a bridge to sell them

 

[OK Computer]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2035501151945199834

 

[Uriel]

Given how Atlanta's been playing, Yaxel may now be out of reach. Possibly the same with Haugh and Lopez.

 

[Ariel]

There is a fixed scale. You offer them the second round tender, which is a one year deal if they don’t take that you still retain their rights. If they sign the one year tender, they become a restricted free agent the following off-season. So they are still in your control.

If someone thinks Reynaud is going to suicide his career and punt two NBA seasons because he doesn’t want to play specifically in San Antonio, then I have a bridge to sell them

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.

 

[Snaq O'Meal]

I've said it in the past and I'll say it again: Yaxel would honestly be a great fit for us. I don't think we'd take him even if he were on the board when we selected, but he'd be a nice fit as a switchable 3&D stretch-4 beside Wemby and co. He's just old as hell at 23 and 1/2 years of age and we already have CB developing at the 4 spot. If we end up selecting in the 16-20 range he'll likely be long gone anyways so the point is likely moot.

I'm glad the Spurs didn't think DRob and Timmy were old as hell when they were drafted.

Anyway, Yaxel is bloody good. He'd make an immediate impact for the Thunder as a long-armed point forward in his rookie contract while other teams waste those years with development that may not pan out.

 

[100%Duncan]

As @okcomputer has pointed out, we should maybe stop putting age as the top priority. Especially with how good we are already right now and 3 of our 5 best players are already super young, plus CB.


If there was a time to draft a win now older rookie, will there be a better time than now?

 

[BatManu20]

I'm glad the Spurs didn't think DRob and Timmy were old as hell when they were drafted.

Anyway, Yaxel is bloody good. He'd make an immediate impact for the Thunder as a long-armed point forward in his rookie contract while other teams waste those years with development that may not pan out.

Are we really comparing Yaxel to Timmy and D-Rob right now tbh . And I agree that he's good and that he projects as a high-end role player at the next level. I just don't think he'd be the pick if he were still on the board when we select. Depends on who's available though I guess.

 

[BatManu20]

As @okcomputer has pointed out, we should maybe stop putting age as the top priority. Especially with how good we are already right now and 3 of our 5 best players are already super young, plus CB.


If there was a time to draft a win now older rookie, will there be a better time than now?

I agree age shouldn't be a deal-breaker. If he's your guy then you take him regardless. But age does play a significant role in the evaluation process imo. The other issue with Yaxel is that he would suddenly create a logjam at the 4 with Champ and CB manning that position, along with Barnes if we re-sign him. Even if we don't re-sign Barnes though, whose minutes is Yaxel taking? Champ? CB? I just don't see it tbh. Time will tell but I think there's a good chance Yaxel is gone by the time we pick anyways if we don't end up picking until the 16-20 range.

 

[Robz4000]

Someone really nice is going to fall to the Spurs wherever ATL's pick lands. Hopefully the Spurs are willing to trade back into the end of the first round when another nice player falls there as well tbh. They need to start making moves like Presti has been to fortify the team going forward once Wemby/Castle/Harper get their extensions.

 

[Robz4000]

FWIW, Spurs should take the BPA at the Hawks pick and if he isn't a C trade back into the first for one.

 

[Ariel]

FWIW, Spurs should take the BPA at the Hawks pick and if he isn't a C trade back into the first for one.

This is where I am: only take a center if clear BPA, otherwise go for a forward / wing and take a center with Utah's second rounder (currently 35) as there should be plenty.

 

[Exstatic]

Given how Atlanta's been playing, Yaxel may now be out of reach. Possibly the same with Haugh and Lopez.

Atlanta is in a three way tie, one position of which is in the lottery right now. They had a really easy patch of schedule,but now it toughens up.

 

[BatManu20]

I agree with Sampson. Cenac isn't quite there yet but he's going to be a very good player down the line. He's the next Naz Reid. Just a matter of how much patience the Spurs have or if they want someone to step in and contribute right away.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2035144849003876528

https://twitter.com/x/status/2035513731216543876

 

[Ariel]

I agree with Sampson. Cenac isn't there yet but he's going to be a very good player down the line. He's the next Naz Reid. Just a matter of how much patience the Spurs have or if they want someone to step in and contribute right away.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2035144849003876528

The issue isn't so much how long until he's a very good player, but how long until he's good enough to contribute. If you think he can be decent enough to earn 3rd string pf/c minutes (while not hurting you) by year 2 (at the latest) then he should warrant consideration, otherwise just pass. The days of Wesleys and Cissokos are gone, Spurs can't afford to play someone who's a net negative for years without even knowing if he's a long term piece or not.

 

[Ariel]

Last year Yaxel Lendeborg had a promise from Philly at 35, they're probably his floor this year with Houston's pick from the McCain trade (currently #23):

 

[Uriel]

I agree with Sampson. Cenac isn't quite there yet but he's going to be a very good player down the line. He's the next Naz Reid. Just a matter of how much patience the Spurs have or if they want someone to step in and contribute right away.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2035144849003876528

https://twitter.com/x/status/2035513731216543876

Damn. Even if that’s true (and it probably is), if I were Cenac, I would hate that my coach is tanking my draft stock publicly like that.

 

[Uriel]

I’m warming up more and more to the idea of us drafting Yaxel LendeBron. The idea of Wemby driving into the middle of the lane and then throwing a lob up to Yaxel for the finish is making me salivate.

At the same time, I’m becoming more and more convinced that he will be unavailable by the time of our selection.

 

[BatManu20]

Damn. Even if that’s true (and it probably is), if I were Cenac, I would hate that my coach is tanking my draft stock publicly like that.

Yea I mean prob not the best choice of words, but Sampson's always been known for his brutal honesty. And while I agree with him here, I think 5-6 years is too long. I think he'll be a good NBA player in 2-3 years at most. Naz Reid had his breakout season his 2nd year in the league at 21 years old, could see Cenac doing the same at 21 in his 3rd year in the league.

 

[Exstatic]

I’m warming up more and more to the idea of us drafting Yaxel LendeBron. The idea of Wemby driving into the middle of the lane and then throwing a lob up to Yaxel for the finish is making me salivate.

At the same time, I’m becoming more and more convinced that he will be unavailable by the time of our selection.

I don’t think the Spurs would draft him if he were on the board. He has a bit of baggage from what I’ve read. Not O’Hare airport level, but he had some issues that delayed his college track, being academically ineligible for 2 1/2 years in HS, and taking the JUCO route to achieve college eligibility. You can get by with brute force in lower levels, but in the NBA, you have to be able to learn plays/sets and defensive coverages. Learning things seems to be a problem for him.

He’ll also be almost 24 on draft night.

 

[scott]

This is where I am: only take a center if clear BPA, otherwise go for a forward / wing and take a center with Utah's second rounder (currently 35) as there should be plenty.

A look into my crystal ball shows us on the clock and the 5 best players available are all PGs

 

[DTW]

Given where the Hawks 1st is now likely to land, the Spurs thriving with basically no true PF and the lack of a clean fitting one in the draft, I actually think they might select a non 1st overall C for once and a true one at that. So Quaintance (if he stays in and his medical checks out), Mara or Krivas.

Kornet is probably banged up as opposed to declining, but at his age they need to start developing his replacement anyway and have better options than the three washed up vets on the deep bench.

Having a quality third C will also help sure up PF because Wembanyama can then play more of it.

 

[Ariel]

A look into my crystal ball shows us on the clock and the 5 best players available are all PGs

I'll take that, tbh