Draft 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

[CGD]

I feel like if we had a top 10 pick and Ament weren’t on the board, this is the guy we would use it on. But sadly, this is not the world we live in.

I don’t think Ament has Spurs DNA tbh. Seems too passive and contact adverse, but what do I know? Here just watching a few videos etc. so will reserve some judgement.

I think Karim on the other hand is a dog. He’ll get knocked a few slots bc of athleticism concerns, but don’t think low enough for where Atlanta is gonna deliver their pick sadly.

 

[Ariel]

Ament seems like the malnourished little brother of Matas Buzelis, better shooting but shorter, weaker, and less athletic overall. Also, Matas can contribute on defense, especially he's is a good weak-side shotblocker. Spurs passed on that archetype in 2024, my guess is they'd pass on Ament too.

 

[BatManu20]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038090401207156942

 

[Uriel]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038090401207156942

Rich man’s Sochan?

 

[BatManu20]

Rich man’s Sochan?

They're more similar than I care for tbh, which is the main reason I'm not real high on Peat. Sochan was the better, more switchable defender, as well as a better rebounder, whereas Peat is the better scorer and playmaker. Neither can shoot the 3 and they both sucks at FT's which is a big red flag. I don't think he'll be the pick but he's projected to go in our range so def a name to keep an eye on.

 

[BatManu20]

Peat has upped his game in the tourney though. I'll give him that.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038103137429471732

 

[100%Duncan]

Def more of a boom or bust prospect imo. High upside with his size (6'9 230 lbs w/ a 7'1 wingspan) and age (turns 19 next month). Shows signs of 3PT shooting ability (33% on 3 attempt per). Not a great athlete by NBA standards. Good motor on Defense but lateral foot-speed will likely be an issue at the NBA level. Plays hard though and is a well-spoken kid. Seems to have a good, team-first attitude. Currently projected to go right around where we're likely to pick so I think it's a real possibility he's the guy tbh.

Sounds exactly like risacher

 

[Exstatic]

Sounds exactly like risacher

Risacher probably would have been considered a good pick where Karim is likely to be selected. ZR is hated on for being the #1 pick in a shit draft. He’s not without talent or ability, he’s just not #1 material, and that #1 salary will skyrocket, and force decisions earlier than otherwise. It’s like Bagley a few years back. He just wasn’t good enough for his #2 slot, Sacto didn’t want to pay him a max deal for a pretty consistent 14/7 output over 3 full seasons, so they salary dumped him in year four,

 

[mudyez]

Since we are already having problems regarding an expansion draft, I wouldn't count out, that we don't add to our young men core. I don't see major weaknesses, if Carter really is what we are hoping for (thus our starter at 4). Maybe a team is willing to give us a Pick down the road (post Expansion). Maybe we can use a pick to upgrade short therm (not sure how...maybe upgrade Barnes, but this doesn't feel like a Spurs thing).

I like Steinbach, Yaxel, Lopez, maybe Koa...but they all feel like they will leave us with someone like Champ or Vassell unprotected. But then again...we can only lose one player in expansion and since we probably will lose one anyway, it might be ok to load up even more.

BTW: It's funny how we were looking for a PG not that long ago...and now every guard in the first round makes me feel just like if I was penetrating the Spurs basket when Wemby is home...."Hell nuh!"!

 

[BatManu20]

Best 3PT shooter in CBB declares. 49% from 3 on nearly 8 attempts per game is nuts.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038267169474019813

 

[Uriel]

lol if we could get Haugh at 18 that would be a dream

 

[Biggems]

We have 4 picks in the upcoming draft. Unfortunately, Atlanta fucked us over from getting one of the top big men by having a great second half of the season.

We need at least 2 bigs, if we are not going after one in FA. I really like Reed Jr. In the 2nd Round. I was hogh on Toppin until his injury. I was high on Chinyelu until his no show in the last FU game. Steinbach is my pet cat, but he will be long gone, unless we trade for him. I guess I could live with Ejiofor.

If I had my way

Steinbach
Swain
Karaban
Reed Jr.

I would settle for
Swain
Karaban
Reed Jr
Ejiofor

We can say goodbye to Biyombo, Olynyk, and Waters. If we win it all, maybe Barnes retires.

 

[OK Computer]

Tier 1

1. Nate Ament
2. Cameron Carr
3. Thomas Haugh
4. Hannes Steinbach
5. Allen Graves

Tier 2

6. Joshua Jefferson
7. Tounde Yessefou
8. Karim Lopez
9. Zuby Ejiofor
10. Aday Mara
11. Jayden Quaintance

Tier 3

12. Chris Cenac Jr.
13. Dailyn Swain
14. Koa Peat
15. Motiejus Krivas
16. Patrick Ngongba II
17. Morez Johnson Jr.
18. Reed Jr.

Or another way to look at it:

1. Skill + versatility (shooting, dribbling, passing, defense)

1. Nate Ament - T1
2. Cameron Carr - T1
3. Thomas Haugh - T1
4. Joshua Jefferson - T2
5. Tounde Yessefou - T2
6. Karim Lopez - T2
7. Dailyn Swain - T3

2. Backup C of the future

1. Jayden Quaintance - T2
2. Aday Mara - T2
3. Motiejus Krivas - T3
4. Patrick Ngongba II - T3
5. Morez Johnson Jr. - T3
6. Reed Jr. - T3

3. PF/C hybrid

1. Hannes Steinbach - T1
2. Allen Graves - T1
3. Zuby Ejiofor - T2
4. Chris Cenac Jr. - T3
5. Koa Peat - T3

With March Madness nearing its end, I’m about 95% locked in on my draft board. This is talent-first for me. If that means we walk away with two forwards like Haugh and Carr across the first and second round, that’s a win, even if center is still a need. The third center spot can be handled elsewhere.

Tier 1 is the group that would be hard to pass up. Tier 2 is a range I’d be good with. Tier 3 still has talent, but it starts leaning more into projection and development bets. For some it’s skills that aren’t there yet. For others, like Krivas, it’s more that I just wouldn’t take him over anyone in Tier 2.

Within each tier, the talent is pretty even. The ordering comes down to a mix of talent, fit, and what I think the Spurs are likely to prioritize based on their history, actions, and what they’ve consistently said they value.

My personal favorites out of the whole board are Carr, Haugh, JJ, and Ejiofor. With Ejiofor specifically, I think he brings a real boost to team chemistry. He plays like someone who’s all-in, the type that will give everything for the team and the coach. Drafting him is also more of a projection play compared to some of the other forwards in Tier 2, especially betting on his shooting development, but his mindset, approach, and loyalty are what push him up for me. If we land any of those four, I’m extremely happy.

 

[BatManu20]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038311693466378747

 

[Russ]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038311693466378747

You might (maybe) be able to get Swain with a high 2d Round pick.

 

[mo7888]

Tier 1

1. Nate Ament
2. Cameron Carr
3. Thomas Haugh
4. Hannes Steinbach
5. Allen Graves

Tier 2

6. Joshua Jefferson
7. Tounde Yessefou
8. Karim Lopez
9. Zuby Ejiofor
10. Aday Mara
11. Jayden Quaintance

Tier 3

12. Chris Cenac Jr.
13. Dailyn Swain
14. Koa Peat
15. Motiejus Krivas
16. Patrick Ngongba II
17. Morez Johnson Jr.
18. Reed Jr.

Or another way to look at it:

1. Skill + versatility (shooting, dribbling, passing, defense)

1. Nate Ament - T1
2. Cameron Carr - T1
3. Thomas Haugh - T1
4. Joshua Jefferson - T2
5. Tounde Yessefou - T2
6. Karim Lopez - T2
7. Dailyn Swain - T3

2. Backup C of the future

1. Jayden Quaintance - T2
2. Aday Mara - T2
3. Motiejus Krivas - T3
4. Patrick Ngongba II - T3
5. Morez Johnson Jr. - T3
6. Reed Jr. - T3

3. PF/C hybrid

1. Hannes Steinbach - T1
2. Allen Graves - T1
3. Zuby Ejiofor - T2
4. Chris Cenac Jr. - T3
5. Koa Peat - T3

With March Madness nearing its end, I’m about 95% locked in on my draft board. This is talent-first for me. If that means we walk away with two forwards like Haugh and Carr across the first and second round, that’s a win, even if center is still a need. The third center spot can be handled elsewhere.

Tier 1 is the group that would be hard to pass up. Tier 2 is a range I’d be good with. Tier 3 still has talent, but it starts leaning more into projection and development bets. For some it’s skills that aren’t there yet. For others, like Krivas, it’s more that I just wouldn’t take him over anyone in Tier 2.

Within each tier, the talent is pretty even. The ordering comes down to a mix of talent, fit, and what I think the Spurs are likely to prioritize based on their history, actions, and what they’ve consistently said they value.

My personal favorites out of the whole board are Carr, Haugh, JJ, and Ejiofor. With Ejiofor specifically, I think he brings a real boost to team chemistry. He plays like someone who’s all-in, the type that will give everything for the team and the coach. Drafting him is also more of a projection play compared to some of the other forwards in Tier 2, especially betting on his shooting development, but his mindset, approach, and loyalty are what push him up for me. If we land any of those four, I’m extremely happy.

It's interesting that you have Graves that high. He wasn't on my board until recently and I'm currently trying to figure out where to put him. I go back and forth and have had him as low as 23 and as high as 10. That outside shot reminds me a little bit of Horford's. I think I've got him a little low right now... it may be a little bit of recency bias in reverse for me. I wasn't on him early, but I really like what I see there. I also think he'll be there when we pick.

 

[OK Computer]

It's interesting that you have Graves that high. He wasn't on my board until recently and I'm currently trying to figure out where to put him. I go back and forth and have had him as low as 23 and as high as 10. That outside shot reminds me a little bit of Horford's. I think I've got him a little low right now... it may be a little bit of recency bias in reverse for me. I wasn't on him early, but I really like what I see there. I also think he'll be there when we pick.

Compared to other PF/C hybrids, he and Cenac are the only ones who can legitimately shoot. Part of the eval is their fit on the team and as we know, spacing is critical. I’m a fan of bigs whose defense aren’t purely strength-based. His hands are active on defense, which is a big plus. It seems like he really knows where the passing angles are - a sign of high IQ. To be honest, he’s like a shooting version of Joshua Jefferson. His NBA comp to me is some parts Santi Aldama, some parts Sengun.

 

[mo7888]

Compared to other PF/C hybrids, he and Cenac are the only ones who can legitimately shoot. Part of the eval is their fit on the team and as we know, spacing is critical. I’m a fan of bigs whose defense aren’t purely strength-based. His hands are active on defense, which is a big plus. It seems like he really knows where the passing angles are - a sign of high IQ. To be honest, he’s like a shooting version of Joshua Jefferson. His NBA comp to me is some parts Santi Aldama, some parts Sengun.

I haven't looked very close at things like passing angles and how quick his hands are, but on offense he looks a little more like a 4 to me than Cenac Jr. I could be wrong though, like I said, I'm just really starting to pay attention to him.

 

[BatManu20]

Dominant performance by Yaxel. He did it all today. He's definitely too good/old to be playing CBB anymore. Needs to be in the league. He'll be long gone by the time we pick too so no need to debate if he's our guy. I just hope he ends up in Miami over Charlotte or OKC.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038353315260498356

 

[OK Computer]

I haven't looked very close at things like passing angles and how quick his hands are, but on offense he looks a little more like a 4 to me than Cenac Jr. I could be wrong though, like I said, I'm just really starting to pay attention to him.

I agree with you on that Cenac take. It’s really wishful thinking on my end, and more of a way to cope in advance if the Spurs end up taking him. It’s similar to how Nate Ament is high on my board and how it isn’t of my own desire - it’s my suspicion of what the Spurs will do if he’s there.

 

[scott]

I asked about him before his breakout tournament performance - but what are the pro prospects for Stojakovic? Use an SRP on him and then hire his dad to teach him how to shoot?

 

[mo7888]

I agree with you on that Cenac take. It’s really wishful thinking on my end, and more of a way to cope in advance if the Spurs end up taking him. It’s similar to how Nate Ament is high on my board and how it isn’t of my own desire - it’s my suspicion of what the Spurs will do if he’s there.

I've got Ament pretty high too, but its based on what I think he can be 3 years down the road. That's kinda why I do the tiers I do, Haugh is in the same tier, he may not have as much upside but he's ready to get minutes in year 1. It's kind of a smorgasbord where you can pick a direction as much as a player.

 

[mo7888]

I asked about him before his breakout tournament performance - but what are the pro prospects for Stojakovic? Use an SRP on him and then hire his dad to teach him how to shoot?

His shooting perplexes me. Good FT guy but can't hardly throw it in a lake from deep and you'd think Peja would have spent alot of time on him with that. The rest of his game is inspiring to me, I love the way he sticks his nose in everything kinda like Manu (with less talent). Would I spend a low 2nd on him? If he'd do a 2way I probably would to invest a little time in his shooting.

 

[OK Computer]

I asked about him before his breakout tournament performance - but what are the pro prospects for Stojakovic? Use an SRP on him and then hire his dad to teach him how to shoot?

With him, Momcilovic, Isaiah Evans, I would not spend a pick (1st or 2nd) on them. I think what the Spurs and other teams around the league have shown, is that you can easily find these shooter archetypes undrafted.

 

[CGD]

Dominant performance by Yaxel. He did it all today. He's definitely too good/old to be playing CBB anymore. Needs to be in the league. He'll be long gone by the time we pick too so no need to debate if he's our guy. I just hope he ends up in Miami over Charlotte or OKC.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038353315260498356

Crazy to think that guy is 3.5 years older than Dylan Harper already.