Draft 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

Do we trade away our pick or draft a player?

  • Draft

    Votes: 52 82.5%
  • Trade

    Votes: 7 11.1%
  • Cash Considerations

    Votes: 4 6.3%

  • Total voters
    63
After the Mavs conveniently vaulted up for Flagg last year, Richard Jefferson said, to paraphrase, something like the league secretly likes the conspiracy theories related to the lottery because they realize part of their appeal to casuals is that they're a drama league.

Flagg, like virtually all top prospects, is likely entrenched until his 6th-7th season, when his UFA status will be looming. In the meantime, the league is going to want him set up for success.

Tatum and Brown are still young enough that the league doesn't have to concern themselves with a Celtics succession plan for a while yet.
Letting the Adelmans buy the Mavs wasn't setting them up for success, poor Flagg. Even dumbass Cuban recognizes the mistake now.
 
Locking in my final Spurs-focused draft board. The order is based on what I think they’ll prioritize through their history, fit, talent, and chemistry. I was going to wait until the tournament ended, but I’ve already gathered enough data and put in enough work across nearly all of these prospects.

This has been a decade or more in the making. I’ve been doing this long enough where every year builds on the last. I don’t reset my evaluation process each draft cycle. I track my misses, I revisit bad picks, and I hold myself accountable for them. The goal is to reduce mistakes over time, not repeat the same patterns based on preference or bias.

A lot of people stick to what they like seeing on the court or what they think the team needs in that moment. I approach it more holistically. This is endless hours of film, comparisons across prospects, and digging into the data. I’ve gotten calls right before and I’ve gotten them wrong. Do people remember their bad picks from the past? I’m reminded of my own everyday. I actively carry those lessons forward.

Steal at 20
  1. Nate Ament
  2. Cameron Carr
  3. Thomas Haugh
  4. Hannes Steinbach
Justifiable at 20

5. Allen Graves
6. Joshua Jefferson
7. Tounde Yessefou
8. Karim Lopez
9. Aday Mara

High risk, high reward at 20

10. Zuby Ejiofor
11. Jayden Quaintance
12. Dailyn Swain

Preferred 2nd round targets

13. Motiejus Krivas
14. Patrick Ngongba II
15. Morez Johnson Jr.
16. Reed Jr.
17. Chris Cenac Jr.
18. Koa Peat
 
Letting the Adelmans buy the Mavs wasn't setting them up for success, poor Flagg. Even dumbass Cuban recognizes the mistake now.
You sure? Just wait for the presidential order that the next ten #1picks go to the Mavs. And French guys are no longer allowed to play in the NBA. Because they didn't rename the Eiffel tower to Don Dong or something like that.
 
The chode who is doubling down that we should have taken Kon instead of Dylan now wants us to reach for a UDFA at pick 20.

Checks out. I think KOC just hates the Spurs.
He’s a WELL KNOWN Spurs hater.
 
After the Mavs conveniently vaulted up for Flagg last year, Richard Jefferson said, to paraphrase, something like the league secretly likes the conspiracy theories related to the lottery because they realize part of their appeal to casuals is that they're a drama league.

Flagg, like virtually all top prospects, is likely entrenched until his 6th-7th season, when his UFA status will be looming. In the meantime, the league is going to want him set up for success.

Tatum and Brown are still young enough that the league doesn't have to concern themselves with a Celtics succession plan for a while yet.
Tatum already blew out his Achilles, and supposedly Brown is now nursing an inflamed Achilles. They absolutely need a plan that looks nothing like GSs fan torture slow death spiral.
 
Isaiah Evans seems to be totally ignored on this board. But he would offer one of the more intriguing profils considering Spurs needs, especially regarding floor spacing. He might be the best shooter from the corner in this draft. And he is a fantastic finisher at the rim.
He's been on my radar and he had a hell of a tournament, but I'm not sure he's a Spurs personality type tbh. Gives me Dejoutne vibes. He is a solid prospect as as 3&D wing though.
 
With the Hawk swap I hope Karim Lopez is available, and Aday Mara is my second choice. I kind of want Mara to be the pick just so that Kornet answers to the nickname Shorty. Beyond these two, I prefer dealing the pick away for future draft capital.
 
Tier 1:
1. Cameron Boozer
2. AJ Dybantsa
3. Darryn Peterson
4. Caleb Wilson
5. Keaton Wagler
Tier 2:
6. Hanness Steinbach
7. Thomas Haugh
8. Braylon Mullins
9. Cameron Carr
10. Nate Ament
Tier 4:
11. Brayden Burries
12. Karim Lopez
13. Yaxel Lendeborg
14. Jayden Quaintance
15. Allen Graves
16. Darius Acuff
17. Bennett Stirtz
Tier 4:
18. Motiejus Krivas
19. Chris Cenac Jr
20. Koa Peat
21. Dailyn Swain
22. Mikel Brown Jr
23. Kingston Flemings
Tier 5:
24. Meleek Thomas
25. Amari Allen
26. Tounde Yessoufou
27. Aday Mara
28. Joshua Jefferson
29. Labaron Philon
30. Dame Sarr

Players I like for our 2nd rounders in no particular order:

Sergio De Larrea
Alex Karaban
Pryce Sandfort
Isaiah Evans
Johann Grunloh (total disclosure I hadn't watched any video on him until SpursBills mentioned him. He looks good for a 2nd round pick with some upside if we want that archetype)

Juke Harris
Morez Johnson Jr
Tomislav Ivisic
Ruby Ejiofor
Milan Momcilovic


This is where I'm at currently. Some of these guys will withdraw, but unless there's an injury this weekend this is where I'll probably stay until we see workouts, interviews, and know who is in or out.
 
Tier 1:
1. Cameron Boozer
2. AJ Dybantsa
3. Darryn Peterson
4. Caleb Wilson
5. Keaton Wagler
Tier 2:
6. Hanness Steinbach
7. Thomas Haugh
8. Braylon Mullins
9. Cameron Carr
10. Nate Ament
Tier 4:
11. Brayden Burries
12. Karim Lopez
13. Yaxel Lendeborg
14. Jayden Quaintance
15. Allen Graves
16. Darius Acuff
17. Bennett Stirtz
Tier 4:
18. Motiejus Krivas
19. Chris Cenac Jr
20. Koa Peat
21. Dailyn Swain
22. Mikel Brown Jr
23. Kingston Flemings
Tier 5:
24. Meleek Thomas
25. Amari Allen
26. Tounde Yessoufou
27. Aday Mara
28. Joshua Jefferson
29. Labaron Philon
30. Dame Sarr

Players I like for our 2nd rounders in no particular order:

Sergio De Larrea
Alex Karaban
Pryce Sandfort
Isaiah Evans
Johann Grunloh (total disclosure I hadn't watched any video on him until SpursBills mentioned him. He looks good for a 2nd round pick with some upside if we want that archetype)

Juke Harris
Morez Johnson Jr
Tomislav Ivisic
Ruby Ejiofor
Milan Momcilovic


This is where I'm at currently. Some of these guys will withdraw, but unless there's an injury this weekend this is where I'll probably stay until we see workouts, interviews, and know who is in or out.
I think our lists turned out (tier 2 and onwards) very similar!

P.S. I hate you for rating JJ low. :)
 
My draft board

——————————

Starting a draft series now that my board is locked in. Going player by player with short profiles based on how I view them through a Spurs lens.

Nate Ament is a steal at 20… because of his potential.

I’ve been on record that I’m not a big fan of Ament, mainly because his game is so unpolished. When he’s having a bad game, you feel it. He’s a scorer first, and if scorers don’t score, especially when the team is relying on them to, it can get bad fast.

However, when it comes to evaluating players in the draft, the thing that separates you is your ability to look like you’re a tier above everyone else on the court. Ament has that. As young as he is, it matters that older players are giving him the ball and trusting him to be the leading scorer. It matters that he’s able to put together high-level games in general, on the same level as some of the best prospects in this class.

Yes, the inconsistency is real. Some of his bad games are so bad that it makes you question everything. But that’s also exactly why he could be there at 20. Teams might focus too much on how bad those games look and overlook the fact that he’s shown he can reach a level that not many prospects can.

From a Spurs perspective, they’ve shown a pattern with the type of players they bring in. Younger, moldable, good character. Ament fits that. From interviews, he comes off as a good kid. He’s very open about his faith, even mentioning that it played a role in choosing Tennessee because of the head coach and environment. That may or may not matter to people, but it does line up with players the Spurs have had before.

The range is wide with him, no doubt. But the ceiling is what makes him a steal if he’s there at 20.

How he’d look on the Spurs is pretty straightforward. He’d get plugged into the development pipeline at PF, where Champagnie is currently starting. Physically, he checks most of the boxes already. Strength is really the main thing he’s missing, and that’s something you’d expect to come over time.

I don’t think his game will ever be built around strength, though. He’s more of a finesse player on both ends. Defensively, he relies more on anticipation, especially jumping passing lanes, rather than overpowering players. Offensively, it’s similar. He’s not trying to bully his way through, he’s playing with touch and timing.

His pathway to sticking long term is shifting from being a primary scorer to learning how to be an effective role player. His catch-and-shoot ability is solid, so there’s a foundation there. From there, it’s about being in the right spots defensively and getting strong enough to not get pushed around.

One encouraging sign is that he’s not completely avoiding contact. He actually looks to draw it at times on offense, which shows he’s not afraid of physicality. That matters for his projection.

There’s also some overlap with Carter Bryant in terms of minutes. That probably gets sorted by positional flexibility. Carter could slide down to the three, or even up in small-ball lineups. Either way, there’s a path for both depending on how they develop.
 
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My draft board
Nate Ament’s profile

————————————

Cameron Carr is a steal at 20… because of how seamlessly his game fits what the Spurs are building.

Carr immediately looks like he belongs in the NBA when he plays. Not only that, he looks like someone who could step in and earn minutes right away on this team. All the things Mitch has talked about, pacing, spacing, dribbling, attacking, Carr embodies that style.

He shoots with confidence, but more importantly, he shoots within the flow of the offense. He’s not forcing anything. He’s constantly moving without the ball, which is a sign of higher-level basketball awareness. Players who move like that understand the pressure it puts on a defense. The attack doesn’t have to come from one place, and Carr is always ready to be part of it wherever it develops.

Defensively, he makes himself useful too. His wingspan is a real weapon. He ends up getting to blocks and steals that don’t look available at first glance, just because of his length combined with his awareness and effort. He plays with intensity, and you can see the competitiveness. When things aren’t going well, he doesn’t fade, he ramps it up.

As a prospect, there aren’t many glaring weaknesses. The main one you hear is that he’s a bit underweight for the position he’ll likely play in the NBA. But on film, he doesn’t consistently look overpowered or like a liability. That’s something that should improve with time anyway.

From a Spurs standpoint, his role projection is clean. He can slide into that wing rotation immediately and develop into a Vassell-type insurance or long-term replacement if that ever becomes necessary. He also gives you flexibility to play up a position in spurts, including at the four in certain lineups.

He’s a versatile player, and the value comes from the combination of skills he brings rather than one single trait. That’s the exact type of profile the Spurs have been targeting.

There’s a minor character question with the transfer, but he’s addressed it in interviews and his explanation comes across as reasonable. Listening to him speak, he sounds like someone who would fit well with the group and actually have fun being part of this team.

He checks too many boxes on both the basketball side and the team-building side. That’s what makes him a steal if he’s there at 20.
 
My draft board
Nate Ament’s profile

————————————

Cameron Carr is a steal at 20… because of how seamlessly his game fits what the Spurs are building.

Carr immediately looks like he belongs in the NBA when he plays. Not only that, he looks like someone who could step in and earn minutes right away on this team. All the things Mitch has talked about, pacing, spacing, dribbling, attacking, Carr embodies that style.

He shoots with confidence, but more importantly, he shoots within the flow of the offense. He’s not forcing anything. He’s constantly moving without the ball, which is a sign of higher-level basketball awareness. Players who move like that understand the pressure it puts on a defense. The attack doesn’t have to come from one place, and Carr is always ready to be part of it wherever it develops.

Defensively, he makes himself useful too. His wingspan is a real weapon. He ends up getting to blocks and steals that don’t look available at first glance, just because of his length combined with his awareness and effort. He plays with intensity, and you can see the competitiveness. When things aren’t going well, he doesn’t fade, he ramps it up.

As a prospect, there aren’t many glaring weaknesses. The main one you hear is that he’s a bit underweight for the position he’ll likely play in the NBA. But on film, he doesn’t consistently look overpowered or like a liability. That’s something that should improve with time anyway.

From a Spurs standpoint, his role projection is clean. He can slide into that wing rotation immediately and develop into a Vassell-type insurance or long-term replacement if that ever becomes necessary. He also gives you flexibility to play up a position in spurts, including at the four in certain lineups.

He’s a versatile player, and the value comes from the combination of skills he brings rather than one single trait. That’s the exact type of profile the Spurs have been targeting.

There’s a minor character question with the transfer, but he’s addressed it in interviews and his explanation comes across as reasonable. Listening to him speak, he sounds like someone who would fit well with the group and actually have fun being part of this team.

He checks too many boxes on both the basketball side and the team-building side. That’s what makes him a steal if he’s there at 20.
Good work up.... I have to say that if your top 4 there are available at 20 I'd be incredibly happy. I'm not even sure which I'd pick, but I'd be thrilled with any of them. At that point I'd probably look at the pick through the lens of it illustrating what the Spurs plan to do going forward. I'm just pulling for one of those guys to be available at 20...
 
My draft board
Nate Ament’s profile
Cameron Carr’s profile

————————————

Thomas Haugh is a steal at 20… because he’s a natural winner, the type who makes the play right before the play. He’s the guy who gets the steal or block right before Wemby hits the game winner.

He’s like a magnet to the ball and to winning moments. It just finds him, or he finds it. Loose ball, he’s there. Someone going up for a key layup, he’s the one stepping in, taking the charge or forcing the miss. He shows up out of nowhere for steals, turns it into a fast break, and either finishes or makes the right pass ahead. Those momentum plays consistently follow him.

He plays like a wild ball of fire. Constant energy, constantly doing whatever it takes to make the winning play. Sometimes that leads to a shot or decision that makes you pause, but it’s coming from instinct. He’s not trying to look polished, he’s trying to make the play he believes wins the possession. A good coach understands that and lives with some of the chaos because of everything else he brings.

He’s an X-factor. The kind of player that takes a team already operating at a high level and pushes it further. You can rely on him to put his body on the line for a play. If there’s a game-saving stop to be made, he’s the one attempting it without hesitation.

From a Spurs perspective, he fits anywhere. His physical tools allow him to defend up and down the lineup. He’s not the strongest, but he’s one of the more athletic players in this class, and his height and length let him hold up against bigger players while his speed and effort keep him in front of smaller ones.

Offensively, he can space the floor and he’ll do all the little things that keep the offense moving. He doesn’t need the ball to impact the game.

The way he plays lines up with what the Spurs value. High effort, unselfish, willing to do the dirty work, and focused on winning possessions rather than stats. He’s the type that naturally blends into a team environment and elevates it without needing anything built around him. Even off the court, he feels like he’d fit right in. He’s into fishing, which sounds small, but it’s the kind of thing that makes it easy to see him connecting with guys like Keldon and settling into the group quickly.

He’s not just a role player type. He’s the kind of player that swings games without needing plays called for him. That’s what makes him a steal if he’s there at 20.
 
^
If Cameron Carr played for Duke he'd be going top six or seven, at least top 10 no question. Baylor was completely off the radar this year as a badly balanced mediocre team. I still think he moves up once draft season comes. Hyper athlete who can actually shoot? I mean, he could be Kevin Knox but I don't think so. He keeps reading as a slightly baby VJ Edgecombe to me, who was also overlooked at Baylor at first.

Haugh keeps reminding me of Christian Braun type, which is the kind of player you want around 20 or so.
 
How about Morez Johnson?

He’s rarely mentioned here at all, even on lists of up to 20-30 prospects.

In terms of build, he’s the closest to Kawhi Leonard I’ve seen in a long time – they look like the same guy. He looks like Kawhi at San Diego State.

Some say he’s a bit slow but I don’t see it that way – he’s big, quick and physical (6’9” 250). (Kawhi wasn’t the fastest straight-line guy either.)

He’s a warrior. High motor.

He’s also got a really nice mid-range shot with plenty of clever moves close-in to free it up. Even closer in at the hoop he’s pretty much unstoppable. His game could easily move inside out as he progresses (like Kawhi) – the shooting signs are there -- 62.5 FG%, 36.4% from three (albeit on limited attempts) and 77.3% from the line.

He’s also a big and physical defender.

He’s also got pedigree. Morez was Mr. Basketball in HS in Illinois. Kawhi was also Mr. Basketball in HS in California (the fact that Kawhi had to go to SD State rather than UCLA, USC, Cal or Stanford is only a testament to how, to put it charitably, he wasn’t good at taking tests).

If you go to Tankathon (which I wouldn’t recommend) he’s all green and no red in their various categories.

Most importantly, he can function effectively within a high-end team where he may not be the first option, which he would need to do here. Yaxel Lendeborg (the darling of this board) is the star of Michigan (although he averages only 2 points more with fewer rebounds in more minutes, has a lower FG% and, finally, is a good three + years older). Morez plays well with him.

It’s all about vision if you’re drafting where the Spurs likely will be in this draft. You have to see what could be if you want a bargain. And grab a guy who seems to be falling on draft night. That’s what the Spurs did with Kawhi.

In this case, there’s a decent chance Morez might be there at 20.

(But, unfortunately, my suspicion is this guy is going to shoot up the draft boards as we get closer to June.)

 
How about Morez Johnson?

He’s rarely mentioned here at all, even on lists of up to 20-30 prospects.

In terms of build, he’s the closest to Kawhi Leonard I’ve seen in a long time – they look like the same guy. He looks like Kawhi at San Diego State.

Some say he’s a bit slow but I don’t see it that way – he’s big, quick and physical (6’9” 250). (Kawhi wasn’t the fastest straight-line guy either.)

He’s a warrior. High motor.

He’s also got a really nice mid-range shot with plenty of clever moves close-in to free it up. Even closer in at the hoop he’s pretty much unstoppable. His game could easily move inside out as he progresses (like Kawhi) – the shooting signs are there -- 62.5 FG%, 36.4% from three (albeit on limited attempts) and 77.3% from the line.

He’s also a big and physical defender.

He’s also got pedigree. Morez was Mr. Basketball in HS in Illinois. Kawhi was also Mr. Basketball in HS in California (the fact that Kawhi had to go to SD State rather than UCLA, USC, Cal or Stanford is only a testament to how, to put it charitably, he wasn’t good at taking tests).

If you go to Tankathon (which I wouldn’t recommend) he’s all green and no red in their various categories.

Most importantly, he can function effectively within a high-end team where he may not be the first option, which he would need to do here. Yaxel Lendeborg (the darling of this board) is the star of Michigan (although he averages only 2 points more with fewer rebounds in more minutes, has a lower FG% and, finally, is a good three + years older). Morez plays well with him.

It’s all about vision if you’re drafting where the Spurs likely will be in this draft. You have to see what could be if you want a bargain. And grab a guy who seems to be falling on draft night. That’s what the Spurs did with Kawhi.

In this case, there’s a decent chance Morez might be there at 20.

(But, unfortunately, my suspicion is this guy is going to shoot up the draft boards as we get closer to June.)

i like johnson to.Think he would fit nicely next to wemby.But apparently he has a attention seeking loud mouth dad that
can be annoying and distracting it seems.
 
My draft board
Nate Ament’s profile
Cameron Carr’s profile
Thomas Haugh’s profile

————————————

Hannes Steinbach is a steal at 20… because he’s a unicorn. It’s not common to see a player with his combination of size and skill.

Before I really dug into his film, I assumed he was more of a traditional inside big. I had read that he wasn’t primarily a shooter and did most of his scoring in the paint, so I figured he was just another big who brute forces his way inside. That couldn’t have been more off.

The more I watched, the more I saw things that don’t match that archetype at all. You’ll see him grab the ball and run a fast break himself all the way to the rim. That’s not normal. Most bigs are setting a screen, rolling, or posting up waiting for the ball. Hannes can do that, but a lot of the time he’s initiating from the perimeter and driving all the way in. That’s a modern forward skillset.

This is exactly the type of player that fits what I’ve been saying about needing someone who can legitimately play both PF and C. He checks that box cleanly. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of a 6’11” Keldon. The way he attacks the rim with that size is something defenses have to deal with.

From a Spurs perspective, the fit is obvious. The offense works best when the paint isn’t clogged. The Slash Bros and Wemby need space to operate, and Hannes doesn’t take that away. He gives you a big who can still attack from the outside and keep things flowing.

As for his shooting, I’m not worried about it. The form looks natural and he shoots it with confidence. It doesn’t look broken or forced, which is usually the bigger concern with non-shooting bigs.

Everything about his game points to a high-level fit. The size, the skill, the versatility, and how it translates to what the Spurs are trying to do. He’s a really talented player, and it’s easy to see him looking good in this system. That’s what makes him a steal if he’s there at 20.


Just look at the first play in this video. He’s driving in all the way from the perimeter. That’s what our forwards currently do in our system. Other bigs in the draft would usually do a DHO (like Cenac) and re-position themselves inside.
 
My draft board
Nate Ament’s profile
Cameron Carr’s profile
Thomas Haugh’s profile

————————————

Hannes Steinbach is a steal at 20… because he’s a unicorn. It’s not common to see a player with his combination of size and skill.

Before I really dug into his film, I assumed he was more of a traditional inside big. I had read that he wasn’t primarily a shooter and did most of his scoring in the paint, so I figured he was just another big who brute forces his way inside. That couldn’t have been more off.

The more I watched, the more I saw things that don’t match that archetype at all. You’ll see him grab the ball and run a fast break himself all the way to the rim. That’s not normal. Most bigs are setting a screen, rolling, or posting up waiting for the ball. Hannes can do that, but a lot of the time he’s initiating from the perimeter and driving all the way in. That’s a modern forward skillset.

This is exactly the type of player that fits what I’ve been saying about needing someone who can legitimately play both PF and C. He checks that box cleanly. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of a 6’11” Keldon. The way he attacks the rim with that size is something defenses have to deal with.

From a Spurs perspective, the fit is obvious. The offense works best when the paint isn’t clogged. The Slash Bros and Wemby need space to operate, and Hannes doesn’t take that away. He gives you a big who can still attack from the outside and keep things flowing.

As for his shooting, I’m not worried about it. The form looks natural and he shoots it with confidence. It doesn’t look broken or forced, which is usually the bigger concern with non-shooting bigs.

Everything about his game points to a high-level fit. The size, the skill, the versatility, and how it translates to what the Spurs are trying to do. He’s a really talented player, and it’s easy to see him looking good in this system. That’s what makes him a steal if he’s there at 20.


Just look at the first play in this video. He’s driving in all the way from the perimeter. That’s what our forwards currently do in our system. Other bigs in the draft would usually do a DHO (like Cenac) and re-position themselves inside.
He has a bit of Markkanen in his game or am I seeing things. Rare to see that sort of fluidity for a 6’10 - 6’11 guy.
 
Yea hard pass. I was already out on Peat due to him being an antiquated archetype as an undersized PF who can't shoot the 3, but this is not what I wanna hear from my FRP tbh.


Good timing, after Jaden Ivey's now preaching on street corners and he's cracking up. Then there's AJ Griffin, who abandoned basketball to 'preach.' This guy's agent must want to kill him.
 
Send our pick this year and atlantas next year to trade up i'm so for real
For whom? I'm not opposed in principle to use next year's pick in a trade, but I honestly don't think there's a huge gap between where the Spurs will pick and where they could get to if they added next year's pick.
 
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