Draft 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

[SpursBills]

As ideal as it'd be to get a four or big who can space, there's not an obvious candidate, so I think guard or wing shooters like Mullins and Carr could be in play more than most probably think or hope.

It's two-fold: One, I think they'll address the immediate rotational PF need with someone like Hachimura and two, Fox will likely be traded in two years tops, so eventually rotational minutes will open up on the perimeter. In the meantime, they'd address the need for better Vassell/Champagnie insurance.



The main thing, sure, but not at the expense of them being a defensive liability.

The big takeaway that I get from your post is that you think Fox needs to be traded within the next two years. I don't agree or disagree with this, but let's assume that this is true. In this world then, do you think it makes sense to steer away from convention and draft another guard this year? We know that SA likes running lineups with multiple ballhandlers, and I would say that cheap initiators are one of the biggest market inefficiencies when it comes to impact vs cost. You see this with Payton Pritchard and Ajay Mitchell, who both have an outsized impact on their teams in spite of being locked into value (or rookie contracts). The other piece is that if you're trading Fox away in 2 years, you're probably not getting a haul for him, as the Spurs would want to "do right by him" and send him where he wants to go.

In this scenario, does it make sense to draft Bennett Stirtz or even Burries, someone can provide shooting in the short term, and then step into an initiator role in 2 years when Fox's departure leaves a gigantic hole in the lineup? I assume at that time the Spurs will be firmly within their contention window, and the last thing you want is to try and fill that hole with an unknown.

Purely hypothetical, and not what I would necessarily do this year, but just throwing this out there.

 

[Exstatic]

The big takeaway that I get from your post is that you think Fox needs to be traded within the next two years. I don't agree or disagree with this, but let's assume that this is true. In this world then, do you think it makes sense to steer away from convention and draft another guard this year? We know that SA likes running lineups with multiple ballhandlers, and I would say that cheap initiators are one of the biggest market inefficiencies when it comes to impact vs cost. You see this with Payton Pritchard and Ajay Mitchell, who both have an outsized impact on their teams in spite of being locked into value (or rookie contracts). The other piece is that if you're trading Fox away in 2 years, you're probably not getting a haul for him, as the Spurs would want to "do right by him" and send him where he wants to go.

In this scenario, does it make sense to draft Bennett Stirtz or even Burries, someone can provide shooting in the short term, and then step into an initiator role in 2 years when Fox's departure leaves a gigantic hole in the lineup? I assume at that time the Spurs will be firmly within their contention window, and the last thing you want is to try and fill that hole with an unknown.

Purely hypothetical, and not what I would necessarily do this year, but just throwing this out there.

My thought is that both Fox AND Vassell will be traded in the Summer-of 2028, and that you need to start onboarding a guard now as a replacement if one is the BPA when we’re on the clock. That layer needs time to level up at the NBA level before being put out there as a replacement foe one of those guys.

 

[LeBowen]

My thought is that both Fox AND Vassell will be traded in the Summer-of 2028, and that you need to start onboarding a guard now as a replacement if one is the BPA when we’re on the clock. That layer needs time to level up at the NBA level before being put out there as a replacement foe one of those guys.

Why both?
We can easily keep Vassell if Keldon and Champ take team-friendly extensions since Harper's extension doesn't kick in before 2029.

I guess you think Vassell won't take a team-friendly deal in 2029 and you want to get value back by trading him before his contract expires?

I think it's too early to talk about these things because we don't know who's going to perform in the playoffs.
2026 and 2027 playoffs will be sort of an audition for all the role players. Whoever doesn't rise to the occasion will be gone.

 

[spurraider21]

Most of the projected mid first round picks are quite straightforward to evaluate with obvious strengths and weaknesses.

The difficult part is how these players could help Spurs. Spurs might have their main 9 players rotation set until 2029 with Fox, Castle, Vassell, Champagnie, Wembanyama, Harper, Johnson, Bryant and Kornet. Right now, there isn't a single player among these 9 ones who should be kicked out of the rotation. Will Spurs use a mid first round pick on a player who won't be on the main rotation for 3 years ?

Right now, Spurs trading their pick for a 2013213 first seems to be most likely scenario for this draft. It might change with what Playoffs will reveal about Spurs and/or Spurs are especially high on a player.

The spurs are going to have to make serious roster decisions in the coming years as extensions for our young guys kick in.

 

[BatManu20]

Big game from Koa tonight. If only he could shoot the 3.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2030529362341384573

Been trying to find a player comp for Koa Peat and I think I found one. He's pretty similar to what fellow Arizona Wildcat Aaron Gordon was in college. Koa's a little better scorer and playmaker than AG was (definitely a better passer), while AG was a little better defender and rebounder. Koa isn't quite the same athlete AG was either, but he's still a pretty good athlete himself, and he's stronger than AG was. Koa with a little higher Usage as he gets more touches in the post. Neither can/could shoot the 3 in college with any volume. Gordon obviously developed his 3PT shot in the pros and has become a pretty solid shooter from deep, but it took him nearly a decade to get there.

Paul Millsap was the other comparison I came up with. Similar production in college. He eventually developed a 3-point shot out of necessity as well, but not until his late-20's.

 

[RedAzSa]

The guy catching my eye for Arizona is Brayden Burries. Good defender alongside being an outside threat. Too small for a wing, though, but is the kind we'd need off the bench.

I’m an Arizona alumnus and I’d absolutely love to have Burries off the bench. This guy is a straight up winner

 

[Vienna]

Been trying to find a player comp for Koa Peat and I think I found one. He's pretty similar to what fellow Arizona Wildcat Aaron Gordon was in college. Koa's a little better scorer and playmaker than AG was (definitely a better passer), while AG was a little better defender and rebounder. Koa isn't quite the same athlete AG was either, but he's still a pretty good athlete himself, and he's stronger than AG was. Koa with a little higher Usage as he gets more touches in the post. Neither can/could shoot the 3 in college with any volume. Gordon obviously developed his 3PT shot in the pros and has become a pretty solid shooter from deep, but it took him nearly a decade to get there.

you reference to no ceilings, so why don't you also reference to their article, where they compare Peat to Gordon?

Koa Peat Is a Force but Can He Be More? | New Man on Campus

Koa Peat is a sublime athlete and a force of nature, but the Arizona freshman has a great opportunity to prove that he's got the potential to be more than that.

www.noceilingsnba.com

 

[Bruno]

You know this world better than me, but seems like the salary crunch will be the big factor in keeping that group together long term. In that world it makes sense to think about using the pick to think about developing a “replacement.”

Wright has helped Spurs ability to keep everybody with the way he structured Vassell and Kornet's contract. He will likely do the same with Champagnie this summer.

At the end, it will mainly depend on what kind of luxury tax Spurs' ownership is willing to pay. If they are fine to pay a reasonable amount of it, Spurs might be able to keep everybody as long as Harper and Bryant are on their rookie contract.

 

[BatManu20]

you reference to no ceilings, so why don't you also reference to their article, where they compare Peat to Gordon?

Koa Peat Is a Force but Can He Be More? | New Man on Campus

Koa Peat is a sublime athlete and a force of nature, but the Arizona freshman has a great opportunity to prove that he's got the potential to be more than that.

www.noceilingsnba.com

Probably because I've never seen that article before lol. I've posted No Ceilings Mock Drafts but I've never seen that specific article you posted.

Edit*: That article is from nearly half a year ago lol. Before Kot even made his college debut. That's why I've never seen it.

 

[Exstatic]

Why both?
We can easily keep Vassell if Keldon and Champ take team-friendly extensions since Harper's extension doesn't kick in before 2029.

I guess you think Vassell won't take a team-friendly deal in 2029 and you want to get value back by trading him before his contract expires?

I think it's too early to talk about these things because we don't know who's going to perform in the playoffs.
2026 and 2027 playoffs will be sort of an audition for all the role players. Whoever doesn't rise to the occasion will be gone.

Denver, 23 NBA champs, have 6 players, 4 who actually contributed, left from their 15 man roster. We’re not “easily” keeping anyone, especially in the second apron era. If Keldon wins 6MOY, you won’t have to worry about a discount. He’ll get paid, and it won’t be by the Spurs.

All players say they want to stay, and in their hearts they do, but their wallets override that. In the second apron era, there are fewer windows to get really paid if you’re not a superstar, and if one presents itself, you take it. Teams that chip or make a very deep run get stripped for parts. It’s just the way things are. You’re very fortunate if you can keep your core 2-3 guys together.

 

[OK Computer]

I’m going to remain optimistic and believe that if they go deep im this year’s playoffs, that they’ll keep Fox, Champagnie, Keldon, Vassell beyond their current contracts. The chemistry is through the roof and I think we’re going to see one or all of these players take paycuts. Call me naive, but I think they love being on this team THAT much. Better for us fans and it speaks volumes to how Pop has set up this team through his culture.

 

[LeBowen]

Denver, 23 NBA champs, have 6 players, 4 who actually contributed, left from their 15 man roster.

And how is that working out from them? And the situation isn't comparable because none of their starters were on a rookie deal.

We’re not “easily” keeping anyone, especially in the second apron era. If Keldon wins 6MOY, you won’t have to worry about a discount. He’ll get paid, and it won’t be by the Spurs.

Keldon will surely take a discount because that's who he is. I don't think he should, but it's going to happen.

 

[John B]

And how is that working out from them? And the situation isn't comparable because none of their starters were on a rookie deal.


Keldon will surely take a discount because that's who he is. I don't think he should, but it's going to happen.

It’s the Wemby effect

 

[DTW]

The big takeaway that I get from your post is that you think Fox needs to be traded within the next two years. I don't agree or disagree with this, but let's assume that this is true. In this world then, do you think it makes sense to steer away from convention and draft another guard this year? We know that SA likes running lineups with multiple ballhandlers, and I would say that cheap initiators are one of the biggest market inefficiencies when it comes to impact vs cost. You see this with Payton Pritchard and Ajay Mitchell, who both have an outsized impact on their teams in spite of being locked into value (or rookie contracts). The other piece is that if you're trading Fox away in 2 years, you're probably not getting a haul for him, as the Spurs would want to "do right by him" and send him where he wants to go.

In this scenario, does it make sense to draft Bennett Stirtz or even Burries, someone can provide shooting in the short term, and then step into an initiator role in 2 years when Fox's departure leaves a gigantic hole in the lineup? I assume at that time the Spurs will be firmly within their contention window, and the last thing you want is to try and fill that hole with an unknown.

Purely hypothetical, and not what I would necessarily do this year, but just throwing this out there.

I'll answer something you didn't ask just for clarity: Two years tops buys them time to take 2-3 runs at a championship with and do right by Fox, while Harper should be overcooked to start at that point (offensive compatibility with Castle notwithstanding) and extension eligible, so it'll behoove both the Spurs and Harper to have this sorted out by then.

Now to what you did ask. Yeah, I've thought of that too. The thing is, it depends on what they project to eventually trade Fox for. Like, is part of the salary coming back a veteran stopgap lead guard to be the 6th man? Without knowing that it's hard to say. I don't think they'll draft that archetype unless they plan to trade Fox after this season though.

 

[Exstatic]

And how is that working out from them? And the situation isn't comparable because none of their starters were on a rookie

Well, if they didn’t do it, they’d be looking at draft picks pushed to the end of the first round, and untradeable,so,it’s going pretty well. they’ve survived the second apron.

Keldon will surely take a discount because that's who he is. I don't think he should, but it's going to happen.

Keldon signed the smallest second contract of any FRP going back to the big 3 era. He’s already given back. Llama needs new pair of shoes.

 

[BatManu20]

This version of Yaxel Lendeborg that dominated a really good Michigan State defense today would be a perfect fit for the Spurs tbh.

27 pts on 8/12 FG, 5/6 from 3. Was also great on the defensive end as a switchable defender against MSU’s really big front court. 2 stls, 1 blk. Basically an elite 3-&-D game from him but also attacked close-outs for a couple nasty dunks. Had a couple nice lob passes as well.

It’s too bad he’s older cause he’s easily the best fit for what we need in that 12-16 range imo (when he plays like this).

 

[Goliath]

One thing to consider regarding Vassel and Keldon taking a discount: both got paid and played on horrible 20 win teams. I would figure both wouldn’t want to go back to that and would take a slight discount to keep winning

 

[OK Computer]

This version of Yaxel Lendeborg that dominated a really good Michigan State defense today would be a perfect fit for the Spurs tbh.

27 pts on 8/12 FG, 5/6 from 3. Was also great on the defensive end as a switchable defender and against MSU’s really big front court. 2 stls, 1 blk. Basically an elite 3-&-D game from him but also attacked close-outs for couple nasty dunks. Had a couple nice lob passes as well.

It’s too bad he’s ancient cause he’s easily the best fit for what we need in that 12-16 range imo (when he plays like this).

In a post yesterday replying to me about old age not being the only factor to not draft a prospect - you said prospects with interior size are the perfect fit. Today you’re saying a switchable big who can hit 3’s is the perfect fit except if he’s old like Yaxel…

 

[BatManu20]

In a post yesterday replying to me about old age not being the only factor to not draft a prospect - you said prospects with interior size are the perfect fit. Today you’re saying a switchable big who can hit 3’s is the perfect fit except if he’s old like Yaxel…

Yaxel is 245 lbs. Haugh is 215 lbs. Big difference. Yaxel can bang with the big boys. I also stated multiple times that it’s not about what I want, but rather what I think MATFO will do. Also a big difference.

 

[OK Computer]

Yaxel is 245 lbs. Haugh is 215 lbs. Big difference. Yaxel can bang with the big boys. I also stated multiple times that it’s not about what I want, but rather what I think MATFO will do. Also a big difference.

Relax - I just wanted clarification on what sounded inconsistent. I guess we will see what the MATFO cares about in a few months.

 

[Guru of Nothing]

As the Hawks continue to win and Kornet struggles, I'm liking Aday Mara more and more as the Spurs pick.

 

[CGD]

One thing to consider regarding Vassel and Keldon taking a discount: both got paid and played on horrible 20 win teams. I would figure both wouldn’t want to go back to that and would take a slight discount to keep winning

Maybe, but the more likely factor is that the new cap rules really punish teams that make missteps like overpaying these exact type of good, not great role players.

 

[LeBowen]

Maybe, but the more likely factor is that the new cap rules really punish teams that make missteps like overpaying these exact type of good, not great roll players.

Yeah, noone is overpaying Devin and Keldon enough for them to take the bag over staying competitive.

 

[onechance87]

i still like morez johnson jr to pair up next to wemby.

 

[Correct Crusader]

I’m going to remain optimistic and believe that if they go deep im this year’s playoffs, that they’ll keep Fox, Champagnie, Keldon, Vassell beyond their current contracts. The chemistry is through the roof and I think we’re going to see one or all of these players take paycuts. Call me naive, but I think they love being on this team THAT much. Better for us fans and it speaks volumes to how Pop has set up this team through his culture.

I think it depends on the playoff performance but I think you're right