Following Potential 2026 Draftees

[KqWIN]

I feel pretty good about Key being a dude you need to plan around when drafting this high. Torn on Flemings if we were in the 5-8 range and he was there. Someone said they remind him of Maxey both on and off the court. IDK if Key and Maxey is ideal but damn... I'd take that.

Carr/Steinbach likely keep rising but aren't talked about in that group just yet. I can't decide if I like Peat/Ament yet. Wonder if you landed 5 if you could get a great trade down price and get one of those guys that fits better.

Key is the one that could be Maxey imo. Flemings is more like Fox/Quickley in my mind. He’s less of an offensive engine/elite scorer type but does do more of the “winning plays” type stuff.

I think Key is someone good enough to change your draft decision making. However, I don’t necessarily think you need to look at things in an end game type of way. I would ask myself, “can these guys both shine together” and not “is this an ideal pairing for end game”.

Fo example, I’m ok with getting into a Garland+Mitchell situation. I think both guys standout and shine next to each other, but they all have questions about their fit in a deep playoff run type scenario. I don’t want those fit questions, but I think a good FO could manage that situation and find a good trade as long as both players are able to be at their best.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Key is the one that could be Maxey imo. Flemings is more like Fox/Quickley in my mind. He’s less of an offensive engine/elite scorer type but does do more of the “winning plays” type stuff.

I think Key is someone good enough to change your draft decision making. However, I don’t necessarily think you need to look at things in an end game type of way. I would ask myself, “can these guys both shine together” and not “is this an ideal pairing for end game”.

Fo example, I’m ok with getting into a Garland+Mitchell situation. I think both guys standout and shine next to each other, but they all have questions about their fit in a deep playoff run type scenario. I don’t want those fit questions, but I think a good FO could manage that situation and find a good trade as long as both players are able to be at their best.

I think the main basis for the comp was speed and just their demeanor off court. Maxey is one of those guys that is a FO/Coach's dream.

Agree... its not ideal but if he is the best player on the board and you can play them together without hamstringing the team or the other one that much then go for it. Also, things happen so thinking like our starters are player xyz as if its all finished is not something I'd do. I would probably factor it more with Brown Jr.

Unless you are bottom 4 you are very unlikely to be the 5th pick so unless Flemings slips to 6th or lower I am not sure it really is something we will have to consider. I think 5 is our "ceiling" as far as pre-draft lotto positioning goes. Only have a 2.2% chance drafting 5th from the 5 slot.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Please explain why Ament has a high ceiling. He's the definition of a late lottery, late teens prospect

Historically he's been a good shooter with plus-length, including shooting off the dribble. He's got enough of a handle and passing vision to play on the ball. His body is just now starting to develop and he's trying things he hasn't done before, like driving and making decisions in traffic. It'll take him a couple years at least to put himself together. Right now he isn't making shots or finishing plays efficiently, but longer term his ceiling is up there next to the top 4 guys. The tools are there. It's just that there's more of a risk factor.

I can see teams taking a swing on Ament sooner than draft another 6'3" guard.

 

[KqWIN]

I think the main basis for the comp was speed and just their demeanor off court. Maxey is one of those guys that is a FO/Coach's dream.

Agree... its not ideal but if he is the best player on the board and you can play them together without hamstringing the team or the other one that much then go for it. Also, things happen so thinking like our starters are player xyz as if its all finished is not something I'd do. I would probably factor it more with Brown Jr.

Unless you are bottom 4 you are very unlikely to be the 5th pick so unless Flemings slips to 6th or lower I am not sure it really is something we will have to consider. I think 5 is our "ceiling" as far as pre-draft lotto positioning goes. Only have a 2.2% chance drafting 5th from the 5 slot.

It’s a good point. We’re probably drafting top 4 or 7-8. I don’t know if Flemings has made it a clear top 5 for decision makers, but he is right now for me. After that it becomes very open ended.

I think Quaintance might be the prospect I’m most intrigued by, and I can see the Jazz wanting to go a different direction with the C position.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think the main basis for the comp was speed and just their demeanor off court. Maxey is one of those guys that is a FO/Coach's dream.

Agree... its not ideal but if he is the best player on the board and you can play them together without hamstringing the team or the other one that much then go for it. Also, things happen so thinking like our starters are player xyz as if its all finished is not something I'd do. I would probably factor it more with Brown Jr.

Unless you are bottom 4 you are very unlikely to be the 5th pick so unless Flemings slips to 6th or lower I am not sure it really is something we will have to consider. I think 5 is our "ceiling" as far as pre-draft lotto positioning goes. Only have a 2.2% chance drafting 5th from the 5 slot.

Yeah you're right. I guess I am fine with it if the purpose is to get some space to get a shot... but allowing it to be called a foul and it gets them space is tough.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Historically he's been a good shooter with plus-length, including shooting off the dribble. He's got enough of a handle and passing vision to play on the ball. His body is just now starting to develop and he's trying things he hasn't done before, like driving and making decisions in traffic. It'll take him a couple years at least to put himself together. Right now he isn't making shots or finishing plays efficiently, but longer term his ceiling is up there next to the top 4 guys. The tools are there. It's just that there's more of a risk factor.

I can see teams taking a swing on Ament sooner than draft another 6'3" guard.

I'm seeing shades of you trying to sells us on Cody Williams despite him being awful.

He has plus length, but one of the worst block rates in college basketball history for anyone over 6'9? And it isn't even conference play yet, that's with soft schedule opponents .

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I'm seeing shades of you trying to sells us on Cody Williams despite him being awful.

He has plus length, but one of the worst block rates in college basketball history for anyone over 6'9? And it isn't even conference play yet, that's with soft schedule opponents .

Ament is tiers above Cody as a prospect and requires less imagination to get there. What I'm looking for are guys who can be a #1 or #2. Cody was supposed to be a versatile #3.

Ament's steals are fine. The key stat to be encouraged by right now are also his assists.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

It’s a good point. We’re probably drafting top 4 or 7-8. I don’t know if Flemings has made it a clear top 5 for decision makers, but he is right now for me. After that it becomes very open ended.

I think Quaintance might be the prospect I’m most intrigued by, and I can see the Jazz wanting to go a different direction with the C position.

Even if he's considered top 5 he could slide because that happens with pgs and centers sometimes. So he may be there... in which case you take him.

I need Quaintance to play. I watched him last year and wasn't really impressed but he was like 12 playing against older guys lol. My eyes don't know how to fully translate that. The injuries are worrisome though. Isn't this his second big injury? Unless he plays and impresses I'm likely to have him lower than 7-8. I get the idea though.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I'm seeing shades of you trying to sells us on Cody Williams despite him being awful.

He has plus length, but one of the worst block rates in college basketball history for anyone over 6'9? And it isn't even conference play yet, that's with soft schedule opponents .

I don't know if it translates but that is one of my draft icks.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I don't know if it translates but that is one of my draft icks.

Cody Williams averaged 7x the blocks per 100 possessions than Nate Ament

 

[KqWIN]

I like Steinbach, but is Ngongba a better prospect?

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Cody Williams averaged 7x the blocks per 100 possessions than Nate Ament

Yeah, Ament doesn't block shots, except by accident.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I like Steinbach, but is Ngongba a better prospect?

I think Steinbach has potentially elite skills and Nnogba is more of a well rounded center. I would take Steinbach if I'm building a team from scratch but if Utah wants another big I would get them having Ngonba higher because of the defense aspect.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Even if he's considered top 5 he could slide because that happens with pgs and centers sometimes. So he may be there... in which case you take him.

I need Quaintance to play. I watched him last year and wasn't really impressed but he was like 12 playing against older guys lol. My eyes don't know how to fully translate that. The injuries are worrisome though. Isn't this his second big injury? Unless he plays and impresses I'm likely to have him lower than 7-8. I get the idea though.

The question is his offensive versatility. I'll buy that he's better than Robert Williams on that end. I can't buy that he's as good as Jalen Duren. The injury is also a buzzkill.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Neo Avadalas could be amazing in the NBA, but looks a bit stifled in the college half-court game. Looking at the way the Jazz like to push and move the ball, Neo would fit right in and give us ball movement and decision-making on the wing that we don't currently have. Is that enough to take him inside the top 10? I'm not sure. His movement is a bit clunky here and there, but so was Franz Wagner's.

I still think Karim Lopez could end up a top 10 guy.

 

[Megadoo1]

Wow …..


View: https://x.com/scotthughescbb/status/2002068966198686173?s=61&t=5x3vadM2-QgdcTb1VKPOjw

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Wow …..


View: https://x.com/scotthughescbb/status/2002068966198686173?s=61&t=5x3vadM2-QgdcTb1VKPOjw

Is this legit. Pretty wild if true. Will still go top 3 I'm guessing but really sucks.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Neo Avadalas could be amazing in the NBA, but looks a bit stifled in the college half-court game. Looking at the way the Jazz like to push and move the ball, Neo would fit right in and give us ball movement and decision-making on the wing that we don't currently have. Is that enough to take him inside the top 10? I'm not sure. His movement is a bit clunky here and there, but so was Franz Wagner's.

I still think Karim Lopez could end up a top 10 guy.

Avdalas reminds me of Hayward

 

[underdog]

Is this legit. Pretty wild if true. Will still go top 3 I'm guessing but really sucks.

He's gonna fall into our lap, guys. Just kidding, this is probably fake news.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Wow …..


View: https://x.com/scotthughescbb/status/2002068966198686173?s=61&t=5x3vadM2-QgdcTb1VKPOjw

I’m sorry but this is silly and a significant red flag to me. Either he has a real medical problem or he is weak psychologically or something along those lines.