Mock draft 2026

[Dime Dropper]

Wasn’t harden considered close to an elite athlete in his prime? I think wagler should be able to get to the rim his jump shot being elite will help offset the lack of athleticism. Watching him he has a lot of counter moves like Luka which helps get him to the basket and he’s never sped up.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2016219615022743943

The knock on Harden coming out of college was that he had questionable athleticism which may limit his upside. He tested better than expected at the combine but he wasn't known as a good athlete coming out. Of course, it turned out he was actually a pretty deceptive athlete, but his style of play was languid and as we all know, he didn't really rely on it.

Average athleticism can be overcome but you really need to be a great ball handler to overcome it if you're going to be more than a role player.

 

[serbiangoat]

I've said it before but people grossly overlook strength when it comes to athletic ability (compared to quickness/jumping) it's literally what allowed guys like Luka/Jokic to dominate or basically every single prospect who made a good career in the NBA from the Balkans (since there is zero or close to it fast twitch athletes here), if a prospect from these areas does not have a good build or size from the position /elite to good strength they have no chance in the NBA to be impact players.

 

[Tetsujin]

Yeah. Peterson still number one.

 

[sactowndog]

Yeah that's a bit concerning. How many true #1's in the NBA score in bunches but don't make their teammates better?

I know the injuries are real and usually they can explain the temporary fall of shooting accuracy and explosiveness but I've never really heard of injuries affecting playmaking abilities much.

If he was having leg cramps my guess is he is going through a growth spurt still. My 6’6” son grew at 18 and had cramps when growing.

Watching Peterson versus BYU and it’s like watching Kobe play. Kid’s amazing

 

[sactowndog]

I've said it before but people grossly overlook strength when it comes to athletic ability (compared to quickness/jumping) it's literally what allowed guys like Luka/Jokic to dominate or basically every single prospect who made a good career in the NBA from the Balkans (since there is zero or close to it fast twitch athletes here), if a prospect from these areas does not have a good build or size from the position /elite to good strength they have no chance in the NBA to be impact players.

Seen a lot of Balkan Water Polo players and Bogi and my 6’6” son up close. Bogi is only 6’4” which is good but not great size. But Bogi and Peja can shoot the lights out.

That said still not sure why the NFL has not come calling in the NBA. Lots of those guys would be elite O and D Lineman.

 

[hrdboild]

Both Dybantsa and Peterson being complete non-factors down the stretch of the biggest prospect showdown matchup in a decade is a curious turn of events.

 

[SacTownKid]

The knock on Harden coming out of college was that he had questionable athleticism which may limit his upside. He tested better than expected at the combine but he wasn't known as a good athlete coming out. Of course, it turned out he was actually a pretty deceptive athlete, but his style of play was languid and as we all know, he didn't really rely on it.

Average athleticism can be overcome but you really need to be a great ball handler to overcome it if you're going to be more than a role player.

The other difference is Harden came with a 230 pound body. He can just physically move people out of the way.

 

[Tetsujin]

Both Dybantsa and Peterson being complete non-factors down the stretch of the biggest prospect showdown matchup in a decade is a curious turn of events.

Peterson appears to still be on a minutes restriction and AJ knew what we all came to see (Richie Saunders jacking up threes like they’re going out of style)

 

[sactowndog]

Peterson appears to still be on a minutes restriction and AJ knew what we all came to see (Richie Saunders jacking up threes like they’re going out of style)

If his legs are cramping. Some decent chance he could still be growing.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017727529776275462

 

[iowamcnabb]

Peterson appears to still be on a minutes restriction and AJ knew what we all came to see (Richie Saunders jacking up threes like they’re going out of style)

Yeh he was easily the best player in his 20 minutes.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017755371226493268

 

[Joshyjosh31]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017721587630542893

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017742260188721268

Non ball dominate two way star scores so effortlessly and would fit any system

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017674020737454201

Crazy that Cam is having one of the best, most efficient seasons in college basketball history and there is probably nothing he can do to get drafted higher than third overall at this point hahah

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017720424147177699

Caleb randomly deciding to turn into a point forward then last couple of weeks huge for his development

 

[hrdboild]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017720424147177699

Caleb randomly deciding to turn become a point forward then last couple of weeks huge for his development

Caleb Wilson continues to separate himself from the rest on my draft board. Dybantsa, Boozer, and Peterson are all putting up more impressive numbers and are likely going to be very good NBA players but the feel for the game with Wilson is so much more impressive to me. The only thing he's not doing is shooting threes but the way he can grab the ball and weave through traffic coast to coast at 6'10" is incredibly rare. And he's only had two games all season without multiple blocks and/or steals.

I wanted AJ Dybantsa to take over at some point against Kansas, especially with Darryn Peterson sitting on the bench for almost all of the second half. For a guy being pitched as a future go-to iso scorer it's strange that BYU didn't try to run any plays for him during their attempted come back. He had just one basket in the last 10 minutes. Peterson did have a really nice dunk today. I've been waiting all year to see him finish a play above the rim through contact so that was encouraging to see.

 

[sactowndog]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017721587630542893

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017742260188721268

Non ball dominate two way star scores so effortlessly and would fit any system

He is the type of player it doesn’t matter who you have in his spot. But if we get the first pick Clifford needs to work on his point guard and defense skills.

 

[Joshyjosh31]

He is the type of player it doesn’t matter who you have in his spot. But if we get the first pick Clifford needs to work on his point guard and defense skills.

Clifford shouldn’t even be penciled into the lineup like that the only guy we have like that is Keegan maybe Max. If Cleveland fails again a Garland/Peterson backcourt would be orgasmic

Nique/Carter/Cardwell off the bench would look good in the future

 

[sactowndog]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017674020737454201

Crazy that Cam is having one of the best, most efficient seasons in college basketball history and there is probably nothing he can do to get drafted higher than third overall at this point hahah

Boozer kind of reminds me of Tatum. Very similar player.

 

[iowamcnabb]

just one of these star guys, basketball gods! Changes everything for this team

 

[Tizzy Flip]

Wagler playing right now against #5 Nebraska. Such a savvy player. I don't draft him if we land a top 5 pick, but if we do some reverse tanking he’ll be a great consolation prize

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018006098406510814

Darryn has the same agent as Tyrese Evans

 

[SacTownKid]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018006098406510814

Darryn has the same agent as Tyrese Evans

Uh, if the Kings don't expect that out of pretty much all of the top 3 they're delusional anyway, lol.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Uh, if the Kings don't expect that out of pretty much all of the top 3 they're delusional anyway, lol.

But the Pelicans, Jazz, Wizards, and Nets totally deserve to get Peterson's medicals, because they have proven themselves to be very competent franchises.

 

[Tetsujin]

Uh, if the Kings don't expect that out of pretty much all of the top 3 they're delusional anyway, lol.

I mean, there’s really no reason for any of the top three guys to visit with any team before the draft this year.

 

[Tetsujin]

But the Pelicans, Jazz, Wizards, and Nets totally deserve to get Peterson's medicals, because they have proven themselves to be very competent franchises.

The Pels: great medical team, no notes!

 

[SacTownKid]

But the Pelicans, Jazz, Wizards, and Nets totally deserve to get Peterson's medicals, because they have proven themselves to be very competent franchises.

Ugliest of the bunch is still ugliest haha.

 

[Joshyjosh31]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018104361965257106

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018101828903194825

I’m taking him over wilson and flemming

 

[SacKings123]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018104361965257106

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018101828903194825

I’m taking him over wilson and flemming

I want to but I just can’t… 2-way players are the way to go. Just way more valuable and make it easier to build a winning team (Wilson & Flemming)

 

[Joshyjosh31]

I want to but I just can’t… 2-way players are the way to go. Just way more valuable and make it easier to build a winning team (Wilson & Flemming)

I have Wilson below every top five player that can create offense I don’t care about two way as long as you’re not Luka.