Draft 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

[SpursBills]

Since a ton of the Spurs best fit prospects look like they may be available in the 20s, I wonder if Toronto would be a decent trade partner? They'll probably be hanging around 20 or so and might need a lead creator if someone like Acuff or Philon makes sense for them in the 11-12 range.

Say, 20 for 12 + Gradey Dick + a future swap or protected first.

Dick has had a rough year this year but he looks like a reasonable buy-low candidate - still 22, shot well in college, shot reasonably well his first two years, decent size, could slide into the backup shooter role

 

[DTW]

Dick has underwhelmed and wouldn't have a spot in the rotation available unless they pull off something like the above trade.

Not loving the projected options in the Spurs likely range at this point, but I'd guess a project like Cenac Jr. or Lopez is more likely than the more plug and play Lendeborg or Haugh.

Reason being, unless they trade For or Harper for a long term four, they'll probably just pursue a stopgap like Hachimura, in which case they won't have an open rotation spot anyway.

 

[LeBowen]

We don't need any more role players that are earning anything more than a minimum or close to it.
We need a serious starting wing to replace Barnes, we need to extend Champ, draft a rookie or two and improve our third stringers.

 

[SpursBills]

If as expected Boozer is available at 3, depending on the needs of the team who has it, he's still theoretically in play for the Spurs; at the cost of Harper.

The argument for it is killing three birds with one stone. They wouldn't have to concern themselves with Castle-Harper fitting together offensively or extracting value for Fox and they'd obviously fill the gaping hole at PF.

I could actually see this as a possibility if the other team is Brooklyn. Given Harper's longstanding history in the NY area, how much they coveted him pre-draft, and playing at Rutgers previously, it's the team that's most likely to make that swap.

 

[OK Computer]

I’m doing a deep dive on Amari Allen for the first time.

Upon first glance, he’s comparable to Dailyn Swain in that he does his damage on offense with the ball in his hands. But there are two types of on-ball creators: ISO-heavy and within the team’s scheme. Swain falls in the former group, which is why he doesn’t rank high in my draft order. Not decided yet on where Amari will land.

 

[onechance87]

I’m doing a deep dive on Amari Allen for the first time.

Upon first glance, he’s comparable to Dailyn Swain in that he does his damage on offense with the ball in his hands. But there are two types of on-ball creators: ISO-heavy and within the team’s scheme. Swain falls in the former group, which is why he doesn’t rank high in my draft order. Not decided yet on where Amari will land.

allen the size of keldon johnson.We should be looking at poward fowards and bigs.

 

[DTW]

I could actually see this as a possibility if the other team is Brooklyn. Given Harper's longstanding history in the NY area, how much they coveted him pre-draft, and playing at Rutgers previously, it's the team that's most likely to make that swap.

In addition to the Nets, the Kings, Hawks (Pelicans), Jazz, Mavericks, Grizzlies, all seem like candidates.

Would you do it though? This is the one scenario I can conjure where I might trade Harper because as I alluded to, the offensive fit issues with Castle aren't likely to dissipate soon if ever and they'll struggle to get value for Fox's 30% max contract.

 

[OK Computer]

allen the size of keldon johnson.We should be looking at poward fowards and bigs.

Yeah and Keldon is kicking ass when slotted in as our power forward so height is inconsequential to me. Some of y’all talk like we aren’t 40-16 right now and that’s without this fantasy tall pf y’all dream about.

 

[OK Computer]

…so the follow-up argument will probably be…

But okcomputer, we would be 50-6 right now if we had a 6’8+” pf!

To which I say really? It isn’t because we had our core players out for stretches during the first ~40 games? It isn’t because we were trying to figure out our lineups on a roster where we have three guards who need the ball in their hands? It isn’t because our young players were going through growing pains as they learn and develop, like Castle turning it over an infinite number of times (which he has toned down now)?

What people also tend to do is take away the contributing factors that lead to success when it disagrees with beliefs. Do we really believe that there is no benefit to running with a smaller, but quicker PF over a taller, slower one? That could very well be a key ingredient to our success so far, but people dismiss it very easily.

 

[LeBowen]

…so the follow-up argument will probably be…

But okcomputer, we would be 50-6 right now if we had a 6’8+” pf!

To which I say really? It isn’t because we had our core players out for stretches during the first ~40 games? It isn’t because we were trying to figure out our lineups on a roster where we have three guards who need the ball in their hands? It isn’t because our young players were going through growing pains as they learn and develop, like Castle turning it over an infinite number of times (which he has toned down now)?

What people also tend to do is take away the contributing factors that lead to success when it disagrees with beliefs. Do we really believe that there is no benefit to running with a smaller, but quicker PF over a taller, slower one? That could very well be a key ingredient to our success so far, but people dismiss it very easily.

The only answer is that we can't really know for sure until we see how we fare in the playoffs with this roster.
Regular season is a completely different thing and you can get away with a lot of things that get punished in the playoffs.
I'm not saying our current setup won't work, I'm just saying that there's no answer just yet.

 

[OK Computer]

The only answer is that we can't really know for sure until we see how we fare in the playoffs with this roster.
Regular season is a completely different thing and you can get away with a lot of things that get punished in the playoffs.
I'm not saying our current setup won't work, I'm just saying that there's no answer just yet.

I don’t disagree with your point, but people who run away with that idea will think it’s all or nothing. There’s multiple factors to be considered when playoff time comes, like this will be the very first time a bunch of our players reach the playoffs and that could play into things far more.

 

[Area 51.247]

Dick has underwhelmed and wouldn't have a spot in the rotation available unless they pull off something like the above trade.

Not loving the projected options in the Spurs likely range at this point, but I'd guess a project like Cenac Jr. or Lopez is more likely than the more plug and play Lendeborg or Haugh.

Reason being, unless they trade For or Harper for a long term four, they'll probably just pursue a stopgap like Hachimura, in which case they won't have an open rotation spot anyway.

Isn't GD still in purgatory for that draft night outfit?

 

[Area 51.247]

Dybantsa should be the clear-cut #1 pick in this draft at this point (has been for a while imo). Boozer should be #2 and I personally have Caleb Wilson #3 over Peterson due to the red flags regarding Peterson's health and mental makeup. Then Flemings should round out the top-5.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2025453455524130873

Thank you, thank you, thank!

Photo stirred a memory of the Orlando Jones "Make 7 Up Yours" from the Spurs Championship years. Laughed so hard while rewatching.

 

[SpursBills]

In addition to the Nets, the Kings, Hawks (Pelicans), Jazz, Mavericks, Grizzlies, all seem like candidates.

Would you do it though? This is the one scenario I can conjure where I might trade Harper because as I alluded to, the offensive fit issues with Castle aren't likely to dissipate soon if ever and they'll struggle to get value for Fox's 30% max contract.

Oof, that is hard. I think Harper's the best point guard we've got on the team right now even as a rookie and he's only going to get better. Add to the fact that he's actually good on defense and his size, and I feel like trading him away is taking away the potential future identity of this team. At the same time, Boozer is really really good and I see him as likely a future all-NBA guy.

Ultimately, I guess it comes down to whether I think that it's more likely that Harper learns to shoot off the dribble or whether Boozer can overcome his slow feet on the perimeter. Also whether it's easier to replace elite rim pressure with wing size or a do-everything forward. I think as of right now I still couldn't bring myself to do it, but that may change by the end of the season.

 

[scott]

Vecine had an interesting perspective on Peterson on his podcast today, stating that his sources tell him he’s been battling through legitimate injuries and instead of looking at it from the lens of Peterson not being a competitor because he pulls himself out of games, that maybe it’s more that he’s playing these games to begin with because he is a competitor.

With that said, Sam said he still has Dyabantsa as his #1. My Kangz buddy wants Boozer, I told him he should want AJ, don’t make the mistake of drafting Bagley again

 

[ambchang]

Boozer theoretically matches wemby on offence, but I’m not sure how they would work on defence. Boozer is too slow to guard the perimeter and I wouldn’t want to pull Wemby out of the paint.

 

[onechance87]

a big like morez johnson is what wemby needs next to him.A second big man to help wemby box out,rebound and move around
and defend the paint would help wemby alot on his body.I believe thats a must this draft.

 

[Exstatic]

Vecine had an interesting perspective on Peterson on his podcast today, stating that his sources tell him he’s been battling through legitimate injuries and instead of looking at it from the lens of Peterson not being a competitor because he pulls himself out of games, that maybe it’s more that he’s playing these games to begin with because he is a competitor.

With that said, Sam said he still has Dyabantsa as his #1. My Kangz buddy wants Boozer, I told him he should want AJ, don’t make the mistake of drafting Bagley again

Boozers not Bagley. He’s Sengün with a good attitude and a 3 pointer. He’s been wrecking mother fuckers since he was 15.

 

[Ariel]

Boozers not Bagley. He’s Sengün with a good attitude and a 3 pointer. He’s been wrecking mother fuckers since he was 15.

I think in terms of talent Sengun is an appropriate comparison, but there's a pretty significant height difference, Cam Boozer is probably 6'7" barefoot, Sengun is 6'10" / 6'11" (he grew since the draft). But I would say a PF version of Sengun is about what I'd expect from him, I'd love him for the Spurs but if I were another team I'd take Dybantsa for upside.

 

[Ariel]

Vecine had an interesting perspective on Peterson on his podcast today, stating that his sources tell him he’s been battling through legitimate injuries and instead of looking at it from the lens of Peterson not being a competitor because he pulls himself out of games, that maybe it’s more that he’s playing these games to begin with because he is a competitor.

Still that doesn't explain the miscommunication between him and the coaching staff... might be some weird nephew vibes there.

 

[scott]

Still that doesn't explain the miscommunication between him and the coaching staff... might be some weird nephew vibes there.

Vecinie says all reports from his sources say he's a good kid, for whatever it's worth. I, obviously, have zero sources... so I'm just passing along the info.

 

[Vienna]

I think in terms of talent Sengun is an appropriate comparison, but there's a pretty significant height difference, Cam Boozer is probably 6'7" barefoot, Sengun is 6'10" / 6'11" (he grew since the draft). But I would say a PF version of Sengun is about what I'd expect from him, I'd love him for the Spurs but if I were another team I'd take Dybantsa for upside.

Carlos Boozer was measured 6'7.75" barefoot in 2002. There are a lot of pictures of the Boozer family, Cam has been towering over his father from about age 15. He should measure around 6'9".

 

[spurraider21]

i havent watched any of these guys in depth yet but ive had dybantsa #1 for a while because of his fluidity, power, and wide toolkit as a scorer that is rare for somebody of his size. i just dont think you can pass on that level of size + shotmaking + talent. the knock on him i'd say is he doesnt really blow by guys and explode into the paint, something you'd like to see from a #1 wing

 

[mo7888]

i havent watched any of these guys in depth yet but ive had dybantsa #1 for a while because of his fluidity, power, and wide toolkit as a scorer that is rare for somebody of his size. i just dont think you can pass on that level of size + shotmaking + talent. the knock on him i'd say is he doesnt really blow by guys and explode into the paint, something you'd like to see from a #1 wing

He should be #1 overall, but I prefer Boozer at 1 for the spurs..

 

[ace3g]

Cenac just hit a 3.