2026 NBA Draft Thread

[broncos19dm]

I have ANXIETY of what will happen if this doesn't workout for my WizKids

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

Very unexpected and shocking decision, but best of luck to the kid

 

[pmatic]

 

[Public Enemy]

I have ANXIETY of what will happen if this doesn't workout for my WizKids

We gone
Be all
right!

We'll probably get 6 and now we also have 18. I think we can get two solid pickups at those spots. Let the dream of Coop or Harper or Bailey go.

 

[JustBlaze.]

 

[rolaholic]

Better than Ace?

 

[B Sox]

Think you can argue there’s more to his game than Ace.

Ace seems very MPJ/Jabari Smith to me.

 

[pmatic]

 

[Arthur Shelby]

 

[JMB10215]

Lol Hubert Davis got to go

 

[JMB10215]

Think you can argue there’s more to his game than Ace.

Ace seems very MPJ/Jabari Smith to me.

I agree. Ace is like Brandon Miller clone.

 

[pmatic]

 

[Xennial]

Only 106 players entered the 2025 NBA Draft, per the NBA. That's the lowest number of early-entrants since 2015, down from a peak of 363 in 2021, just before the NCAA's NIL era officially started. With hundreds of college basketball players now making over 1 million dollars per season (far more than a two-way contract, valued around 600k, but non-guaranteed), it makes sense that so many players are forgoing the NBA draft

 

[Public Enemy]

Only 106 players entered the 2025 NBA Draft, per the NBA. That's the lowest number of early-entrants since 2015, down from a peak of 363 in 2021, just before the NCAA's NIL era officially started. With hundreds of college basketball players now making over 1 million dollars per season (far more than a two-way contract, valued around 600k, but non-guaranteed), it makes sense that so many players are forgoing the NBA draft

I feel like other factors contribute though. Like before, you're 34, 35 and you're out of the league unless you were an anomaly or a superstar. Now we have players like Lebron (40), Steph (37), Harden (35), Kawhi (33), Wesbrook (36), KD (36), and so on (Lillard was among them until recently, turning 35 in July). And on top of guys of that caliber, you've got guys like Cory Joseph starting on a playoff team at 33.

Tech, training and modern healing help guys play way longer so there are way fewer spots. Unless you're a bona fide generational talent or someone who lucks up, there are guys out here just supremely gifted that are here and aren't going anywhere for years. I know Cam Whitmore has locker room and injury issues, but he's been in and out the g-league. You've got #3 picks like Reed Sheppard getting spot minutes or something, right?

So combine a bunch of fixtures not leaving, a ton of talent already struggling to get minutes, and on top of that the league is ready to expand to 2 more teams (we all know it's Seattle and Vegas), and to me that factors in as well, and likely more than NIL stuff.

 

[JMB10215]

I feel like other factors contribute though. Like before, you're 34, 35 and you're out of the league unless you were an anomaly or a superstar. Now we have players like Lebron (40), Steph (37), Harden (35), Kawhi (33), Wesbrook (36), KD (36), and so on (Lillard was among them until recently, turning 35 in July). And on top of guys of that caliber, you've got guys like Cory Joseph starting on a playoff team at 33.

Tech, training and modern healing help guys play way longer so there are way fewer spots. Unless you're a bona fide generational talent or someone who lucks up, there are guys out here just supremely gifted that are here and aren't going anywhere for years. I know Cam Whitmore has locker room and injury issues, but he's been in and out the g-league. You've got #3 picks like Reed Sheppard getting spot minutes or something, right?

So combine a bunch of fixtures not leaving, a ton of talent already struggling to get minutes, and on top of that the league is ready to expand to 2 more teams (we all know it's Seattle and Vegas), and to me that factors in as well, and likely more than NIL stuff.

This was a great explanation. I actually agree. I didn't think of this but yeah, these guys are holding on to their roster spots for way longer these days. I think CP3 is 40 as well

 

[Xennial]

I feel like other factors contribute though. Like before, you're 34, 35 and you're out of the league unless you were an anomaly or a superstar. Now we have players like Lebron (40), Steph (37), Harden (35), Kawhi (33), Wesbrook (36), KD (36), and so on (Lillard was among them until recently, turning 35 in July). And on top of guys of that caliber, you've got guys like Cory Joseph starting on a playoff team at 33.

Tech, training and modern healing help guys play way longer so there are way fewer spots. Unless you're a bona fide generational talent or someone who lucks up, there are guys out here just supremely gifted that are here and aren't going anywhere for years. I know Cam Whitmore has locker room and injury issues, but he's been in and out the g-league. You've got #3 picks like Reed Sheppard getting spot minutes or something, right?

So combine a bunch of fixtures not leaving, a ton of talent already struggling to get minutes, and on top of that the league is ready to expand to 2 more teams (we all know it's Seattle and Vegas), and to me that factors in as well, and likely more than NIL stuff.

All those guys you listed at above are superstars besides Cory Joseph and 33 is still early 30s, majority of the players that played to mid 30s and beyond were always the superstars besides the guys that stay on in that Udonis Haslem role. Reed Sheppard was the #3 pick in the weakest draft in my lifetime since the 2000 draft. 2 more expansion franchises opens up like 30 more roster spots which would help.

It's just a business decision, before this upcoming expansion, there's only 30 players that can be drafted in the 1st rd per yr which means only 30 can get guaranteed contracts. If you're not a 1st round lock its just the better business decision to get the money in the portal.

 

[Public Enemy]

All those guys you listed at above are superstars besides Cory Joseph and 33 is still early 30s, majority of the players that played to mid 30s and beyond were always the superstars besides the guys that stay on in that Udonis Haslem role. Reed Sheppard was the #3 pick in the weakest draft in my lifetime since the 2000 draft. 2 more expansion franchises opens up like 30 more roster spots which would help.

It's just a business decision, before this upcoming expansion, there's only 30 players that can be drafted in the 1st rd per yr which means only 30 can get guaranteed contracts. If you're not a 1st round lock its just the better business decision to get the money in the portal.

36-year old Nic Batum last night doin it way big, starting in the playoffs

 

[Xennial]

36-year old Nic Batum last night doin it way big, starting in the playoffs

I mean Olden Polynice was in the starting lineup at 36 yrs old as well. Comes down to injuries, Ron Harper started for the Lakers like over half the season in 2000 when he was 36 but got injured after that.

 

[Public Enemy]

I mean Olden Polynice was in the starting lineup at 36 yrs old as well. Comes down to injuries, Ron Harper started for the Lakers like over half the season in 2000 when he was 36 but got injured after that.

Olden Polynice!

 

[pmatic]

 

[dman14]

I feel like the league had way more older guys in the previous decades. Could be wrong, buti felt there were more "locker room vets" that took remaining roster spots

 

[Manny Fernandez718]

Maluwach better go top 3. He will be 18 years old until September

 

[pmatic]

 

[addict4sneakers]

 

[B Sox]

So he's like the consolation prize if you don't get Demon?