Mock draft 2026

[SacKings123]

Why would we need to attach a pick there getting a former all star that first isn’t a top five pick. If anything just take on the salary of Pat Williams

Potentially attaching the salary of Pat Williams may help out.

Have to think of it as if we were in the Bulls shoes. Knowing your team is rebuilding and you have a top 10 pick, would you roll the dice on a 30 year old pf/c making 43mil/year? or would you keep a 18-19 year old on a rookie contract for the next 4 years and build around him?

You don’t go for Sabonis unless you intend to compete and I believe the Hornets feel like they can compete now with Sabonis

 

[SacTownKid]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026463597191213466

I don't know man, I think about all in on Boozer. I just like how he plays. There's no questions about what he brings. I also realized there's a little Zion in him. Not as bouncy but that size/handling/power. There's something there. It's like yeah, he's a Domas type but he's literally all the things where you're like, if only Domas could do this or that, well Boozer does.

 

[SacTownKid]

If there's any sort of basketball god, please just put us in the top 3. I don't even care what pick! Just get us in there.

Hopefully it's kismet. It's definitely freaky that the top 3 would all be from schools that Kings fans would be iffy about drafting out of when you recount history. It's time to correct those wrongs, lol.

 

[The_Jamal]

I don't know man, I think about all in on Boozer. I just like how he plays. There's no questions about what he brings. I also realized there's a little Zion in him. Not as bouncy but that size/handling/power. There's something there. It's like yeah, he's a Domas type but he's literally all the things where you're like, if only Domas could do this or that, well Boozer does.

His physicality at 18 is special. People that say "Well, he won't be able to do that at the NBA level!" Well, he's also going to continue to get older and get stronger. And even if he stayed as his age 18 strength/conditioning, he'd still bounce around 95%+ of the league. Guys just don't play like him, especially a majority of the guys who defend the 4 now.

The Zion comp is interesting. He's obviously not the same freaky athlete, but their skill-sets and how they win are very similar. Boozer is a more natural rebounder though and I think has a much higher upside as a floor spacer.

I also gotta admit, seeing if him and Domas could be a C-Webb/Vlade 2.0 would be fun to watch. Dust off the old Princeton playbook. And if not, him and Cardwell is a perfect 4-5 pairing where Cardwell covers the only true hole in Boozers game (rim protection)

 

[Joshyjosh31]

Rather not have two bad defensive big men starting

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026371555270471730

 

[SacTownKid]

Rather not have two bad defensive big men starting

I still think Domas is underrated when moving his feet and Cam has good mobility was well. It might not work, but it could. And BTW physicality makes up for a lot. Just pounding on and wearing down guys is a thing. Especially with a lot of these skinny shot blockers.

 

[The_Jamal]

Rather not have two bad defensive big men starting

Two things. Edit* I lied, three things

1. Is Boozer actually bad on defense or is that just the narrative? Would we consider Peterson/AJ stoppers on D? I've seen 4 full Boozer games and while he's not a standout by any means, I don't think he's anywhere close to a sieve.

2. I love Domas, one of the biggest proponents of him on the board. I think him and Boozer could work incredibly well. But if didn't, you move off Domas. We aren't concerned with fit with the current pieces in the slightest. It's about maximizing what we can do for Boozer to become a superstar.

3. Boozer is going to play the 4 or the "big wing" spot in the NBA. You can hide a weaker defender there than you can at the 5, where you traditionally get your rim protection. Insert Dylan Cardwell and presto! Problem solved.

 

[SacTownKid]

Two things

1. Is Boozer actually bad on defense or is that just the narrative? Would we consider Peterson/AJ stoppers on D?

2. I love Domas, one of the biggest proponents of him on the board. I think him and Boozer could work incredibly well. But if didn't, you move off Domas. We aren't concerned with fit with the current pieces in the slightest. It's about maximizing what we can do for Boozer to become a superstar.

And also with Domas all the things he doesn't do well enough to be a full time PF Boozer does. He could potentially bring back the PF position. The rebounding between those two would be insane. The thing that really turned the tide on Boozer for me was the Michigan St. game where had some rebounds that changed the whole dynamic of the game. They were "winning" basketball plays.

 

[The_Jamal]

And also with Domas all the things he doesn't do well enough to be a full time PF Boozer does. He could potentially bring back the PF position. The rebounding between those two would be insane. The thing that really turned the tide on Boozer for me was the Michigan St. game where had some rebounds that changed the whole dynamic of the game. They were "winning" basketball plays.

Yeah, i've said this already in this thread, but Boozer is a lot like the great PF's of the 2010's, with the modern flair of his shooting and playmaking. He's so fundamental, he's got great footwork, he's got excellent touch around the rim, fantastic C&S spacer with a good repeatable stroke. I think he's going to be one of the better rebounders in the league too; he's got the "nose for the ball" instincts to be a great rebounder that you sort of just have or you don't. It's how Domas has developed into the best rebounder in the league, despite not having anywhere near a crazy vertical.

Duke loves getting him in the high PnR where he gets to go to work ATB. He attracts so much attention that the defense has to collapse and he'll find the open shooter. Or if they don't, he'll walk his defender down and push him out of the way to score.

 

[Joshyjosh31]

Two things. Edit* I lied, three things

1. Is Boozer actually bad on defense or is that just the narrative? Would we consider Peterson/AJ stoppers on D? I've seen 4 full Boozer games and while he's not a standout by any means, I don't think he's anywhere close to a sieve.

2. I love Domas, one of the biggest proponents of him on the board. I think him and Boozer could work incredibly well. But if didn't, you move off Domas. We aren't concerned with fit with the current pieces in the slightest. It's about maximizing what we can do for Boozer to become a superstar.

3. Boozer is going to play the 4 or the "big wing" spot in the NBA. You can hide a weaker defender there than you can at the 5, where you traditionally get your rim protection. Insert Dylan Cardwell and presto! Problem solved.

Boozer cant defend the perimeter or protect the rim I’m all for Boozer/Caldwell lineup but boozer and Sabonis is a disaster I have no idea why anyone would even want to try it. Then y’all will complain when Keegan has to defend five guys and make excuses for him shooting 34%.

Peterson and AJ have positional size and athleticism to be good or average defenders not worried one bit about them.

I still think Domas is underrated when moving his feet and Cam has good mobility was well. It might not work, but it could. And BTW physicality makes up for a lot. Just pounding on and wearing down guys is a thing. Especially with a lot of these skinny shot blockers.

How are we getting stops with Domas and boozer as our rim protectors? Keegan might be our best rim protected in this scenario and he’ll be on the best wing player as is

Lakers, Nuggets, and rockets were the only teams in last year playoffs not starting a defensive center. Rockets had 3-4 elite defenders, lakers had Luka and the generational whistle, and Denver had possibly the greatest offensive player at center. What’s the path to success for us when it’s proven you can’t win with two defensive liabilities

 

[SacTownKid]

Boozer cant defend the perimeter or protect the rim I’m all for Boozer/Caldwell lineup but boozer and Sabonis is a disaster I have no idea why anyone would even want to try it. Then y’all will complain when Keegan has to defend five guys and make excuses for him shooting 34%.

Peterson and AJ have positional size and athleticism to be good or average defenders not worried one bit about them.



How are we getting stops with Domas and boozer as our rim protectors? Keegan might be our best rim protected in this scenario and he’ll be on the best wing player as is

Lakers, Nuggets, and rockets were the only teams in last year playoffs not starting a defensive center. Rockets had 3-4 elite defenders, lakers had Luka and the generational whistle, and Denver had possibly the greatest offensive player at center. What’s the path to success for us when it’s proven you can’t win with two defensive liabilities

Kind of like that, load up on defenders around them. Switch a lot, play a tempo that works for a stronger combo like that. You have to remember, classically pace was always the biggest part of the best defensive teams. The years of teams just switching and having a great defensive game while giving up 120 might be nearing an end. Wear down the opponent. He could bust but Boozer looks like one of those bigs that could be that Sengun or some level of Jokic offensively. He's a lot more athletic than they are though. Then off the bench you have a Cardwell or defensive bigs to supplement them.

 

[The_Jamal]

Boozer cant defend the perimeter or protect the rim I’m all for Boozer/Caldwell lineup but boozer and Sabonis is a disaster I have no idea why anyone would even want to try it. Then y’all will complain when Keegan has to defend five guys and make excuses for him shooting 34%.

Peterson and AJ have positional size and athleticism to be good or average defenders not worried one bit about them.



How are we getting stops with Domas and boozer as our rim protectors? Keegan might be our best rim protected in this scenario and he’ll be on the best wing player as is

Lakers, Nuggets, and rockets were the only teams in last year playoffs not starting a defensive center. Rockets had 3-4 elite defenders, lakers had Luka and the generational whistle, and Denver had possibly the greatest offensive player at center. What’s the path to success for us when it’s proven you can’t win with two defensive liabilities

That wasn't my question. Are they stoppers, right now? I'm not asking are they going to be, or do they have the "tools". Are they good defenders right now?

 

[Joshyjosh31]

That wasn't my question. Are they stoppers, right now? I'm not asking are they going to be, or do they have the "tools". Are they good defenders right now?

No there not neither is Wilson

Kind of like that, load up on defenders around them. Switch a lot, play a tempo that works for a stronger combo like that. You have to remember, classically pace was always the biggest part of the best defensive teams. The years of teams just switching and having a great defensive game while giving up 120 might be nearing an end. Wear down the opponent. He could bust but Boozer looks like one of those bigs that could be that Sengun or some level of Jokic offensively. He's a lot more athletic than they are though. Then off the bench you have a Cardwell or defensive bigs to supplement them.

If we get boozer we should try Caldwell starting next to him see how it works if he could stay out of foul trouble he should be fine

 

[sactowndog]

I don't know...

Ament is coming around a bit, and I think the mistake was to view him as a PF. He's a wing. He's a very tall, very long, very quick wing who can move his feet and defend on the perimeter. Can shoot from outside, can handle, can create his own shot. He may have a longer adjustment period to the next level, but I'm not seeing bust right now. Early on, yeah, I did. Feeling better about him now.

Yeah he shoots FT at a high percentage also. That bodes well for future 3 point shooting.