Mock draft 2026

[Tizzy Flip]

That mantra has been talked about for awhile when it comes to guards especially. Remember the whole "analytics" craze? They wanted at rim attempts or 3's. Is it over? Who knows. This is the reason why DeMar hasn't been the most valuable asset in the last number of years.

I understand where you’re coming from. But Demar and Ingram are big outliers, and they play positions where you definitely want more 3s.

At the 1 spot, would it surprise you if the shot distribution for all-stars this year averaged 1/3 3pt, 1/3 at the rim, 1/3 midrange?

 

[Tizzy Flip]

Some interesting games last night. Flemings did not look great against Illinois. Looks like Illinois game plan was to trap and double him as soon as he got to half court and force him to pass. Sampson is known for his defense, but Underwood outcoached him on both sides. Wagler had some clutch 3s and passed well when he got to the paint and help came over. Had some shaky shots too though.

In the Zona/Arkansas game, Acuff was defended by a combo of Burries and Bradley. They both did a great job making it tough for him. Acuff definitely has a ton of offensive game and off-ball he’s really really good at reading screens and trying to get separation. It’s actually really impressive what he does without the ball. But defensively he and the rest of the team got killed. Zona shot 64% from the field and a lot were easy baskets. Burries may have been the most impressive guard last night.

This draft is so deep there are going to be dudes drafted in the 2nd round that would be definite 1st round picks in other years. There will be some really solid depth pieces in round 2.

 

[Telemachus]

Some interesting games last night. Flemings did not look great against Illinois. Looks like Illinois game plan was to trap and double him as soon as he got to half court and force him to pass. Sampson is known for his defense, but Underwood outcoached him on both sides. Wagler had some clutch 3s and passed well when he got to the paint and help came over. Had some shaky shots too though.

In the Zona/Arkansas game, Acuff was defended by a combo of Burries and Bradley. They both did a great job making it tough for him. Acuff definitely has a ton of offensive game and off-ball he’s really really good at reading screens and trying to get separation. It’s actually really impressive what he does without the ball. But defensively he and the rest of the team got killed. Zona shot 64% from the field and a lot were easy baskets. Burries may have been the most impressive guard last night.

This draft is so deep there are going to be dudes drafted in the 2nd round that would be definite 1st round picks in other years. There will be some really solid depth pieces in round 2.

Burries is a guard a lot of people are sleeping on. He has good size and plays both ends of the court.

 

[QWERTYLICIOUS]

Burries is a guard a lot of people are sleeping on. He has good size and plays both ends of the court.

The dude's gonna totally end up having himself a better playing career than whoever it is that we end up drafting.

 

[SacTownKid]

I understand where you’re coming from. But Demar and Ingram are big outliers, and they play positions where you definitely want more 3s.

At the 1 spot, would it surprise you if the shot distribution for all-stars this year averaged 1/3 3pt, 1/3 at the rim, 1/3 midrange?

That's still a majority of the shots being from 3 or at the rim so no. Plenty of players still take mid range shots, it's the players where it's their main weapon that find less value in the market and we just literally saw that with De'Aaron Fox also who was somewhat tied to the mid range. I personally think the elimination of the mid range shot will end once the league really goes into a more physical style. The ability to draw contact will go through the roof however. So, the question is how many times do those all stars get to the line along with it? The ability to get to the line has always be the cheat code when it comes to things like PER. I'm not sure what the stats truly are but a cursory look has Flemings at a pretty low 3 point attempt rate to go with that lower free throw rate. That isn't a combo GM's have been enthused with in the current era.

 

[SacTownKid]

Some interesting games last night. Flemings did not look great against Illinois. Looks like Illinois game plan was to trap and double him as soon as he got to half court and force him to pass. Sampson is known for his defense, but Underwood outcoached him on both sides. Wagler had some clutch 3s and passed well when he got to the paint and help came over. Had some shaky shots too though.

In the Zona/Arkansas game, Acuff was defended by a combo of Burries and Bradley. They both did a great job making it tough for him. Acuff definitely has a ton of offensive game and off-ball he’s really really good at reading screens and trying to get separation. It’s actually really impressive what he does without the ball. But defensively he and the rest of the team got killed. Zona shot 64% from the field and a lot were easy baskets. Burries may have been the most impressive guard last night.

This draft is so deep there are going to be dudes drafted in the 2nd round that would be definite 1st round picks in other years. There will be some really solid depth pieces in round 2.

That's another thing I mentioned about Flemings that puts him below Acuff and some of the other guards, perhaps even Stirtz at this point, IMO. When a team sends a hard show or a double Flemings doesn't attack through it. It's very similar to what we've seen from players like Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford. Two players that also simply do not get to the foul line. In the end, all these guards looks like A piece not THE piece, although there is a lot of development to go so who knows. It's all based on where a team picks and who is available I guess, haha.

 

[Tizzy Flip]

That's still a majority of the shots being from 3 or at the rim so no. Plenty of players still take mid range shots, it's the players where it's their main weapon that find less value in the market and we just literally saw that with De'Aaron Fox also who was somewhat tied to the mid range. I personally think the elimination of the mid range shot will end once the league really goes into a more physical style. The ability to draw contact will go through the roof however. So, the question is how many times do those all stars get to the line along with it? The ability to get to the line has always be the cheat code when it comes to things like PER. I'm not sure what the stats truly are but a cursory look has Flemings at a pretty low 3 point attempt rate to go with that lower free throw rate. That isn't a combo GM's have been enthused with in the current era.

I think your understanding of the 1 is flawed. The position is much different than a wing who is coached to sit behind the 3pt line or cut and be a lob threat. I gave you actual data and there’s a big reason why 1s shoot as many shots midrange than at the rim. It’s cuz most of them have a size disadvantage when help comes over. The best pgs like SGA, Brunson are a threat at all 3 levels, can get separation in the paint and pull up when 4/5s come over to help. Flemings will be a threat at all 3 levels. He was limited by what Sampson allowed him to do. Acuff actually has a really good midrange but I have concerns if he can be effective in the paint with his size.

 

[Tizzy Flip]

That's another thing I mentioned about Flemings that puts him below Acuff and some of the other guards, perhaps even Stirtz at this point, IMO. When a team sends a hard show or a double Flemings doesn't attack through it. It's very similar to what we've seen from players like Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford. Two players that also simply do not get to the foul line. In the end, all these guards looks like A piece not THE piece, although there is a lot of development to go so who knows. It's all based on where a team picks and who is available I guess, haha.

Stirtz!?! Cmon man. There’s a reason why Flemings is considered a consensus top 6. In spite of the limitations Sampson’s philosophy has on his game

 

[Section 101]

It did when he retired, for sure. At this point college players are half my age and I've long since made peace with being middle aged. It's the family and friends passing away every year part now that I could do without.

Imagine being Bajaden's age and being born before basketball was invented!

 

[Telemachus]

Imagine being Bajaden's age and being born before basketball was invented!

He's not that old.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

He's not that old.

Have you met him?

 

[Telemachus]

Have you met him?

Yes. He's my Dad.

 

[iowamcnabb]

We have our very own LeBron/Bronny duo right here on the forum.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Yes. He's my Dad.

This is INFORMATION HE HAS NOT OFFERED UP

 

[Tetsujin]

This is INFORMATION HE HAS NOT OFFERED UP

I would like this post if I could

 

[jiimbob]

I’m a little curious where Dash Daniels is going to go in this draft. He’s not mentioned much here and likely more of a late first rounder.
As I live in Australia, I know a young man that went to school with the Daniel brothers, played with Dash and he seems to think he’s better than his brother Dyson.