Mock draft 2026

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.
Boozer doesn't defend. I'm ALL OUT on Boozer. He may be a nice complementary-type NBA player, but NBA teams will hunt him relentlessly on the defensive end of the floor. We should not take a one-way player with a top 5 pick in an excellent draft.
 
Boozer doesn't defend. I'm ALL OUT on Boozer. He may be a nice complementary-type NBA player, but NBA teams will hunt him relentlessly on the defensive end of the floor. We should not take a one-way player with a top 5 pick in an excellent draft.

I think he can be passable. The thing is if he's a player putting up numbers across the board that's what any team needs to be starting off with and he's capable in almost all areas offensively. In the end it's a question of what's actually there to choose from. There's no Wemby or LeBron, or a guaranteed great two way player to choose from in the top 10 of this draft other than maybe Williams and I think right now it's safe to say that offensively Boozer is worlds above him at this point even though Williams has potential. Boozer is the most complete player across the board from the looks of it. Even if he doesn't hit his ceiling he's at worst getting boards and helping a teams offense flow with the ability to stretch out a defense. Yeah, I'm OK taking a Domas that can hit 3's and has a legit right AND left hand as a finisher and off the dribble. In the end, the Kings just have to be in that top 3 and get one of the studs.
 
Boozer doesn't defend. I'm ALL OUT on Boozer. He may be a nice complementary-type NBA player, but NBA teams will hunt him relentlessly on the defensive end of the floor. We should not take a one-way player with a top 5 pick in an excellent draft.

If you really feel that way the only players you could even make a case to draft over him is AJ, Peterson, and Wilson. After that it doesn’t matter how bad a defender you think he is you take him he’s too talented
 
If you really feel that way the only players you could even make a case to draft over him is AJ, Peterson, and Wilson. After that it doesn’t matter how bad a defender you think he is you take him he’s too talented
Exactly. And I'm a soft no on Peterson at this point. So it's either AJ, Wilson, or friggin bust! (I haven't seen Flemings).
 
I think he can be passable. The thing is if he's a player putting up numbers across the board that's what any team needs to be starting off with and he's capable in almost all areas offensively. In the end it's a question of what's actually there to choose from. There's no Wemby or LeBron, or a guaranteed great two way player to choose from in the top 10 of this draft other than maybe Williams and I think right now it's safe to say that offensively Boozer is worlds above him at this point even though Williams has potential. Boozer is the most complete player across the board from the looks of it. Even if he doesn't hit his ceiling he's at worst getting boards and helping a teams offense flow with the ability to stretch out a defense. Yeah, I'm OK taking a Domas that can hit 3's and has a legit right AND left hand as a finisher and off the dribble. In the end, the Kings just have to be in that top 3 and get one of the studs.

I don't like him. He may be complete offensively in the college game, but his game in college might be untranslatable to the NBA because of his lack of lateral quickness and inability to finish over length. He doesn't remind of Sabonis because Sabonis has the hyper-activity that I don't see in Boozer. The way Boozer moves reminds me of Shelden Williams. So start with Shelden, give him a three point jump shot, and Cameron is the guy. Sheldon was a #5 pick by the way. Like I said, he could be a good complementary player in the NBA, but I don't see any possibility of where he is going to be the point of the spear in any offense and his defense could remind everyone why he is wearing a Kings' jersey.
 
I don't like him. He may be complete offensively in the college game, but his game in college might be untranslatable to the NBA because of his lack of lateral quickness and inability to finish over length. He doesn't remind of Sabonis because Sabonis has the hyper-activity that I don't see in Boozer. The way Boozer moves reminds me of Shelden Williams. So start with Shelden, give him a three point jump shot, and Cameron is the guy. Sheldon was a #5 pick by the way. Like I said, he could be a good complementary player in the NBA, but I don't see any possibility of where he is going to be the point of the spear in any offense and his defense could remind everyone why he is wearing a Kings' jersey.

No way is he as slow as Landlord. That said, Williams never got a real chance but the vast array of offensive skill and talent isn't the same at all. Williams never showed the passing, off the dribble ball handling, or shooting but was a much better interior defender. Any big that's not a great athlete ranges from a Shelden Williams to a Jokic/Cuz. The difference is the skill and mobility. Maybe he's a Greg Monroe but I think he's still more talented and a better athlete than Monroe. All 3 have a legit NBA skill or talent so it's a toss up. He could bust but he's still going to rebound, pass, and shoot.
 
I don't like him. He may be complete offensively in the college game, but his game in college might be untranslatable to the NBA because of his lack of lateral quickness and inability to finish over length. He doesn't remind of Sabonis because Sabonis has the hyper-activity that I don't see in Boozer. The way Boozer moves reminds me of Shelden Williams. So start with Shelden, give him a three point jump shot, and Cameron is the guy. Sheldon was a #5 pick by the way. Like I said, he could be a good complementary player in the NBA, but I don't see any possibility of where he is going to be the point of the spear in any offense and his defense could remind everyone why he is wearing a Kings' jersey.
No way is he as slow as Landlord. That said, Williams never got a real chance but the vast array of offensive skill and talent isn't the same at all. Williams never showed the passing, off the dribble ball handling, or shooting but was a much better interior defender. Any big that's not a great athlete ranges from a Shelden Williams to a Jokic/Cuz. The difference is the skill and mobility. Maybe he's a Greg Monroe but I think he's still more talented and a better athlete than Monroe. All 3 have a legit NBA skill or talent so it's a toss up. He could bust but he's still going to rebound, pass, and shoot.

Sheldon Williams averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds in his Freshman season at Duke. Greg Monroe was a 7 footer who played what was considered a "throwback" big man game in 2010. He made 1 three-point jumper in his entire NBA career.

The guy I think of when I think about Cam Boozer is Blake Griffin. Yes I know they are not at all alike in terms of how they play but Blake was also a little bit undersized and enormously productive in his last college season (the Sophomore season in his case) and I couldn't ever get super excited about him. That also happened to be the one year the Kings were the worst team in the league and he was the consensus #1. I think a lot of folks are overthinking this. If I were going to predict what to expect out of Cam Boozer in the NBA, I'd start at Blake Griffin and go from there. In most years he's a guy teams should be thrilled to draft at #1.
 
Sheldon Williams averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds in his Freshman season at Duke. Greg Monroe was a 7 footer who played what was considered a "throwback" big man game in 2010. He made 1 three-point jumper in his entire NBA career.

The guy I think of when I think about Cam Boozer is Blake Griffin. Yes I know they are not at all alike in terms of how they play but Blake was also a little bit undersized and enormously productive in his last college season (the Sophomore season in his case) and I couldn't ever get super excited about him. That also happened to be the one year the Kings were the worst team in the league and he was the consensus #1. I think a lot of folks are overthinking this. If I were going to predict what to expect out of Cam Boozer in the NBA, I'd start at Blake Griffin and go from there. In most years he's a guy teams should be thrilled to draft at #1.

He's mostly talking athletically and I agree. Blake but without the jumping. Like I said, I see a little Zion in there, without the bounce either of course. I also think people shouldn't be overthinking things in relations to the actual options. Yeah, if there were a big that dominates on both ends none of these guys are probably in the running for the top pick. It is what it is and it's pretty good for what it is.
 
If somehow we could get another lottery pick we gotta go get Burries dude is just a ball player. Plays through sickness, injuries and is so dam smart. He will be the steal of the draft.
 
Hopefully front offices continue to overthink Boozer like some fans are. 18 year olds do not destroy college basketball like he's currently doing. Just like an 18 year old EuroLeague MVP/champion was equally unheard of with Luka. But people got too caught up in "he fat" and "he unathletic" and whoops, a future first ballot HOF slipped to 3.

It's a credit to this draft that he's just not the consensus #1 overall pick. But he's certainly deserving in every aspect and I would not fault any team that takes him over any of AJ/Peterson/Wilson, etc.
 
Hopefully front offices continue to overthink Boozer like some fans are. 18 year olds do not destroy college basketball like he's currently doing. Just like an 18 year old EuroLeague MVP/champion was equally unheard of with Luka. But people got too caught up in "he fat" and "he unathletic" and whoops, a future first ballot HOF slipped to 3.

It's a credit to this draft that he's just not the consensus #1 overall pick. But he's certainly deserving in every aspect and I would not fault any team that takes him over any of AJ/Peterson/Wilson, etc.
From a statistical point of view, it's remarkable how similar his frosh year is to his father's junior year. Carlos didn't shoot the three, but if you just look at Cam's 2-point shooting he's only a touch behind his dad's efficiency. Rebounding and shot blocking are very similar. Cam has a big plus on the ledger as a capable 3PT shooter (so he'll space the floor better), assists by a mile, and doesn't foul as much.

I'm going to guess he's 6'7.5" barefoot, which puts him right in the kinda undersized Precious-Achiuwa-sized PF box. (In fact I suspect they will measure very similar in height/weight/wingspan.) Teams just need to recognize that he's not a center as much as they wanted him to be one. He's a kinda-small PF. But if you're going to build your offense around him, you can do a ton with him. His dad played 14 years, and all signs point to him being at least as good. He should be getting zero shade, but at this point I figure he doesn't end up being the top player in this class - one of the other guys (and who knows which?) is likely to outshine him. Still, I see a very high floor (highest in the lotto, probably), and there's value in that when he's got a great chance to hit his ceiling as the #1/#2/#3 guy in a gonzo class.

I'm not as confident as you that he can easily coexist with Domas - they fill the same space and the same role a bit too neatly. Not to say I wouldn't give it a shot, but if we end up with Cam I think that's the scenario where I'm most inclined to find trade value for Domas, and try running out Cam/Dylan/Max and hopefully find another defensive 5.
 
From a statistical point of view, it's remarkable how similar his frosh year is to his father's junior year. Carlos didn't shoot the three, but if you just look at Cam's 2-point shooting he's only a touch behind his dad's efficiency. Rebounding and shot blocking are very similar. Cam has a big plus on the ledger as a capable 3PT shooter (so he'll space the floor better), assists by a mile, and doesn't foul as much.

I'm going to guess he's 6'7.5" barefoot, which puts him right in the kinda undersized Precious-Achiuwa-sized PF box. (In fact I suspect they will measure very similar in height/weight/wingspan.) Teams just need to recognize that he's not a center as much as they wanted him to be one. He's a kinda-small PF. But if you're going to build your offense around him, you can do a ton with him. His dad played 14 years, and all signs point to him being at least as good. He should be getting zero shade, but at this point I figure he doesn't end up being the top player in this class - one of the other guys (and who knows which?) is likely to outshine him. Still, I see a very high floor (highest in the lotto, probably), and there's value in that when he's got a great chance to hit his ceiling as the #1/#2/#3 guy in a gonzo class.

I'm not as confident as you that he can easily coexist with Domas - they fill the same space and the same role a bit too neatly. Not to say I wouldn't give it a shot, but if we end up with Cam I think that's the scenario where I'm most inclined to find trade value for Domas, and try running out Cam/Dylan/Max and hopefully find another defensive 5.


Sabonis for PWill and the 9th pick! Draft Nate Ament and have a big versatile lineup to surround boozer…. Keegan/Ament/Boozer/Caldwell
 
From a statistical point of view, it's remarkable how similar his frosh year is to his father's junior year. Carlos didn't shoot the three, but if you just look at Cam's 2-point shooting he's only a touch behind his dad's efficiency. Rebounding and shot blocking are very similar. Cam has a big plus on the ledger as a capable 3PT shooter (so he'll space the floor better), assists by a mile, and doesn't foul as much.

I'm going to guess he's 6'7.5" barefoot, which puts him right in the kinda undersized Precious-Achiuwa-sized PF box. (In fact I suspect they will measure very similar in height/weight/wingspan.) Teams just need to recognize that he's not a center as much as they wanted him to be one. He's a kinda-small PF. But if you're going to build your offense around him, you can do a ton with him. His dad played 14 years, and all signs point to him being at least as good. He should be getting zero shade, but at this point I figure he doesn't end up being the top player in this class - one of the other guys (and who knows which?) is likely to outshine him. Still, I see a very high floor (highest in the lotto, probably), and there's value in that when he's got a great chance to hit his ceiling as the #1/#2/#3 guy in a gonzo class.

I'm not as confident as you that he can easily coexist with Domas - they fill the same space and the same role a bit too neatly. Not to say I wouldn't give it a shot, but if we end up with Cam I think that's the scenario where I'm most inclined to find trade value for Domas, and try running out Cam/Dylan/Max and hopefully find another defensive 5.

I don't think "easy" coexist is my viewpoint there, but I'd love to try it and see it. I mean what's not appealing about trying to recreate C-webb/Vlade 2.0? That's a lot of rebounding/toughness/skill/passing from your big man spots that nobody else in the NBA would have.

It's a win-win scenario though. Try Booz/Domas and if it doesn't work out, you have the literal perfect fit in Cardwell to slot in with him at the 5.
 
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I don't think "easy" coexist is my viewpoint there, but I'd love to try it and see it. I mean what's not appealing about trying to recreate C-webb/Vlade 2.0? That's a lot of rebounding/toughness/skill/passing from your big man spots that nobody else in the NBA would have.
Heck, I'd love to recreate that. I'm a bit worried that both guys in the new version are giving up 2-3 inches relative to the originals, and you've got four factors covered but probably lacking a lot on defense. I'd love it if we could make it work.
 
Ya I proposed Sabonis for pick 9 but some said why would Chicago do it so I’m adding Williams now sweeten the deal for Chicago if necessary
So, you're sweetening the deal for Chicago by adding an outgoing player to their side of the deal???
Wouldn't that be considered souring the deal???
And, yes, I agree with others...If I'm Chicago, this one's an easy no.
 
So, you're sweetening the deal for Chicago by adding an outgoing player to their side of the deal???
Wouldn't that be considered souring the deal???
And, yes, I agree with others...If I'm Chicago, this one's an easy no.

He's declined in minutes played for three years in a row and doesn't appear to be a player they're super committed to. On the other hand, his three-point shooting has bounced back this season and at $18 million per he's closer to fair value then negative value even if the defensive half of 3-and-D has never quite been there with him. I'd put him in the same category as Malik Monk where he's a decently productive vet but doesn't appear to gel well with the new identity his team is building.

What makes the "Sabonis to Chicago" idea tough is that the Bulls already cleared out all of their bad contracts at the trade deadline and now have $70 million worth of contracts which expire at the end of this season. I don't think there's a pathway to a deal here without involving a third team to help match the $45.4 million Sabonis is owed for next season.
 
He's declined in minutes played for three years in a row and doesn't appear to be a player they're super committed to. On the other hand, his three-point shooting has bounced back this season and at $18 million per he's closer to fair value then negative value even if the defensive half of 3-and-D has never quite been there with him. I'd put him in the same category as Malik Monk where he's a decently productive vet but doesn't appear to gel well with the new identity his team is building.

What makes the "Sabonis to Chicago" idea tough is that the Bulls already cleared out all of their bad contracts at the trade deadline and now have $70 million worth of contracts which expire at the end of this season. I don't think there's a pathway to a deal here without involving a third team to help match the $45.4 million Sabonis is owed for next season.

If Reddit is to be believed, the Bulls will be a cap space team, with more room than his salary. If that’s true they could just absorb his deal without sending matching money back.
 
So, you're sweetening the deal for Chicago by adding an outgoing player to their side of the deal???
Wouldn't that be considered souring the deal???
And, yes, I agree with others...If I'm Chicago, this one's an easy no.
He's declined in minutes played for three years in a row and doesn't appear to be a player they're super committed to. On the other hand, his three-point shooting has bounced back this season and at $18 million per he's closer to fair value then negative value even if the defensive half of 3-and-D has never quite been there with him. I'd put him in the same category as Malik Monk where he's a decently productive vet but doesn't appear to gel well with the new identity his team is building.

What makes the "Sabonis to Chicago" idea tough is that the Bulls already cleared out all of their bad contracts at the trade deadline and now have $70 million worth of contracts which expire at the end of this season. I don't think there's a pathway to a deal here without involving a third team to help match the $45.4 million Sabonis is owed for next season.

Am I mistaken isn’t Williams a horrendous contract that they’ve been trying to move

I don't think an Ament level prospect is worth eating salary that goes into a potential cap space year. Not at this point.

We have to pay someone I just want that extra lottery pick to grab Ament or one of the PG Acuff/Philon
 
Am I mistaken isn’t Williams a horrendous contract that they’ve been trying to move

A year ago that seemed to be the growing consensus. I still think Chicago probably regrets signing him to that extension, but he's at least bounced back as a 3pt shooter and there's one less year left on his contract now (2 years + a player option for a third). Add to that it's a flat contract for $18 million a year for all three years while the salary cap continues to go up and I think it no longer qualifies as a terrible contract. But not an especially desirable one either.

I am half agreeing with you that I think Chicago would probably like to move Patrick Williams in a hypothetical Sabonis deal to open up cap space and playing time for players they do care about. And if that deal is available, I would also make it as long as we can draft one of the lottery bound PGs there (Acuff, Philon, Brown if he slides and maybe even Christian Anderson from Texas Tech?) -- My rationale being that trying to develop a blue chip (top 5) prospect and escape a 3-4 year purgatory of watching terrible basketball seems like it would be a lot easier if we also brought in a young PG who is a willing passer.
 
From a statistical point of view, it's remarkable how similar his frosh year is to his father's junior year. Carlos didn't shoot the three, but if you just look at Cam's 2-point shooting he's only a touch behind his dad's efficiency. Rebounding and shot blocking are very similar. Cam has a big plus on the ledger as a capable 3PT shooter (so he'll space the floor better), assists by a mile, and doesn't foul as much.

I'm going to guess he's 6'7.5" barefoot, which puts him right in the kinda undersized Precious-Achiuwa-sized PF box. (In fact I suspect they will measure very similar in height/weight/wingspan.) Teams just need to recognize that he's not a center as much as they wanted him to be one. He's a kinda-small PF. But if you're going to build your offense around him, you can do a ton with him. His dad played 14 years, and all signs point to him being at least as good. He should be getting zero shade, but at this point I figure he doesn't end up being the top player in this class - one of the other guys (and who knows which?) is likely to outshine him. Still, I see a very high floor (highest in the lotto, probably), and there's value in that when he's got a great chance to hit his ceiling as the #1/#2/#3 guy in a gonzo class.

I'm not as confident as you that he can easily coexist with Domas - they fill the same space and the same role a bit too neatly. Not to say I wouldn't give it a shot, but if we end up with Cam I think that's the scenario where I'm most inclined to find trade value for Domas, and try running out Cam/Dylan/Max and hopefully find another defensive 5.
Why not Cam/Dylan/Keegan?

To me I’m okay with Cam because I think that line up fits so well. Cam’s stock is going to fluctuate quite a bit on how me measures at the combine.
 
Why not Cam/Dylan/Keegan?

To me I’m okay with Cam because I think that line up fits so well. Cam’s stock is going to fluctuate quite a bit on how me measures at the combine.
I'm sorry, I accidentally skipped a phrase. I meant to say "try running out Cam/Dylan/Max as our big man rotation". Keegan would be the primary SF in this scenario.
 
I'm sorry, I accidentally skipped a phrase. I meant to say "try running out Cam/Dylan/Max as our big man rotation". Keegan would be the primary SF in this scenario.

You don’t think Cam can play the 4? Given how well he rebounds I think paired with Keegan and Dylan he would be fine defensively. Especially if he is actually longer than Domas which he could well be.
 
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