Early look at the 2026 draft

[CFAN38]

As is typical of me this time of year I have watched very little college bball and haven't looked at this upcoming draft much but a couple players jump out at me.

Morez Johnson Jr., he is a young soph (20 on draft night) big man (listed at 6'9 250) for Michigan. Despite playing along side two likely NBA draft picks players in combo forward Lendeborg and center Mara he is putting up great numbers. He has also been a productive member of USA FIBA teams in 2024 and 2025. I want to watch more of his complete games but on the surface he looks to me like a lottery talent who is being held back by a lower usage role. Tankathon currently has him mocks to go #27

Richie Saunders, as an older prospect (24 on draft night) he is not the typical prospect I like in the draft but watching him play its easy to see him as a productive rotation player on a winning team. He is listed at 6'5 200lbs, is an NBA level athlete, and plays with a great motor. Tankathon has him projected to go #47 but I see him returning first round value to the right team.

[perks-a-beast]

This is one of those drafts where I would be totally happy to trade our picks to improve the current roster. Outside of the Top 4, I think this draft is extremely underwhelming.

[Phantom255x]

This is one of those drafts where I would be totally happy to trade our picks to improve the current roster. Outside of the Top 4, I think this draft is extremely underwhelming.

Yeah, and we also have the Pelicans pick in the 2nd round which is projected to be in the 31-36 range so might have value. Obviously don't give up both but I'm fine giving up either our own first rounder or the Pelicans second to add a contributor on the team particularly frontcourt.

[Moranis]

Top 4?

This draft seems very deep with top level talent. Obviously you have the top 3 in Peterson, Dybantsa, and Boozer but after that there are 5 or 6 guys all in the same general range.  Guys like Brown, Wilson, Flemings, Quaintance, Peat, Ament.  Not to mention a guy like Cenac who is obviously talented but dropping some on draft boards and may be in play more near where Boston will pick.  This is a draft to get more picks in, if possible not fewer.

[Celtics2021]

As a Michigan fan, I have seen a lot of Morez Johnson Jr. this year.  He is a high-ceiling, low-floor PF.  It is not a given he will be in the draft next year, as I think Michigan will pay him $2-3 million to stay, so I think he will need to get a promise in the top 20-25 to remain in the draft.  If his consistency improves, he could blow up into a lottery pick in 2027.  Very talented, but the one most likely to make low-IQ plays of Michigan?s 3 bigs.