Draft 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

[STAT88]

Haugh is Christian Braun

Player Comparison | Tankathon

Compare the statistics of 2026 NBA Draft prospects to each other and prospects from previous drafts. Stats are normalized to per-36-minutes numbers.

www.tankathon.com

6’9 Cristian Braun ain’t bad

 

[SpursBills]

I actually don't love the idea of drafting an older prospect at this juncture if the Spurs end up at pick 10-11 now that Yaxel's shooting has fallen off so much - there's going to be a decent chance that high-potential underclassman falls out of the top ten and the spurs should be ready to jump on that

Haugh is decent, but he's also pretty old (23 when the season starts). Yaxel will be 24. Josh Jefferson turns 23 shortly after the season starts. These are guys I'd be happy with in 20s, but drafting them at around pick 10-11 just seems like suboptimal asset management.

As Castle/Harper/Wemby get more expensive in the next couple years, it'll be important to restock the pick cupboard to keep cheap talent coming in or to have assets to trade for missing pieces. Let's say someone like Mikel Brown somehow drops to 11 - maybe a continued cold shooting stretch, or an injury, etc. etc. - does a lead-guard desperate team like Toronto offer a future top 4 protected pick and a swap to trade down? Honestly, dropping down to the early 20s and trying to take one of the prospects mocked in the 20s sounds a lot better to me than taking an old player at 11. (I would probably try and take Carr or Cenac if they were available here and if not, consider Swain but to each his own).

 

[bozhemoi]

I actually don't love the idea of drafting an older prospect at this juncture if the Spurs end up at pick 10-11 now that Yaxel's shooting has fallen off so much - there's going to be a decent chance that high-potential underclassman falls out of the top ten and the spurs should be ready to jump on that

Haugh is decent, but he's also pretty old (23 when the season starts). Yaxel will be 24. Josh Jefferson turns 23 shortly after the season starts. These are guys I'd be happy with in 20s, but drafting them at around pick 10-11 just seems like suboptimal asset management.

As Castle/Harper/Wemby get more expensive in the next couple years, it'll be important to restock the pick cupboard to keep cheap talent coming in or to have assets to trade for missing pieces. Let's say someone like Mikel Brown somehow drops to 11 - maybe a continued cold shooting stretch, or an injury, etc. etc. - does a lead-guard desperate team like Toronto offer a future top 4 protected pick and a swap to trade down? Honestly, dropping down to the early 20s and trying to take one of the prospects mocked in the 20s sounds a lot better to me than taking an old player at 11. (I would probably try and take Carr or Cenac if they were available here and if not, consider Swain but to each his own).

Right now that pick range looks like a dead zone for the Spurs for the reasons you say. A glut of small guards and the Spurs definitely don't need any more point guards. The forwards are either iffy try-hards like Haugh or undersize semi-centers like the Washington kid, or they're old wings who aren't that promising. I'd definitely flip back. I'm pretty unsure about this draft after about six or seven players.

 

[STAT88]

I’ve been trying real hard to convince myself to like him and maybe after more film it will happen… I just feel like there’s not one skill that stands out with him. Like being decent at 3 is nice, but to me, the lack of ball handling skills means you have to be more than decent… or at least have a better post up game… or be a defensive ace… or be a high flyer and dunk over everyone.

If his shooting game is stellar, he could be a Markkanen-lite. But I’m not sure if he will get there.

A lot of my value is based on fit. With Wemby, Fox, Castle, Harper projected to have almost all the usage/initiation, I’m putting a premium on guys who will be effective without the ball in their hands i.e positional size, rebounding, defense, shooting, cutting, play finishing, transition, intangibles.

He’d be dangerous as a cutter getting feeds from our big 4, he’d be great in transition with Fox and Harper.

 

[STAT88]

 

[OK Computer]

I actually don't love the idea of drafting an older prospect at this juncture if the Spurs end up at pick 10-11 now that Yaxel's shooting has fallen off so much - there's going to be a decent chance that high-potential underclassman falls out of the top ten and the spurs should be ready to jump on that

Haugh is decent, but he's also pretty old (23 when the season starts). Yaxel will be 24. Josh Jefferson turns 23 shortly after the season starts. These are guys I'd be happy with in 20s, but drafting them at around pick 10-11 just seems like suboptimal asset management.

As Castle/Harper/Wemby get more expensive in the next couple years, it'll be important to restock the pick cupboard to keep cheap talent coming in or to have assets to trade for missing pieces. Let's say someone like Mikel Brown somehow drops to 11 - maybe a continued cold shooting stretch, or an injury, etc. etc. - does a lead-guard desperate team like Toronto offer a future top 4 protected pick and a swap to trade down? Honestly, dropping down to the early 20s and trying to take one of the prospects mocked in the 20s sounds a lot better to me than taking an old player at 11. (I would probably try and take Carr or Cenac if they were available here and if not, consider Swain but to each his own).

Following your criteria of: Spurs will not draft anyone old at 11. i think old would be defined as older than 21 - JDub’s age at draft time.

I think if someone falls to 8 or 9 like Caleb Wilson, the Spurs should try to trade up for him with their 11th, Vassell, and future picks.

At 11, I think the best options are (using players projected in that range on this day of 2/13/25):

-Braylon Mullins - potential Vassell replacement if we eventually move off him. Constantly moving off ball. If the Spurs playbook ever becomes more complex, he would be an ideal type of player to run complex sets. Can pull-up and shoot from anywhere.

Hannes Steinbach - if the Spurs believe they can run with two bigs full-time, then Hannes has a strong chance. Has good fundamentals, he’s a quick mover on the court, always running to set screens - compared to another center like Aday Mara who needs to be the offensive hub to be effective. I trust his shooting mechanics to be an effective catch and shoot NBA big - an option to switch it up if he plays with Wemby and Wemby wants to go inside. The reason Hannes should be under strong consideration is not because of anyone thinking twin towers is the way to go, but because he’s a damn good prospect and maybe you just have to figure out how to make it work if he’s the best available.

Tounde - everyone already knows my thoughts here.

I think those are the top three guys at 11.

I’m out on:
Nate Ament & Karim Lopez - I’ll say it again. Strict shooter archetypes like these have a tall mountain to climb because when you’re cold, what else do you have to offer? We saw it with Zaccharie Risacher (another ST favorite) this season for long stretches. Zaccharie contributed nothing else when his shot wasn’t falling. Plus you factor in if they can beat CB, Champagnie, and Barnes out of their minutes. CB is a better defender than either of these guys so he’s a better prospect. So what’s the point here?

Otherwise if the Spurs trade down, the number 1 target should be Joshua Jefferson, IMO. He’s Derrick White’s age at draft time and Derrick would go way higher in a re-draft so what would be the issue in drafting JJ with the 11th? I know… asset management yadda yadda yadda…

 

[mo7888]

On Ament I think he brings more that just shooting. He's a secondary creator with very good ball handling skills and he's very mobile and switchable on D. He can play in space and guard multiple positions. His length is good too. He issue i have, hence why I've dropped him a little bit on my board, is that we already have a good bit of that on the team. If he were stronger and wasn't so easily boxed out I'd have him higher.

 

[Exstatic]

Right now that pick range looks like a dead zone for the Spurs for the reasons you say. A glut of small guards and the Spurs definitely don't need any more point guards. The forwards are either iffy try-hards like Haugh or undersize semi-centers like the Washington kid, or they're old wings who aren't that promising. I'd definitely flip back. I'm pretty unsure about this draft after about six or seven players.

We have to start drafting the Vassell/Keldon/Champ replacements. Guards/wings are absolutely ON the table as picks.

 

[bozhemoi]

We have to start drafting the Vassell/Keldon/Champ replacements. Guards/wings are absolutely ON the table as picks.

No on the point guards, absolutely not. Taller shooting guards, sure. If Wagler's somehow available for example.

 

[BatManu20]

I keep coming back to Ament. Feels like a very Spursy player tbh. He's finally playing like the 5-Star prospect and lottery pick that he was projected to be. SF/PF hybrid with great size at 6'10 and a 7' wingspan.
3-point shot has come back around as of late. Good passer. Needs to get stronger obv (listed at 207 lbs), but he's playing himself back into a potential top-10 pick. Doubt he lasts until the 10-14 range where we're projected to pick tbh so might be a moot point, but I think he'd be the guy if he were still on the board when we're on the clock.

NBA Comparison: Franz Wagner and Zaccharie Risacher

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021809158702739734

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021344210830709185

 

[BatManu20]

 

[bozhemoi]

I also think Ament would be near the top of the list. With his size, he should probably go top 8 or so.

He has improved, and into conference schedule, which is notable. His usage is really high, though, as opposed to a guy like Haugh, and I'm not sure the team really needs those kinds of players. Still, if he's there I think he'd be the preference.

 

[BatManu20]

I also think Ament would be near the top of the list. With his size, he should probably go top 8 or so.

He has improved, and into conference schedule, which is notable. His usage is really high, though, as opposed to a guy like Haugh, and I'm not sure the team really needs those kinds of players. Still, if he's there I think he'd be the preference.

Yea if he keeps playing the way he is right now I don't think he makes it out of the top 10. Too much talent and upside to go along with elite positional size.

 

[Bruno]

I wouldn't rule out Spurs drafting a guard provided he can shoot.

All will depend on the end of the season, but it's not unthinkable that Spurs come to the conclusion that Harper is ready to be a quality starting PG and that Fox has to be traded. In that scenario, a combo guard able to shoot will make a nice 3 players rotation with Harper and Castle as guards.

 

[spurraider21]

are there any PF types who can shoot in this draft?

Cenac seems very intriguing in that profile. provides that muscle/rebounding/defensive presence while also having an outside shot and good athleticism. but if he is just a small 5 instead of being able to hang as a legit 4, a bit less intriguing.

Haugh to a lesser degree but seems like a solid fit. i thing forward depth is going to be critical. barnes expiring/declining, sochan project officially over.

i dont really follow college and ive done next to no research on this class yet, since we're not just watching a tanking team anymore

 

[Uriel]

Ament would be amazing and probably the best fit on the current roster outside of Boozer and Wilson. He's currently mocked by ESPN at #7 though, so it's doubtful he makes it to 12-14.

 

[Robz4000]

I wouldn't rule out Spurs drafting a guard provided he can shoot.

All will depend on the end of the season, but it's not unthinkable that Spurs come to the conclusion that Harper is ready to be a quality starting PG and that Fox has to be traded. In that scenario, a combo guard able to shoot will make a nice 3 players rotation with Harper and Castle as guards.

I'd be fine with it if that ATL pick ends up a mid-1st and an elite SG prospect is the best player on their board tbh. Carter Bryant's rise has changed things a bit. Still would prefer a large PF/C though.

 

[CGD]

Ament would be amazing and probably the best fit on the current roster outside of Boozer and Wilson. He's currently mocked by ESPN at #7 though, so it's doubtful he makes it to 12-14.

Think this guy is quite polarizing among draft people. Think it’s a combo of motor concerns, and settling way too much.

 

[BatManu20]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2022086397147197615

 

[OK Computer]

Been thinking about the draft some more and will write my notes here…

The age question
Do the Spurs care about age at this point? During the years they were contending, they did not care for it all and drafted older prospects. However, the past decade has been them drafting 20 year old and under prospects. My belief is that they drafted for youth due to their circumstance - they did not have enough upper tier talent on their team, and needed to gamble. Now the situation’s changed, do they go for safer prospects now who are older?

The importance of shooting
Very important! I think with the departure of Sochan and the current rotation, it’s loud and clear that Mitch wants some shooting ability from 1-4 going forward. In the past, I personally did not place as much value in shooting as others did but that changes this year - showing signs of shooting ability is a must for me to seriously consider them as prospects to be drafted by the Spurs. Now, I will not overcorrect and look for shooting-only prospects who offer nothing else in their skillset. I still maintain my principle of having more than one skill is a non-negotiable. Carter Bryant (who I was not high on last year) at least had reputation for being a good defender. Some of the names being thrown around as faves don’t have that reputation: Karim Lopez, Nate Ament. That makes me feel like it’s unlikely they’ll be drafted by the Spurs.

The character question
The Spurs are under a new regime now… do they still care about character? I posted this in the Sochan thread - I think they very much do. I’ve been watching interviews of every prospect and taking notes of who speaks like a Spur and doesn’t show any signs of having a major ego.

 

[quark]

 

[OK Computer]

Quick rating on several players:

Karim Lopez - I compared him to Trey Lyles.
Shooting: C+ - I read he’s shooting 33% from 3 right now. If this is supposed to be his calling card, he’s not doing great at it right now.
Defense: D - comments around the web indicate that he’s a poor defender. From the limited film available, most of his highlights on defense are of him blocking shots on the weakside, and barely any man-to-man defense. This is not a good sign that he’s a capable defender.
Character: C- - i’m not getting a good vibe.

Chris Cenac - Kalel Ware, John Collins, or Okongwu
Shooting: B - I don’t think there are any concerns here. He looks like he’ll be a competent shooter in the NBA.
Defense: B- - since he’s more of a PF/C type, switchability will be a little bit of a concern. But tbh, I’d rather pick Cenac over guys like Karim or Ament.
Character: TBD - I’ll trust SpursBills on this one for now. Haven’t caught his interviews yet.

Nate Ament - Cam Johnson, MPJ
Shooting: B - Shooting is his calling card. His percentages aren’t exactly lights out, but he’s obviously a shooter.
Defense: C - he does enough to be a passable defender. His thin frame may limit his ability to handle the bigger forwards in the league. Also, I’m worried he’s soft and wouldn’t be able to add to the “physicality” culture that Mitch is building
Character: B - Seems like a good kid from what I’ve seen.

Joshua Jefferson - Boris Diaw
Shooting: C- - No one would claim Diaw was a great shooter but he hit enough shots when it mattered. That’s how I see Joshua. His shooting mechanics are decent.
Defense: A- - for a player his size, he’s out there on the perimeter defending guys like a wing. He’s a really good defender.
Character: A - Talks like a Spur. Watch his interviews. Often talks about being a leader.

 

[SpursBills]

Been thinking about the draft some more and will write my notes here…

The age question
Do the Spurs care about age at this point? During the years they were contending, they did not care for it all and drafted older prospects. However, the past decade has been them drafting 20 year old and under prospects. My belief is that they drafted for youth due to their circumstance - they did not have enough upper tier talent on their team, and needed to gamble. Now the situation’s changed, do they go for safer prospects now who are older?

The importance of shooting
Very important! I think with the departure of Sochan and the current rotation, it’s loud and clear that Mitch wants some shooting ability from 1-4 going forward. In the past, I personally did not place as much value in shooting as others did but that changes this year - showing signs of shooting ability is a must for me to seriously consider them as prospects to be drafted by the Spurs. Now, I will not overcorrect and look for shooting-only prospects who offer nothing else in their skillset. I still maintain my principle of having more than one skill is a non-negotiable. Carter Bryant (who I was not high on last year) at least had reputation for being a good defender. Some of the names being thrown around as faves don’t have that reputation: Karim Lopez, Nate Ament. That makes me feel like it’s unlikely they’ll be drafted by the Spurs.

The character question
The Spurs are under a new regime now… do they still care about character? I posted this in the Sochan thread - I think they very much do. I’ve been watching interviews of every prospect and taking notes of who speaks like a Spur and doesn’t show any signs of having a major ego.

I think they still go young with a higher pick for a couple reasons -

1. Spurs are looking for inefficiencies in the draft market. Years ago, it was euro players but the league caught on. A few years ago when the Spurs drafted Primo, I remember someone (not sure whether it was actually Brian Wright or just a random poster) talking about "pre-drafting" prospects - toolsy guys with bad counting stats who would likely be drafted much higher if they stayed on another year. I think they still view this as an inefficiency in the draft market and will continue to try and tap this pipeline if possible, whether that's the right answer or not. They look for very young guys with high level physical tools on really good teams usually dominated by vets. The fact that they can play a role on a vet-heavy team gives you confidence that they can subjugate their game for the team when they get to the next level. The fact that they have high-level physical tools gives them upside to grow. You want a very young (under 20) prospect to give them a long runway for growth. For this reason, even though I personally like Cam Carr as a draft prospect, I think there's absolutely zero chance the Spurs end up actually drafting him because he already demonstrated that he would not be a role player for a veteran-heavy team at Tennessee.

2. Now that their core is established, I think they want to develop their leadership skills. Wemby, Harper, Castle - they want them to become the leaders of this team in the long term. Bringing in 22-24 year old guys who are older, regardless of their character, might undermine some of that, as it'd be sort of weird to bring in a rookie who's actually older and has more life experience than the core leaders of your team. They might bring in true vets in FA or trade, but those represent a more supportive environment to help your team grow, rather than mature rookies who might disrupt the infrastructure of your young core leadership. As that core gets older and more entrenched, I think it's then more likely that you'll see the Spurs draft older prospects.

This is why I think Cenac has a strong possibility of getting drafted, as he checks all the boxes:
- outstanding physical tools (center sized, moves like a power forward; for example, compare him to Jalen Smith who looks similar on paper but is both smaller and moves less well on the perimeter)
- super young (19.3 on draft day)
- plays a significant role for one of the two toughest and most exacting coaches in the NCAA, who has also lauded his work ethic
- when you watch him shoot, his jumper looks more like that of a smaller player; I think he's a got excellent potential to shoot

This is probably the Carter Bryant of this year's draft

 

[OK Computer]

I think they still go young with a higher pick for a couple reasons -

1. Spurs are looking for inefficiencies in the draft market. Years ago, it was euro players but the league caught on. A few years ago when the Spurs drafted Primo, I remember someone (not sure whether it was actually Brian Wright or just a random poster) talking about "pre-drafting" prospects - toolsy guys with bad counting stats who would likely be drafted much higher if they stayed on another year. I think they still view this as an inefficiency in the draft market and will continue to try and tap this pipeline if possible, whether that's the right answer or not. They look for very young guys with high level physical tools on really good teams usually dominated by vets. The fact that they can play a role on a vet-heavy team gives you confidence that they can subjugate their game for the team when they get to the next level. The fact that they have high-level physical tools gives them upside to grow. You want a very young (under 20) prospect to give them a long runway for growth. For this reason, even though I personally like Cam Carr as a draft prospect, I think there's absolutely zero chance the Spurs end up actually drafting him because he already demonstrated that he would not be a role player for a veteran-heavy team at Tennessee.

2. Now that their core is established, I think they want to develop their leadership skills. Wemby, Harper, Castle - they want them to become the leaders of this team in the long term. Bringing in 22-24 year old guys who are older, regardless of their character, might undermine some of that, as it'd be sort of weird to bring in a rookie who's actually older and has more life experience than the core leaders of your team. They might bring in true vets in FA or trade, but those represent a more supportive environment to help your team grow, rather than mature rookies who might disrupt the infrastructure of your young core leadership. As that core gets older and more entrenched, I think it's then more likely that you'll see the Spurs draft older prospects.

This is why I think Cenac has a strong possibility of getting drafted, as he checks all the boxes:
- outstanding physical tools (center sized, moves like a power forward; for example, compare him to Jalen Smith who looks similar on paper but is both smaller and moves less well on the perimeter)
- super young (19.3 on draft day)
- plays a significant role for one of the two toughest and most exacting coaches in the NCAA, who has also lauded his work ethic
- when you watch him shoot, his jumper looks more like that of a smaller player; I think he's a got excellent potential to shoot

This is probably the Carter Bryant of this year's draft

I’m warming up to him for sure.

My personal ranking outside the top 4:
1. Tounde
2. Joshua Jefferson
3. Cenac
4. Hannes
5. Braylon Mullins
6. Ament
7. Carr
8. Haugh
9. Swain

 

[onechance87]

are there any PF types who can shoot in this draft?

Cenac seems very intriguing in that profile. provides that muscle/rebounding/defensive presence while also having an outside shot and good athleticism. but if he is just a small 5 instead of being able to hang as a legit 4, a bit less intriguing.

Haugh to a lesser degree but seems like a solid fit. i thing forward depth is going to be critical. barnes expiring/declining, sochan project officially over.

i dont really follow college and ive done next to no research on this class yet, since we're not just watching a tanking team anymore

no power fowards that are pure shooters in this draft.