Draft 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

[bozhemoi]

What kind of prospect does Brian Wright love to take a swing mid-late lottery? Young dudes with high level physical characteristics, high character

What does Brian Wright not value as highly in this range? Basketball IQ, production

Huh?

 

[mo7888]

What kind of prospect does Brian Wright love to take a swing mid-late lottery? Young dudes with high level physical characteristics, high character

What does Brian Wright not value as highly in this range? Basketball IQ, production

See: Josh Primo, Carter Bryant, maybe Jeremy Sochan?

For these reasons, I'm kind of scared that Wright is going to draft Chris Cenac in the lottery. I worry he's going to see a 6'10" guy with 7'3-7'4 wingspan and 9'+ standing reach who shoots 38% on 3s and 41% on midrange jumpers, is grabbing 11 rebounds/36, is pretty mobile on the perimeter, and whose character is spoken of extremely highly of by Kelvin Sampson at Houston and thinks he's found a poor man's Jaren Jackson Jr to pair with Wemby.

I personally dislike Cenac as a prospect (based on his play so far) for a number of reasons, not the least of which is his tunnel vision, aversion to contact, and AST:TO of 0.5 which might make him closer to Tyler Smith but I can absolutely see Wright rolling with another boom or bust dice roll this year.

I don't dislike Cenac as a prospect myself, although I'd have him behind several other guys where we are projected to pick. To me, he's a fairly high upside pick who's going to be more of a project than a guy who gets minutes day one. I'd probably have him higher on my board if I knew we we're addressing other things through trades/fa and could wait on a project like that.

 

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2012540702882676852

 

[Uriel]

What kind of prospect does Brian Wright love to take a swing mid-late lottery? Young dudes with high level physical characteristics, high character

What does Brian Wright not value as highly in this range? Basketball IQ, production

See: Josh Primo, Carter Bryant, maybe Jeremy Sochan?

I think this is an accurate assessment, especially the part in bold (although to be fair, lots of other people are like this too).

Scouts, GMs, and fans on anonymous message boards tend to be so enamored with high level physical tools, athleticism, and perceived "upside" that we forget the actual production that players have already displayed, or lack theerof.

 

[OK Computer]

What kind of prospect does Brian Wright love to take a swing mid-late lottery? Young dudes with high level physical characteristics, high character

What does Brian Wright not value as highly in this range? Basketball IQ, production

See: Josh Primo, Carter Bryant, maybe Jeremy Sochan?

For these reasons, I'm kind of scared that Wright is going to draft Chris Cenac in the lottery. I worry he's going to see a 6'10" guy with 7'3-7'4 wingspan and 9'+ standing reach who shoots 38% on 3s and 41% on midrange jumpers, is grabbing 11 rebounds/36, is pretty mobile on the perimeter, and whose character is spoken of extremely highly of by Kelvin Sampson at Houston and thinks he's found a poor man's Jaren Jackson Jr to pair with Wemby.

I personally dislike Cenac as a prospect (based on his play so far) for a number of reasons, not the least of which is his tunnel vision, aversion to contact, and AST:TO of 0.5 which might make him closer to Tyler Smith but I can absolutely see Wright rolling with another boom or bust dice roll this year.

I can make a longer post, but I don’t think it’s clear cut as you’re framing. I think who the Spurs desire is dynamic based on where their pick is. If it’s a top 10 pick - they lean towards college-productive, team-focused players who know how to ball. If it’s 10-20, it’s players with one unique trait that sets them apart from others: Carter with his perimeter defense at his size, Primo with his combo guard versatility, Devin with his ISO play and defense. If it’s 21 and beyond, they look for players who fell from where they were projected.

 

[bozhemoi]

I think this is an accurate assessment, especially the part in bold (although to be fair, lots of other people are like this too).

Scouts, GMs, and fans on anonymous message boards tend to be so enamored with high level physical tools, athleticism, and perceived "upside" that we forget the actual production that players have already displayed, or lack theerof.

It's not a correct assessment at all, lol.

Josh Primo was a freshman who was starting to play PG for a very good Alabama team (with two other draftees, iirc, including Herb Jones) as a freshman. Jeremy Sochan was the best player for a very good Baylor team and basically almost won a game against UNC, the eventual NCAA Finalist team, all by himself.

Saying those players didn't have BBIQ is bizarre and incorrect. Yes, Carter Bryant was short in that department. The other two, no way. In fact, for Sochan falling off the map, the narrative that he isn't a capable basketball player in terms of BBIQ is risible.

 

[SpursBills]

I can make a longer post, but I don’t think it’s clear cut as you’re framing. I think who the Spurs desire is dynamic based on where their pick is. If it’s a top 10 pick - they lean towards college-productive, team-focused players who know how to ball. If it’s 10-20, it’s players with one unique trait that sets them apart from others: Carter with his perimeter defense at his size, Primo with his combo guard versatility, Devin with his ISO play and defense. If it’s 21 and beyond, they look for players who fell from where they were projected.

This seems reasonable - to me at least it seems that Spurs like guys with +physical traits relative to position, and are willing to sacrifice higher level BBIQ up to a certain point to get at those traits. Like, I'm not suggesting that they're going to go after knuckleheads who can't play basketball like Kai Jones or something, but I think above a certain level of acceptable game sense, they'd rather have those physical characteristics when it's combined with high character. As it turned out, Primo did not in fact have high character, but I'm not sure that was readily apparent at the time of the draft.

To me at least, CB had high level athleticism relative to size and shooting signal, Primo was a bet on size relative to skills as a ballhandler, and Sochan was a bet on quickness relative to size - all 3 also had traits that lended themselves to being "positionless" as well, whereas other guys who were taken after them, like Sengun or Sorber, may have had better game sense but lacked the physical advantages + portability that the Spurs value. I dunno, just something I've noticed although maybe I'm connecting things that aren't necessarily related, as the Spurs did pass on Duren to take Sochan (but by then they may have already had their eyes on Wemby).

That's why I'm a little scared of Cenac - on paper he's a very modern forward - decently switchable on the perimeter, nice jumper, very good athleticism, good size to play the 4 or 5 while spacing the floor, basically everything the Spurs need, plus a ringing endorsement from Sampson who has a good eye for NBA talent and seems to think he's got a Castle-like demeanor. But I watch him and he just leaves me cold; maybe he ups his play and improves throughout the year and changes my mind by season's end.

 

[scott]

To illustrate @SpursBills point about production (or lack there) of.

Here are the season prior (Freshman for 3 of these guys, Sophomore for Vassell) stats for our four mid-late lottery picks:

Vassell: 12.7 ppg 5.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.4 stl, 1.0 blk, 0.8 TOV (definitely the most productive of the four, but as I mentioned, also a Sophomore)
Primo: 8.1 ppg, 3.4 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.6 stl, 0.3 blk, 1.4 TOV
Sochan: 9.2 ppg, 6.4 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.3stl, 0.7 blk, 1.6 TOV
Bryant: 6.5 ppg, 4.1 reb, 1.0 ast, 0.9 stl, 0.9 stl, 1.0 blk, 1.0 TOV

Certainly not the most productive bunch in college

 

[OK Computer]

This seems reasonable - to me at least it seems that Spurs like guys with +physical traits relative to position, and are willing to sacrifice higher level BBIQ up to a certain point to get at those traits. Like, I'm not suggesting that they're going to go after knuckleheads who can't play basketball like Kai Jones or something, but I think above a certain level of acceptable game sense, they'd rather have those physical characteristics when it's combined with high character. As it turned out, Primo did not in fact have high character, but I'm not sure that was readily apparent at the time of the draft.

To me at least, CB had high level athleticism relative to size and shooting signal, Primo was a bet on size relative to skills as a ballhandler, and Sochan was a bet on quickness relative to size - all 3 also had traits that lended themselves to being "positionless" as well, whereas other guys who were taken after them, like Sengun or Sorber, may have had better game sense but lacked the physical advantages + portability that the Spurs value. I dunno, just something I've noticed although maybe I'm connecting things that aren't necessarily related, as the Spurs did pass on Duren to take Sochan (but by then they may have already had their eyes on Wemby).

That's why I'm a little scared of Cenac - on paper he's a very modern forward - decently switchable on the perimeter, nice jumper, very good athleticism, good size to play the 4 or 5 while spacing the floor, basically everything the Spurs need, plus a ringing endorsement from Sampson who has a good eye for NBA talent and seems to think he's got a Castle-like demeanor. But I watch him and he just leaves me cold; maybe he ups his play and improves throughout the year and changes my mind by season's end.

I think the Spurs also learn from their mistakes and also adapt to their personnel. Castle, Fox, Harper have all been preaching about how they BBIQ is what makes them good - I think the FO will follow suit. They’re definitely watching this CB experiment fail like we all do, and because of that they’ll go the opposite way of what they tried with CB. Positionless, BBIQ, and fundamentals is, IMO, what they’ll go for. Cough, Tounde Yessoufou, cough…

 

[Mal]

Castle, Fox, Harper have all been preaching about how they BBIQ is what makes them good - I think the FO will follow suit. They’re definitely watching this CB experiment fail like we all do, and because of that they’ll go the opposite way of what they tried with CB.

It's easy when you draft top 5 to take the guy you like.

 

[SpursBills]

I think the Spurs also learn from their mistakes and also adapt to their personnel. Castle, Fox, Harper have all been preaching about how they BBIQ is what makes them good - I think the FO will follow suit. They’re definitely watching this CB experiment fail like we all do, and because of that they’ll go the opposite way of what they tried with CB. Positionless, BBIQ, and fundamentals is, IMO, what they’ll go for. Cough, Tounde Yessoufou, cough…

You have disliked Carter Bryant since well before he was drafted. I'm not willing to call him a failed experiment 3 months into his rookie season - personally I'll give him 3 years like I gave Sochan before bringing out the pitchforks.

 

[LeBowen]

You have disliked Carter Bryant since well before he was drafted. I'm not willing to call him a failed experiment 3 months into his rookie season - personally I'll give him 3 years like I gave Sochan before bringing out the pitchforks.

Fwiw, CB has made noticable improvements over these past months.
Went from looking like someone who never played basketball before to looking like your average rookie that still struggles with making the right decisions.

 

[Exstatic]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2012218232313155849

No Peterson…

 

[OK Computer]

You have disliked Carter Bryant since well before he was drafted. I'm not willing to call him a failed experiment 3 months into his rookie season - personally I'll give him 3 years like I gave Sochan before bringing out the pitchforks.

I don’t dislike the dude hard. Maybe failed experiment were words that were too strong. I think there’s definitely a possibility where he ends up being okay. But everything he’s showing so far is giving me flashbacks of Lonnie, a kid that everyone wanted to “wait for it” until the day he was gone. I was very open minded to see what he would bring to the Spurs and reserved judgment until he’s played enough games. He’s played enough games to show me that he is so, so far off.

 

[Exstatic]

I don’t dislike the dude hard. Maybe failed experiment were words that were too strong. I think there’s definitely a possibility where he ends up being okay. But everything he’s showing so far is giving me flashbacks of Lonnie, a kid that everyone wanted to “wait for it” until the day he was gone. I was very open minded to see what he would bring to the Spurs and reserved judgment until he’s played enough games. He’s played enough games to show me that he is so, so far off.

I honestly wished they had stuffed him in Austin this year. He needed instruction,and floor time.

 

[LeBowen]

But everything he’s showing so far is giving me flashbacks of Lonnie, a kid that everyone wanted to “wait for it” until the day he was gone.

Difference being that Lonnie needed to put a lot of things together since he was expected to be an all-round offensive player.

Bryant just needs to be a positive defender that can hit c&s 3s at a resaonble rate to become a solid contributor, which shouldn't be that hard, even if it takes a couple of seasons.

 

[OK Computer]

Difference being that Lonnie needed to put a lot of things together since he was expected to be an all-round offensive player.

Bryant just needs to be a positive defender that can hit c&s 3s at a resaonble rate to become a solid contributor, which shouldn't be that hard, even if it takes a couple of seasons.

Whatever CB needs to do to get there and however long it takes, the Spurs shouldn’t wait for it to happen. They shouldn’t place all their eggs in that basket, and they should do what they did with combo guards almost a decade ago and continue shuffling through forwards until the right one fits. This means signing, drafting, or trading for a forward if there’s one available for CB to compete with. CB shouldn’t be some long term plan for the Spurs - that position shouldn’t be secured for him. The Spurs have enough assets to find the right one… they don’t need to be stuck to CB.

If they draft a dude this year and that dude is better than CB - play him over CB even if he is a rookie. If CB hasn’t learned enough in year 2 to be better than a rookie forward, sorry but you’re staying on the bench.

I just can’t bring myself to be attached to any player unless you’re truly showing something promising, a la Castle in his rookie year or Harper this year. We’re on the Wemby train and it’s going to go with or without you.

 

[LeBowen]

Whatever CB needs to do to get there and however long it takes, the Spurs shouldn’t wait for it to happen. They shouldn’t place all their eggs in that basket, and they should do what they did with combo guards almost a decade ago and continue shuffling through forwards until the right one fits. This means signing, drafting, or trading for a forward if there’s one available for CB to compete with. CB shouldn’t be some long term plan for the Spurs - that position shouldn’t be secured for him. The Spurs have enough assets to find the right one… they don’t need to be stuck to CB.

I never said that.
Keldon and Champ are guaranteed to have minutes next season, CB will be there, we need two more wings since Sochan and Barnes are probably gone.

continue shuffling through forwards until the right one fits

The issue is that we need at least one 6'8+ forward that's a reliable 3pt shooter and those are really hard to come by at a reasonable price.
We went over all the possible options many times.

 

[Shmurs]

I think wright probably liked those steal numbers from Sochan and Bryant. Steals are captivating but just not an indicator of what kind of a pro you’re going to be. A lot of times it’s just an athletic guy who isn’t very good on offense so they just put all their energy on the other side of the court.

Unfortunately we might keep leaning heavily into projects if the trend continues since we’re bow out of the lottery for a long time. And we stink at projects.

 

[frenchfred]

I don’t dislike the dude hard. Maybe failed experiment were words that were too strong. I think there’s definitely a possibility where he ends up being okay. But everything he’s showing so far is giving me flashbacks of Lonnie, a kid that everyone wanted to “wait for it” until the day he was gone. I was very open minded to see what he would bring to the Spurs and reserved judgment until he’s played enough games. He’s played enough games to show me that he is so, so far off.

I agree. I don't see anything in him. He is an above average defender but it's not like he is locking his opponent every single game he is in. His handles are pretty bad, he cannot shoot and apparently cannot dunk. Send him to Austin for the rest of the season to get playing time, have him shoot all summer long and we'll see next year.

 

[Vienna]

since conference games arrived, forum darling Lendeborg is playing like crap. 5 games, 10PPG, 35%FG, 20% 3s......this won't land him a FRP, much less a lottery pick.

but thinking about Michigan, Morez Johnson meanwhile looks like the more intriguing prospect.

 

[Exstatic]

since conference games arrived, forum darling Lendeborg is playing like crap. 5 games, 10PPG, 35%FG, 20% 3s......this won't land him a FRP, much less a lottery pick.

That’s especially bad for an older dude. He’ll be nearly 24 on draft night. Those guys are expected to physically dominate their younger opponents.

 

[mo7888]

since conference games arrived, forum darling Lendeborg is playing like crap. 5 games, 10PPG, 35%FG, 20% 3s......this won't land him a FRP, much less a lottery pick.

but thinking about Michigan, Morez Johnson meanwhile looks like the more intriguing prospect.

He's definitely dropping at the moment and highlighting the questions about his game. For that archetype he's significantly behind Haugh now.