Mock draft 2026
- Thread starter iowamcnabb
- Start date
I think Caleb Wilson is going to look incredibly impressive in pre-draft workouts.
And while I think Boozer will look fine in workouts, I don't think that's where he shines the most. I was most impressed by his ability to make in game adjustments based on what opposing defenses were doing, which doesn't show up in an empty gym. Especially when he isn't an explosive athlete. I think he has the lowest bust potential of anyone in the lottery. I just don't know whether his ceiling is great role player or star.
Bryce Simon did a "best game" breakdown on Nate Ament for the Game Theory Substack and while he looked pretty in that game (it was against Auburn) he still reminded me of Risacher with a slower wind up on his shot. And in the couple games that I watched him he was mostly invisible. Maybe I just caught bad games, but no part of me thought, "that's a guy I really want on my team."
And while I think Boozer will look fine in workouts, I don't think that's where he shines the most. I was most impressed by his ability to make in game adjustments based on what opposing defenses were doing, which doesn't show up in an empty gym. Especially when he isn't an explosive athlete. I think he has the lowest bust potential of anyone in the lottery. I just don't know whether his ceiling is great role player or star.
Bryce Simon did a "best game" breakdown on Nate Ament for the Game Theory Substack and while he looked pretty in that game (it was against Auburn) he still reminded me of Risacher with a slower wind up on his shot. And in the couple games that I watched him he was mostly invisible. Maybe I just caught bad games, but no part of me thought, "that's a guy I really want on my team."
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I think I am AJ, Wilson, Boozer, Peterson for the reasons Cap outlined.
They are the top 4 guys though and as much as I'd love to pick first I could settle picking 3rd or 4th and not even having the opportunity to Bagley or Fultz it up. I'll admit as much as I'm biased against Duke, it is Peterson who scares me the most because of erratic play time at Kansas. Is that a long term concern or just a blip? If it were football I think it would be standard injury mitigation and draft insurance, but in basketball I am really not sure what to make of it.
And I think I am Flemings at 5.
They are the top 4 guys though and as much as I'd love to pick first I could settle picking 3rd or 4th and not even having the opportunity to Bagley or Fultz it up. I'll admit as much as I'm biased against Duke, it is Peterson who scares me the most because of erratic play time at Kansas. Is that a long term concern or just a blip? If it were football I think it would be standard injury mitigation and draft insurance, but in basketball I am really not sure what to make of it.
And I think I am Flemings at 5.
Yeah, I think we're in agreement on the top four. Obviously I'm not privy to medical or personal red flags like the front offices are, so those can't change my impressions (e.g. What's the deal with Peterson? Good kid with some nagging injuries or bad apple? Makes a difference.)
The Wilson/Boozer ranking is the hardest for me. I think the deciding factor is that Wilson does a lot of his work in space and hustling off the ball, and I think that translates well, while Boozer does a lot of his work in the low post against contact (whether he's scoring, rebounding, or passing) and that contact is going to be bigger and tougher in the NBA so I worry a bit about how he translates. But strong undersized post guys have many times become huge NBA stars (e.g. Barkley, Boozer Sr.) so we all may be overthinking it.
If we fall out of the top 4, right now I feel like it's gotta be a PG. Burries is going to be good but I don't know that he'll be more impactful than a true on-ball player of similar caliber. Ament, if he's a ceiling player instead of a floor player would be a home run, but I don't know if it's worth the risk. Lendeborg and Steinbach both look to have good futures, but while we still have Domas, and Max/Dylan are rounding out the big side of a frontcourt rotation (with Precious potentially still in town as well) I don't think they represent big enough upgrades to use a 5-9 pick on. So barring somebody coming out of nowhere, we should fill need with one of the many excellent PG prospects.
I may be Acuff at 5, but I could be bumped off that. If we do end up at 5 and Perry takes any of the Acuff/Wagler/Philon/Flemings/Brown mix (that might be my order right now, very flexible) then I can totally roll with it.
sactowndog
Hall of Famer
Yeah I give him less credit for Tatum than Brown. But regardless Danny takes big swings for wings in the top 10
Main difference is Luka had shake and strength where Boozer mostly just has strength. Also Luka is a generational offensive talent that completely covers up his lack of defense. Boozer would have to be better than your standard 20 and 10 guy in order to cover up his potential defensive concerns. We've seen Max put up 20 and 10 plenty but it doesn't quite make up for his defense yet.
That being said, I still have Boozer 3rd on my list. I think he has the highest floor of any player in the draft but I don't think he has as high of a ceiling as some of the others.
Joshyjosh31
Starter
Man don’t even compare max to boozer..
Boozer will be better then just 20-10 empty numbers he will be an offensive hub also in this era of ball you can get whatever matchup you want through pick and roll it will be switched every time so boozer can chose who he wants to bully
If only we already had a strong 6'10" guy capable of putting up 20-10 and being an offensive hub in the post
Boozer can finish with both hands and shoot the 3. He’s going to be able to get to his spots and operate on both sides of the pick-and-roll. He could be special on offense and could slot next to a defensive center.
Telemachus
Starter
I love Caleb Wilson. I personally only see 2 sure-fire franchise players in this draft (assuming health and reaching 80% of potential), and they are Wilson and Dybantsa.
coolhandluke
Starter
Apparently we are trying to trade that guy for Jakob Poetl
Tizzy Flip
Starter
I agree with this but also think Peterson is there as well. There was just something weird about the whole Kansas situation. Was an odd fit and they mostly played him off ball.
Caleb has so much skill and IQ, I see shades of AD. We’ll see if he can develop a similar offensive skill set, but AD coming out of Kentucky was considered an elite rim protector and rebounder but raw offensively.
I’ve seen so much Paolo recently that I just think that is Boozer’s ceiling. Not saying that’s a bad thing, just not what a rebuilding team needs. Perfect for the Pacers, not our situation.
